Orlando =)

Grant and I have season passes to Sea World and a few Disney tickets that expire in September. Knowing that the next few weekends were going to be busy, we decided to go down to Orlando this weekend. I got a great deal on a 4-star hotel on lastminutetravel.com, so we stayed the night and were able to see and do a lot. We got up early on Saturday and drove straight to Magic Kingdom. We got there at about 10AM and went straight to Space Mountain to get a FastPass. While we were getting our FastPass we saw this Disney trash can moving by itself across the pavement. We went up close to it and heard it talk! It was talking about how it was going to use a FastPass to go on Space Mountain! The trash can had a FastPass sitting on top of it. Little kids tried to take the FastPass and the trash can would chase them and yell at them to get the FastPass back. It was really quite funny. Disney should definitely invest in more of these trash cans.

Anyways, Grant and I got our FastPasses and went on a couple rides until our time came to ride Space Mountain. We rode Buzz Lightyear, an interactive ride where you shoot targets using laser guns. The first time Grant got a higher score than I did, but I definitely beat him the second time we rode the ride. See our scores below. Grant = 60,700; Becky = 77,800.

Grant's Score

Becky's Score

After we went on a few more rides it started getting really hot outside. I am not a big fan of crowded amusement parks when it is sunny and 90-degrees outside. So, Grant and I left and went to go check into our hotel. Once we found it we decided to go to the pool for a bit. It was really nice and relaxing. We then showered and grabbed dinner before heading back to Magic Kingdom to ride a few more rides, catch the parade and see the fireworks. I found that this is the best way to do Disney -- go in the morning for a little and then come back at night. This way you completely miss the hottest and most crowded part of the day. At night there were no lines for the Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean (which has been upgraded to include Captain Jack Sparrow) and the railroad ride. Our timing was PERFECT!

On Sunday we got up early and headed to Sea World with the sole intention of feeding the dolphins. Last time we went it was really crowded and we did not get a chance to feed the dolphins and I was bummed. Once again our timing was PERFECT! We entered the park and went straight to the dolphin pool where the line had just started to form to get the fish. Grant headed to the ATM while I waited because they only took cash or travelers checks -- who does that anymore!?! I got my fish and headed to the pool. I was so excited! The dolphins were really beautiful and super nice. It was definitely the highlight of my day!

Next, we went to feed the sting rays. I was terrified. To feed them you have to put your hand into the tank and let the rays swim over it and suck up the fish off your hand. I was able to feed three of the fish to the rays. The other two fish were snatched right out of my hands by hovering birds! Not nearly as good an experience as feeding the dolphins. I have now decided that whenever we drive through Orlando (which is quite often since it is right on the way to Fort Myers) we must stop and feed the dolphins (or at least until our season pass expires). =)

We left Sea World at about noon with just enough time to stop by the Florida Mall. Orlando has two great malls. Jacksonville has two mediocre malls. Grant was a great sport and joined me as we shopped for a couple hours. We actually spent more on him than on me! =) I did get some really cute plaid shorts to wear when we go golfing and to THE PLAYERS Championship this weekend.

In all, it was a great weekend. I love my husband and I love feeding dolphins and shopping! =) Peace out.

Our Weekend

Grant and I had a good time with the family this past weekend. On Friday night we went out to a Faith Night at the Jacksonville Suns stadium. Being back at the ballpark reminded me of the summer I spent in Nashville working with some of the best people around doing some amazing work and all the while learning a lot about myself and my purpose. Here are some photos from our night.

Aw! Grant, you are so handsome!

Look at those sisters!

That's me, just hanging out.

My three handsome brothers all grown up!

My Aunt Di and my little brothers.

Me and my Aunt Diane taking in the game.

On Saturday we went to see Vacancy. It was a pretty good movie. Afterwards we had some Portillo's for dinner thanks to some thoughtful and generous aunts and uncles. You know who you are. ;)

This one is for you, Eddie. We saw this set up at the movie theater.

Sunday was a good day too. Grant and I took out our new bikes for a test drive on the beach. Both of us are still feeling it today! It's tough to ride on the beach!!! I am really enjoying living where we're at. It's so nice to ride three blocks and be at the beach in one direction and inside the TPC Sawgrass in the other direction. We truly are blessed.

Happy birthday Grant, Happy wedding Mandy and Apartment Update

So a lot has happened since my last post.

