For about a year we have been looking forward to October 2014. As soon as we realized that BYU would be playing UCF in football we knew this was a must for our family. We gave each of the kids goals to work on and they were tremendous. Lauryn's goal was to be positive about going to school. She worked really hard and ended up loving Kindergarten and that has carried over nicely to 1st grade. Clara's goal was to practice reading. We now have to take her books away so she will eat and sleep. Cameron's goal was to get to school on time without any yelling. In about April I had to remind him what he was doing to try to earn this trip. He said "Oh Yeah. That's not an issue any more" which is so true. I am super proud of these three and how hard they worked to not only earn the trip but to save money for the trip. We started our count down at about 147 days. Every day they would erase our little countdown to Disney board and change the number. It was a REALLY long wait. But finally...October came.
The kids at the airport. They each packed and carried their own bags. This makes traveling so much more fun for parents.
FINALLY!!!!! and it was totally worth the wait.
We started at Hollywood Studios (not sure why we have sideways pictures). The kids LOVED the shows. Their favorite was the Indiana Jones Stunt show. Lauryn even picked the action figures as her souvenirs. The kids spent the rest of the vacation practicing fight scenes with their Dad while I cowered in the shadows embarrassed by the scene my family caused everywhere we went.
The next day was on to Epcot. This was by far the hottest day of the trip. I think the kids would have passed this by for an extra day at the Animal Kingdom. Its a place I would have loved to visit in the evening with just Dave. We still loved it and were happy to experience it. The kids did love building their own roller coaster that they got to ride in (virtually) and racing a car that they had designed themselves. Epcot is very educational.
I love how Disney can truly make you feel like you have entered a different time, country or place. They pay so much attention to detail.
This is pretty much how all of our family pictures go. Clara is over the top posing. Lauryn just looks darling and Cameron looks totally uninterested.
We love the HUGE castle at Magic Kingdom.
The most darling Minnie Mouse ever. It may appear as though Cameron was not on this trip at all but he is just too big for characters and would much rather be in a gift shop.
until...we met Anna and Elsa. Then Cameron was perfectly happy to pose.
Seriously as far as the girls were concerned this could have concluded the trip. They were in heaven and these two princesses did not disappoint. Some of the best ever. It was a little embarrassing when Dave laughed VERY LOUDLY as Elsa put her hand in pose position. Its a wonder we ever take him anywhere in public.
One of the highlights for me was the Electrical parade. This was one of my most favorite things when I was a little girl. Sometimes I still hear that music playing in my head and I just smile. It has been years since I have seen it because we go to Disneyland in the off season and they only do it in the summer there. I was a little giddy and may have shed a tear or two.
Just hangin with Walt and Mickey. Anywhere there is construction at Disney world they put up quotes by Walt Disney. Some of them were truly inspiring. Of course I can't remember any of them word for word so I don't want to misquote him. I was however motivated to learn more about him. I think he was an amazing man and not just because I love Disney.
This was our favorite ride of the whole trip. The Mt Everest Roller coaster at Animal Kingdom. We did it a few times and ended up missing one whole section of the park because we ran out of time. OOPS!
Cameron was thrilled with all the birds.
I loved this tree.
The real reason for the trip was our least favorite part of the trip because BYU lost. Cameron managed to keep his cool but this time Clara made up for it with a little temper tantrum of her own. I may or may not have been laughing inside.
We took a slower day and went to gatorland. The kids loved this place. It was small and laid back but really really cool.
She is so brave
Cameron's dreams came true when he got to hold budgies.
The climbed all over us.
see...
wrestling a gator. Yes it is alive.
Clara was sure that this would prove to her friend Ben that she is tougher than him.
We stayed at a Condo a few miles from all the action. It was nice and quiet. I love being in the hustle and bustle of Disney but it was great to be able to go to the pool or take a walk in the morning and not have to fight a crowd.
The last official day of our trip we went to Clearwater to see Winter the Dolphin. It almost ended in disaster because I had made arrangements (paid money) for the kids to have an opportunity to touch and get pictures with Winter. However all the big movie producers and big wigs were there filming so they cancelled our session. The place was packed and we could hardly even see him. I saw panic on Lauryn's face and so I asked some questions and figured out the best way to get to see him. The answer was simple...patience. We waited for a clearing in the crowd and found a good seat and the kids got to watch him during his physical therapy session. They didn't know about the picture opportunity so they weren't disappointed.
Lauryn has been dying to see Winter. She loves dolphins and she loves this little dolphin especially.
He is pretty cute.
This is where they filmed Hazel up in the nest on top of the boat.
We ate dinner right on the beach.
The girls needed some relaxation after such a tough week.
Cameron's first visit to the Gulf of Mexico. He has a lot of firsts on this trip. This is just one of them. I can't remember them all so maybe I will do a separate post of his firsts later.
Hurrah!
Dave wanted to get back to Vegas for two of his boys mission homecoming reports. We dropped him off at the airport and then made our way to downtown Disney. We had to finish our trip with another little shot of Disney magic. It was packed downtown and so much fun. People were dancing and the kids joined right in.
The rest of us had a late flight on Sunday so we visited the Orlando temple and went to sacrament meeting.
The temple was beautiful.
We just happened to pass Bay Hill golf course which Cameron flipped out over. He was so cute about waling out on to one of the greens. He is passionate about golf right now.
This little girls knows how to travel. I love my little family. I am grateful that they are so easy to take places. They behave so well (unless dad is around) and they enjoy everything. I always dreamed of taking my kids to Disneyland when I was little we are blessed to live close and be able to go there often. Disney world was a totally different story. It was a dream come true for me to take them there. I love these little people and that guy they call Daddy.
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