Magic Kingdom~ Day 5

This morning we got up early and went to Magic Kingdom again. Eric, Mary and the boys didn't see the park open on Friday, so we made sure we were there bright and early before the park opened. There were still so many things that we had not done at Magic Kingdom and many things the kids wanted to do again. As soon as we got there we headed back to the Peter Pan ride. All of the kids loved flying so high. Everyone wanted to go on the Dumbo ride, but my little lady wanted to go back on "It's a Small World", the song I had playing in my head ALL WEEK. Again, we watched a great parade and Jackson was determined to give Mr. Incredible a high-five.

Mary continued to be a trooper. We thought it was funny that a few people asked us if we were sisters.

We decided that we were going to stay for the light parade and fireworks again. We found a fun little place to eat dinner and cool off for a bit.

After dinner Jackson decided that he really wanted to ride a roller coaster. So he and Todd went on Thunder Mountain. Again, I was having a bit of a heart attack, but Jackson got off the ride with all smiles and wanting to go again.

As we were looking for a place to watch the light parade we noticed that Tiana and her prince were in a gazebo taking pictures with people. This was one of the only princesses we had not met yet. So we stood in line to meet the beauty and her handsome prince. Again, Jackson decided he had enough of princesses, so he and Todd went to find a spot for us for the parade. When it was our turn, Aubrin was hesitant to go up because the prince was there, but she did fine if I stood close to her. After the parade Jackson and Aubrin thought it would be fun to drive the race cars in the dark. Jackson reassured us he could drive us and not get lost (good thing the car was on a track!) even though it was dark. It was perfect timing. Just as we were getting out of the cars, we found ourselves in the perfect place to see Tinkerbell fly down and for the fireworks to start.

Finally at 10:45pm, we decided it was time to head back to the hotel and let our babes get a good night sleep for our day at Epcot tomorrow. Again, we had another fantastic day at Disney.

A princess for the morning/Hollywood Studios~ Day 4

As Todd and I planned our trip we knew that Jackson would love everything~characters, rides, parades...everything. Being smaller and younger we knew that Aubrin wouldn't be able to do everything, so we wanted to do something special for her. What better than eating breakfast in the castle with Cinderella. We made a reservation for four, but after Jackson met the princesses at the Magic Kingdom, he thought breakfast would be too girly and said he would rather eat with Goofy and Pluto again!

After being out so late last night, Aubrin and I woke up bright and early this morning to be at the castle by 8:45. Of course Aubrin had to wear her Cinderella dress, shoes and wand on her special day. Aubrin and I got to the Magic Kingdom and went into the park before it opened so we would make our reservation on time. As we walked down Main Street to the Castle, there were many photographers taking pictures. As Aubrin and I walked down the street they said, " Good morning Cinderella" or " Good morning princess". Aubrin stopped and said, " Mom, are they talking to me? " When I told her yes she lit up. Once we got to the Royal Castle we went in and had a few minutes to sit and talk to with Cinderella and take a pictures. After we headed upstairs to have our breakfast. It was enough food for a huge family. They treated Aubrin like a princess and gave her so much attention. There were also many other little princesses in the dinning room as well. During breakfast, Belle, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and Ariel came and sat with us and took pictures. I loved that Aubrin had one on one time with each princess. Then each little princess got a wishing star and a wand. The dinning room filled with music and all of the little princesses and Disney princess danced and made wishes together. I know that Aubrin is so young, so this memory may not stay with her forever, but it will with me. Seeing her excitement, giggles and smiles was wonderful.

After breakfast we left the castle and headed over to Hollywood Studios to meet Todd, Jackson and the Williamson's. When we arrived Aubin was filled with stories to tell Jackson and Todd.

