Visit from the Mitchells

 

 OUR KIDS LOVE EACH OTHER!!!

Thanksgiving goodness---at the lake

 

 

And...Epcot!!

Hollywood Stuidios

This was such a fun day. It was stress free, easy to get in and out of from our property, and we all just laughed a ton. The kids were entertained the entire day, and the walking didn't seem to bother them. (They also all slept in today...Ellie until almost 8 and Griff/Emma unitl 7:30. They NEEDED that). 

This has been Griff's favorite spot to ride. If he's not on Daddy's shoulders, he's on Papa's shoulders playing with his hat and squeezing his cheeks/ears. What a joy to see how much he loves his Papa.

Star Tours! We loved it. I feel like an old lady as the motion made me feel dizzy, BUT it was well worth it. I love that ride! The girls did great, too. :)

Toy Story Mania was the best ride we did all as a family. We had fast passes so we only waited about 5 min. The sign outside said 90 min. so we were glad to bypass that! What an ingenious ride.

 I sat next to Emma and we had a blast!! 

We left the park at naptime again (after some funnel cakes, of course). Ryan hit up Walmart for a few odd and end things we needed, and a bunch of us went down to the hot tub area to relax, since it is a cooler day today. I loved having these few hours to re-gather ourselves before heading back. 

The streets were sparkling and absolutely beautiful with Christmas lights and Christmas music. 

This is such a fun time of year to come to Disney.

Our first stop for the night was the show Fantasmic. It was scary at parts, for Emma, Charlie, and Jack. But Ryan, Ellie, and I thought it was just awesome. If the princesses wouldn't have driven by on the boats, Emma would have hated it. BUT...she got to see Belle, and that's all that mattered. :) 

After Fantasmic was over, the adults ate dinner (our kids ate a pizza on our drive back to the park earlier this evening). Ellie had gone on the Rock and Roll Rollercoaster with Dad, Dave, and Kiki earlier this afternoon, but she REALLY REALLY wanted to go a second time. 

My turn to accompany! And I'm so glad I did...I seriously loved this ride. We had about a 30 min. wait, but it was worth every second. I couldn't believe how fast it took off. :) 

And Ellie acted like it was no big thing. She is so brave! 

We then walked through the park a little to where the Christmas light spectacle was happening. This was by far the highlight of the day. Stunning. More Christmas lights than I have ever seen in my life. Loud music, dancing lights, people were just SO happy to be there. And after the show was over, it started "snowing," which just made the kids so pumped. We had the best little dance party EVER. Such a joy.

Magic Kingdom Night!!

Time to take a bath! The girls had some CRAZY hair once they took out their buns, ha! 

We spent the evening in tomorrowland...first stop...the speedway. So fun! I laughed the entire time as Ellie drove Emma and me. She seemed so old and "on top of it." :) 

The Buzz Light Year ride was truly a hit for the night! Such a fun and creative environment. Emma rode it 3 times in a row! The kiddos ate hot dogs a little hot dog stand in tomorrowland afterwards. Then...onto the firework display...

The fireworks were amazing tonight. The kids were all beyond exhausted, as it was 8:30 at this point, but they soaked it up. I loved how loud the music was, so that no matter where you were standing in the park, you felt like you were right on top of "the magic." We chose to find a "seat" closer to the entrance/exit due to how tired our kids were. So, we stood on Main St with about 3 million other people, so we could try to make it back to the monorail as quickly as possible. 

All that to say, what an incredible day it was. 

Magic Kingdom Day!!

Well, this is the day in Disney World that a parent simply cannot wait to take their kids to. We arrived right at 8:00 when the park opened, which was such a good idea. Mickey was our first visit, so seeing him totally set the mood for the day. They LOVED that. We then waited in line to see 3 princesses, which was also super special for the girls. Not sure it was worth a 45 min wait, but we didn't want to turn around. 

Other highlights: Peter Pan, the classic "It's a small world," Dumbo, Pirates of the Caribbean...

We've  been packing lunch for the kids each day, which has saved a LOT of money and cranky attitudes when they're hungry. The adults ate at a yummy burrito/taco shop in Adventureland. Last stop of the afternoon (before heading back for naps), The Jungle Cruise!

It really just as been so so cool to see the faces of all the kids as they anticipate the next stop.  Half of the time they don't know whether to jump, wait to be scared/startled, or laugh...it's just so neat being able to do this with the kiddos. Truly the best week we've had as a family. 

After the Jungle Cruise (super long line for this one, ugh) we all made our way back to the condos. Griff, Charlie and Roo took naps and the adults got to sit down! Mom ordered several orders of Bang Bang Shrimp and Chicken, from Bonefish and we enjoyed a glass of wine together before we dove back in for the night. So nice to be able to go back and forth like this!