After Braces Pics

After Laurin got her braces off, the orthodontist gave us a free photo shoot with a free 5x7 and one that they display in the office....these are the results. (of course they knew we wouldn't be able to choose just one so it worked out pretty good for the photographer:-)
She isn't wearing her glasses because the pic had to be shot with a flash that would glare off glasses. I guess it is just preparing us for the contacts she wants to get. Not yet, she already looks a couple years older than she really is.....no need to rush it.

Exciting things to post finally

After our cruise (see below) we got to spend time at DisneyWorld. We stayed in the Contemporary Resort (in the same building as the Monorail....what a treat!) and went to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. It was a wonderful evening at the park (not too crowded). We left Monday afternoon, but had time to go to Ohana @ the Polynesian resort. It was an amazing breakfast with characters like Lilo and Stitch (our favorites) and we highly recommend eating there. I guess we need more vacations like this so I will post more often. I would post more pictures, but I am not sure which ones will be on our Holiday cards and I don't want to spoil the surprise.

Laurin and Duffy

My favorite part of the park, Cinderella's Castle, all lit up with icicle lights

Laurin and Mickey and Duffy at Ohana

Our family in front of the amazing tree at the Grand Floridian hotel

DCL Cruising

We just returned from another wonderful Disney Cruise (to temps in the 20's and 30's...yuck!). We did a quick trip on the newest boat, the Dream. And it was dreamy for sure. Wonderful service, excellent entertainment and an all around great vacation. Laurin got to make a Gingerbread House, was called up on stage during the "Villans" show, and was even selected as Official Pin Trader of the cruise again. It was such a treat because she got to do it with our new friends who had missed their chance on the previous cruise (they did a back to back) because it was canceled. The best treat though was getting a Cabana for the day on Castaway Cay...made being in paradise even better. We shared it with our friends the Runyan's (Ron knows Steve through Kronos) so Laurin had friends to play with, thanks Mya and Hannah; Alison had a friend to talk to too, thanks Lisa; and Ron had someone to talk shop with, thanks Steve...though they did find some time to relax too. It was wonderful and hard to leave. Thankfully we have a 7 day cruised planned for Thanksgiving next year. It will be a Lium family reunion and I am so looking forward to it.