Hollywood Studios was great. Jackson and Aubrin were able to meet a lot of characters that they love. Our whole family loved Toy Story Mani. Before going in, Jackson saw three of the Green Army Guys and had to get his picture with one of them. We were also able to see Buzz and Woody. Jackson was so excited he couldn't stop jumping up and down. We went to a Disney Junior show that had some of their favorite characters- Handy Manny, Little Einsteins, Mickey and friends and Jake and the Neverland Pirates. Later in the day Jackson and Todd wanted to see a stunt show. It showed how different stunts were done with cars. Todd and Jackson both loved it and learned a few secrets about how they do car stunts in movies. Aubrin and I went to see a short Beauty and the Beast musical. They did the whole show in 35 minutes~ it was the perfect length for my little lady.
We also had a chance to watch another great parade. Again, I think all of the kids loved watching the parade and dancing to the music. We LOVED Hollywood Studios.

After leaving the park we headed back to the hotel, had dinner and spent some time down at the pool for an evening swim. After having a few late nights, we were all in bed a bit earlier ready for another adventure in the morning.

Magic Kingdom~ Day 3

This morning we made it to the Magic Kingdom before it opened so we could watch the Mayor of Disney and the characters open the park with a little song and dance. It was fun to watch and it got Jackson and Aubrin excited for the day. When we got into the park we walked in a bit and then stopped the stroller. We were waiting for the kids to both notice a few familiar faces standing in front of them. At the same time, both kids looked up and saw my parents standing there. They both jumped out of the stroller and ran and gave them a hug. They were both so confused as to why Grandma and Grandpa would be at Disney. It was such a great surprise for them and a great moment for my parents. My mom and dad planned a trip to Florida long before we planned our trip and just by chance it happened to be the same week. So my parents drove to meet us for the day.
The first thing we did was head over to meet a few of the princesses. Aubrin was so excited to see Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Belle. Aubrin did great meeting the ladies. Jackson got his book signed by them, but he said I wasn't allowed to take pictures of him with any princesses.
Our first ride we went on was Buzz Lightyear. Jackson was so excited to go anything having to do with Toy Story. After we got off he, my dad and Todd got right back on to go again.
The kids also had a great time driving the race cars. The kids weren't tall enough to push the gas, but Jackson was tall enough to steer and Aubrin just rode as a passenger.
Jackson was excited to go on his first water ride-Splash Mountain. There was a large hill involved so I was a bit nervous, but he loved it. I didn't get a picture because of course as soon as it was their turn Aubrin had to go to the bathroom!
We watched a few fun parades, and tried to go on a lot of the rides or see the shows that were inside. It was between 95-100 degrees outside and very sticky. We were also on the hunt for Minnie Mouse. Aubrin wanted to show her that she had the same outfit as her. I had a friend of mine make the outfit for her before we left. So finally we found her and Mickey to take a few pictures.
My parents left Disney around 6:30. They had gotten up so early to drive to meet us, they had already put in a full day. Straight from Disney they were driving back to Michigan. We LOVED that they were able to share a day at Disney with us. It will be such a great memory for our family.
We decided that we were going to stay for the light parade and the fireworks. The parade was at 9:00 and the fireworks were at 10:00. So we had a couple more hours to enjoy the park. Todd and Jackson were going on a ride that Aubrin was not big enough for, so we went to another parade. My little lady was a dancing machine. During the parade the characters invited the kids out into the street to join them. I loved watching her dance and laugh.
Later we met up with the Williamson's for the light parade. We got a great spot on the parade route. Once the parade started the kids were all eyes on the light up floats. They were beautiful! After the parade we walked to the front of the park to watch the fireworks. The fireworks were equally as beautiful. Jackson and Aubrin loved seeing Tinkerbell fly down from the castle to start the fireworks. After the fireworks we headed back to the hotel. By the time we got back to the hotel it was well after 11:00pm. Our little lady had to get some sleep because she had a big morning ahead of her.
We were so happy that our first day at the Magic Kingdom was so great!

