Thanksgiving 2013

We celebrated Thanksgiving at the home we were renting for the week in FL.  We had Grandma Bette over, as well as Great Grandma Ruth and Aunt Barb and Uncle Dave who were visiting from Boston.  It was pretty great not having to make Thanksgiving but still being able to enjoy everything that comes with a Thanksgiving meal.  The meal was pre-purchased and so we just had to heat it up and everyone brought over some sides and dessert and wine to round out the dinner.

It was so nice to be able to sit and enjoy each other and have good conversation rather than sweating it out in the kitchen trying to finish everything all at once.

Katie playing as a puppy dog.  She makes really cute noises.

This puppy dog was all tuckered out before we even had any turkey!

Everything is ready and Uncle Dave is cutting the turkey.

We all sat in the 4 seasons room while our food digested.

Great Grandma, Grandma and Barb.

We had to wake her after letting her sleep for 3 hours.  She didn't want to get up.

Scott with his 91 year old Grandma.

 Friday we spent leisurely.

We walked around Lake Sumter Landing and stopped at Starbucks for some drinks and a cookie for the kids.

I think Star Trek was on but it could have been Star Wars.

The little people house and town was a favorite for the kids all week.

I even managed to squeeze in a few runs this week.  I tried to take advantage of the warmer FL weather.

Dinner at Red Lobster and she slept through the entire thing.

I used to not drink, then I had kids. :) Margarita at Red Lobster.

Taking the Monorail back to the airport terminal. 

A huge tree the kids ran around and around and around while we waited for our plane.

Getting creative on the flight home.

Noticing a pattern.  She took lots of naps the last 3 days of the trip.  This vacation really tired her out.

And just like that our vacation and holiday is over and we are back in NY.

Some fun around town - The Villages

We wanted to have a down day before spending another action packed day at Disney so we hung around The Village and had some fun!

We took the kids on a "date" for breakfast.

It's fun to take video of people when they think you're taking a picture.  These two love each other so much.  After 5 minutes of watching them do this I just had to capture this sweet moment.

One of the 3 town centers in The Villages.  Such pretty decorations everywhere.

Katie and I wanted our picture in front of the tree.  Someone else did not.

Cuties. Can you tell who did not was their picture taken?

Op, there he is!

A cute little farmers market on a rainy day that we walked through.

The kids have plenty of space to run and play.

They spot a movie theater.  Let's see what's playing!

 Since it was raining a little bit and kind of cold, we weren't able to bust our our swim suits we packed so we took the kids to the movies instead.  Since it was 2 days before Thanksgiving, we saw Free Birds.  A movie about two turkey's that go back to the very first Thanksgiving to try and get turkey off the menu.  It was very cute!

Waiting for the movie theater to open.  

Mikey saw this huge ad for the Lego Movie that is coming out in Feb.  We may just have to take him to see that.

A theater almost to ourselves.  They have these little red boaster seats for the kids.  Great idea!

Lunch at the country club over looking the golf course with Grandma.

Scott and him mom, Grandma Bette.

Animal Kingdom - Part 2

Continued from part 1 - Here's what we did during the second half of the day.  We told the kids they were allowed 1 treat and 1 gift for each day we went to Disney.  This was their treat they picked out... Mikey a strawberry Popsicle and Katie wanted chocolate dipped Mikey ice cream.

They Mikey's Jingle Jungle Parade that went on a certain path around the park.  So here we are waiting behind the tape, licking our ice cream while waiting for the parade to pass.

Katie fell asleep almost immediately after her ice cream and slept through the entire parade.  It was very loud but after having such a busy day and falling asleep at 4pm there was nothing that could wake her.

Lots and lots and lots of Disney characters in the parade.

Minnie Mouse!

Goofy dressed as Santa!

The parade was great and I got lots of other video and pictures to show the kids years from now.  After the parade we saw the Nemo show.  It was really cute!

Being silly waiting for the show to start!

After the show we were all exhausted, so we did some shopping so the kids could pick out a toy and drove back home.

Such a happy boy with his Dusty airplane from the movie Panes.  On the car ride home.

1 minute after the above picture was taken.  :)

After the day we all had how they still had energy when we got back home was beyond me.  So wrestling with Daddy to get out that last little bit of energy was fun for everyone.

Sleeping Katie with her Minnie doll she picked out.  Pink and Purple and had Katie written all over it!

Animal Kingdom - Part 1

We took the kids and Grandma Bette to Animal Kingdom today.  The weather was perfect for going to a theme park.  It was a very busy day and I tried to capture the moments with my camera.  It was our first time taking the kids there and while I don't think we will go back until we go to all the other Disney theme parks, I'm glad we went. It wasn't very crowded but there weren't a whole lot of rides for the kids to go on. There was however a lot of different shows to see.  We saw The Lion King, Nemo, and It's hard to be a bug (4D show) which was fun! Scott and I went on the Expedition Everest Roller Coaster which was really fun!  We can't wait until the kids are a bit taller so they can enjoy everything!

Arrived bright eyed and bushy tailed 30 mins. before the park opened.

Someone doesn't like to get his picture taken.  About to go in!

The tree of life right as you enter!

Here we go!

Our first ride.

Katie and Grandma.

Cuties.

Scott, Mikey and Grandma on the rapids.

The park is so elaborate with themes everywhere.

Family photo in front of the Tree of Life.

Watching the monkeys swing behind them.

The huge Christmas Tree decorated with all animals at Animal Kingdom.

She has her Disney gear on.

Katie's hairdo for the day.  It kept it out of her eyes and face and I didn't have to touch it once.

The smart and short one.  We waited for Scott, Grandma and Mikey to go on the rapids ride.  I didn't want to get wet and Katie was to short.

While we waited everyone who came off just had a sprinkling of water, but Mikey, Grandma and Scott were soaked.  Can you tell from their stance?!  Scott was damp the rest of the day and I had a change of clothes for Mikey.  Grandma wasn't as wet as the boys.

A little snack on a rickshaw.

Wake up Tiger!

Thank you!

After a few rides and seeing animals it was time to hug it out.

And more hugs.

Banging on drums.

He loved it.  I got great videos of him banging away.

And more hugs.

Silly time with Daddy while waiting in line to see The Lion King show.

These two are so cute!

The best thing at Animal Kingdom!

The show was great, but was even better was Scott and I staring at Mikey's face the whole time.  It transformed him.  He will tell you that was his favorite part of the day!

Safari ride time!

Lots of hippos hanging out in the water.

Do you know they can hold their breath for 8 minutes?!

A huge amount of crocs.  

Lots for little Katie to see.

Lots for these two to see too.

Giraffe!

Pretty amazing to see them reach up and eat the leaves off the palm trees.

:)

So thankful to be able to take trips and make memories like this.  Makes me one happy Mama!

I spy.

Lots of elephants.

A cheetah.

An ostrich and half a dozen eggs (to the right).

Zebras.