Universal Studios

Butter Beer and Pumpkin Juice

Hogwarts Train to Islands of Adventure

Jurassic Park River Adventure

Soaking Wet!!!

Cowfish Smore's Sundae

I can't even begin to describe how much our family enjoyed our time at Universal Studios. People rave about the Disney Parks, not our family. We feel like Universal Studios was made for us!!! We love Harry Potter, which is the main reason we wanted to explore Universal Studios. Trevor, Kaylee and I have read all seven books and watched all the movies. Kianna has begun reading the series and Trace has watched a few of the movies.

We stayed at the Loews Royal Pacific Resort so that we could get free fast passes to all the rides. We got a 2-day park pass so that we could explore both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. The 2-day pass is the only way you are allowed to ride on the Hogwarts Express and have the full Harry Potter experience. Universal really has the fast passes figured out! There is a fast pass line at every ride, so those with fast passes just enter the much shorter line. We felt like VIPs.

In addition to loving Harry Potter, we love movies in general. Universal is filled with Superheroes, Transformers, Minions, the Grinch, and dinosaurs. Not to mention, the rides are awesome! We loved the Incredible Hulk and Rip Ride Rockit roller coasters, the river adventure through Jurassic Park was a blast and the Harry Potter rides were incredible.

In addition to the parks. Trevor introduced us to the Cowfish restaurant. He had been to one in Charlotte and thought we would enjoy. Boy was he right! We loved it so much we went to it both nights we were there. It is a very unique restaurant that has made burgers into sushi rolls called burgerushi. Not only is the burgerushi delicious, but they also have the most incredible ice cream sundaes. We were in sugar heaven!!! It was an amazing few days!!!

Jupiter Lighthouse

Stairs

We decided it would be fun to climb to the top of the Jupiter Lighthouse. It was first built in 1860 and has been shining bright ever since. We climbed over a hundred stairs to get to the top. The scenery was breathtaking.

We saw a huge banyan tree at the base of the lighthouse. I didn't know those existed in Florida, so that was pretty cool to see. We also toured the property to learn more about the Indians that used to live nearby. It was a fun way to spend our day!

Harborside Tree Lighting Ceremony

Kianna's 6th grade choir performed at the Harborside Tree Lighting Ceremony tonight. We met the Nelson's and our friends, Justin and Andrea Lathrop down there. It was a fun night with friends!

Bat Mitzvah

Kaylee just tried out for the Jupiter Jaguars Travel Basketball Team and made the team. One of her new teammates, Maddie Zelner, invited the team to attend her Bat Mitzvah party. It was at the Jupiter Country Club. Kaylee was nervous, since she barely knew Maddie or her other new teammates. However, Maddie was a gracious hostess and Kaylee had a fun time with new friends. She is so brave!

Our Beautiful Walks

Over the years, Trevor and I have come to cherish our walks. They are our quality time together. In Michigan, we used to walk the neighborhood together. In Iowa, we walked on the trail behind our house. Here in Florida, we walk in our neighborhood, along the intracoastal waterway, and on the beach. 

On one of our recent walks, we saw a manatee swimming in the Intracostal Waterway. We also saw a tortoise on the nearby nature trail. We are loving our new stomping grounds here in Florida. We are blessed to live in such a beautiful place!