Animal Kingdom~ Day 2

Today we woke up early for our first character breakfast. Jackson and Aubrin were both so excited to get their first autographs in their autograph books. We headed downstairs to the have breakfast with Goofy and Pluto. As we started to eat our breakfast Goofy came around the corner. Aubrin was absolutely mortified and finished her breakfast covering her face and Jackson got his book out right away and handed it to Goofy. Jackson asked Goofy if he would sign his sisters book because she was feeling a little nervous. Todd and I were so happy with how comfortable Jackson was with the characters and hoped that Aubrin would become more comfortable. Jackson asked Goofy if he would do the Hot Dog dance for him. It was great to see how excited he was and even Aubrin let out a bit of a smile. Then Pluto came to the table and autographed the books and took pictures.
We then headed outside to hop on our shuttle to head to the Animal Kingdom. The park opened at 9:00 so we got on the 8:30 shuttle to make sure we would be there early. The first thing we did when we got there was head to Africa to go on an African Safari. The jeep ride was a bit bumpy and we were a bit concerned about Mary going on it (she is 7 months pregnant), but she was a trooper and did great. It was amazing to get so close to the animals. Jackson and Aubrin were in complete amazement to be so close to some of their favorite animals.
We also saw a great Lion King show and Finding Nemo musical with fantastic music and dancing. The parades at the Animal Kingdom were so much fun to watch. Many of the Disney characterswere in the parade as well as dances and singers. Aubrin loved dancing to the music!
The day was so hot. When we were walking through Asia we came to a fountain that a lot of little kids were playing around to keep cool. Jackson, Camden and Nolan joined right in. Aubrin was taking a snooze in the stroller. It was a great was to refresh the kids for the rest of the day.
We also had a chance to see and meet with more characters during the day. Aubrin warmed up a bit, at least she didn't cover her face. By the end of the day the kids were so tired. We headed back to the hotel and got a good night sleep for our first day at Magic Kingdom and all of the surprises it would bring...

Our Disney Trip~ Day 1

At the end of June the Williamson's and our family decided to plan a trip to Disney together. We knew we had a lot of planning to do since we were going at the end of July. Todd and I thought this would be perfect timing with it being so close to Jackson's 5th birthday. Eric and Mary told Nolan and Camden that they were going to Disney and we told Jackson and Aubrin, but we didn't tell the kids that each other were going. We were so excited for the surprise!!!!
This morning we were up early, dressed and out of the house at 6:30am. Jackson and Aubrin were up and ready to go, smiling ear to ear.
When we got to the airport, the Williamson's pulled up at the same time. I wish we had our video camera out, but we were trying to get the bags out of the car and keep the kids in one place. Jackson saw Camden and said, "Camden, what are you doing here?" Camden told Jackson that he was going to Disney World. Jackson said, "I'm going to Disney World too!" Still it didn't click with any of the kids what was happening. Then Todd told the kids that we were all on the same plane and then finally they all got what was happening. They were hugging and holding hands walking through the airport. It made the beginning of the trip that much better that the babes were so excited to be together. I must say that I was equally as excited to spend the week with Eric and Mary.
As we waited for the plane, all four kids were glued to the window watching the planes land and talk about what they "think" Disney would be like. The plane ride went well. Jackson and Aubrin both watched a movie, read books and had a snack. It was a very quick trip. The service was perfect. As soon as we got off the plane we found a great man standing there with a sign with our name on it, we got our bags, hopped in the car and arrived at the hotel with no problems.
Our room wasn't ready yet, so we grabbed lunch. After lunch we went to our rooms, which were connecting- the kids thought that was so much fun, and then headed down to the pool. Our hotel had a few different pool and a small spray park for the kids to enjoy. Jackson though swimming to the waterfall and back was the best part of the pool.

For dinner we walked to downtown Disney and enjoyed the sights. Jackson and Aubrin LOVED the Lego store and all of the statues made out of Legos. We had dinner at Plant Hollywood and then headed back to our hotel to get some sleep before we started our Disney adventures in the morning at Animal Kingdom.