December 24, 2011

The Disney Cruise

The Vacation of a lifetime. Disney World and then the Disney Cruise for 6 days and nights. It was a blast to be with MacKinlay's whole family. Greysen loved being with his cousins and of course his granny.
The first night at dinner (Christmas Eve) Greysen decided that he was going to eat green beans and we were so ecstatic. He loved our reaction so much that he kept taking more and more bites. He probably ate seven green beans. A Christmas miracle. People around us were asking what was going on with all the applauding and cheering. The things parents do to try and get their kids to eat vegetables.
The captain of the Disney Magic. Greysen is three and into making scary faces much to his parents dismay.
Greysen with his pal Pluto. There were lots of fun activities, three pools, a water slide and a kids club. My favorite was the adult pool. I only went once but it was so peaceful.
MacKinlay with the dolphins in Cozumel. Greysen went with Mac but I went swimming before I got to see Greysen kissing and dancing with the dolphin. He absolutely loved it. Anytime someone asks how his Christmas was he says, "I went on a big boat and went swimming with dolphins." Yes this three year old is so lucky.
Me holding onto the dorsal fins of two dolphins. That was the coolest experience of the trip and most memorable. Once in a lifetime opportunity and I am so happy I was able to have the chance.
Piper 7 mos. with Daddy and Greysen (3) in Cozumel port where we swam with the dolphins.
On the trolley ride in Key West Florida. MacKinlay and I were supposed to go snorkeling but decided to go on the trolley ride with the kids because it was a pretty gross day and Piper was pretty attached to me. It was a fun day learning about this little Key that is closer to Cuba than the US and is connected to the US by a series of bridges.
Piper on the "Pirates" night. We all got pirate handkerchiefs and the waiters were dressed up as Pirates. Later that night they had fireworks off the boat and a desert bar. The entertainment on the Disney Cruise was pretty awesome but we missed a lot of it because of our young kids. I should've made my kids take late naps and had them stay up later so they could go and see all the Broadway style shows with the Disney characters.
Piper loves the beach. This was at Castaway Cay. A Key out in the Bahamas that Disney has leased for 99 years.
Chip and Dale playing with Greysen. Greysen didn't want to take pictures with many of the characters so I was excited that he would take the pictures here.
Greysen playing in the sand and water. It was really neat that Disney had a couple of floating water slides out in the middle of the ocean that you swam out to. The water and sand was AMAZING. Pretty cool to be on a private island.
Piper being super happy on the beach.
Greysen and Victoria dumping sand on Mac who was being buried in a hole.
Daddy and Greysen on the glass bottom boat. Piper and I skipped the boat ride because we were both tired and figured that she would be happier if she could get a good nap.
Elizabeth and Greysen on the glass bottom boat.

December 23, 2011

Disney World Orlando Dec 2011

Our one and only family picture taken at Disney World out of the 4 days we were there. Pretty sad.
The first day we went to Magic Kingdom and our best friends from Georgia, the Shumways were able to come and meet us which was a blast. 2nd day was Hollywood Studios and our favorite thing there was the 'honey I shrunk the kids' set. Jones, Lacey and Greysen played there for over an hour. 3rd day was Animal Kingdom and our favorite thing there was the animal safari and the lion king show. The 4th day we went back to Magic Kingdom with all the Timms and I was so happy that Greysen was 40" and rode splash mountain with me. After going on Pirates two times he figured the big "waterslide" didn't look so scary. He said it was fun but he didn't like all the big dips.
Here we are riding on Dumbo the first ride of the day. The temperature was perfect. Sunny and high 70's. I can't imagine ever going in the summer time.
Greysen got to meet mickey mouse at Hollywood Studios and was thrilled.
Greysen and Jones playing at the Honey I shrunk the kids playground.
An upside down tree in the animal kingdom.
A lion hanging out on Pride rock. It was so cool to be that close without any fences or cages obstructing your view.
Look at this cute girl. Such a happy baby. Poor thing won't remember a thing but at least we took a few pictures of her and can say, "Piper you already went to Disney World when you were 7 mos old don't you remember?" She did great and thanks to the baby switch pass were able to go on some big rides too.Greysen, Elizabeth, Leigha and Piper with 'Citizen of Mainstreet' at Magic Kingdom. So I don't like to wait in long lines for characters and this gal comes up and Greysen wanted her autograph so she signed it 'Citizen of Mainstreet' and then Greysen agreed to have his picture taken. I bought him an autograph book an pen on day one that Mac said was a waste of money. Then I felt silly for buying it until it kept that kid entertained for countless hours. He drew on every page and carried it around with him the entire 12 day trip. He didn't get too many autographs but he sure had fun.
Our kids after an exhausting 4 days at Disney World and wait we still have another 6 day Disney Cruise...