Day 2 Recap: Universal Studios!

We were pumped to get to go to Universal Studios. Jared, Dad and myself had not seen the new Harry Potter section or the Hogwarts Express and we were not disappointed!

We started our day in Islands of Adventure for early park admission!

Everyone's excited!

Hello Sorting Hat!

We then hopped on the Hogwarts Express and made our way over to Diagon Alley!

We met Stan Shunpike!

I was so excited because I got chosen to do the wand selection at Olivanders! It was truly magical and I got a 16" wand made out of oak with a core of Dragon Heartstring. It was also an interactive wand which is what we were shopping for in the first place! So we then made our way around Diagon Alley trying out our magic skills!

Practicing our magic!

The Gringotts ride was down when we arrived but re-opened after a few hours. We were so excited to see inside!

Man that dragon is impressive!

Hey look! It's a goblin!

We did lunch at the Leaky Cauldron!

Once we meandered around Diagon Alley for a while, we finally made it to the rest of the park. :)

Mom's turing into a Minion!

We then went back to Hogsmeade before we had to leave the park!

I'm going to the Hogwarts Express!

Next on the agenda was attending the expo and picking up our packets for the race!

All ready!

The best part of arriving at our hotel was the "private" viewing of Wishes from our balcony!

In case pictures aren't enough, there's this thing called YouTube that has all the videos from our vacation!

Aaaand we're back! Recap: First day of vacation!

Whew! After a whirlwind of a great time at Disney and then coming back and getting a cold, it's been a crazy couple of weeks! I am so excited to get to share my vacation on here. I know when I need a mental break, it's fun to watch other's home videos. Hopefully, you will enjoy all the videos capturing the things we got to see and experience!

First up, our arrival in Orlando! Jared and I got there a little bit early on Thursday just because of the whole standby thing. We got to explore and hang out most of the day while waiting for mom and dad to arrive!

Taking the water taxi from our Universal Hotel to City Walk!

Of course we geocached while we were there!

Here's the YouTube playlist of our first day of vacation!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is a pretty special day...it's my mom's birthday!!!

My mom is a pretty special lady. ;) Not only is she absolutely beautiful, but she is an amazing woman! I am completely blessed to have her as a role model!

Here's what I love about Mom:

1. She introduced me to Disney and chocolate. What else does a girl need???

2. She's a hard worker. She has tirelessly worked her whole life to be the best at what she does and she never gives up. I hope I can be the best at what I do just like her.

3. She is the most loyal person I know. If I'm into something or my brother is into something, she jumps in 100% and learns about that thing with you. From my days working at the winery to our new runDisney obsession, she loves sharing what you love. And to boot? She sticks with you no matter what.

4. She loves to travel! I have had the opportunity to travel to so many places because of her love for travel! I am so blessed to have had all the experiences I have had and I know my love for travel comes from her and Dad. Thank you for schlepping me all over the world so that I could experience so many things!

5. She is the best teacher. Yes, yes she teaches at Rice. But she's also a great teacher for life. If she doesn't know how to do it, she finds someone who does (hello Spanish and music!). But she's taught me so many things. Like how to make a cheesecake (and cook in general). She taught me about history, how to read and write, how to do a resume, how to make friends. She builds fences, can do-it-yourself on many things around the house, and knows how to shop sales!!!! I have the best person to learn alongside with.

6. She is super compassionate. But what's awesome about her compassion is that she doesn't just look at your plight and go "poor baby" and bring you some milk. But she tells you the things you need to hear to give you that extra push to move past it. I think this is super rare. I'm able to talk to her whenever I'm having a meltdown and be able to move on with her encouragement.

7. She's my best friend. We get together and we can just talk! From Disney to running to clothes she and I just can go on for hours! It's a problem when we are on a trip and we need to get up early in the morning, but it's one of the most cherished things about her that I love!

To thank you Mom for being so awesome. Today we celebrate you!

Love always,
Madelyn

Gluten Free Running Fuel

So we just finished a great run out at Disney! Next up, my marathon!

It's been interesting over the past few years finding a gluten free running fuel. I can't do gels and the gummies out there are filled with gluten-ous artificial flavors. I started with orange Gatorade and shot blocks. But they started getting to me as I don't think they are 100% gluten free.

This training round I have been using Nuun and Met RX shot blocks.

https://nuun.com/shop/nuun-active/tri-berry/

The Nuun is awesome. It comes in "alkaselzler-like" tablets that effervesce when put in water. The drink is light and doesn't bog me down with a bunch of sugar. Yet I'm able to get good electrolytes and hydration in on my runs. Best part? I can bring the little tube of Nuun with me to use while on the race course. It eliminates me having to carry four water bottles in order to make it through the whole course. I can just refill and keep going at a water stop!

http://www.metrx.com/products/electrolyte-energy-gummies/

The Mex-RX gummies are delicious! I eat the dark cherry ones. I eat about one for each mile I run and I have been able to get through the miles without too much of an energy drop. No cramping yet after my 18 mile training run! Problem is, these Met RX gummies have been hard to find! I used to be able to buy them at my neighborhood Walmart, but when I went this week, they were gone!

I'm going to have to explore where to find these elusive awesome gummies are. I know you can order them online but what a pain! I know there are other gluten free options out there like sport beans but I don't want to change after I have been training with these for the past five months.

Wish me luck! I feel like a treasure hunter!

Getting Ready for a Craft Fair!

We are getting ready for our first craft fair!

We will be out at 1301 JUSTIN RD. STE 212, LEWISVILLE, TX 75077 on November 14th from 9:00 am-2:00 pm! We are really excited because all the rentals from vendors are going in part to Redeemed Ministries Dallas! We will be taking orders and displaying our creations and we would love for you to come out and see us! 

Halloween Party 2015!

We had a fantastic time at our house with some great friends doing a Halloween party!

The stage is set for the guest coming to the Haunted Mansion Party!

The witches and wizards are all here thanks to Madame Leota's call!

Hitchhiking ghosts will follow you home! 

Happy Halloween from your ghost hosts!

Watch out for Master Gracey!

We had a pretty awesome (and healthy!) spread for the party!

Apples, peanut butter and marshmallows!

Pumpkin seeds!

Welcome to our pumpkin patch!

Pumpkin Carving!

Just bring your death certificate!

Fireplace was all lit up! 

Post pumpkin carving!

Post pumpkin carving in the dark haha!

Our creations!

Duchess (who dressed up as Padfoot) was getting all sorts of love and attention!

Erica was so excited about the Harry Potter cutie!

Roomies reunited! (Minus one...love you Jen!)

Post Party Happiness!

We loved having our friends over. And of course, here is all of our friends being awesome at our game!

Pumpkin Patch Date!

Every year Jared and I like to visit a pumpkin patch. It's something I did as a kid and we always have fun visiting and searching for the perfect pumpkin!

In addition to the pumpkin patch, there was a corn maze that we got to do!

Corn! I am in love with my new phone and the pictures it takes!

We love pumpkin patches!

Obligatory selfie.

Jared was just a little bit too tall for this photo set up!

Cute little pumpkins!

We loved that they had pumpkins of every kind!

Cheesin!

Well, we shouldn't get lost!

We had a ton of fun looking for ur pumpkin. Plus, we were able to just talk and decompress from some of the stuff we both have going on at work. But what's really awesome is we had more fun in the corn maze...which we actually got lost in!



Just another fun idea for you and your loved one to spend some time together!