1. Grant turned 25! For Grant's 25th birthday I got him a fabulous new bike, a golf glove and some very cool plaid shorts. However, it turned out that the bike had a flat tire, so we have not been able to go riding yet. Grant has gotten good use out of his new golf glove though as we are taking lessons together at the TPC Sawgrass -- be jealous! We signed up for group lessons, but were the only people to select this particular class...so it is just me and Grant and our fabulous instructor JP. So far we have learned grip, stance, chipping and 3/4 swings using a 6-iron. It is only a matter of time before we are professionals. Tiger Woods watch out! We learned how to chip last week. JP set up a friendly contest to see who could chip the best. I beat Grant on 6 of 7 balls. It was great! He still owes me dinner. =)

2. Last week was Mandy's wedding. Mandy is one of my best friends from college. She introduced me to Grant. =) It was a great weekend. I was able to be there as Mandy started her life with Scott and see some of our other friends from college. I absolutely love Mandy and her entire family! What a fun weekend!! Her and Scott are now in Hawaii and I am VERY jealous!

Me and Mandy before she said "I Do"

Mandy & Scott on the fabulous limobus!

The bridal party at Sanibel Island -- It was REALLY sunny!!

Me and Grant =)

Me and Mandy on the bus. :)

3. Here are some photos we took of our apartment today. It is really starting to feel like home!

Happy Easter!!

Today Grant and I celebrated Easter and the last day Grant will be 24. =)The Easter bunny brought me tulips and a bunny filled with chocolates. The bunny brought Grant a nice basket filled with his favorite chocolates. We went to church with my family and then to brunch at the Sawgrass Marriott where we got to see the Easter bunny! It was a little too cold for my liking, so we spent the rest of the day at the gym (working off that Easter chocolate) and in front of the TV watching Zach Johnson win the Masters. The weekends definitely go by way too fast!!

Tomorrow is Grant's birthday. I hope he likes his presents!! =)

Back to Back to Back

Much has happened since my last post. I'll start with the most recent. The Gators won their third national championship in the past 12 months. It truly is GREAT to be a FLORIDA GATOR!!! And, it is a truly amazing and quite a historic accomplishment for our athletic department. What a disappointment to Ohio State fans across the country! Grant and I watched the game at our place. We wanted to make the trek to Gainesville, but now that we are both employed neither of us wanted to drive back in the middle of the night!

Last weekend Grant's parents drove all the way up for Fort Myers to visit us and see our new place. We took Grant's mom to the beach in the afternoon. It was really nice to spend some time with them and show them our new place. We also introduced them to Ms. Pac Man. I am not sure if Grant's dad is sleeping or playing Pac Man!! Don't worry -- my high score of 63,440 is still in tact!! We also watched some PGA TOUR action in HD. I am sure Ed's golf watching will never be the same! ;)

My Aunt and Uncle from Chicago came to visit too. I was able to go to Savannah with them for a day. It was beautiful outside until we got off the trolley and it started to pour! Other than that we enjoyed some pecan pralines, authentic sweet tea and a fabulous dinner at the Old Pink House.Grant's birthday is coming up. He will officially be 25! Some of my favorite weeks of the year are the 6 in between my birthday and Grant's. I love being one year younger than him even if it's just for a small amount of time. :)

I win!

A while back Grant posted about a MS. Pac-man game we bought at Target.

Last night I set a new high score -- 62K and change. The bar has been set. Let's see how long it takes Grant to beat my new high score! =)

March Madness

It's official. March Madness has begun! This is by far one of my most favorite times of the year. The weather is PERFECT, college basketball is at it's peak, it's bonus and pay raise time at work, THE PLAYERS Championship is just around the corner...maybe a little further around that corner than it used to be since the tournament moved to May this year. Everything is great and this year I get to spend the entire time with Grant. =)

Last Saturday Grant and I took my little sister Tess to Disney World. It was a lot of fun. We had lunch with the princesses, went on all the rides at Epcot and I found a BEAUTIFUL Mikimoto pearl and diamond ring for sale in "Japan." We didn't get the ring, but I definitely showed it to Grant in case he should ever want to splurge on something special for me ;).

Me, Tess and Sleeping Beauty -- one of my favorites!

Me and Cinderella =)

Me and Grant in Italy! It's pretty sad that we have been to Vegas so many times that this reminded us more of The Venetian than Venice!

This Saturday we are once again traveling to O-Town. This time we are going to the Arnold Palmer Invitational. This will mark Grant's first ever visit to a PGA TOUR event. I am really excited to show him what the TOUR is all about on-site. It should be a great time!

March not only brings basketball, great weather and the Florida swing of the TOUR, but it also brings us one month closer to wedding season! This year I am in THREE weddings! I am blessed that three of my closest friends have each found great men to marry and I am honored to be a part of their weddings. Countdown to wedding number 1 of 2007 (Mandy & Scott) is at 30 days!

