WDW: the trip home

After 6 magical/glorious days at Disney World, it was time to come home. We were all exhausted and despite having a blast, we were ready to go home. Kind of!
We woke up and had Mickey waffles one more time and boarded our bus to the airport.



Leaving the resort. Wearing new WDW shirts and holding their prized possessions!



We loved flying. And this kid seriously read the emergency plan on every single flight. He had this memorized and thankfully, we didn't need to put it to use!
We've been home for a couple of weeks now and I have to admit.....I want to go back! Soon!
-- Post From Kelly's iPhone via BlogPress

Waffle Wednesday

Breakfast in mommy & daddy's bed




-- Post From Kelly's iPhone via BlogPress

WDW day 5: Animal and Magic kingdoms

Well, this is our last day at Disney. We went back to animal kingdom in the morning to see the dinosaur stuff one more time. Then headed back to Magic Kingdom to do our favorite things again. One last time.



Mammoth bones!



Actually working together. Sadly, this didn't last long.



Ok, that's it. We are walking thru this thing today!!



I almost think the back is prettier! Almost.



Mickey raviolis!
-- Post From Kelly's iPhone via BlogPress

WDW day 4: Magic Kingdom

We have done all the parks now and wanted to go back to magic kingdom again since 1 day there wasn't enough. We would spend the whole day there with a nap in the middle.
Dylan was a little under the weather on this day. Very tired. Actually exhausted and had some fever.
Here he is at 11 am.



He never sleeps like that. In a stroller. Poor kiddo, we knew he was exhausted if he could do this!
Drew discovered splash mountain--rode it 5 times that day!
And he also rode his first roller coaster-big thunder mountain. He rode that twice in a row.
We also met some princesses that day.








-- Post From Kelly's iPhone via BlogPress

WDW day 3: Animal Kingdom

We hit Disney's Animal Kingdom on day 3 of our trip. We planned to skip naps this day and push it to try and get it all done. We had lunch at Rainforest Cafe which was amazing. I loved it. Oh. Ha. The boys did too!



We went on a safari first thing in the morning. Saw lots of animals. Walked thru a jungle.







Dug up dinos!






Ate African infused for dinner.



Then headed back to resort for early to bed. We knew we were going back to magic kingdom the next day!



-- Post From Kelly's iPhone via BlogPress

my dad

My dad loved his family. He loved umpiring and refereeing. He loved God. He loved life. He's been gone 12 1/2 years. Cancer took him from us 2 weeks after he turned 50. He only had cancer for 3 years before the damn disease took him. From everyone and everything that he loved and that loved him. I'm still pissed about it. I miss him everyday. I hate cancer. I'm not over it. I don't think I ever will be.
We just spent a week at Disney World with our little family. The last time I was there, I was 8. With my daddy. Who was cancer free. Of course, memories came flooding, like they always do when I am doing something major in life. I actually teared up when I heard Donald Duck speak. That's how my dad made us laugh when we were sad or mad! As soon as I teared up, I giggled. Out loud! In the middle of Disney World! I immediately texted my brother!
Father's day is coming up. I hate father's day. It's just another reminder that my father is gone. The pain is still there. I can only imagine what kind of grandfather he would've been. I can only imagine that he would've liked who I chose to marry. He didn't see me graduate college or really fall in love. He never met my babies.
Death of a parent is something you never get over. But, my daddy was my best friend. We had a unique relationship. I was his princess. We adored each other. We are kindred spirits.
So, this father's day, as I celebrate in a totally different way, I hope that you take the time to thank your dad and to thank God that your dad is still alive. And for those of you who lost your dad, whether to cancer, or a car wreck,or diabetes or any other reason, please know that you are in my thoughts as we still grieve for those wonderful men in our lives. Happy Father's Day Daddy! xoxoxo, your Chula

WDW: day 2 Magic Kingdom at night

We had an amazing morning at magic kingdom and got all the rides in that we wanted. But we planned ahead of time, to go back to our resort after lunch and nap. We stuck to the plan and I'm so glad we did!
We got back in the afternoon and rode a few more rides and ate dinner. Then found a great spot for the electrical parade. That brought back some great memories for me when I went with my family as a kid!
I took pics and video-ed it at the same time, so none on my phone.
After the parade, we starting walking towards the castle. We were greeting with our closest 1000 or so friends!
There was an awesome slide show of the days pictures on the castle. Along with a light show.



Then the fireworks. Oh the fireworks! I can sum it up in 1 word---AMAZING. So much so, that we caught the parade and fireworks 2 more nights!



