2013

Another year has passed for us Ruddy's. We started out in Palm Harbor and ended in Orlando and will be moving down the road in the next couple of months (we sure do move a lot.) The biggest accomplishment of 2013? Ryan graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a masters in Criminal Justice and I became a full time relief lead at the Blue Man Group.

January: after a year and 4 months of being married I changed my last name. I go by Shannon Heit Ruddy now, yes all 3 names 

Feb: Ryan started his internship at Sea World and got a new SUV

March: we worked a lot this month and went to Sea World quite a few times

April: I started working in the box office at Blue Man, and 5 months later I was promoted to a full time relief lead

May: working at Amway I get to see a lot of awesome concerts, this was just one of them

June: my cousin Madison got married in NC, my sister and I were both bridesmaids 

July: my great Grandma Hager passed away right after here 104th birthday

Aug: Ryan graduated from UC and I turned 25

Sept: we celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary

Oct: Ryan turned 26 and we got to go to Halloween Horror Nights

Nov: Thanksgiving day

Dec: First year sending out Christmas cards

E-Card's

All of the years Ryan and I have been together, 5 to be exact we have never sent out Christmas cards. Not sure why. Even though mailing something is rare these days and everything is an E-card I thought I'd mail them out to our immediate families.

Allison, her boyfriend, Ryan and I had a photo shoot in downtown Winter Park and the photographer got some great pictures.

I know this is after Christmas, but the last 2 pictures were given as gifts so I didn't want to ruin their surprise.

Merry Christmas from the Ruddy's

Sister card

The "kids" 

Grinchmas

Grinchmas is going on at Islands of Adventure until the beginning of the year. It's were Seuss Landing turns Christmas with the Grinch. This was my first year experiencing the event, it was really cool to see all the wacky decorations. We didn't get to see the live show, but I will defiantly check that out before the event is over.

Grinchmas 

Snowman candy apple

Funny looking trees

Christmas decor

Islands of Adventure

Macys parade at Universal

If you're at Universal over the next few weeks make sure to check out the Macy's parade in the afternoon! Great floats, great balloons and of course Santa! Here are some pic's I've captured during the parade. Fun fact, the balloons are from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC!

Ice skater on a float

Drummer boys

The balloons look huge 

Marilyn Monroe riding in style

I loved the snowmen

Santa and the Mrs.

Christmas at the Ruddy's '13

5 foot tree in living room

Bright new ordiment

Tree and fireplace

Gizmo loves sleeping under the tree

Blinking stars and colored lights outside

Merry Christmas from Gizmo Ruddy

Poinsettias outside

Real wreath on the front door

Christmas Vacation quotes

Coffee table center peice

We got to use the fireplace a couple times this week!!!!!!

 

We got a real 6ft tree from Walmart for $7.50, what a steal



Do more of what makes you happy

I saw this quote on Pinterest the other day and thought it was perfect for where I'm at in my life right now. I currently work 2 jobs (both I love very much!), most weeks 50+ hours and rarely get a day off and don't see my husband that much. Ryan just got promoted, he has a new title and now is full time so he is extra busy helping run 2 offices.

During the holidays especially it's important to be making memories instead of working all the time. We do our best to fit in spending time together, I'm not going to lie it's tough. Next year our goal is to go on a real vacation that is somewhere other than our parents house and is longer than 2 days :)

ICE!

Over the weekend Ryan and I went to ICE at Gaylord Palms with his family. We saw it a few years ago when it was "a night before Christmas" and both agreed that Frosty was much better! Everything was so bright and cheery and the ice characters told the story so well.

It was 9 degrees inside so everyone was provided with a parka. Ryan did not wear his; he also touched, licked and sat on the ice all of which you weren't supposed to do either. We didn't get kicked out so that's all that matters.

Frosty the snowman 

No jacket inside 

Hi Frosty 

Town square

Licking the ice...ewwww

Great details 

Snow slides

The kids from the movie

The squirrel was so cute

The fire was my favorite 

This one is cute

Freezing by the end 

Someone was carving the ice inside

:)

ICE!

Gaylord Palms is so pretty during Christmas