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.

Magic Kingdom

We drove back down to Orlando on Wednesday to go to Magic Kingdom for the day.  We arrived super early just like we did on Monday and hoped to ride a few rides and get some Express Passes before lines got long.  We were hoping that it wouldn't be crowded since it was the day before Thanksgiving but it was, and not just a little crowded, it was packed.  As the day went on the lines go longer and longer and longer.  Most rides by 3 pm were over an hour and some were 2 hours to wait.  By the time it was late afternoon we went on enough rides for our little ones and didn't consider it worth our while to wait in line with them for 2 hours to go on a 1 to 2 minute ride. So about 6 pm we said it was time to go.  We were all tired, our feet were throbbing but we were happy!

Here's what we did that day!

We headed straight for the Buzz Light Year ride.  You help him defeat the Evil Emperor Zurg but shooting him with a laser gun.  We quickly did this ride two times in a row! Mikey was in heaven.

Everything is glow in the dark.  Here is Mikey and Scott shooting all the targets.

Zurg!!

Spinning on the tea cups!

 So glad I was able to get a pic. of the kids and I on the dumbo ride the last two years.  They really love it. Such a special moment.

Katie and I on the Dumbo Ride!  

This was Mikey and I on the dumbo ride in Oct. 2012.

Mikey riding on Dumbo in Oct. 2012

Scott and Mikey riding on Dumbo this visit.

We went into Cinderella's castle.  There were about 6 or 8 posters of princesses lining the walls.

The glass slipper. So beautiful!

Katie meeting Cinderella.

Here she is telling Katie all about Cinderella and how he dress was made.

Posing for Daddy and the professional photographer to take their pictures.

Here is the one Daddy took.  Look at that sweet smile.

A very special hug from Cinderella.  It was so magical and Katie talks about it daily.

I even got my picture taken with her. :)

We also had the pleasure of meeting Princess Aurora from Sleeping Beauty.

Scott and I held our sleeping beauty for 45 minutes while waiting in line for Pirates of the Caribbean.

Walking up to the Swiss Family Robinson tree house.

Such a huge tree house!

Walking around to see all the rooms.

Our treat at Magic Kingdom was vanilla and orange yogurt swirl for the kids and a Dole Pineapple Whip for Scott and I.  yum!

On the safari ride! Lots of fake but life like animals to see.

A cute little elephant family.

The Parade!

Mickey and Minnie getting their groove on.

Mikey was waving "hi" like crazy!

Watching the parade!

Pinicchio and Jimminy Cricket.

Sleeping Beauty and the 7 dwarfs.

Still watching the parade!

He was in awe.

Alice in Wonderland.

Cinderella and her fairy godmother and the prince!

Sleeping Beauty.

Princess Aurora and her Prince.

Riding on the new Ariel ride.

 I tried to get a cute picture of the kids in front of the castle and this is what happened.  Mikey was being extra silly!

Jumping for joy in front of the castle.

Mikey trying to imitate the Walt Disney Statue behind him.

Family Picture.

Should be fun to see them grow and compare this picture to previous years each time we go.