Jamie and Catherine: Orlando, FL

On Thursday we were headed to Orlando.

You might not be able to see it in this picture, but that white stuff under the row of trees says "Daytona Beach". How funny to be driving by all these places that I have heard about other people going to! We also passed Boca Raton, better known as "Boca" by Kate Philpott and E-beth.

The exit off of I-95 (finally!) to Orlando.

Once we got there we checked into our hotel (right across from the entrance to Universal Studios) and then headed over to the time share resort where Jamie's parents were staying. Before we went to see them Jamie showed me around the place. He and his family have stayed at this place at least 10 times in 14 years. Its like a second home. Here I am with sweat dripping down my back waiting for the boat to come take us across the lake.

Matt and Sarah were finishing up their stay in Orlando with Marshall and Patti as we got there, so we went out to dinner with everyone (including Tim, Jamie's oldest brother, and his wife Sarah, who live in the area). Waiting to be seated at the restaurant: (L-R) Sarah McTrusty, Tim, Sarah Brown, Matt, and me.

Eating at the table.

A beautiful one of Sarah and Tim. :)

Everyone who went to dinner (L-R): Sarah M, Matt, Patti, Marshall, me, Jamie, Sarah, and Tim.

Afterwards the boys (and Sarah M) played in the fountain while Sarah Brown and I had some great conversation time. I sure wish we lived closer together.

The next morning we checked out of our hotel (so we could go stay in the timeshare where there was now room). This was one of the sights we saw right outside our hotel.

Before we headed back to the time share, Jamie took me to Kissimmee to see where he used to live. One of the things that struck me, as we drove around the Orlando area, was that this is what a lot of British people see of America. When I was in elementary school in England I remember several friends who would take their "holiday" in America at Disney. Its funny to think that this crazy tourist town is a lot of Brits' only impression of the US (well, other than in movies and TV.) Here was one sign we saw that seemed funny to me, having been to the real thing.

In Kissimmee we took quite a while to walk around the church and house where Jamie grew up. He showed me where his "Carman concerts" were and also where he first learned to lead worship.

Then we went to see his old elementary and middle school (there's a water park right across from it - how cool is that?) and then went back to the time share to spend the rest of the day by the pool. After dinner we went to the recreation area of the resort and looked at the games.

We were trying to figure out what pieces were what. Its not as easy when its that big. We decided to play shuffle board and pool instead of chess. Jamie played his dad and I played Patti and they were very good match-ups. :)

One of my favorite things in Orlando was the walks Jamie and I took later at night. A couple times we walked around and then settled on this little "beach" type place right off the lake to talk. They were good, deep, helpful conversations and I was so glad we got to have them.

The next day we also spent by the pool, but ended up getting pretty burned. Here's my sad face.
But we changed around 4:30 and headed out to pick up our tickets for Cirque du Soleil! (Jamie got them for me as a surprise, although I accidently found out ahead of time.) After we picked up our tickets, we walked around Downtown Disney (where all the restaurants were very expensive and not that good looking) and ended up going back to Celebration (where we ate the first night) and picking a Columbian restaurant. Oh man, it was delicious! And a great atmosphere.

After dinner Jamie bought me some chocolate for dessert and we went to Walgreens to get an umbrella (it was raining) and then we went to the show. It was amazing and gorgeous and sensational and all those wonderful things. We especially liked the little chinese girls with their wood things...although they did mess up. I hope they didn't get in too much trouble!!!

The next day we spent by the pool again, but this time in the shade...which meant we were right by Jamie's parents. Here are some pool-side scenes that we enjoyed!

That night we went to PF Chang's with Jamie's parents and met Kellie and Eli Buffington there. It was fun to see them again. Eli is so cute and seems to be doing so well! He was great during dinner!

After dinner we walked to a nearby fountain (that wasn't on) and Jamie fished pennies out of it for Eli to throw back in. Oh my gosh, he loved that! Eli did a little dance after every throw.