We're Baaaack!

Okay, so we're getting more settled and I have a little time to sit and write about the 2nd half of our trip.

Overall, we'll never forget this trip for so many reasons! May it be the Snow White Fiver or meeting Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty...everything was magical!

Day 2 at Disney was incredible. Being that it was Christmas Eve the parks were crowed, but we didn't think it was any worse than the Minnesota State Fair. We started the day in Animal Kingdom and just as we imagined MacKenzy loved every minute of it! We started off with their Safari ride where we got to see grazing Giraffes, sleeping Lions, bathing Hippos, and a herd of Elephants. We made it our goal early on to make sure MacKenzy got to meet some of the characters, as we didn't get the chance the first day. We stood in line to meeting Pooh, Eeyore, Tigger & Goofy and Pluto while in Animal Kingdom. I'd have to say meeting Tigger was by far her favorite!

MacKenzy loves Dinosaurs and Animal Kingdom has quite an exhibit. You can dig for fossils, ride dinosaur themed kiddie rides, and a scary Dinosaur ride. MacKenzy was insistant on going on it, so crossing our fingers we took her...and she LOVED it! I held her hand and had to hold her back in her seat (the ride is pretty jerky) and the entire time her eyes were wide open with amazement...again, I'm sure she thought they were real (she doesn't understand that whole extinction thing yet!). She was a brave little solider! A woman and her teen-aged daughter approached us as we exited asking what the ride was like...they figured since a small girl came out of it all smiles it couldn't be too bad. Little do they know our little Braveheart!

We made our way over to the Magic Kingdom around 3 o'clock and set out to do the things we hadn't done the previous time. On the first day the Tea Cup ride was closed, and that was one ride MacKenzy saw on the promo DVD and said she wanted to ride, but this time it was open. I mistakenly trusted my husband to be gentle and midway through the ride I had to give him the ol' knife across the throat sign. I used to be able to sit on the Tilt-O-Whirl fours...but 10 seconds into the Tea Cups and I was about ready to toss my cookies! MacKenzy loved it and laughed afterwards about how dizzy she was...meanwhile I fought off the desire to stick my head in a garbage can!

After the Tea Cups we decided to stand in line to meet some Princesses! MacKenzy isn't into the Princess scene. Once and awhile when I actually get a dress on her, she'll twirl and say, "Look Mommy! I'm a princess," but other than that she's into Lion King, Finding Nemo, and Buzz Lightyear (or as she says it, "Buzz Ight-ear:). She does however love Ariel (the Little Mermaid), but I think it has more to do with the fact that she swims with fish than anything. The line moved pretty quickly and before we knew it we were ALONE in a room with Cinderella and Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty). When I say ALONE I mean...ALONE! A couple staff, the princesses and us! It was completely the coolest thing! They were so genuine and sweet I almost tear up when I think of it. Princess Aurora greeted MacKenzy and said, "Wow! Aren't you a beautiful princess! What is your name?" They asked her how old she was and if she was having fun....it was so personal! She first had her picture taken with Cinderella and they sat and chatted. Then Aurora joined them...and then Aurora held MacKenzy's hand and walked her over to her thrown for pictures. It was one of those moments that will forever be etched in my memory!
After that incredible experience we stood in line for Mickey Mouse. The was a bit longer but it too was a neat experience.
After the characters we had dinner and took a chances at letting Kenzy drive. We drove the little race cars where I pressed the gas and MacKenzy took the wheel. We were all over the road and she had a blast!

Lastly we watched the evening's fireworks and made our way to the front of the park. We called it an early night and said Good-bye to Mickey and his friends.

This trip was unforgettable!!!

Florida- PART I

Hello everyone! We are having an incredible time and couldn't ask for better weather.

We flew in on Tuesday and basically got acclimated. I actually started feeling pretty sick on the plane so when we got to Bob & Jean's house I instantly headed for the bedroom and made myself at home- went to bed! For hours I fought off the fact that my body simply wanted to throw up. When I finally did it, I felt perfectly fine! I really don't think it was the flight that did it; I've never gotten sick while flying. I think it may have been a combination of the lack of sleep, nerves, excitment and a Sun Country breakfast sandwich.

Wednesday day was the start of our fun. We were at the gates of Epcot at 9:30 am to meet up with a guy (Bob's daughter's... sister-in-law's... brother...) and we got in using his free passes- he's an Employee of Disney. The first thing we 'experienced' was FINDING NEMO. It was very cute and a great way to start out the day. After a few attractions we made our way over to the Magic Kingdom.

