friends and a home-away-from-home

 Earlier this month, June 9, our friends the Lamberts came to Orlando for a vacation to Disney. We were so happy they came a little earlier to visit with us and also so the kids could have an opportunity to see and do something none of them (or us parents) had done before. We provided snacks to the families at one of the Orlando-area Ronald McDonald houses.

After catching up and playing at our house, we had lunch at Chick-fil-a. And what is Chick-fil-a lunch without an ice dream?

 (Ray, Major, Jack & Ella Grace)

Our next stop was at the Ronald McDonald house. Major was being camera-shy and didn't want to participate in the shot before we went in.

 

We accidentally went in the wrong door, but once we made our way to the front we waited for a bit while the house manager was checking someone in. Great time for more pictures!

 

 (Major, Lindsey, Ella Grace, Ray, Jamie and Jack)

We left our snacks in the kitchen. It was a huge space, a cabinet for each room, several refrigerators shared by a block of rooms, lots of counter space, etc.

There were these two cute canvases in the hallway.

 We toured one of the rooms - guests  can say 15-45 days with a referral. They can check back in after their time period is up (prob with another referral). Upon check-out they are responsible for cleaning the bathroom, floors and stripping the bed clothes. The RMH staff replenishes toiletries, paper products and makes the bed.

 There was a nice play room with books and games for siblings.

 A huge television room,

there was also a computer room, a game room with X-box, a pool table and a Foosball table.

It was definitely worthwhile. The house was already booked through December with people/groups providing meals! And we got to see more little RMH pop-tab boxes there. Ella Grace's school collects those pop-tabs, and we definitely give our share!

When we left the RMH, we followed the Lamberts back to their condo to visit a little more. Once Jeremy got off of work, he came, too. Plans to swim were quickly cancelled due to the torrential downpour! After a bloodied nose (Major) and a locked door (Ray), we called it a night. Glad the rain stopped so we could snap a few more pictures!