What person wouldn't get use to this?

We finally have all of our ducks in a row and settled here in Orlando, Florida!  We have enjoyed learning about and exploring our new home together.  We have always said it is the little things that we enjoy the most. . finding the closest/best grocery store, locating the post office,  searching for the little hole in the wall place to go eat where you can always find locals, and the festivals and events to enjoy on the weekends to get us closer to our new community. 

Even though we know that Florida is called the Sunshine State for a reason, we are still amazed each and every day when we can leave the house wearing shorts, short sleeved shirts, flip-flops (!!!),  and what jackets were you talking about??  Oh that's right, the jackets I left in South Carolina and okay without.  ;)

After all the unpacking and some buying for our new home, we were left with a lot of broken down boxes.  We decided we needed to find the closest recycling center.  We located one just 2 miles down the road (score!).  We loaded Ryan's truck down with what seemed over 100 boxes and started on our short journey.  When we arrived, all we could do was laugh. . . 

It looked as if it had not been opened in a year and was not your typical recycling center.  Talk about "local".  We finally did find a home for the boxes.

We also did a "test drive" to Ryan's work so that he could find the best route to downtown Orlando.  He works in a gorgeous part of town where you can always see palm trees!  Something that I desperately missed living in Nashville.  This picture was taken right beside his building. 

I am so glad and proud to say that Ryan is beyond thrilled with his new job.  It is such a great opportunity he has been given.  Two weeks into his new career with Black and Veatch, he was given the opportunity to travel to New York for business.  Talk about one jealous wife!  New York is gorgeous this time of year!  To this day, our all time favorite vacation was when we went to NYC during Christmas.  Amazing memories!

A picture Ryan sent me while on the job!

Our trip to NYC back in December 2009.  Can't believe it was that long ago!

We also treated ourselves to a nice date night to celebrate how far we have come as a married couple (little did I know what was going to happen a few days later. . .).  We went to a yummy place called Bahama Breeze right down the road from us.  Delicious!  I actually felt like I was in Disney World at one of their restaurants, so of course I loved it even more!  

We laughed, joked, talked about our goals, celebrated, and enjoyed our time together!

Next up on our list was decorating for Christmas. . and only four days after moving in to our new home!  We were so excited, we just kept going and going!

 

Needless to say, I almost literally tackled our Christmas tree a short week later.  As you can see, it is blocking our sliding glass doors to our patio, a/k/a our only source of natural light into the living room.  Therefore, after ornaments and everything were placed on the tree, this gal picked the tree up and moved it to another part of our home.  It also left a trail of about 30 ornaments from where I dragged
 carried the tree.  But, mission accomplished!  

Meanwhile. . this is all that Peanut was and still is good for. . .at least he isn't in the tree!

If you know me, I am a die hard fan of J Crew. . Target. . .Hobby Lobby. . .Francesca's. . .AND IKEA!  I have never lived in a place where one was nearby.  Well, that has now changed.  I have one 20 minutes down the road!  Ikea knew we were eventually going to live here! ;) And well, of course, we took the trip to Ikea!

They have a child watch area so that parents may shop "freely", a food court, two levels, and there are arrows, yes arrows, on the floor pointing you in the direction to go, or yes, you will get lost.

We loved this kitchen!

I see a painting in our future. . .

The brick was stunning!

And then the end of our fairy tale story so far in Florida.  Exactly ONE WEEK after living in Florida, I was asked to interview for a position within a school.  I had spent 5 hours the previous day e-mailing, calling, and re-searching about teaching positions.  This is how my interview went. . .

One week from that date I was teaching!!!!  Yes folks, after two weeks living in Florida, I snagged a teaching job.  This gal is teaching again! Still in shock. . still feeling very blessed.  We are where we are suppose to be! :)

Until next time. . . 

~Elizabeth and Ryan~

Saying goodbye to Nashville. . with Lions, Tigers, and Bears, OH MY!

Ryan and I decided to be tourist for a day and a night in Nashville before we left for Florida.  The best kind of day/night to have!!  Our day adventure began on a Saturday with perfect weather (in the upper 70's).  Perfect weather to go to Nashville Zoo.  I don't know who was more excited. . me or Ryan.  To this day, I am convinced it was Ryan. ;)

It had been a long time since either one of us had been to the zoo.  And it was a first for us because  we had never been to a zoo together! Oh it's the little things. . . . 

We quickly realized we were missing an "accessory" upon arriving to the zoo: a 2 year old. ;) But, I believe I was just as excited about some of the animals as my fellow 2 year old friends of the day.  The flamingos were my favorite!

Such a great day!

