Two weeks ago we were in a magical land of peace, love and just plain fun.  Two weeks ago, we left our state right after the hurricanes hit the Islands and then Florida.  We were happy to get away with the boys and have some fun and just relax in the warmth that Florida always provides...It was a wonderful trip.  The boys are the perfect age for Disney.  Liam can now go on all the bigger rides and Jaxson likes my kind of rides, so it all works out.  

Disney is a big place, with lots of people everywhere.  When my kids were little, there was never the need for bag checking each time you entered the park or got on the monorail or a boat.  Life was easier and safer.  We just came and went freely.  Not so true today.  Shortly after returning from this magical kingdom, once again, we were reminded of how fragile our world and our lives can be.  My heart breaks for all those lives lost in Las Vegas.  Adults and children with their parents, just out, on a beautiful fall night, to hear some music.  Carefree and feeling good about their adventure, just as we were while we were in Disney.  Then some maniac sets our country on a massive roller coaster ride into hell.  It shouldn't happen but it did.  Where do we go from here.  How do we each choose to live our lives in this time and space.  Each one of us will have to answer that question for ourselves and our families.  Each one of us will have to choose how loud we want to vocalize our voices at the election ballots.  Here's what I'm going to choose...

I'm going to choose to speak loud and clear about what I think about gun control.  I'm going to continue helping my grandson's have a happy and stress free life.  I'm going to continue to have fun, enjoy what I love and go where I want to go, but with some caution.  What I'm not going to do is live in a vacuum.  I've had agoraphobia, I know what that feels like.  It's never far away from my mind, but I'm not going back there.  I thought a lot about our trip when we were away with the boys...and what I remember most about that trip is laughter, excitement and smiles from little boys who don't see the world as scary yet.  I saw sleepy heads at night because their days were filled with adventures and good times and yes, ice cream and french fries and Mickey waffles.  I saw my daughter relaxing by the pool and she so deserves to do that because her life is busy and sometimes chaotic.  I saw people, just regular people like Jim and I, enjoying family time ... Floating down the lazy river together.  What I didn't see was any fighting, yelling, or harshness in these huge crowds that flow through the streets of Disney.  

Some would say we are lucky and that it just hasn't hit there yet.  I want to say, that life is a risk now...it's the world we live in.  Until someone can stop the madness and I'm pretty sure the who has to be us, we must keep going and doing and loving and living.  It's the only way.   So I'll share a few of the photo's from our trip.  I hope they bring a smile to your face.  Know that some things are worth the effort and try each day to find some joy...

Each afternoon we went back to the hotel to cool of and relax.  The temperature was in the 90's and sunny, every day we were there.  These guys just love the pool and waterslides.

Then it's off on the monorail again to visit The Grand Floridian and a stop at Disney Springs.

On the last day, while Jenna and Liam went off very early to Animal Kingdom to ride Avatar, Papa, Jaxson and I walked to the Floridian and had Mickey pancakes for breakfast.  

This is such a small sampling of the fun that we all had.  Going forward, I will share more of our great 2017 adventure in the Magic Kingdom.  Yes, it would be really nice if every day could be lived in a magical way.  Part of me thinks it can.  We each have to choose, to quit or go on with our lives.  All of us will decide differently depending on our needs and wants.  For me, when I look at Liam and Jaxson I want so much more for them.  I want them to travel and see the world and experience just being a kid on a ball field or in a magic kingdom.  I hope fear doesn't rule their lives.  So, for as long as I'm able, I'm hanging out with them.  The kingdom isn' t the magic part.  They are...but don't tell them I said so.  

A little Jaxson story to prove my point...I pick him up after school yesterday.  He's always excited to see me.  Off to riding lessons we go.  After riding, I ask him if he wants to go home and ride his truck...it's a beautiful day.."No", he says, "I want to go home and ride my scooter". OK I say.  Then from the backseat I get, "Nana, I want to go home and ride my scooter, because the reason that got it was to enjoy it."  Another Jaxson car seat lesson...Enjoy what you have.

“ When you travel with children you are giving them something that can never be taken away … experience, exposure, and a way of life. ”  Pamela Chandler...children's author.

All photo's were taken with the Fuji XT-2  I brought two lens  The Fuji 35mm f1.4 and the Fuji 18-135  The 50mm was used for all indoor photo's and the 18-135 was used for outdoor photo's. The last two photo's were taken with the I-Phone 7 plus.