The American Urologic Association's annual meeting is held in a different major city every year, and always around our anniversary. So far, we've celebrated in Chicago, Atlanta, D.C., San Diego -- and this year, Orlando! Has been fun to visit these places. It's quite a new gig with a kid in tow, and though Mikel had to spend a lot of time at the conference (it is why we're there, after all), we had a great time. We stayed for a full week, May 16-23, which allowed us a few extra days to play after the conference ended.
*****
FRIDAY
Mikel got the Dad of the Year award for getting Nolan to doze for an hour on the airplane despite CRAZY turbulence (hence the shaky photo)
A week of business wear, play clothes, swim gear and baby supplies is a lot of stuff!
When we arrived at our villa (we stayed here), I realized it had - of all things - a washer and drying IN the unit. I could have died! Sure would have lightened our load if I had realized that. Oh well; lesson learned.
Mikel headed to the conference kick off, so Nolan and I explored the beautiful resort grounds.
Someone was happy to run his little toddler legs off after all day on an airplane or in a stroller.
We can handle a week with you, Florida!
*****
SATURDAY
Our second lesson was learned Monday night/Tuesday morning: ALWAYS BRING THE PACK AND PLAY. Or plan to buy one. The hotel's "luxury crib" is in fact a leg trapping, binki losing, head bonking torture chamber.
If your too-big child spends his night in this:
your morning will consist of the mommy version of this:
Nolan and I made an ASAP run to Target to snag a basic pack and play, and all was right in the world by nap time. Glory. (We even returned that sucker on our way out a week later. Double glory.)
Next up: the pool. It was 79 degrees, breezy, and (oddly) very low humidity that afternoon, which both of us found entirely unsuitable for swimming. After 5 minutes in the pool, his lips were blue and I was shivering. This is proof positive that we have *officially* adapted to Arizona, as there were easily 80+ other people up to their necks in the water and all seemed happy as clams. Not us! Nolan instead spent the remainder of our poolside time wrestling this massive beach ball all over kingdom come.
That evening when Mikel returned and Nolan was tucked snugly in his shiny new pack and play, we enjoyed a quiet anniversary dinner on our villa's balcony which faced the sunset and overlooked the bridges and waterfalls. It was lovely! 6 years happy.
*****
SUNDAY
Sunday brought more low-key relaxation -- a run, the pool (still too cold, but we discovered the hot tub!), I read on the balcony during nap time... That evening, we joined Chip and Cindy McWilliams, our friends from OKC, for dinner out on the town. It was such a treat to see them! I should mention that THEY are the reason we got to stay in the fantastic 2 BR / kitchen / living room villa set-up that we did -- they sold us their timeshare week, and we are so thankful that they thought of us. Seeing them is really a bonus to the fun that AUA always brings.
Nolan was a lot of fun to have at the restaurant. He flirted with Cindy, goofed off with Chip and ate like a boss. We were out until after 9 -- and he was tired when we got back to the villa. This shot was taken in the elevator, almost home.
*****
MONDAY
Speaking of seeing friends, YAY FOR DOING THAT! A whole gaggle of our Mayo friends were staying less than 4 miles away, so Nolan and I loaded up Monday morning to crash their poolside party at the Ritz! I have never in my life had so many uniformed staff members offer me a "complimentary bottle of water" in such rapid succession. It's rough going at the Ritz.
Casey, Sara and me -- urology wives reunited! I miss spending time with these gals.
Keeping it fancy at the Ritz.
Sara left her kids with grandparents, which was great for her but sad for me. Casey, however, made up for what Sara lacked by having Isaac, this adorable charmer, in tow.
Are you in love?
Some ducks helping themselves to the big pool.
The fun didn't stop there. That night, the guys attended the annual Mayo reception, so Sara and Casey came to our condo to chow down on pizza and hang out. It was SO GREAT and comfortable! Steph FaceTimed us to say hello and allowed us to pretend for a minute that she was there, we enjoyed huge helpings of ice cream and watched the Bachelorette season premier. It was girls' night done right -- and with these dear friends. Thanks, ladies, for that time. It was good for my soul!
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