Disney

We did it...we took the family to Disney.  We are good parents.  My children can no longer blame me for that (although I'm sure that the therapy bills I'll be paying for later will still be significant).  We went with my parents who just returned from their mission to Vancouver, my sister Stacy and her two girls and my sister Cory and her husband Adam and their 3 children.

After spending a billion dollars, and having a wonderful time, I am now convinced that we could have saved all of that money since one of the top activities was swimming at the house with their cousins.  

Christmas card picture?  I'm thinking this could be it since we are at the "happiest place on earth" and I bribed my kids to smile.  By the way-is anyone else's family sometimes screaming at this oh so wonderful place?  Just wondering.  (Please excuse the sarcasm.  It's just a mood-we really did have a wonderful time!)

 All of the kids were so excited to see Dad Dad after he had been gone for 18 months.  They adore him.

 Don't let the sweatshirts fool you....it was 95 and extremely humid the whole time that we were there.  Stacy and Lauren just have 0% body fat and are always cold.  :)

 Lounging at the pool.  

 My dad was talking into the noodles to the kids and they were mesmerized for quite awhile.  Thank goodness for grandparents!

 Playing around at Epcot.  There is something special about being beheaded by a Viking.  

 Since Hailey "hates" princesses (her own words), I was so excited that Alyssa was into it.  Her favorite, by far, was Minnie Mouse.  So cute.

 On a ride with her dad

 Splash Mountain for the first time.  My sister, Cory rocked the house (as well as Lauren and Caity) for having their arms up the whole time.  I'm in the 2nd to last row quickly bringing my arms down in sheer terror.  (And, yes, if you are wondering my sisters and I bought matching shirts and hats...we are just that silly).

 All of the cousins at Magic Kingdom.

 Trying to find the crabs under the sand at the beach.

 Soul sisters.  Hailey wanted to hang out with Stacy a lot while we were there.

 My girls

 The 3 oldest cousins boogie boarding. 

 The Tower of Terror survivors.  We went twice more and they loved it.  Hailey said that the scariest part of the ride was the movie with the ghosts.  I personally thought that dropping several stories over and over again was terrifying.

 Hollywood Studios.

 Playing Uno with Brama.

 Paul and Alyssa playing in their fort.  Afterwards they each got a stuffed animal cat and hit each other with it while they laughed hysterically.  Fun times.

 Silly cousins.

 Midnight....riding the ferry back at Magic Kingdom.  It was hot and they were EXHAUSTED.  Thank goodness for the stroller.

 Mickey Mouse ice cream.

 The girls and my dad.

Grant and Sammi playing at Disney Quest.

At the end of the trip, we were at the airport with my sister Cory.  All of the kids sat watching cartoons while we waited for the plane to come.  We talked so long, that they didn't realize that the plane was boarding until they were on the "C" boarding list.  Bummer.  We had such a great time and would love to do it again sometime (maybe without kids and more like a Mediterranean cruise or something...anyone??).

By the way, aren't you glad I didn't post all 250 pictures that I took???  :)