Notice the stars on the castle!





-- Post From Kelly's iPhone via BlogPress

WDW: topiaries

The gardens at Disney world are gorgeous. I especially liked the topiaries. Here are some of the ones we saw.



Tow Mater



Lightening McQueen



Minnie & Mickey Mouse
-- Post From Kelly's iPhone via BlogPress

WDW: Mickey shaped foods

I'm sure we didn't eat all the food there that is Mickey shaped, but we had some good ones!



Ice cream sandwiches! Craig and I ate several of these!



Mickey shaped cheese crackers. Just like goldfish.



Waffles



Mini waffles



Peanut butter and jelly sandwich



Cheese raviolis
-- Post From Kelly's iPhone via BlogPress

WDW day 2: Magic Kingdom

Day 2 at the parks was Magic Kingdom. We went early in the morning and left after lunch so everyone could nap. I wanted to see the electrical parade and fireworks and knew we'd need a nap in between!
Seeing this castle, made me so happy! I think I took 20 pics of this castle. I just couldn't get enough!


Magic Kingdom was by far our favorite park. On this morning we did fantasy land and tomorrow land. Mostly fantasy land. The crowds weren't bad at all, so we got to ride all those classic rides! Like, Dumbo, Peter Pan's flight, the carousel, the teacups, it's a small world, saw an awesome Mickey philharmonic show! Then
drove in the speedway, and did the Buzz lightyear ride. We had lunch at Pinnochio's village.
And as we were leaving to nap, Craig and I had one of the Mickey ice cream sandwiches!



Um, we ate several on this trip!
-- Post From Kelly's iPhone via BlogPress

WDW: day 1 Epcot

After a not so great start over at hollywood studios, we decided we better end the day well. So, we headed over to Epcot for the evening. We knew that we weren't going to do the world tour this trip. Let's face it, the boys wouldn't have appreciated it or enjoyed it. So, we just had a few things to do and see.
We went through the imagination part, which is what I remember from when I was here as an 8 yr old.



There's Figment from imagination. I think my mom still has mine from so many years ago.
After that, we went over to the Land and explored all of that area. Drew loved the boat ride that showed the greenhouses.
We also saw great aquariums on the finding Nemo ride. I didn't get any pics on my phone.
After dinner, we headed over to a meet and greet with characters and that was awesome!



Mickey Mouse and boys. Dylan's favorite.



Pluto & boys. Drew's favorite.



Dylan kissing Minnie.



Donald Duck with boys.



Goofy!



And of course I had to get one with Minnie. She's my favorite.
We took a family pic with Mickey!
After the meet & greet, we headed over the Epcot's spectacular light and firework show. We closed the park down. No naps. We were all exhausted. It ended up being a great first day!
-- Post From Kelly's iPhone via BlogPress

WDW: day 1-Hollywood studios

Well, we booked lunch/dinner reservations before the trip (an absolute must!) and then planned our days around meal times. So day one we headed to Hollywood studios in the morning.
We were NOT impressed. For some reason, we were in horrible moods. The park opened early, but nothing was open. Or we'd get in line to meet a character, and the line would shut down. Every. Single. Time. Craig and I were a mess. Nothing was going right. And if one more person cut me off in line, we were gonna have serious problems!
Then we started to figure it out.
We rode the Toy Story Mania ride. It was great. Disney junior live show.



Honey, I shrunk the kids playground.
And lunch at Hollywood and Vine.


Handy Manny and Special Agent Oso.


We met some Disney Jr. Characters and then our favorite, Buzz and Woody!






Then we were all happy!
We were done by 3ish and figured it was too late for a nap so we headed to Epcot via boat!



-- Post From Kelly's iPhone via BlogPress

WDW: arrival night

We arrived after 4pm and decided not to do a park that late. We are close to downtown Disney, so we heading there our first night. When we walked in, we saw this on our beds---


We literally dropped our carry ons and left for downtown. We took a boat ride over there from our resort.


Once we were there we headed straight over to Fulton's crab house which is on the water in an old steamboat replica. We all had salads, crab legs and my 3 boys split cheesecake.



After dinner, we headed down to hear some live music and just walk around a bit.
Then all my boys wanted to go to the Lego store where they each made their very own little character 3 pack! Then we went to the largest Disney store. We got our souvenirs there because we had been told that was the cheapest way to get them.
We told the boys they could each get a tshirt and one stuffed friend to sleep with. Drew chose Pluto and Dylan chose Mickey.
They were wiped out after all that traveling and walking and shopping.



Post From Kelly's iPhone via BlogPress