Where to begin... LONG STORY SHORT- it was AMAZING! We watched them light the castle (which we had learned about on the Travel Channel just the week before) and it was incredible. We went on Pirates of the Caribbean. At first we though Kenzy would be a bit scared by it, but in the end she wanted to go on it again! We also went on the Jungle Boat ride where they have all sorts of 'fake' animals...but she didn't realize it so she was super excited to see a Hippos and Aligators...etc. It was pretty funny to watch her. Later on they had the Parade in Lights where Pluto came up to her (she was on Jason's shoulders) and gave her a big hug...the look on her face was worth every penny and every blister! On our way out of the park the parade was going again. We weren't going to watch it again, but Kenzy plopped her little butt on the curb and gave her Nana the thumbs up...how could we say no to that!?! Near the end of the parade Snow White graciously came up to Kenzy to shake her hand...well, our child doesn't have the ladylike manners of Snow White, so she gave her FIVE. Snow White was a bit surprised and said, "Well that's never happened to me before!"

Thursday was our first day of rest... we went to Bass ProShop so Jason could do a little shopping. Santa was there and his sleigh was hooked up to 7 tiny white-tailed deer (to Kzy they were reindeer!) We did a family photo because she refused to sit with Santa on her own... For dinner we took Jason's mom (Bob would have come but he was laid up with a broken rib) to our favorite Orlando restaurant, Salt Island. We found it two years ago when we were here for Jean and Bob's wedding. Jason had his prime rib steak and I had the routissere chicken- YUMMY. Waiting two years to have it again was far too long of a wait!

Friday was a day to give Jean and Kenzy some time, and Mom and Dad a day to themselves. Jason and I went to Universal and Jean and Kzy went to SeaWorld. Let's just say, we would have had more fun at SeaWorld. Universal Orlando is pretty lame...or at least we think so. The attractions are spread so far apart that you spend most of your day simply walking from one to the other. One bonus to the day was the fact that the park was empty! Waiting in line for rides was pretty quick! I was disappointed to see they really don't have any attention to the details. In Disney you'd never see dusty or dirty attractions. On the Men In Black ride many of the aliens or guns, etc. were dusty. On the Spider Man ride (which was our favorite) the bottom of computer monitor was melted. I could go on and on...but I won't bore you with the details of our disappointment.

If all you want to do for the day is eat and shop, then go to Universal...but if you want to have FUN pick another park!

We beat MacKenzy and Jean home. They had a wonderful time at SeaWorld. They had a 4pm reservation to have dinner with Shamu and the trainers. Jean said it was a really nice dinner but maybe more exciting for Kzy in a few years.

Yesterday Jason woke up sick during the night and didn't come out of the bedroom until about 7:30pm. We took the day for resting! I only left the house to run to the store for Gatorade. Kzy took a long nap and watched movies and I hung out and played cards with Jean. It was a much needed day of rest!

Today Jason feels better, but not great. All that we ask is that he feels good tomorrow- Day 2 of Disney. Tonight we're going to go to the Peabody Hotel to watch the ducks. They have ducks that live at the hotel and in the morning they put down the red carpet and make a big deal over them as they head to the water. In the evening they do it all over again to bring them in. Jean says its really cute so I'm sure Kzy will get a kick out of it. After that we'll head over to Celebration. It's a multi-million dollar Disney housing development. During Christmas the houses are completely decked out and they even do fireworks...how would you like to live there? Guess you buy the house knowing that though...

Tomorrow will be about doing the things we didn't get to on Day 1 of Disney. First things first, we're starting the day in Animal Kingdom. I'm sure Miss Melby will be over the moon when she sees all of her favorite animals! Once we've seen all there is to see there we'll head back to the Magic Kingdom.

MERRY CHRISTMAS! Christmas Day will be spent relaxing as a family and doing whatever comes to mind. In the evening we have to go back to Downtown Disney to pick up some items we had personalized, but other than that we have nothing planned!

When I get home and have better access to the internet, I will post our pictures!!

I hope all of you are staying warm...

It's About That Time...

We made our annual trip to Bachman's last weekend to take our Christmas photo...our little ham didn't make it all that easy, but I'm sure we'll find one to use.

The all black Christmas dress wasn't a wise decision, but there is always next year.

MacKenzy actually did an incredible job with meeting Santa. In past years she has refused to look up for the camera. This year she understood that she had to tell him what she wanted! And what is that you might say...a "pretend kitty."

Next week at this time we will be relaxing in, what I hope is 70+ degrees of Orlando heat. We leave on the 18th and will be staying with Jason's mother and her husband, Bob.

Like I said previously, we will be going to Disney. Our first trip will be on the 19th...if we waited any longer I'd fear MacKenzy's head would pop off! On the 21st MacKenzy will be spending the day with her Nana, as they got to SeaWorld. Jason and I will be taking a Mommy and Daddy day at Universal Studios. Then on the 24th we will be making yet another trip back to Disney!! Fortunately Jeannie and Bob have the right connections and we're getting into the parks both days for FREE.

This weekend we let her pick out a backpack to use as her carry-on. She is very proud of her backpack and when she put it on to take to 'school' (aka daycare) on Monday she was a bit confused. When Jason said something refering to school she was a bit disappointed because she thought we were going to the airport.

This Christmas will certainly will never be forgotten...

I will be sure to share more after the trip~