Hollywood Studios

Day two ... we are not going to talk about the screaming baby who never slept in the room next to us the entire three nights we were there. We're not going to talk about how exhausting the trip was and how that really, really didn't help!



We're also not going to talk about the alligators we saw in the lagoon, especially since we had a ground level room with a balcony just a few yards from the lagoon.

  

We're going to talk about Xander's doodles on the notepad ...



And the beautiful view and a spectacular sunrise (even though I had to see it because the twins' renewal for their Medicaid waiver program was due while we were on vacation and I spent nearly three hours on the phone doing that, the first hour just waiting for a case worker) ...



Day two took us to Hollywood Studios ... where we waited nearly three hours to ride the Toy Story arcade game ride ...

  

Connor was in Star Wars heaven ...









The boys loved the fireworks show ... and our later start to the day mean the boys were able to stay in the park ...







And our last morning before heading out and heading back home ...

Walt Disney World

After our week at the beach with Grandma and Grandpa, we took the boys on a special vacation. We made the day drive over to Orlando to check into the Grand Floridian at Walt Disney World. We made a stop at the airport along the way to pick up Aunt Kelly, who was going to be helping us on this adventure (one-to-one ratio for adults and kids).

Checking into our room the night before the boys were supposed to start back at school (we were hoping that meant it would be less crowded at the park) ...



Connor and I exploring the lobby and seeing the giant Christmas tree ...



Watching the fireworks show from the Grand Floridian dock ...



The view from our balcony ...



Waiting on the monorail to take us to the Magic Kingdom ...



Xander says "Yes, Disney!"



Family picture in front of the castle ...



Our first ride ...







Our second ride ...







Riding the river boat ...





The long wait at the Seven Dwarf Mine Train ...



And the actual ride ...



Ice cream snack ...







Splash Mountain, which we probably shouldn't have saved for the end since it was already cold (Xander's face is priceless) ...



On Main Street after a long, long day at the Magic Kingdom (and not enough energy or patience left for the fireworks). And even though he doesn't look excited about it, Xander had been coveting the red Mickey balloon ALL DAY LONG. We waited until the end, so we didn't have to tie it off at every single ride and hope it was still there when we got back ...



And that was day one ...

Holidays at the Beach

Another family tradition for my side of the family has always been spending the week between Christmas and New Year's at the beach. So we made the long, LONG drive to Florida to spend the week with Grandma and Grandpa at their oceanfront condo. Uncle Brian and cousins Austin and Kyndal flew down to join us for part of the trip ...