Disneyworld 2014

After the craziness of the wedding things were pretty quiet in January and early February before my annual work conference.  We go to Orlando every year and I usually tack on a trip to Texas but since we had just visited we decided to help Mom and Dad celebrate their 39th wedding anniversary at the happiest place on earth - DISNEYWORLD!!

We stayed at the Yacht Club on the Disneyworld property so we were able to walk to most of the resorts, making the most of the few days we were there.   It was Lloyd's first visit to Disneyworld so he wore around a badge that said 'First Time Visitor' and in true Disney customer service, was welcomed by staff celebrating his first visit.  Mom and Dad wore Happy Anniversary buttons and had people telling them Happy Anniversary throughout the entire visit.  The weather was pleasant and sunny and our days were jam packed with walking, rides and meals. 

In Tomorrowland we passed by an old-favorite ride, the People Mover!  Mom and Jamie used to ride the People Mover at Disneyland in California while the rest of us rode Space Mountain, it is a slow-moving tram ride which wasn't too scary for a young Jamie.

All in all we spent a great weekend getting pampered by Disney and loved every minute of it.  Until next time, Mickey! 

Cinderella's Castle...and a lovely crane

The people mover!

Truly stuff dreams are made of!  So nostalgic

Castle at night

One of the many fantastic meals while we were there

Picture with the First Time visitor and Cinderella's Castle

Mom and Dad at one of the 3D shows

Happy 39th Anniversary Mom & Dad!  Thanks for sharing it with us

Special card and balloons delivered to lovebirds

  

Fireworks over the castle on the last evening

Ho Ho Homicide 2014

Another favorite event from 2014 was cousin Robin's annual holiday party, this time in a murder mystery theme. We all dressed up as elves or reindeer and were given a name, profile and clues and were tasked with speaking to the other characters to get information to solve the Christmas murder mystery.  There was plenty of food and drinks and a house full of people in the festive spirit which made for a really fun and entertaining evening. 

The future Mr. & Mrs. Cilliers

Barry and Dad in character

Food, family and fun!

Our wacky host, Robin

Callie, Mom and Frosty

Jokers...Lloyd Len and Barry

My favorite Mother-in-Law-to-be

Grandpa and cousin Peggy

Jen, Lloyd and Duane...Mr. Cool

Christmas Day 2014

On Christmas Day 2014 we all got dressed up and went to First Baptist for the Candlelight service.  This year's service was especially quick...because we misread the time and showed up 30mins late!  But just in time for the good stuff :)  Afterwards we went over to Grandpa's for the reading of the Christmas story, pie and presents. 

Lloyd bonding with Jackson during the photo session

The family:  Dad, Mom, Tess, Lloyd, Gail, Bryan, Barry, Grandpa, Jamie, Jackson & Jen (Photographer Len)

Jackson's new Christmas toy

Len, Mom & Grandpa

Dad's new orange (plastic) trombone called the Pbone!

That toy lasted less than 5mins

Jackson did not approve of the Pbone!

Christmas Eve 2014

Once again I am horribly overdue on the blog!! So behind that I have to add the year to the date of the post, which is so sad!  But that is just a testament to how busy we have been lately.  I was so hung up on compiling all of the pics and videos from the wedding and felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of content so I've avoided posting and am now very behind!  But I've reached a decision - in the true spirit of procrastination I will save the wedding post for another day and carry on!

Christmas eve 2014 was a bit different but still very fun, because literally everyone was in town for our wedding!  The Solomons graciously hosted Christmas Eve lunch and we enjoyed an afternoon of eating, some improptu singing and really enjoyed spending time with everyone. 

Mt choir director from London gave me some choir arrangements of Christmas songs and we enjoyed singing together.  Well - I enjoyed singing, Dad and Jamie were talked into it by Uncle Johnny!

It was great having Uncle Johnny and Aunt LouAnn join us which made for a very special Christmas and a tradition that I hope can continue! 

Lovely ladies

Too many cooks in the kitchen

Mom & Len

Two of my favorite ladies:  Tess & Aunt LouAnn

Jamie, Tess, Gail, Bryan and his lookalike Barry

The Cilliers family:  Tess, Lloyd, Len

Brothers goofing off in the kitchen

Beavers family singing!! So fun

Lloyd and his dad

Dad, Jen, Bryan

Uncle Johnny is happy now that he is fed!

Gail, Barry, Jamie

Grandpa and SuDonna

So cute - Jamie and Grandpa

Swarming around Gail's delicious food!

Just like old times - Singing together. 

UK Hen Do, October 2014

 My UK 'Hen Do' party was a complete secret and I had no input in planning or organising it, which was definitely a weird feeling since I am typically the go-to bachelorette party planner!  I was told to go to a salon around 2pm where I got my hair done, and it was there that my friend Nicola stopped by and gave me a mini bottle of pink champagne to have while I was pampered.  After getting my hair done I went across the street to get my nails done and when I picked the sparkly purple polish I wanted the nail lady apologised, but said she was instructed to only paint my nails red, white, and blue.  I explained that I was American and my friends were probably playing  a trick on me, so we came up with a fun design and then I headed back home.  

Upon arriving home I found that the whole place was decked out in British flags, with red, white and blue everywhere, and typical British snacks to nibble on.  Everyone was also wearing red, white and blue clothes and the place looked so festive!! They immediately sat me down and put each girl in charge of doing a particular makeup area - one person did my eyeshadow, another did my eyebrows, someone did my blush, not allowing me to do anything to get myself ready.

 Then they brought me my outfit for the evening - a red, white and blue go-go dancer outfit complete with gloves and knee high stockings!  I brought out my own pair of sparkly silver shoes - Lloyd had actually brought these to me when we first met in NYC (he worked for a clothing retailer and got me a discount) and this was finally the perfect opportunity to wear them.  We danced around and listened to music until the next phase of the evening began...

Soon after we headed downstairs and piled into a bright purple stretch limo which drove us around Central London!!  It was so fun, blasting our own tunes and singing along, drinking champagne and cruising around the city, only stopping to jump out and take our picture in front of famous London landmarks. 

In front of Buckingham Palace

The night was an absolute blast and many of the girls said it was the best hen do they had ever been to!  I'm so thankful to have such an awesome sister and great girlfriends who planned a truly epic night, one that will not be forgotten!  Jamie booked us a hotel nearby and when we got home the next day Lloyd and Barry had cleaned up the huge mess we left in the kitchen which was much appreciated, so we were able to relax and just enjoy the rest of the weekend.