Wednesday, June 22, 2011

A long overdue update...part two!

Next on our list of things to update is our trip to Disney World!! It was so much fun. We ran ourselves ragged and came home exhausted! It was so neat to be able to go and spend time as a family. It was fun to ride rides, meet some special characters, and just hang out.

The weather was PERFECT! It was in the low 80's all week with sunshine and even a little breeze. We couldnt have asked for better weather. It did get hot the last 2 days, but it wasnt unbearable. Which was good, because you tend to melt in the heat...

We were there on your 1 year diagnosis anniversary, and I couldnt think of a better place to celebrate beating cancer. There was a fireworks show at the Magic Kingdom. It was all about dreams and wishes coming true....it was so fitting for the moment, and I got emotional watching you jump around and dance to the music and fireworks. Im just so grateful you are doing so well, and looking so healthy. Not just looking healthy, but actually BEING healthy. All your counts keep coming back perfect! Honestly...could we ask for anything more??

Here are some pics of the events... (prepare for picture overload!)

Day one: Plane ride and hotel...
We werent due to check into our condo till
Sunday, but wanted to come a day early so we could
go to the beach. You guys loved the hotel breakfast...you'd
have thought "the lobby" was a 5 star restaurant! Pretty
funny girls.
Day 2: The BEACH, and the Congo (you and your sissies called it that instead of con-do)!

You had no fear when it came to playin in the water...
It was fun to see your amazement at the ocean...very
different from the "beach" at Pineview Resevoir!
I found a clam or mussel or something! It was totally
cool... I thought. It wasnt just the shell either...it was
all still in there and alive...it kept making creepy
breathing noises. Weird but cool.
We also found a starfish...which I kept. I felt
pretty guilty as it died a slow and painful death
on the dashboard of the rental on our way to the condo.
You were adamant we keep it so you could show Ry
once we got home. It was exciting for a bunch of
easily amused in-landers.
It was a beautiful day...looking at this picture I
cant help but wish I was there now. heavy sigh...
Our "congo" for the week. It was on a resort that had
several different pools with water slides and a lazy river.
There was even a golf course, some of which ran right
through our backyard. It was beautiful. We could
have spent a week there exploring and never got bored!
You and your sisters room. They chose to share a bed
and let you have your own...apparently you are a
pretty wild sleeper. You looked so tiny all snuggled
into those great big beds...it was cute.
Me and Daddy's room. Each room had their own
bathroom, so it was nice. You guys thought you
 were pretty hot stuff!
A view of the dining and family room area.
The kitchen was to the right, and there was even a
washer and dryer...which was fabulous!!
 Day 3: Universal Studios...Islands of Adventure
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was amazing!
I have never read the books, and we have only seen
the first movie, but we still thought it was great.
That snow looks so real...hard to believe it was 85
degrees that day.
We met the Cat in the Hat, and to my surprise you
ran up and gave him a big hug. This has
always been one of our favorite bedtime stories.
Also met the Grinch...you kept asking me if he's nice in
the real life, or is he mean like in the movie. I love
this picture because you can totally see the aprehension
in your body language. You warmed up pretty quick though.
The dreaded Merry Go Round. I say dreaded because we
probably rode this ride 10 times! Literally. There were
a lot of big kid rides at this park so we did a lot
of waiting for others on the Merry Go Round.
The day was a lot of fun...as you can see from this
picture. We had to strap you in cause you were in such a
deep sleep you kept sliding out the bottom!
We ended the day by eating in a really yummy restaurant
in the park. Dad got in some good snuggles while we waited
to eat in the "Mermaid Cave"
Day 4: Epcot, and the Princess Breakfast!
We started the day in Denmark with some yummy
breakfast in this pretty building.
Even though Belle isnt looking at the camera, I had to
post this picture because I love how you are
looking at me. Like, "I cant believe Im holding Belles
hand!" You would NOT let go either. It was so cute and funny!
Heres a better one with Belle...youre doing the shy finger grab.
It was so fun to watch you try to take this all in.
I LOVED watching you see the princesses...
Sleeping Beauty!

