Mini Glowacki Reunion 1/28/12

Saturday - Ed and several of his family members located here in Florida, had a small reunion.  It has been over 18 years since I have seen my sister-in-law Kim.  So, it was great to spend the day and catch up.  We promised to get together again soon.  Kim provided great dips, grillin' food, and desserts for everyone.  My niece, Hillary, opened her home, and great backyard, to host the fun event.

Thanks, Hillary & Kim!

Fun in the back yard.

Kim and Hillary

There they are brothers and little sister!  Ed - Kim - Leon

Kim and hubby Dave.

This is Hillary's bulldog, Georgia.  When we weren't looking she helped herself to a little dessert!

By the time this picture was taken she literally "woofed" down 4 slices!

Lt to Rt - Mila ( Hillary's daughter) and Moose's boys - Talon, Tristen, and Tyler - and Georgia

Lt to Rt - Mila, Dave, Kim, Hillary, Georgia, Talon, Tristen, Moose, Tyler, Denise, Leon, Me, Ed.

Hillary's husband, David, left for work before this picture was taken. Moose's wife, Jessica, had to work.

Leon and Denise

 and of course - Eddie and I

Disney Downtown - Jan. 22, 2012

Sunday dawned in glorious fashion here in Lakeland.  Scheduled high temperature of 79 degrees and of course - sunny!  It is actually dry this time of year and low humidity.
So, off to church we went, and decided afterwards we would visit Disney Downtown (35 min. drive from Lakeland).  This is a great area to just take a walk, get a bite to eat, and watch various musical performances.  One of the nice things about this Disney area is that there is no admission charge to Downtown, and even parking is FREE. Since this was our first time here we just decided to explore and take some pictures to share with family and friends.  Sunday is actually a day of rest for the performers.  So, we have to return to see the shows.

As you enjoy the pics...take note how CLEAN the grounds are!  I wish I could of taken a picture of the trash guy.  He was in a WHITE uniform, emptying trash cans with disposable gloves on with NOT A SPOT OF DIRT on his uniform!  I had to go up to him and thank him for the job he did!

Well done, Disney!

One of the things I love about living in Florida...something is always in bloom!
Potted geraniums - Disney Style!

SOME of the restaurants in Downtown.

 This is the place we grabbed a quick bite to eat.  Food was good and we could sit outside.

The menu contained some funny and informative stuff as you can see below.

Lobster club w/onion rings and fish & chips.

Gloaci - Gaelic for Glowacki  :)

We definitely want to go back to see these guys!

Heard of "belly" up to the bar - how about "butts" up to the bar?  :)

Fun stuff to do....

Cirque Du Soleil is performing La Nouba.

Acrobatics and exciting live music, blend to produce imagination and the impossible in perfect balance!

Disney Quest - indoor interactive theme park

 

Don't be fooled!  It's AMC ala Disney.  This is NOT just another movie theater - one of the theater rooms is the Fork & Screen -offering casual in-theater dining while watching a movie (age 18 and older).  Another area is Cinema Suites -which is premier, in-theater dining with luxury recliners in an intimate setting (age 21 and over).  Just want to see a regular ole show?  They have a theater for that too!

Shops in Downtown...

OK, there were several shops to browse through but when Ed and I saw the LEGO store we had to get out the camera!  In the following pictures all the characters are made entirely of LEGOs!  The pictures don't do them justice but believe us when we say ...

"They were amazing"!

 The little things...notice the mouse outline in the fence above.

We had a great day!  Guess we're just kids at heart...

 

Visits

It's always a great joy to have family and friends stay with us for awhile. On Christmas day, our friends, Bob & Shar came and we enjoyed catching up, appetizers on the roof deck and 78 degree weather.  New Year's holiday we were blessed to have Josh, Deb and Eli visit for several days. The kids got to enjoy Lakeland, Clearwater Beach and Eli learned how to play the harmonica! In only a 635 sq.ft. apartment, and one bathroom - we made it work, and had fun too!

Appetizers on the roof deck

Playground by the apartment

Eli on the big boy swing

Playing the tubular bells with Daddy

Chasing bubbles

As the temperature reached 80 degrees - Eli enjoyed the fountains in the playground!

Eli loved the waves at Clearwater Beach

Worn out and ready for bed!