Disney 2010, part 1

Sorry to go radio silent. With all the crazies I've read about, I decided not to post where we would be for a week until we returned. That said, we went with my parents to Disneyworld last week and had an absolute blast! (Thanks, Mom and Dad, for the memories!! Such a special time!).

There is far too much for one post, so I'll do a quick overview and fill in more later. Unlike last year (see here for a reminder) we didn't receive 18 inches of rain this week--it was G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S weather. Thank you Lord for that answered prayer! Last week was one of those times that you just think, "could life possibly be any better?" Although we were in the same room with all 3 kids, the big ones didn't wake the baby and vice-versa! The kids played so well together, the weather was gorgeous, the crowds were manageable, we scored some freebies, (a separate post on that coming...you know a good deal always makes me happy!) and the time with my parents, and with Chris being with us was so, so sweet. A piece of heaven I tell ya.

We arrived last Monday at the Polynesian Resort and immediately left to eat dinner at Boma, an African themed restaurant in the Animal Kingdom Lodge. It was amazingly delicious and began our food filled week; we ate like kings! Tuesday we went to Magic Kingdom...and it was just that, magical. :)

The kids wearing lei's from the resort welcome in our hotel room.



On our way into the park



Group shot in front of the castle



Poor guy didn't make the picture above. He was SUCH a trooper and did great all week! Bonus, he decided this would be a splendid time to start sleeping in to 8:15 am. I thoroughly agree! :) Love this sweet angel.



Ryan loved riding Dumbo.



I really wasn't choking Anna-Kate, just trying to keep her from sliding off the handrail backwards into water.



The hubs and I. Notice the little hands creeping up my front. Must be hard to have to stand up...


Riding "It's A Small World" for the first of many times.



Anna-Kate with her sweet friend, Ansley. They were in 2 year old MMO and 3 year old preschool together until Ansley's family moved to the Orlando area. Anna-Kate still talks about her friend, and was beyond excited that it worked for her (and her mom and sister!) to come swim at "our" pool at the resort and spend the day with us. Sweet girls, both soooo tired after hours of swimming. :)


4/5ths of the family at Downtown Disney (Jack was, amazingly, asleep in the stroller!) This was right before lunch at Earl of Sandwich--YUM.


Anna-Kate on the hammock on the beach between our resort pool and the boat launch to the Magic Kingdom.



Digging with the mickey beach toys they had for the kids to play with.



Nana and Poppy with the grandbabies on the swing. We bathed the kids one night and let them stay up past bedtime to watch the water parade and the magic kingdom fireworks from the beach at our resort. They thought they were big stuff! :)


I took the kids in to watch the parade one night (more details to come in my "Disney freebies" post. :)


Our, now annual, family picture with Pooh and friends. :)


Ryan entertaining himself with his silverware. It's true, boys come hardwired with sound effects and will make a sword out of anything.



My boy was crazy about the splash pad next to the pool.



Every afternoon, one of the lifeguards led any interested kids in games and a dance party. Ryan watched and actually did pretty well keeping up. Here he is doing the Chicken Dance. I'm not gonna lie, I was perfectly content to have not heard the Macarena since high school. The kids had fun though (and other than being subjected to it every.single.day, I am none the worse for it).



Swimming before brunch and heading home.



At breakfast our final morning. We had attempted to attend the luau on Saturday night, but, as is our luck in Florida, it was rained out. As a consolation, we were able to get an extra sit down meal last second. Delicious family style buffet breakfast and we were given the best table (in the corner overlooking the pool and Cinderella's castle!).



Before eating.



The pool. The beach/castle is behind me, our room was to the left, to the right is the water slide down through the volcano.


The last thing we did before leaving was to take a final boat ride on the lake between the Polynesian and Magic Kingdom. Anna-Kate began to cry saying she wanted to live there and never go home (and for daddy to get a new job at Disneyworld-ha!). Nana got all "man trying to fix the problem" logically pointing out that things aren't special if you don't ever miss them. True, true, but my girl is a girly-girl and just needed a little "ahh honey's" to soothe a sad heart. :) We sure had a great trip!