Cinderella!
Waiting patiently with your autograph book for
more princesses to come to our table.
Snow White was my favorite of the breakfast. She
was so cute and sweet with you and Kate.
Ariel with legs!! You LOVED Ariel.
They had the most amazing shrubs! You were
excited to get your picture in front of the
huge-mongous golf ball.
Dancing while we waited for the fireworks show!
Look at those moves!! Go WeeMee!!
The best seat in the house!! You were glued to the show!
Day 5: Magic Kingdom!
We were only there 10 mins. and we ran into
this guy! You were wondering where Strombli was!
You think hes hilarious when he laughs and his belly
shakes and shakes. It makes you laugh out loud
every time you watch that show.
Then we ran into these two...
You took this pic on the Winnie the Pooh ride...
You were DYING to see these two. I guess Woody
was a little jealous cause you ran up and gave Jessie a
hug, so he wanted one from me! I obliged.
You didnt wanna leave Jessie...she was pretty cute with you.
She danced with you and hugged you and you ate it up!
Gotta love that castle! Gotta love that
family even more!!
Day 6: The Animal Kindom

I have to say I really didnt think this would be my favorite day on the trip. Ive always been a big fan of the Magic Kingdom, but this day was so fun, and relaxing. We took our time, and had a blast.

It was also a day of celebration...this day marked the one year anniversary of your diagnosis! We were so glad to be there with you at Disney World... instead of in the hospital hearing the dreadful news. While you went about enjoying the day, me and dad kept commenting on how far you have come and how much our life has changed for the better this past year. We couldnt help but feel so blessed to have you there with us...just enjoying the day!

The Tree of Life...amazing. It took a whole
year to carve all the animals in this tree. I wish I
could've gotten closer.
You LOVED the Safari Ride. You love animals
in general, but this was like an animal treasure hunt.
I love this picture! That dark shadow in the back
is actually a hipo! You and your sisters and
cousins are totally mesmerized.
They have a dinosaur playground that had a place
where you can dig for fossils. The dirt isnt dirt...its like
super small pebbles so you dont get dirty playing
in it. Genius. We had fun burying you...
...and your sisters!

We saw a ton of characters but I'll only post this
pic. King Louie (you call him King Gluey) is one
of dads favorite characters.
All in all...it was a great day!
Day 7: Back to the Magic Kingdom

We didnt take a lot of pics this day...I dont know why. We were all exhausted I guess.
We happened to walk through here just in
time to catch the parade!
Dancin to the music!
Right after the parade was over...thats sweat not water.
It was super hot that day!
Day 8: Hollywood Studios

This was a fun park, but not a lot for the little ones. You had a harder time this day cause you spent a lot of time waiting for everyone else to go on rides.

I forgot to mention...you measured in at 39 1/2 inches tall on this trip! Most of the rides required at least 40 inches, and they were making NO exceptions at any of the parks.(which I totally understand)  It was hard on our only little dare devil to be left off so many rides. We even went to Target to find taller shoes... but no luck!

Annie and Leo were so cute with you. They gave you
a bunch of special attention!
You got TOTALLY into the shows. This pic
 is of the Mickey Mouse clubhouse show. You
were on the edge of your seat at this one,
and the Beauty and the Beast show.
You LOVED the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground.
You went down this slide about 50 times and wanted me to
take a picture of you going down EVERY SINGLE TIME!
It was pretty hot that day, and I caught you sticking
your head in a little fountain in the playground. Silly girl!
The spider web toy...you thought this was creepy
and didnt go in for a while.
Day 9:  WERE HOME!

You woke up the morning after we got home and were so anxious to go play with Ry and Ty. You spent the whole day playing with them, and I think it was good for you to enjoy some unstructured play...so much of the previous week was all planned out.

At one point you all came out dressed like this and I said,
"Wow, you guys look fancy. Who are you supposed to be?"
You said," Ty's a princess, Im the queen, and Ry's the
one who saves the day." I had to laugh...it was a perfect
homecoming to a fun trip.

4 comments:

  1. It sounds like you guys had an amazing time! and your weather sounds PERFECT!

    ps, I love your new playhouse. So Cute!

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  2. Oh my goodness - I'm tired just seeing all that fun! Looks like it was a blast! That is so awesome!

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  3. I'm so glad you guys were able to get away. It looks like you had a blast! I just can't get over how awesome McKall's hair is! She looks fabulous!

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  4. what fun!!! you guys totally deserved such a great break! i'm loving the CUTE, shy, excited look on mckalls face in the picture with ariel. absolutely darling. it is so magical for kids that age - i love it! happy one year to you all!

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