Florida Oranges = YUMMY!

OH.. ME..OH..MY!!

If you visit Florida, you just HAVE to eat a Florida orange.

 Not just an orange from the store.  OH, NO!

The orange needs to be from the TREE!

At this local orchard, they have quite the operation running.  You can purchase 'already picked' fruit, or pick yourself, or even buy jelly, sauces, spices, juices, and novelties.  They even offer a 'Safari' ride.  Too funny. :)

I wanted the kids to pick the fruit from the orchard and taste for themselves how WONDERFUL it is.

Look at the SIZE of this grapefruit!  WOW.

They also have these little alligator heads.  HA!

I think I will have nightmares now, thank you. :)

Yes, that is Todd and Hannah getting eaten by a great white shark.  Don't worry, though, Parker ran in and saved them.

My hero. :)

So, after we decided what kind of oranges we wanted, we set off to conquer!

I love walking in orchards.  It makes me think of the Garden of Eden, and how magnificent it must have been.

It didn't take long to find "OUR" tree. :)

We stuffed as many of these beauties in the 30 pound bag (for $20, including tax) in less than 10 minutes!
So fun.

They really DO taste SOOO yummy!  SO much better than what you buy at the store.
Also, they are HUGE.  My kids can definitely share one orange, and if you know my kids, that is saying something!  (ahem, we like food.....just saying) :)


Blessings,
Steph

An Evening at the Disney Boardwalk

One evening, we decided to jet over to the Yacht Hotel on the Boardwalk, and take the ferry ride and enjoy some s'mores on their 'beach.'

Parking is free and the ferry ride is free!  I LOVE free.

The Boardwalk has all kinds of eateries, shops and even an ESPN club.

What I appreciate about the Disney experience so far, is how the staff are so helpful and friendly.  Little did this sweet man know, that we are "Professional S'more-eatin' fools!" HA!

Afterwards, we headed home for a Dollar-menu McD's dinner and movie night.

Good times. :)

Blessings,
Steph

Harper & Golden Christmas Party!

FOOD....GLORIOUS FOOD!

It's ALL about the food, right?!

For our Christmas party, we loaded the table with hot wings, meatballs, veggies, shrimp, crackers and cheese and so much more!  YUM!  Best part of all?  Janet and I did not have to break a sweat. :)

We also had a variety of sweet treats, too.  I LOVE parties. :)



After we stuffed our faces, we played a white elephant game.  The rule was, each gift could only be $3!  It also had to be from a Thrift Shop.  (I cheated a little and threw in some stuff from the Dollar Store, but it was still $3) :)

With 14 of us playing, it was SO suspenseful!  They were also really great gifts, too!  You just never know what you might find at Thrift Shops.  Some of the gifts were, calendars, candy, books, games, clothes, crafts, and a set of golf clubs; including the BAG!

We had such a fun time.  It was hilarious when the guys would get something girlie!  It all worked out, though.  At the end of the game, there was a little swapping with sisters......ssshhh! :)

Todd and I were able to surprise Scott and Janet with a 'like new' microwave!  Theirs' died since they've been on the road, and we found one at a Thrift shop for only $15!!!  It works too!  HA!

Food, Fun and Fellowship!  We had a wonderful Christmas celebration with our sweet friends.


Blessings,
Steph

Christmas Cookies and Silly-Fun!

One thing is for sure.  At Christmas time, one HAS to eat Christmas cookies.

So, one sunshiny, Florida day, we set out to bake those yummy cookies! :)

So, the Harper Family came to our RV and the kids (all ten of them) got to work.

We made cute reindeer cookies and decorative tree sugar cookies.  So fun!

Aren't they adorable?!

Some of them had WAY too much icing.

You just never know what might happen when we get these kids together.  You might think it's an innocent day of 'Beauty Shop,' right?

But, then............


OH, MY!

Just another day in the campground. :)


Blessings,
Steph

Night Time Disney Fun!

One evening, we loaded up the vehicles, full of Harper's and Golden's, to Celebration, Florida.  Only in the Disney area could there be a city named 'Celebration!'

It is the cutest little town, lined with picked fences and old classic, "Mary Poppins" style town homes.

We came for their 'Snow Fall.....'

But enjoyed the scenery just as much. :)

It was filled with Christmas trees and lights galore!

Only at certain times of each night, all through the month of December, does the city offer a 'Snow Fall.' Now, I thought that it was going to be the fake-snow stuff, but it was actually BUBBLES!
WHAT!?

But, that's o.k., we still had a great time with the Harper family, doing our silly-fun stuff along the way!

(I guess we're going to have to go north for snow!) :)

I just LOVE Christmas time.

All the lights, chilly weather, carolers, food and fun!

And then, we found the fountains......

Seriously.  What is he doing!?

And, what is he doing?!

Then, on another night, we went to the Disney Boardwalk.

The hotels have gorgeous trees and decorations.

Here is an AMAZING gingerbread house!  Made COMPLETELY out of gingerbread and icing!!

These horses and carousel are made out of cake and icing!

The hotel smelled SOOO yummy, too!  This building was made of gingerbread!  Look at the bottom-left corner, and you can see the finger prints. :)  So cool.

All of these fun times were also FREE!  I love free. ;)


Blessings,
Steph

Sumter Oaks RV Park - Campground Review

While we were in Bushnell, FL., for about a week, we stayed at Sumter Oaks, which is an Escapee park.  We really enjoyed our stay here.  The people were SO sweet!  On three different days, a "Secret Elf" dropped off a Christmas surprise on our steps. :)  AWESOME!

Price - $18/ night (includes full hook ups, cable and wifi

Amenities - heated INDOOR pool!  Bonus!  Big Lodge with pool tables, craft room, sewing room, tv room and affordable laundry and more.

We would definitely stay here again!  The escapee members are just great, welcoming, helpful people, and they always take care of the campgrounds.


Blessings,
Steph

Merry CHRISTmas!!

All the stockings are hung.......

Decorations are up.....

Garland and bows......

AND PRESENTS!!!

Happy smiles, monster trucks, dolls, candy and more!

But, none of this would matter, had it not been for our Savior!  Thank you Lord for giving us the BEST gift of all!

Happy Birthday Jesus!


Blessings,
Steph