 

From what I understood, the Nashville Zoo is on a piece of land that use to be a family farm and this is the original house.  I was a history nerd and had to walk around, look, and read everything. 

SO cute!

So far away. :(

Just babies sleeping away.

Favorite of the day!  Stayed here watching them for about 30 minutes.  Ryan was excited. ;)

Our last Saturday in Nashville went to dinner with our great friends Kayla and Daniel Kennedy (the newlyweds!).  We then went to a tourist attraction I have been wanting to do since last Christmas: Opryland Hotel Christmas Lights.  I had no idea what to expect, but I was VERY excited to see the Christmas decorations and the hotel itself. 

Well, let me tell you, it did not disappoint!   The hotel itself was simply amazing!  Romantic balconies overlooking the "Opryland Village", a "river" that you can cruise along in a boat, restaurants, Shrek performance, an area that looks like an outdoor village with shopping, and of course all of the Christmas lights.  If you ever visit Nashville, I am convinced this is the place to stay!

Just take a look!

Love you, mean it!!

We left with great memories and can't wait to see our friends again!  Maybe they will want to come to Disney???

Until next time. . .

~Elizabeth and Ryan~

Where is Mickey?

Whew!!  The big move to Florida is over!  We got a work out, little sleep, time with friends, and found out we work really well together as a married couple moving 11 1/2 hours away! Can you say major road trip!?

 

 We grabbed all the free boxes we could find, because truth is, boxes are pricey when you have to  start buying and packing them.  We even got Peanut on board. . .or at least he was ready to go.

 But let me show you a little bit of the apartment before the destruction, clutter, and then nothing but a room full of boxes.  You would think packing would be clean, organized, and smooth.  SO not the case.  Just to let you know, Ryan and I survived a 600 sq. foot apartment together for 6 months.  Can you imagine all my girly things, clothes, and then wedding presents fitting!? It was a challenge and possible due to Pinterest!

 This is our dining/office, kitchen, living room.  Just dahhling! 

 

 

The other side of our living room and the doors to our balcony. Do you spy Ryan? 

And Dear Santa, how about that gray couch I have been stalking online?!

 Our bedroom, bathroom, and our laundry room closet to the right.

Thank you to the Iphone for that quick tour!  

 

Shortly after these pictures were taken, the destruction, breaking down, and sitting there in the middle of the floor, staring off into space as to what to pack next began.  After a few days of both of us wrapping up work in TN and rushing home to pack, it was done!

Our last day of work was Friday, November 16.  We spent the weekend packing and cleaning.  That following Monday we got this beast: (And thankful my husband drove it, not me!)

Living on the third floor and moving in/out is AWFUL.  It took us about 4 hours to get everything out of the apartment and into the U-Haul.  The only thing I couldn't complain about, is the fact that we both got a major workout.  So proud of helping Ryan move all the big furniture (he was patient with me).  After all the packing, we went on a well deserved dinner with great friends!

 Sadly, this picture is blurry, but I still love it!  Friends we cherish and will miss in Tennessee! (And the couple to the right just got engaged!!)  Candice and Tony. . we missed you being there!!  

Both great ladies!  Miss you already! 

Well, after dinner, Ryan and I were about to go buy a blow up mattress since we had to pack our bed.  Then we thought why spend $80 on a blow up mattress when we can go ahead and get on the road and stay in a hotel instead.  Ding!  The adventure began a day night early. . .

We only drove a couple hours, rested a good 8 hours, then drove the rest of the way to Florida!  And let me tell you, with a U-Haul, towing a truck, and a cat. . it ended up taking us almost 15 hours total rather then the 11 1/2.  Exhausted. 

 

 

And we are off!

Our cat, Peanut, did amazing on the trip! And he didn't talk my head off for the 15 hours. ;)

 

This sign got me REALLY excited.  It is a must, a tradition, to honk your horn with a "happy tune" as soon as you cross the Florida state line and you HAVE to stop and enjoy their free cup of orange juice at the Welcome Center.  And that is just what we did!

 

So excited Ryan could share this tradition I grew up doing with my family.

 Excited maybe?  YES!

Then there came the unloading and unpacking.  Good news? It only took 1 hour since we live on the first floor now.  It's the little things sometimes. It made my day even better!

It only took us two days to unpack and get everything where we wanted it.  We got to enjoy our first Thanksgiving as a married couple in 80 degree weather and excited to start our new journey.  Thankful for Honey Baked Ham for providing our feast.  There was no way this gal was going to cook with half of everything still in boxes.  Can't wait to show you pictures of the place!

Until next time. . .

~Elizabeth and Ryan~

 And P.S. I am still looking for Mickey. . .