We did it. 'Ol Betty, the minivan that could, racked up a few thousand more miles and safely took our family to Disney World and back. We had a great time visiting our FL family- Matthew, Heather & Mattie.Sunday we attempted to get a family picture at Melbourne beach. The water was a beautiful turquoise blue and proved to be irresistible to our little ones.
We went to church with M,H,&M and had dinner with their good friends whom we fondly remember from Matt and Heather's wedding. We could have talked all night...what wonderful people!
Monday we enjoyed shopping on Melbourne's Main St. Heather sabatoged my diet by taking me to the candy store. I think some rival Biggest Loser team members put her up to it:). I don't regret one bite of my chocolate covered pretzel rod or peanut brittle. Yummy!
Afterward we went to Dodgertown in Vero Beach. It's the last season that the LA Dodgers will practice there for spring training. Heather and I did some more shopping and we all met up to meet some huge manatees that come to a dock near M&H's home at dusk. THe kids thought that was great and some of them even petted the beasts. From one of the docks we spotted some crabs as well.
Tuesday-Friday was all about Disney World. Grace was thrilled to be tall enough for most of the roller coasters. Caroline even made it on most. Fast passes and rider swap cards made it all the more fun as it eliminated the whole long line issue. We did however wait in a few long lines in order for Grace, Caroline & Mattie to get autographs from many of the Disney characters. Heather made adorable little autograph books for the girls to add photos along with the character autographs. Minnie Mouse gave her a thumbs up for her creative work. The girls loved meeting the princesses. When meeting Mickey Mouse, Grace asked, "So, how old are you?" When meeting Minnie, they laughed at the chance to honk her nose.
Best of Times: (AK=Animal Kingdom, MK=Magic Kingdom & HS=Hollywood Studios)
Christina- AK- The "Nemo" and "Lion King" shows, MK- Splash Mountain
Thomas- AK- "Dinosaur", MK- Splash Mountain, HS- Star Tours "flying into battle near the Death Star"
Grace- AK- the "Lion King" show, MK- Space Mountain
Caroline- AK- Going on the safari and seeing the baby elephants. We learned that the mommy elephants are pregnant for 22 months and that the babies weigh around 200 pounds! That makes Wesley at 11.6 seem light as a feather! MK- Meeting Cinderella, going really fast on Barnstormer, and "when the wolf dunked the rabbit in the water on Splash Mountain"
Christina, Grace & Caroline all thought that seeing the High School Musical 2 parade at Hollywood Studios was the best part of that theme park, and their favorite moment was at the end when they got to dance and sing "We're all in this Together" with the cast.
For the long drive...Thomas, Christina & Caroline's favorite moment was seeing the NYC skyline from the NJ turnpike. Grace's favorite part was seeing a beautiful sun set in Georgia.
We went to church with M,H,&M and had dinner with their good friends whom we fondly remember from Matt and Heather's wedding. We could have talked all night...what wonderful people!Monday we enjoyed shopping on Melbourne's Main St. Heather sabatoged my diet by taking me to the candy store. I think some rival Biggest Loser team members put her up to it:). I don't regret one bite of my chocolate covered pretzel rod or peanut brittle. Yummy!
Afterward we went to Dodgertown in Vero Beach. It's the last season that the LA Dodgers will practice there for spring training. Heather and I did some more shopping and we all met up to meet some huge manatees that come to a dock near M&H's home at dusk. THe kids thought that was great and some of them even petted the beasts. From one of the docks we spotted some crabs as well.Tuesday-Friday was all about Disney World. Grace was thrilled to be tall enough for most of the roller coasters. Caroline even made it on most. Fast passes and rider swap cards made it all the more fun as it eliminated the whole long line issue. We did however wait in a few long lines in order for Grace, Caroline & Mattie to get autographs from many of the Disney characters. Heather made adorable little autograph books for the girls to add photos along with the character autographs. Minnie Mouse gave her a thumbs up for her creative work. The girls loved meeting the princesses. When meeting Mickey Mouse, Grace asked, "So, how old are you?" When meeting Minnie, they laughed at the chance to honk her nose.
