A Big Smile for the Road!

Like the Cheshire Cat, I have every reason to smile wide today - 'cause, Lord willing, we're on our way to Disneyland!

Yes, we had thought to go to Disneyland back in June, but things just didn't feel right and it turned out for the best that we didn't go. But we're giving it another try now - one more family vacation to end the summer with a bang! I don't know where the Lord will lead me in the days and months and years to come, but wherever it might be I know that things won't quite be the same as they've been during my school years, so this is kind of a bittersweet send-off to my carefree summer (the one between graduation and the rest of my life, so to speak). With God's guidance, I hope that this upcoming season will find me working for Him, wherever that might be and whatever that might entail. =)

For now, I've got a couple of books and a Kindle to keep me company down South and back, and a few days of magical fun in the sun - so I'm planning to enjoy it! 

I know I've been remiss in updating ya'll on my summer happenings... So far I've done alright with book reviewing this month, but I haven't posted any more about our Sunriver vacation or my driving experiences. I'll just cut to the chase and say that: my time with family was/is a blast; I always love Sunriver, Oregon (it's a beautiful place to be!); my uncle Andy let me practice driving in his big red diesel truck (which was pretty awesome, and we survived!); I finished my last official driving lesson (my instructor was great, and her advice about parallel parking was super helpful); and I have yet to take my driver's test (hopefully that will eventually happen). So there you go! ;)

I'm sorry I haven't had more Driving Diary posts or more vacation posts. We'll see what I end up posting in the coming weeks! I do know that the annual "End of Summer Bash" is planned for that first week in September (the 3rd through the 8th), so keep that in mind! I'm excited about the author interviews and giveaways - it should be lots of fun! 

How has summer been treating you? Are you fitting in some family-fun time this month?

A Magical Vacation

I love Disneyland! It's a place full of hope, excitement, and beauty. You can visit Tomorrowland, Adventureland, and Fantasyland--all just a short walk away from each other. And now you can celebrate the unique grandeur of California in the California Adventure park! It's all so, so much fun!!

My family and I have a ton of pictures from our trip a couple of weeks ago, so I'll just share a few of them here. I hope you enjoy this glimpse at our magical vacation!

Carnation Cafe on Main Street--it's the place to go for breakfast! Their Mickey waffles are so light, sweet, and delicious! And while you eat, you can plot out the day's adventure like I'm doing here.

Can you tell my sister and I are excited? ;) (Yes, she's the tall one. And my family affectionately calls me the "cling-on.") Tom Sawyer's Island has now been taken over by pirates, so you can see some of their influence while you walk on the trails and through the caves on the island...

Or you can just ride the Mark Twain like my daddy did later on and enjoy the island from afar!

OK, seriously, I hope I turn out to be a better driver in a real car than in the cars on the Autopia ride in Tomorrowland! I think my dad would have been scared for his life...if it wasn't for the fact that we were on a track. ;)

This summer they have the Soundsational parade, which is worth taking a break from the rides to watch. Great music, great floats, and great dancing!

Couldn't resist getting a picture with this sign! ;) It reads, "Smaller guests enter first."

And here's the ride the sign was referring to! This is me and my daddy on the Dumbo ride.

So those of you who have been following this blog for a while are probably aware of the fact that I am a devoted bluegrass fan. Well, I just loved seeing Billy Hill and the Hillbillies at the Golden Horseshoe in Frontierland! They're awesome and super funny, not to mention talented!

Here's a glimpse at Paradise Pier in the California Adventure park. Now, if you get the opportunity to go to Disneyland this summer, I highly, highly recommend taking the time and effort to see the "World of Color" water show they do here in front of the Ferris Wheel at night. It was a special, amazing experience for me, and one of the highlights of the trip. Simply breathtaking!

I just love my family! I had a fabulous time with them in Disneyland--thank you Mom and Dad for the wonderful trip (and the pictures!)!

Now, dear readers, in the words of Tigger: "TTFN! Ta-ta for now!"

Back from the Happiest Place on Earth!

Hello, everyone! I just got back from a most wonderful vacation in Disneyland!! I'm sure I'll be posting more pictures and sharing some stories soon, but for now I simply wanted to let you know that I haven't dropped off the face of the planet. ;)

Next week I plan on sharing quite a few book reviews with you. And drum roll please...the next Contentment Reading Challenge Book Swap is headed your way soon!!

Hope you all are having a great summer so far!

P.S. If you would like to read my review of To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer, stop by the Radiant Lit website!