DISNEYWORLD

January we took the kids to Disney World--

 Savanna took plenty of pictures like this out the window of the plane. Now that we have to buy four tickets flying is a split experience--Alex and Keith sat behind and Savanna and Abby and I sat in front of them taking the window and middle seats. Luckily both ways the flights weren't full and Keith had an empty seat by him so when Savanna wanted to visit or watch a movie with Alex she could climb back there.
Abby was sick when we left and the blessing of it was that she slept and slept the whole trip. She was easily entreated to take a nap wherever and whenever.

 This fountain was in the airport in Florida. That airport was pretty magical for the kids. They had a tram thing that ran from the gate area to the main airport--we got to see the palm trees and ponds as we went.  Then there was this huge awesome fountain...(plus there is a hotel right there in the airport this area was like the lobby/atrium of the hotel).

 Got us some yummy Olive Garden

 One night we went to Downtown Disney and ate at a dinosaur restaurant--Alex was in HEAVEN...we walked endless loops through the restaurant looking at all the dinosaurs. Savanna maybe would've liked it if there weren't a meteor shower every 20 minutes where the dinosaurs got pretty scared--moving around and making noises. Alex thought that was awesome...Savanna was scared. Though she kind of likes being scared because she kept wanting to go back and see them, though not as often as Alex.

 We sat in a "cave" where the color changed from blue (most of the time) to white to pink --Savanna came alive when the room turned pink--

 She was delighted that her skin turned pink with it and would pull up her pants legs to see as much pink flesh as possible!

 The park was magical. The kids were excited to meet and see the characters (though Alex was shy around the princesses and said he just wanted to meet Minnie, not the princesses). Pluto was near the entrance and was the first one we met (though he went for a doggy treat right as we made it to the front of the line, he soon returned). They did a great job of making the character experiences un-rushed and personal. There was no need to feel bad that your kids wanted to chat or you wanted all configurations for your pictures...you waited for your turn and you got to have your turn. They were also very kind about you taking your own pictures--even giving tips for angles and such.

 Bright early morning sun--not the best for my crew...

 The castle!!! Lots going on all day in this main hub in front of the castle

 Entering the pirate area--the kids are still singing "Yo-ho, yo-ho, a pirate's life for me!"

 They also loved the carousel--the line was pretty short and so they got to go twice in a row.

 The first Princess was Tiana. Savanna got a Tiana dress for halloween so she was very excited to get to meet her in person (we forgot her dress but luckily she didn't remember she wanted it) They discussed kissing frogs for a bit and then took their pictures.

 When we got to see Cinderella it was really a regal experience. They discussed Savanna's princess shoes for quite a while--lots of shots of Savanna's bum. :) The room was very hushed and they spoke in a very gentle way...it was fun to see how far they take keeping the characters real and the experiences "magical"

 Aurora was the "visiting princess" at the time with Cinderella.

 Blurry! but sweet

 Fun topiary of Mickey and Minnie--Alice in Wonderland had a pretty fun one too.

 Despite the crane in the background...a shot of the castle as night started to fall and the lights made it glow

 Mickey was our final stop and he was fun. His mask was animated--and his voice just like Mickey Mouse--I'm sure it's copyrighted and all actors voices go through a computer program to sound just right.

 Abby even got in on meeting Mickey and touching noses!

 Our final day we went mini-golfing at an awesome place. 18 holes was maybe a little long, but the kids had a great time chasing their balls and "helping" us too! They had some pretty good hills behind holes that the kids really enjoyed rolling their balls down.

I just had to include this one because the whole trip Abby hardly smiled. She had a virus and just wasn't feeling well, but when we got back our friends came to visit and she lit up when she saw Brooke--she was kissing her head and crawling all over her--it was so cute! I was so excited to see a big ol' smile on her face again!

Abby is crawling hands and knees most of the time now-she still uses her army crawl on the hardwood and linoleum floors because she can fly on her belly. She is also pulling up on EVERYTHING!! and cruising along furniture. What a fireball! She can't hold still lately. She lights up our life though and we're sure glad to have her!