Home Sweet Home....Finally!

It has been a hectic few months since our last post. From graduation dinner to taking the boards to moving (from CA AND from FL), we finally have found ourselves settled here in MD.

This is from one of our last times at the beach in Miami.

















Getting ready for my graduation dinner....





Samantha had a fun time--any excuse to wear a pretty dress!











Post-graduation day dinner at Benihana!







After arranging to have all our stuff moved from CA (a cross country move is a daunting task!), we finally left Miami mid-July and boarded the Amtrak Auto-Train from Sanford, FL with our cars full of stuff. It was quite an adventure! We had a sleeper unit with chairs that turned into a bottom bunk and then there was a top bunk too. Samantha kept herself busy and it was cool seeing the changes in scenery from Florida up to Virginia.











After we got somewhat settled in MD, we headed up to NJ to visit some relatives since Samantha hadn't seen them in a long time.





Now, here we are...home sweet home. Finally!

Memorial Day Weekend at Walt Disney World

Taking advantage of our Florida resident status, we headed up to Orlando once again to have some fun at Walt Disney World. It rained on and off that day but it was worth it! Here is Samantha--ready to start the day with Mickey Mouse's countdown to the opening of the Magic Kingdom.







"It's a small world after all...." Samantha went on this one at least 4 times that day. She probably wishes she could join those children!



Samantha's 1st driving lesson.



Finally, we were able to meet Mickey and Minnie on this trip!



We stayed at one of the Walt Disney World Resort Hotels this time and saved some gas by riding the shuttle to the theme parks. Here we are returning to the Magic Kingdom after our nap! Napping is good. We're happy!



A dinner buffet at the Crystal Palace..."Buffet with character." We met Pooh and his friends here.









Samantha loves the riding the carousel...



This flying Dumbo ride is also among her favorites.



We spent the next day at Animal Kingdom. This is the "Tree of Life"--the center of the park. Can you see the animals carvings in the tree?



This time, Samantha is giving the driving lesson.


In the background there is the Expedition Everest mountain roller coaster that Daddy got to ride twice!



Check out the Komodo dragon!



This was right before the 3D show, "It's tough being a bug" starring Flik from "Bug's Life." Note to self: when the program says, "Some scenes may be frightening for young children" then maybe we should ride the carousel again. (It was definitely a little scary for Samantha)....



Luckily, she forgot all about it because we were able to meet some more Disney friends....




....and get good seats for the parade.





Samantha called this ride "dinosaur Dumbo." I guess Disney ran out of ideas for rides....but anyway, Samantha enjoyed this one (three times!).



Just like Diego, Samantha is sporting binoculars....the perfect souvenir for her from Animal Kingdom.





Breakfast with Minnie and friends....





Downtown Disney...outside the Legoland store.