Best of Times: (AK=Animal Kingdom, MK=Magic Kingdom & HS=Hollywood Studios)
Christina- AK- The "Nemo" and "Lion King" shows, MK- Splash Mountain
Thomas- AK- "Dinosaur", MK- Splash Mountain, HS- Star Tours "flying into battle near the Death Star"
Grace- AK- the "Lion King" show, MK- Space Mountain
Caroline- AK- Going on the safari and seeing the baby elephants. We learned that the mommy elephants are pregnant for 22 months and that the babies weigh around 200 pounds! That makes Wesley at 11.6 seem light as a feather! MK- Meeting Cinderella, going really fast on Barnstormer, and "when the wolf dunked the rabbit in the water on Splash Mountain"
Christina, Grace & Caroline all thought that seeing the High School Musical 2 parade at Hollywood Studios was the best part of that theme park, and their favorite moment was at the end when they got to dance and sing "We're all in this Together" with the cast.
For the long drive...Thomas, Christina & Caroline's favorite moment was seeing the NYC skyline from the NJ turnpike. Grace's favorite part was seeing a beautiful sun set in Georgia.
Wayne is catching some zzzzz's after driving all night, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say his favorite part of the trip was the AK safari. He got some incredible photographs.
I have many favorites, but something I'll never forget was riding Everest and coming out of the initial tunnel only to find it pouring rain outside. We got more wet than on the Roaring Rapids ride! The rain passed and we were some of the last visitors to leave AK.
We're thankful that on such a busy holiday week, we were able to have a safe and wonderful family vacation to Magic Kingdom. Grandma Ann let us use their Orlando timeshare and said it was no small thing that we were able to arrange those accommodations just 2 weeks prior to our trip...we are so thankful! Heather is a Disney pro and it was wonderful sharing this vacation with MH&M. We've brought home memories we'll always cherish.
We're thankful that on such a busy holiday week, we were able to have a safe and wonderful family vacation to Magic Kingdom. Grandma Ann let us use their Orlando timeshare and said it was no small thing that we were able to arrange those accommodations just 2 weeks prior to our trip...we are so thankful! Heather is a Disney pro and it was wonderful sharing this vacation with MH&M. We've brought home memories we'll always cherish.
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8 comments:
Okay, Grace looks like she is in absolute heaven in all of these pictures. I love the family picture in front of the castle. What fun! That is so incredible that Ann was so kind to let you use her timeshare. YEAH for you guys! You are officially the vacationers--Hawaii, Florida. What a fun couple of months.
I can't believe how fast Grace and Caroline are growing up! They're not chubby little toddlers anymore! Looks like tons of fun!
Wow! How exciting! Bryn sat by my side mesmorized by the slideshow, and we had to review the princess photos several times. She now wants us to drive her to a castle.
Did you know Peter's sister's family lives in Melbourne? You probably went to church at their ward (Miriam and Nathan with 5 kids).
Sounds like so much fun! Glad you had a fun/safe trip.
I thought about you a few times this week. It sounds like you had a magical time!
We miss you guys so much already! Mattie keeps asking where her cousins are? We're so glad that you all had a wonderful time here in FL. We can't wait to do it again, minus the grouchy lady worker the very last day!
PS. How was listening to the cd on the way home?!
I think Grace is now going to be a Disney freak like her aunt Heather & cousin Mattie! I think she'll MAKE you go back for another dose of the princesses or maybe you'll just have to frequent the Disney Store in Boston to satisfy her urges! Looks like so much fun! The family photos reminded me of US growing up. Everyone in total matching outfits! (I do the same thing). My favorite photo is the one of Thomas & Grace giving loves to each other. BTW, is Grace always that smiley or only at Magic Kingdom?! And did Matt shave his head??? So fun! Glad your kids finally got to go to Disney!!!!
Cami- We were in the Palm Bay ward I think...I don't know. My sis-in-law, Heather grew up there so she'd probably know your family in Melbourne. Small world! Did you notice we used your carrier at Magic Kingdom? ;)---also, I added a few more pictures to the slide show, so Bryn can veg out and enjoy:):)
Heather- We miss you guys too. We listened to the Disney CD for quiet a while and Wayne said,"I'll bet the kids are getting sick of this." I looked at him and said, "Yeah right, YOU are getting sick of this." haha. The kids love it!
Shayla- Yes, Matt shaved his head. One stray move with the clippers and it all came off.
We got 6 days worth of park passes for the price of 4 and our last 2 days are non-expiring, so we'll be back sometime. It was great fun.
I tried to match us at least somewhat so that it would be easy to keep track of each other at the parks. My sis gave me that tip...meshing in photos is a perk:)
Grace has a zest for life. She's a happy girl for sure, but she really enjoyed all she was able to do at Disney World & hanging out with Mattie too. I had no idea she'd love the roller coasters as much as she did. She took a photograph of us going down the drop on Splash Mtn. to Kindergarten today to show her teacher. She's a hoot!
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