"What's in the Camera?" Wednesday

Hey there!  Been a bit since I've checked in.  Here's what is going on here currently:

We are piggie-sitting for a few days........

Our current pigs aren't sure what to think, other than Mimi is fairly certain the temporary pigs have boy cooties.  (Don't worry, we aren't letting anybody get "too close."  Can you imagine the mayhem of baby piggies?!?!?

I've been enjoying the beautiful weather - I snapped a few pictures on a walk last week.  So gorgeous.

 And, I've been plotting out spring cookie ideas.  One of my neighbors has three different events coming up this spring/summer, and asked me to do cakes and cookies.  Then another friend asked about a communion cake.  I keep saying I'm going to quit, but I just can't let go ;)

AND, my Peyton ran her first 5K a couple of weeks ago!  It was a night, glow-in-the-dark color run, she had fun.  It was fun to watch a race and cheer her on!

She is also running track, but so far we've just had 2 meets due to weather.  Kevin has started baseball practice, and Reaghan is busy with her art and recovering from her ankle surgery.  I've been running outside  (50 degree mornings?!?!?  Yes, please!!)  and keeping up with kids and work.  Jerry is helping with baseball and Cub Scouts, and the calendar has very little white space these days!  

Hope you are enjoying spring time - summer will be here before we know it!!

"What's in the Camera" Wednesday

I finally moved some pictures over from my phone - last ones going into my Winter 2016 file, since as of Sunday it is SPRING!!

Even though I delete some of my photos, I'm so glad to live in a digital age - I'd rather snap and delete than miss out.  Plus, it helps my failing memory, LOL!

 A Rumchata cake to celebrate a friend's birthday.  So glad I didn't forget this time!

 A picture of just sprinkles.  Because they are so pretty, they deserve their own photo op.  This was the screen saver on my phone for awhile.

 After run selfie. 

 I mentioned a few weeks ago that I went to a cake pop party where I was the instructor.  It was so much fun!  One of the girls who made the pops featured in this photo hugged me and thanked me for showing her.  Didn't she do a great job?? 

 St. Patrick's Day treats!!!  Andes mint brownies and Peanut Butter cup cake pops. 

 And speaking of St. Patrick's Day, how adorable is this throwback?!?!?  Two-thirds agree!  ;)

 'Tis the season.  For basketball, that is.  These were cookies that a friend asked me to do for her son's tournament.  A week later, I did the same decoration for Kevin's team on a brownie (they lost the first round, so I was glad we were at least able to end on a little bit of a sweet note.)

 Gratuitous Guinea Pig shot ;)

 Last week, one of the mom's from baseball called and said she had asked her son if he wanted cupcakes or a cake for his birthday.  He was silent, then replied that he didn't want either.  He wanted a Miss Mindy cookie cake.  These are one of my favorite things to bake lately.

And last, but not least - first day of spring pics, sunrise to sunset!!

After tomorrow, my kids are on spring break for 10 days.  They are very ready for a break, and I'm looking forward to spending more time with them.  Between homework, activities, work, and surgery recovery for my daughter, it has been a hectic winter.  Here's to lots of downtime and of course, Easter celebrations with more baking!  (And maybe some outside running if spring weather decides to arrive on time!)

"What's in the camera?" Wednesday + Disney Princess Half Marathon recap in photos

Well, it is obviously Thursday, but just didn't have time to finish this yesterday.

I just uploaded all my pictures since the beginning of January.  I always forget how many I take!  I'm trying to get better at deleting the bonus shots right from my phone.  Last week, when our plane was descending, I deleted quite a few pics, but I still had quite a few in there.

First up - this cutie had a birthday a couple of weeks ago, here is a shot from his party:

Can't believe he is getting so big!!!

Here is one of our new guinea pig friend.....she is very cute too ;)

And, a few from the Disney :)

A quick recap:  Two running friends of mine invited me along to run the Disney Princess Half Marathon.  They had both run Disney races as recently as this past January, but this girls weekend was in the works since last year.  We originally planned to go from Saturday until Monday, and have 2 park days (Disney races start at 5:30 a.m. so they can be finished, or at least very well underway, by the time the parks open.  So, providing one's feet and legs feel up to it, it is completely feasible to have many hours at one of the parks - I am keeping this in mind for next time I bring the fam!)

However, as it often does, life got a little hectic and some unforeseen family and work circumstances had us all coming home Sunday evening. 

So, we arrived as early as we could Saturday, checked into the hotel, took a shuttle to pick up our race packets, then enjoyed the afternoon at Epcot.  It is a strong tie between Epcot and Magic Kingdom for my favorite park.  The best thing was being able to walk around all the countries with JUST GROWN-UPS!!  My kids love Epcot too, but lolling about instead of doing rides isn't their thing ;)  We ate lunch in Mexico, rode Soarin' and Nemo's Ride then popped over to the "golf ball" to ride "Spaceship Earth."   A side note:  we all 3 fit into one clam shell at that Nemo ride.  We have 10 kids between us, so we counted this as an accomplishment, ha!

We had dinner reservations at the Cape May restaurant at the Beach Club resort.  I highly recommend the dinner buffet there.  We have enjoyed breakfast there on previous visits, but this was my first time eating a different meal there, and it did not disappoint!  My only regret was that they only do character meals at breakfast :(

Pre-race fuel!

I'm not a big fan of carb loading on pasta the night before a race....it just leaves me feeling bloated and lethargic.  I did indulge in dessert carbs a bit, though ;)  THEY WERE AMAZING!!!  Not usually a flan person, but that little cup in the upper left hand corner was to die for.


Now that I posted all the yummy food, back to the beginning........

Here was my view from the plane on the way to Orlando...another plane!  I know it's tiny, but I think this was the first time I've ever seen another plane from my plane window.

 We stayed at Saratoga Springs near Downtown Disney where this guy welcomed everybody to the pool!

 ESPN Wide World of Sports at Disney

 A picture of the ball field there - so cool!

 The Sunset as viewed from Mexico in Epcot

 

No matter how many times I get to take a picture and ride this, it never gets old!!!

 

Race Day!  Every time a corral started across the line, fireworks exploded.  I might be forever ruined for any kind of "normal" race again!

Here is a shot of my "101 Dalmatians" costume (I have no good pictures of me in it, I know, I know!  But we had to get up and 3 a.m. and board a bus by 4 a.m. - cut me some slack!! 

(Resuming food pictures.  Confirming to myself that deep down, I am just a big 'ol foodie at heart!!)

Post race food!!!

After we crossed the finish line and received our medal, we shuttled back to our hotel and had breakfast.   I don't think a vanilla iced coffee or a breakfast wrap has ever tasted that awesome in the history of mankind.  Especially that coffee (upper right hand corner)..........yummy!

We were done and back up to shower before 9 a.m.  After that we walked over to downtown Disney and shopped a bit, then had lunch.

A mimosa to celebrate!

 A most delicious salad.  Again, I don't like to load up on heavy food after a race.  Just doesn't feel right and I'm usually not that hungry after a long run.

Now, the day AFTER a long run in a different story.........

We walked back to the hotel, spent a bit of time sitting by the pool, then headed back to the airport.  It was a very short weekend, but such a great time with so many memories made.  As moms, (and all the other daily roles we have) it is such a treat to once in a while do something so out of the ordinary, even if you only get 6 total hours of sleep over the course of 2 days!!! 

And yes, I would totally do it again!