Life as we now know it...

This post is way overdue. I have had good intentions on completing it the minute we got back but life sometimes happens. It was our first mini vacation since Conor was born at the end of June. Have to admit the weekend was a blast!

The minute I received the invite from Elizabeth Norton @ Party Planning Professor I knew it would be an amazing weekend. I have followed Elizabeth for the past year on Twitter (@Elizabeth_N) and have had the privilege of getting to know her. The Golden Inn graciously opened their doors to my family and a few others for an amazing party to promote Cabbage Patch Kids.

When we arrived late Friday afternoon our family was pleasantly surprised. The front desk staff was courteous and prepared for our arrival so checking in was a breeze. We got the kids in the room and unpacked a few things (husband has a bit of OCD so he had to have things just right!) then we headed back down to the reception area. There was a beautiful fire and a cart with some tasty hot chocolate and coffee. I immediately recognized Elizabeth and introduced myself and the family... have to admit that I never would have guessed she was that tall. Yes, it is the little things that I really remember. After all the introductions we headed to dinner with Elizabeth's family. Went to Sea Grill Restaurant for dinner. The dinner was very tasty but I was nervous the entire time because it was more of a 5 star place and I had Caitlyn and Conor there... thankfully our waitress was super friendly and talked with the kids.

Once the kids were in bed for the night I met up with Elizabeth, Sarah, Kelly and Mariana stopped by for a few minutes. Let me say that the band was great at the hotel bar... so great that we had our picture taken with them. I also found it amusing that Elizabeth had her laptop on the bar. :-)

Stone Harbor had many activities on Saturday. We had breakfast at the hotel Saturday morning, strolled the beach and then ventured out.  Walked around town in the morning, Caitlyn had her face painted and ate some fresh donuts. She made a fun little Christmas ornament at Just Bead It and Conor chilled in the stroller. The kids sat on Santa's lap... it was the first year that Caitlyn didn't freak out and Conor just stared at him.

Sunday morning we had breakfast again at the hotel and it was just as good as it was the day prior.  I have to admit that this is one area that they do extremely well in.  The bacon was tasty!! We all slept very well on the nice comfy beds... I think it might actually be better than my bed at home. After breakfast we had a few hours before the Cabbage Patch Party so we headed back to the beach.  At least the winds had died down and it was comfortable.  Oh, did I forget to mention that the hotel is ON THE BEACH?! Yes, you look out the room and there it is.

Party time!!!!  Caitlyn was beyond excited about the party.  She kept thinking it was her birthday party so it was a bit hard to explain that her own party would be in a few weeks.  I managed to get her into a skirt and cute boots (she doesn't do girly very well) for the occasion.  She walked into the party room and her little face lit up!  There was a green runway for the kids to walk down, lined with balloons.  The kids immediately sat down for story time with Elizabeth... all the moms were live tweeting the event.
We were all treated to a nice lunch and then the party really got going with the adoptions!  One by one the kids were called back to adopt their own Cabbage Patch.  Caitlyn's baby is Lonna Lorraine... no clue how they come up with those names!  After Cait picked Lonna she took her to the 'Doctor' to have her checked over.  The baby needed a bath so she got one and after everything was just right in her eyes, the adoption ceremony began.  She had to take her oath to always love and protect her baby... a very serious matter.
This was all exhausting and a treat was desperately needed.  The Golden Inn chef came in and taught the kids how to make their own Cabbage Patch cupcake.  He took the time to talk with each kid.  Those were gobbled up pretty fast.
The party has ended... it was time to give some feedback to John @GoldenInnAvelon.  I know that my little girl and my family had the best weekend there.  She definitely wants to go back and it is a place we would have very high up on our list.

Highlights

• Family friendly
• Courteous staff
• Great fireplace (reception area)
• Great breakfast buffet
• Fun nightly entertainment
• Comfortable beds