Blizzard Jan. 2016!

We made it back from our vacation to Florida just in time to prepare for a Blizzard heading our way!

Quite the change in climate.

But, we had fun with it!

Our crazy boys felt the need to prove something by going out in the snow barefoot...

 

The plus side was that the snow was a great place to keep some sparkling cider chilled. :)

Madelyn next to the snow at the back door.

Our walk up to the front door is cleared thanks to our neighbors snowblower!

Here the neighbor made paths to each others houses, so we could easily visit each other.

Brian & I took a walk around the neighborhood. It was a good work out for your legs through the areas that hadn't been shoveled out yet!

I looked outside to see Madelyn just laying on a mound of snow in the front yard.

I do love a good 'snowed in' weekend each year. 

Full of baking, movie watching, board games, sledding, visiting with neighbors.

But then I'm done...after 3 days, the snow can leave. :)

Mahaffey Family Road Trip! (Beach day with family in Florida)

Day two with Uncle Sean & Aunt Stella was spent at the beach!

In January.

We loved it!

My beautiful girls on the walk to the beach.

Hayden watching Noah...who kept going over by the group of girls. I wonder why he enjoyed that job so much. :)

     

Rona & Duncan enjoying the water...

Madelyn took a turn out on the board with Uncle Sean...

She loved it!

So much fun!

Such a great fun day in the sun!

The girls had fun playing in the sand, and making mermaids.

Ronan got a coconut down by himself.

Such a tough life, time to take a break...

And unfortunately all good things must come to an end...

Time to say goodbye to cousins.

We sure loved playing with Noah & Liam!

It was great to see Sean & Stella too of course!

We had stops planned along the way home, and completely bagged them.

We just wanted to make it home when it came to the end of the trip.

And we made it back!

It was a great trip filled with lots of wonderful memories!!

Mahaffey Family Road Trip! (Visit Uncle Sean & Aunt Stella & cousins!)

Next stop on this Family Road Trip was visiting with family!

My brother & his family live in Ft. Myers, and offered to host our crew (not for the faint of heart)!

Duncan & Hayden were thrilled with their sleeping arrangements!

Hammocks on the back porch!

The first day with them we went to see the Edison & Ford Estates. 

Did you know that Thomas Edison & Henry Ford had their winter estates right next door to each other? I didn't. And it was a fun place to visit. I always love a good historical/educational place to visit.

And they had really cool trees!

Duncan, Madelyn, & cousin Liam.

Madelyn & Ashlyn checking out the Edison exhibit.

("Use your brains.", she said)

Such beautiful homes. And tons of learning with the audio sets!

Later that afternoon we spent some time at the pool in Sean & Stella's neighborhood.

Beautiful sunset by the poolside...

We had fed the kids an early dinner, so that after the pool we got them changed, and left them with Hayden & Morgan to babysit while the adults went out to eat alone!

Sean & Stella introduced us to Ford's Garage.

It was such a fun place to eat! The automotive feel was all around!

I loved the tire sink with the facet like a gasoline pump. The car above the bar. The napkins that looked like oil rags. Just a fun time!

Mahaffey Family Road Trip! (Disney - Magic Kingdom)

Last day at Disney. 

Magic Kingdom!

Trying to take a family selfie and get all 8 of us in there....

and a Disney Cast Member saw our struggle and helped us out.

I need to mention our jackets here.

While I'm not as devoted as some, I have been to Disney World 7 times in my life...and this is the first time I have gone in January. I was in love with the fact that I could wear pants, and even a jacket, and be comfortable! While I will say for the water park aspect, warmer weather is better, I LOVED NOT being hot and sweaty all day at the parks! I loved not having to wear my hair in a pony tail every day because it was just unbearable if I didn't. I just plain loved being at Disney in the cooler weather. Such a nice change.

Hayden and Madelyn doing a bit of dancing on Main Street.

Love these 6 people I've been blessed with...

No Kings/Queens crowned here today.

Carousel fun.

 

Driving the cars with these guys was fun.

I loved that Hayden wanted to be with Madelyn while she drove.

He was the one that picked the location of this 'Last family vacation' before he left on his mission. And when I asked him, he said, "I really want to go to Disney and see the kids experience the magic." Melted my heart that his goal was to watch his younger siblings experience the magic. :)

     

Ashlyn & Brian rode behind me. :)

While on the Little Mermaid ride, we would all link hands when ever the sea shells turned in a way that we could. Such a fun memory!

We walked past the line of people waiting to see Gaston, and Madelyn loudly said: "Why are they waiting to see HIM? Don't they know he shoots ducks for no reason, and is rude to Belle?? He's a bad guy." 

BUT, he is Funniest character yet-this guy loves his job!

These two snuck on a train ahead of us...

The rest of us ready to ride...

Whoo Hoo!!! Best. Night. Ever.

And we topped the night off with the Magical Electrical Parade & Fireworks!

A Magical end to a magical day!