Thursday, January 10, 2013

Disney World Vacation

We enjoyed a week with Patrick's family down in Orlando and enjoyed all that Disney World  had to offer!  It's not really a "vacation" per say where you sleep in and sip coffee and relax all day long.  It's quite the opposite.  We woke up early, got to the parks when they opened, and it was go go go until the kids were worn out and we did that same routine for several days!  It was a blast, but we needed a vacation after this vacation to recover from all of the excitement of the week!  Adeline at 4 years old really did love it.  She was at the perfect age for it to all seem quite magical!  Charlie at a year and a half was still a little young but had fun spending time with everyone, and Clara at 6 weeks was the ideal newborn...slept through most of it.   

We flew on Delta (Patrick says this flight doesn't count as Clara's first flight because it was not on United.) which allowed us to fly direct from Minneapolis to Orlando.  We traveled with 2 suitcases, 2 backpacks, a double stroller, a single stroller, a baby bjorn, 3 carseats, and a pack n play!  Now that I just typed all that, I realize we must've looked crazy with all of our gear!  And on the flight, both Charlie and Clara were on either Patrick's or my lap....it was an adventure with moments of ease and moments of craziness.  We survived....actually we had a great time!  This trip also marked the end of Patrick's Family Leave that he took from work.  We loved having him at home since the week before Clara's arrival back in November!

So many pictures, these are just a few...
at the gate...waiting to get on our flight


waiting in line to meet some princesses









meeting princess Jasmine at Epcot

Meeting Mulan at Epcot

Dinner out with everyone on New Years eve and celebrating my birthday. 

the kids with grandpa, uncle Eric & auntie Kay


Adeline noticing grandma's earrings....she's a girl who loves accessories

the sink - make shift baby bathtub

Spending time together after a day at the park - Patrick's parents rented a big home near Disney, and we were all able to stay under the same roof.


waiting to meet some more princesses...

Charlie so patiently waiting in line so his sister could meet more princesses...

Addie with Rapunzel



Addie loves her auntie Kay!  I'm not sure what their hand gesture means here...but it looks like they're having fun together!







There's our sleeping Clara...see she really was there with us!




playing at the house at night





the new Belle's castle....it's beautiful!

we ate lunch at the castle...so much fun!

grandpa & Charlie - buddies


watching a parade


Charlie, who LOVES trains, getting ready to go on a little train ride...


meeting Snow White


Patrick's sister had some special connections and was able to coordinate a private meeting with many of the Disney characters for our family....this was a highlight of the week!

Even Clara got to meet them...

Cinderella!

and with prince Charming

Fabulous ending to a great week!