My family is small so there were approximately 25-30 of us and we almost had 100% in attendance. The first day we arrived was a Thursday nite and we stayed at The Westgate Leisure Resorts. Not to be confused with Westgate timeshare resorts.
This was a very nice resort and was reasonably priced so that everyone could afford to do it. Two bedrooms with a full kitchen, two baths and a living room/dining room area. Each family member was greeted at the front desk with a big Welcome sign, a DVD and a Family brochure with pictures and bios. The resort also had a cooler of iced water ready for the weary travelers.
We spend the first night meeting and greeting. Especially great was the nieces and newphews that we had not seen for a few years. What a surprise to see how my nephews and nieces had grown, the new addition to the family just five months old, and meeting my cousins wife for the first time. Our cousins from Florida came by and we reminisced about old times and growing up.
We all went to Aquatica Water Park on Friday morning. We arranged for Group rates and it definately was a big savings. You have to fill out the form atleast a day before to get the discount. Friday night we had a Fish Fry and afterwards danced and partied to an old school dance party. We did the cabbage patch, the snake and the young kids tried to show the old folks how to do some of the new dances like the Nae Nae and the Dougy. The grandchildren sang to my dad and me and my siblings sang to my mom "I'll always love my mama."
Friday and Saturday, morning breakfast was served for the whole crew. Grits, eggs, waffles, sausages, biscuits, home fries, fruit, juice. Everyone pitched in and made one item and bought it to one location. We all watched the DVD of memories of days gone by.
Saturday, we all headed to Turkey Lake Park for our cookout. Beautiful lake and park. Food was catered by Chef Eddies in Orlando. Ribs, Chicken, Brisket, greens, string beans, salad, jalapeño muffins, Potato Salad, Macaroni Salad, Corn on the Cob, Baked Beans....phew!! what a spread. We could not possibly eat all of that food in two days, so a lot was wasted. Thunderstorms put a damper on everyones pool time, but because we had a covered pavillion we were able to salvage the food and the day. We had a few games planned, and did all of the line dances. Under our pavillion, we saw a family of raccoons living in the rafters. The kids got excited over this.
Sunday, some of the members of our family headed out and some stayed until Monday. The plan was to spend a day at the beach. To our surprise, some of the family was sick with a bad stomach virus. Now, I am not saying that Chef Eddies food was bad, because 6 out of 30 people got sick. We all ate the same thing. Just one of those things that everyone who resided in two households got sick out of the 8 houses we rented.
All in all the family had a great time. No one can say it was not worth the trip to Orlando because we shared so many memories and the best part was.......my dad and mom was there to share it with us!