Here is Grant at the "cool club." ;)

Feeling better

I am definitely feeling better. I am such a baby when I get sick. Luckily I have Grant to keep me grounded and to help me feel better.

Today is a special day for me and Grant. 4 years and 4 months ago we started dating and 9 months ago we got married. I got up today like any other day. Grant was still sleeping when I left to go to the gym. Usually Grant is gone when I get back from the gym. Today I was running a little behind schedule and got home about 10 minutes later than usual. I was surprised when I saw Grant's car in the parking lot. I walked up the stairs and saw him standing there all dressed up for work. He hugged me and and gave me a kiss and told me that he waited to leave for work just to tell me he loved me and happy anniversary. I am a lucky girl!! Boys -- take notes!

Sickness

It is starting to feel like summer again in Florida and I am sick. I got sick last week and thought I was getting better, but it has not gone away. :( It's just a cold, but I am not a fan of being sick.

Other points of interest::
*Last night my Mom made my favorite dinner and invited Grant and I over. It was fabulous.
*Jordan and Ryan are coming to visit in May. They purchased their flights over the weekend.
*Grant is really enjoying his new job and is going to get his first pay check on Friday!

That is all for now! I am going to go take some more Tylenol Cold! =)

My Valentine's Day

This past Wednesday was Grant and my first Valentine's day as a married couple and our first since he left working at a restaurant. I was very excited to actually be able to have dinner with him on Valentine's Day for the very first time. =)

I woke up at 6:00AM like any other day and went to the gym. Now that Grant is working he is usually gone by the time I get back from the gym. I got back to the apartment around 7:40AM. I saw that Grant left the light on over the dining room table, which is very unusual. I walked over to the table and saw several heart-shaped pancakes, fresh strawberries and blueberries along with a Valentine's Day card. I was so touched! I opened the card and read the sweet words that Grant wrote. Later he told me that he picked that specific card because the colors of the card (pink, black and white) were the same as our wedding colors -- that is attention to detail!

While at work I received really beautiful pink and red roses -- LOVE them!

I left work a little earlier than normal and came home to find my husband busy at work in the kitchen!
He made me shrimp scampi and pasta with chocolate cake for dessert. We enjoyed some wine and a fabulous homemade dinner.
I gave him a fabulous new watch and a card, both of which pale in comparison to everything that Grant did for me. He truly is amazing. I usually have VERY high expectations for my friends/family. Grant definitely consistently blows right by those expectations. I am a very lucky and grateful wife!!

Snowy Indianapolis

Grant and I had a GREAT time in Indianapolis last weekend. We decided to travel up to Indy to visit with friends and celebrate Grant's new job! We were quite excited about the 6 inches of snow they received a couple of days before our arrival.

Right after we got to Richard and Nate's house we decided to layer up and play in the snow! We both made some fabulous snow angels. It was very fun.

Grant's snow angel

My snow angel

Grant's snowy butt!!

That night was "family dinner night" at Richard and Nate's. Several people came over and made dinner. It was fun hanging out with some of Nate and Richard's friends in Indy.

On Friday we went downtown to see some sights. In downtown Indianapolis there are several war memorials and a nice indoor mall -- perfect for the winter time! We walked around as long as we could bear the cold and stopped in museums and shops along the way. It was a fun afternoon.

That night we went to dinner and to a comedy club. Afterwards we hung out in Nate and Richard's hot tub...in single digit weather!! The guys decided it would be fun to run around the block in their bathing suits and make angels in the snow. They looked SO cold!!

BURRR! Crazy guys running outside in their bathing suits!!!

Richard, Nate and Grant -- Like old times!

Me and my Chicago girls =)

Here we are again :)

On Saturday a group went sledding and I waited for Jordan, Ryan and Marin to come over. I was so excited to see them and really touched that they made the trip for one night to see me! We went to Mongolian BBQ that night and spent some time catching up.



The weekend went by quickly and now it's back to work for me and the beginning of a new job for Grant. :)

I'm going to freeze!

Grant and I are leaving for Indianapolis tomorrow morning, not to celebrate the Colts SB win, but to celebrate Grant's new job. I am super excited to see our friends, but not super excited about the FREEZING weather! I complain when it gets under 60 in Florida. We'll see how I do when it's under 30 in IN.

I am, though, really excited to hopefully see two of my oldest and best friends from Chicago who may drive down for a night. It's tough being so far away, but I am glad the distance has not adversely affected our friendships.