Well, we did it. And I really can't believe that it's over. It was an amazing and truly magical week spent with family that we will never forget. I am forever thankful that we were able to spend this time together and have this special memories. (I apologize in advance for the long post and the photo blast!!)
SATURDAY, we drove down to Florida and checked into the hotel and waited for everyone else's flights to arrive late that night. Due to bad weather (snow!!), they didn't arrive until late, late that night and the kids had gone to bed but we were able to get a nice dinner and a night swim in!
A love note I got from Mikey during the drive!
SUNDAY morning, we all met up for hugs and kisses and a yummy breakfast in the hotel. The kids were SO excited to finally see their cousins! Later in the afternoon, we went to the house where we would be staying for the week. It was gorgeous- plenty of room for everyone and a huge pool and hot tub for playing! The kids jumped right in and started swimming right away. They loved it! Then it was off to bed after dinner because we had a pretty early morning planned of MAGIC
MONDAY morning we all woke early and went straight to the magic kingdom. We had so much fun. Some of the things we did were: riding the Jungle Cruise with Uncle Kevin, seeing the Pirates of the Carribean, Kaitlyn saw Cinderella and Rapunzel with her cousins Kelsie and Mikalya, Mikey rode Thunder Mountainfor the first time (and Kaitlyn rode it for her third time!!), we rode Splash Mountain as a family and we rode the Disney Railroad. After all of that fun, we went back to the house and swam, swam, swam! My little fishes loved that pool!
TUESDAY morning we all went to Animal Kingdom together. It was our families first time there and I loved it! We were able to see so many amazing things and of course the animals were awesome! We first rode the new dinosaur ride with cousins Ryan and John. It was super cool but Mikey did NOT like the very end where a life size Tyrannosaurus Rex seems to come at you!! He told me 'that was AWFUL!'
We saw the Tree of Life which was amazing and saw a 'Bugs Life' show inside the tree--- which Mikey again, was not a fan of!
We all went on a safari around the park and saw all of the animas which was so awesome. I can't believe how many different types of animals they are able to home so close together. It's gorgeous. Then we watched the live Lion King show which, of course, was fantastic. Such talent! For lunch we were able to eat at the Tusker House restaurant with Mickey and all of his friends- now that was amazing! The kids were able to get hugs and autographs. I loved the buffet and the fact that they had a 'kid sized' buffet too. Mikey and Kaitlyn loved dishing up their own food choices themselves! After lunch, Kaitlyn and mom got to go on the Expedition Everest ride (twice!). Have I mentioned how much I love that my kids- especially my girl, loves adventure and extreme rides as much as I do?! It's so much fun! We stayed at the park until it closed and then back to the house for you guessed it- pool time!
If you look closely, you can see the great DeVine standing in the background!
Our happy girl.... ;)
Bugs!
WEDNESDAY may have been my favorite Disney day of all. Our family got up extra early and went to Magic Kingdom to see the gates open. It was awesome. We were there early enough that were able to get on a ride that is almost impossible to get a pass for and has a very long line for: The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. It is a newer roller coaster and we were able to get right on and man, was it worth it! Mikey loved it and rode with his hands up the whole time!!! I wish I had a video of it- it was great. Then we were able to go on Goofy's roller coaster, the Tea Cups, Ariel's ride, Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain, ride the train AND have a nice treat of Dole whips before heading back home for a rest while watching a movie in the theatre room!!! What a morning! Then we headed BACK out to the Magic Kingdom with Mimi and Papi, Kelsie, Mikayla, Auntie Kelli and Uncle Dennis. First stop though was the best: Kaitlyn and Mikey met Merida! Kaitlyn went up and am gave her a hug and got her autograph but Mikey stayed behind and say on a wall. Merida said 'come on- it's your turn!' Mikey told her 'I don't like princesses. Only BOYS.' Merida said 'Oooh!' Then turned to Kaitlyn and said 'Its ok, I'll teach you how to turn your brother into a bear!' You can make him a nice cake for his birthday!' Kaitlyn laughed and laughed! Then when Mikey wouldnt budge, Merida came over and sat next to him. She tried to guess his name. She was a real hoot! We love Merida!!
