An Anniversary to Remember

We wanted to do something special to commemorate our 35th anniversary, and decided to do the trip to Disney World.  Although our actual anniversary was November 9, I wanted to see Disney at Christmas.  And it was truly an anniversary to remember.  I had always dreamed of staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and when Mary got a code for 40% off, that dream became a reality.   When we checked into our hotel,  the cast member gave us buttons that announced to all that we were celebrating our anniversary.  These chandeliers are in the lobby of the Animal Kingdom Lodge.   If you look to the right, you can see a balcony.  Our room was on the fourth floor, on this side of the lobby.

When we walked into the room, I was surprised to see this vase of flowers on the table.  Seems that Rod and Mary had conspired to have those flowers in our room when we arrived.  There was a card from Rod with the flowers thanking me for 35 years and wishing for 35 more.  I thought these were so beautiful and was so sad when I had to leave them behind when we left.  I had wanted to take the vase at least,  but alas there was no room left in the luggage.  At least I have these pictures to remember the arrangement by.

This picture was taken the morning we left, and the bouquet was still so beautiful.  I have always loved flowers, and when we were younger and raising our kids, there was little money for flowers.  I never really thought that much about it -- that's just how it was.  But since Rod has been working good, and the kids are out on their own, he certainly makes up for the early years.  So many times when he goes to the store alone, he comes home with flowers.  I guess I'm odd, but I like carnations and chyrsanthemums more than roses.  They just seem to last longer.

This photo of Rod and I was taken in front of the Christmas tree in the Animal Kingdom Lodge.  The tree was so beautiful.  There were woven baskets, dried seed pods and dried flowers, and the most beautiful animal masks used to decorate this tree.  I had hoped to purchase a small one similar to the large ones on the tree, but didn't find one anywhere.  I did buy a small wooden mask and a small woven basket to put on our tree, but still wish I could have found an animal mask.