Derby Day

Derby Day was a blast! My brother decided to have a cookout to celebrate the occasion, since my whole family is huge into horse racing. Every year at work we put horses into a $1 pot and a quarter pot and randomly choose our horse. I got 4 horses and I got some of the good ones. I was so excited, I thought this was going to be my year to actually win the money! Boy was everyone disappointed when Mind That Bird won. WHAT??? A horse who had odds of 50 to 1. Who would have seen that coming? It was fun anyway! We had lots of food, good company,and lots of laughs. I enjoy any time I get to hang out with family and friends. Here are some pics from the day.

What a week- The aftermath of vacation

Last week was my first week back from my very relaxing vacation. Of course I knew I would shortly be thrown back into my busy schedule. Talk about a rough week back, it all started when my friend Kim had me over to her house for dinner and movies tuesday night. About an hour after I ate I started itching all over. I felt like a dog with fleas and I couldn't stop. I got home and had Ryan check me out my whole body was in a rash and I was hot! I took some benadryl and went to bed. The next day Ryan came and got me and took me to lunch, about 30 mins later my neck got hot and it felt like my throat was swollen and I couldn't breathe. My neck started to break out in hives. Then my whole body started itching again. We got to the car and I checked my self. I had huge hives all over me. I was scared and short breathed and light headed. I called the Dr and while I was on the phone Ryan ran into walmart to get me some zyrtec and cream. I was so imbarressed I got back to work and ask my friend to go to the bathroom with me to rub cream on my can't reach areas. Turns out I had a really bad reaction to an allergy shot. If Ryan didn't know what to have done, I would have been in the hospital.. To top things all off I tried calling my mom one day all day.. I got no answer. I thought something was wrong so I called my dad, I heard him ask someone in the background what hospital she was at. I paniced and yelled who are you talking about? He said my mom was in the hospital and he was confused and had to go. I have never been so scared. I called my brothers to find out if they knew anything, they dropped another bomb on me and said my grandfather was hit and run over by a car! No one knew ANYTHING about anything. I was so scared and called ryan, I was crying so hard I couldn't see or concentrate on driving. He told me to get home and he would find out what was going on. The good news is that everyone is okay and they are both home from the hospital. Talk about one crazy week. I was an emotional wreck for days. The best part is that my parents are coming home for the summer on saturday. The sad thing is that me and my dad are the ONLY people in the immediate family who have not been in the ER or hospital within the past 2 months. SCARY!

Mommy Daughter Day- Universal Studios

Today mom and I headed to Orlando to Universal Studios. I haven't been there since I was 17 years old. As soon as we arrived we were like little kids, we had a blast!! We went on a few rides, our favorite was The Simpson's. We ate at Mel's Diner for lunch (from American Graffiti), we got to hear lots of oldies but goodies and we sang along and danced in our seats. We got to visit The I Love Lucy store, one of moms all time favorite TV shows. I got to see all the Nickelodeon stuff...I love Nickelodeon. Here are a few highlights from today.

Lunch and Tour of The Biltmore Hotel

When Ryan and I came down to Clearwater last year in June, my parents asked him what things he wanted to do on his vacation. He said he wanted to see The Biltmore Hotel. When we arrived we all fell in love with this hotel. It is absolutely glorious and beautiful. We didn't make it in time to take the tour that day, so today my mom and I decided to take the tour and have lunch there. It was built in the 1800's, guests used to arrive in rail cars and carriages. The hallways are gorgeous and go as far as 2 miles long. I am posting some pictures from the day. Sorry for all the pics of myself, that's what I get for going solo on vacation. We were lucky to go when we did. We found out they are closing at the end of May to remodel for 3 years.

Easter

Easter was GREAT! My mom bought me some cute "beach" Easter dresses. We watched an Easter sermon on TV. Sat by the pool the night before listing to all the Churches ring their bells in preparation for Easter. Went to The Beach, then later that night my parents took me to one of the nicest restaurants in Clearwater. We all ordered the best Steaks they had. We for sure had a big feast celebration. We are all grateful for The Savior and the many blessings we have in our lives.

Daddy Daughter Day- Gone Fishing

Today Dad and I went on a big fishing trip. I caught my first fish!!! Actually my first 3 fishes. I was so excited. I have been fishing before but I have never caught anything until today! I was a little chicken when it came to the gross bait we had to use, so I made daddy bait my hook! It took a full hour to get to the fishing spot and there was no land around. It was a fun day. I once caught a fish and it was this.......BIG

How my parents enjoy their retirement

My trip has been great so far...Good food, good company, good shopping, good beach weather, and more. I thought I would post a few pics of the trip so far. My parents are loving their retirement. They stay up all night, then tell me I am the party pooper for going to bed at 10:30. Then they sleep in, mom goes to her favorite grocery store then to the beach or the pool to work on her tan. Dad gets up, goes deep sea fishing and they both love going to the sea food place down the road called Crabby Bills. They have it made!! I am posting pictures of how they like to spend their time.