Then the girls got to go to the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique for a special treat of getting their hair and nails done. Kaitlyn was in heaven!!! She and Kelsie looked amazing. Afterwards we went to meet Ariel and then Elsa and Anna! Meanwhile, daddy and Mikey played with Buzz Lightyear and Monsters, Inc! Then we called it a night. What a fun day!!!!
A little break in the afternoon to watch a movie with giant lollipops in our underwear!
Back in the park trying on fun hats!
Meanwhile, Daddy and Mikey were having fun!!
Kaitlyn made a fish face and Ariel made a mermaid face!
THURSDAY was Hollywood Studios day. We headed straight for the Tower of Terror where Mimi, Papi, Uncle Kevin, Auntie Kelli, Uncle Dennis, Mommy, Daddy, Kaitlyn and Mikey all went for a ride! It was awesome--- and Kaitlyn went 2 more times!! (Mommy 's girl). Then we went on a fun Star Wars ride that Mikey says was his favorite ride of the whole trip! At this park we got to see Star Wars Storm Troopers and even meet the new 'bad guy': Ky Lo Ren- he was VERY scary! We went on the fun Toy Story ride and met Buzz and Woody with Uncle Kevin. It was a fun day a Hollywood Studios!
Kaitlyn ended up riding the Tower of Terror THREE times!!
Going down as one of my favorite family photos- Mikey was having an epic meltdown about 'light savers' ;)
FRIDAY was our last day at the parks and we knew we wanted to make the most of it so it was an early morning to Magic Kingdom. We went straight back to The kids favorite roller coasters- Thunder Mountain and then Splash Mountain and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Then we had lunch at Belle and the Beast's castle! It was beautiful-- and really yummy too. For desert we had the 'gray stuff'.... It was delicious!!! After lunch, we rode race cars and Kaitlyn and Mikey got to drive the cars all by themselves (except for the gas pedals that they couldn't reach!!). They loved it. Then a fun trip back to splash mountain with the dads and thunder mountain with the moms. Mikey got to ride in the roller coaster car with the boys all by themselves and he thought that was just the coolest thing ever--- no grown ups!! 'The girls with the girls and the boys with the boys'. My big kids.
Then we went home for a quick nap before heading back to the park for the nighttime fun!!
When we went back, we were able to do: It's a Small World, Splash Mountain (again!!) Aladin's Magic Carpits, Dumbo and we got to see the Electric Light Parade and of course the fireworks. It was 'magical'! We stayed until the park closed so I would say that was a fun- filled day for sure!!
Splash Mountain
Beauty and the Beast Castle
The boys on Thunder Mountain!
Watching the Electric Parade at night
Mommy and Mikey on Dumbo
We LOVED Splash Mountain!!:
Go Mikey!
What is Daddy doing to Kaitlyn's piggy tail?!!
Where did Johnny go?!
The Boys!
Splash Mountain- the big boys got wet!
It's a Small World
Mommy and Uncle Kevin on Aladin's Magic Carpet Ride!
I personally think Uncle Kevin should use this one on his business cards from now on
I didn't even notice Tinker Bell sneaking into our picture!
All of the Grandkids!
SATURDAY we took it as easy as we could. We spent the day playing in the pool and that night was our movie night where we watched the new Star Wars movie in the theatre room in the house (poor Mikey didn't even make it that far as he was asleep before dinner!).
And just like that our week was over. We drove home all day Sunday. I still can't believe it- and I know Kaitlyn and Mikey can't. They are back to reality this morning as we all are back to work and school early Monday morning (ouch!). My ears are still ringing with the sounds of cousins and laughter though. I hope it doesn't go away for a long, long time. I know we'll be talking about our memories around the dinner table for quite some time!
