John-Makynna-Livia: Disney World

Grandpa Stan and Grandma Elaine took the family to Disney World for Christmas on November 16-21. There were a total of 17 of us, which included 3 babies under age 2. The preparations started about a week before...well I wish I started a week before. I had really good intentions, but I started a couple of days before we left. Brad insisted that we were bringing WAY TOO MUCH stuff, I felt we need everything. We packed the van with 4 suitcases, 4 carry ons, the stroller and Livi's carseat. I was exhausted already :)

We flew out of the cities so we drove down the day before (I was able to sneak a little shopping in at the outlet mall on the way). Woke up at 4:30am so we could catch the shuttle to the airport to get our 8am flight. We slept with the girls in our room and with Livi's cold and Makynna's snoring I don't think Brad and I got more than 3 hours of sleep. Not a good way to start the trip... We made it past security...thank goodness we only have to do that twice on the trip! I'm pretty sure the people behind us weren't very impressed with our lack of knowledge on how and what needed to go through the scanner (who knew the stroller PACKED with stuff had to be folded and sent through....not us).

We board the plane with few problems and before we knew it we were in the air. The girls were very well behaved - I was worried about their ears, but they seemed to be ok. We landed at noon and were at Disney by 2:30 or so. We stayed in the Boardwalk Villas which were in walking distance of Epcot and Magic Kingdom. We couldn't check in right away so we decided to go to Epcot for a few hours. ...no nap for any of us...still had a lot of patience though (not sure how).

One of our first stops was at the Nemo ride, Makynna really enjoyed this one. She lists it as one of her favorites.

Makynna and Livia in the shark outside of the Nemo ride.

The next morning we had our first of three character breakfasts. This was something that everyone enjoyed. The food was awesome and the characters went from table to table for picture opps and fun. This one had Lelo and Stitch, and Pluto and Mickey Mouse. We had to get up "super early" again, but it was worth it.

John and cousin Wyatt with Stitch.

Makynna with Stitch. She was in heaven and was really enjoying meeting the characters. She loved them all. I was a little surprise due to the fact that she doesn't like Halloween with all the scary costumes - I guess these weren't so bad. :)

The mom's with the little ones and pluto. Becky and Josie, Carson and Makynna, Me with Livi, Sarah with Owen. (L-R)

Pluto "trying" to get Livi to come over to him. She wanted nothing to do with a puppy THAT big! Sorry Pluto.

John and Wyatt with Pluto.

All of us with Mickey.

After the breakfast, we were off to see Magic Kingdom.

This was Makynna's first stop, she REALLY wanted to see Ariel. Even with the 45 minute wait, Daddy took her. When I first told her that she would get to meet most of the princesses she said, "They're REAL". Oh, she was just amazed that they were real! Livi and I went on the carousel and the Dumbo ride while we waited. When Makynna was done we all went to purchase the signature "mouse ears". All three kids got some. Fun.

That night we went to a Pirate Ship fireworks show. We were able to meet Captain Hook and Mr. Skee. We took a boat out on the lake by the Magic Kingdom and watched the fireworks from there. They had some that looked like falling stars and were playing "Make a wish upon a star..." Grandma told me afterwards that Makynna told her that she made a wish and that her wish was to get a Minnie doll. The morning that we were going home she woke up and found a Minnie doll laying next to her. When she asked me if I got it and I said no, she KNEW that it was her wish coming true. She was so excited and wanted to tell ANYONE that would listen. She still talks about it. It's true, Disney really is magical!

After the pirate show we were able to meet Robin Hood. He wasn't all that excited to stand next to John, he said he he though John was a pirate. He was very animated. :)

Afterwards, Bob and I took Alex and Makynna to see the princesses. Unfortunately they were not there (to late), but we did run into Donald Duck.

The next day was our trip to Sea World and the ocean. We rented a 15 passenger van. ***thanks to our friends, Rick and Brenda for the tickets***

Feeding the dolphins was AWESOME!!! We were able to touch them and everything. This is John feeding one. Makynna was a little tired to start the day. She didn't want to feed them, and then when we had to go she started crying. Well, the person that was working there told her to come with her. She told the dolphins to come over and they started talking to Makynna, they did tricks and she told us to cover our eyes and then say "boo". When we did, the dolphins made a noise like they were screaming (like we scared them).

The dolphin show.

Shamu show, both shows were so fun.

Makynna and Alex on the kids rides at Sea World. This one made Makynna's tummy feel funny.

Makynna and Alex on the Shamu roller coaster. She wanted to ride with Alex and not mom. She's gotten so big since last summer at Valley Fair and she didn't want to ride hardly any rides.

Bob, Alex, me, Makynna in front. Wyatt, Becky, Livia and Shane in the back.

Well, the trip to the beach wasn't what I was hoping for. We went to Daytona Beach after Sea World and got there around 6pm. It was already starting to get dark, it was cold, and very windy. There was NO ONE and I mean NO ONE on the beach but us. John and Brad did take off there shoes and go in the water, but Makynna wanted NOTHING to do with it. The waves were probably 6 feet tall. Yikes.

Next day was another character breakfast.

Makynna with Goofy.

Off to Animal Kingdom

Tree that has one of every animal species carved into it.

We all went on a African Safari, this is some of what we saw.

Makynna with Baloo and ?? (can't remember)

Next day...character breakfast.

Makynna, Livia and I with pooh.

Sorry Tigger, Livi still doesn't want anything to do with you guys. Can't you see, she's trying to eat?

Makynna with Alice in Wonderland.

Off to Hollywood Disney...

At the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playland.

Livi by a blade of grass.

These were the green soldiers from Toy Story. It was so cool how much they looked like the toy, fun to watch them too.

Mickey's magical hat at night.

Thursday night we had tickets to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom - it was so much fun.

At the parade, I really like the toy soldiers. They were so in sync and some of them had horns that they played.

At the parade, I told Makynna to wave at the princesses and they might wave back. Well, some of them did. She felt so special that they were waving right at her! They were here!