Walt Disney World!!!

There is a first for everything!  Florida 2014 was our first "family" vacation.  It was the first week of vacation that Randy has taken since our honeymoon almost seven years ago and it was the kids' first trip and my first trip to Disney World!!!  We have been looking forward to this vacation for well over a year.  We knew that Helaina and Zach were at the perfect age to experience everything magical that Mickey and his friends have to offer and thankfully our vacation was just that, magical!

The beginning of our adventure... 

Our hotel, All-Star Movie Resort on Disney property
Thankfully the weather cooperated for most of our trip.  Low 80's, mostly sunny...can you say "Good-bye Polar Vortex"

We arrived Monday afternoon but did not have passes to the park until Tuesday.  We enjoyed the hotel pool and arcade and slept early in preparation for the next morning.

The kids listening to their morning wake up call from Olaf (Frozen).  Please excuse the naked booty.

At Magic Kingdom before the park opened Tuesday morning.

Winnie the Pooh ride

Before we left, the kids rolled their change they had saved for the last few years (which took a good 2 hours).  We took the change to the bank and received their favorite, "green money" and that "green money" was used to buy a couple goodies at the park.  

The ending to the PERFECT day!!! We sure got lucky...no crowds, no lines, warm weather, simply perfect!

Breakfast in the castle with the princesses.  So glad Zach likes pretty ladies because there were plenty of them.

Wednesday afternoon at the pool

Thursday afternoon at Epcot

 
Thursday evening, headed back to the hotel after 7 long days of vacation.  This picture makes me smile.  2 beautiful, happy and sleepy children with their Daddy.  A vacation to remember forever.  So blessed to have these memories.  

Florida Part I

We have returned home safely from our very first family vacation!  Last Friday, we departed to Orlando, FL.  The kids have been getting ready for this trip since last summer and after this brutal winter, it was a much appreciated get-a-way!

At their age, the kids enjoyed the experience of flying almost as much as the vacation itself.  Helaina was a big helper, carting her luggage around since we needed our extra hands to direct Zach.  

We are so lucky to have the help of Teta and Seedy and all their airport privileges.  

Seedy knows "the right people" and the kids had the opportunity of a lifetime to meet the Captain and Co-Captain of the pilot and get a few pointers in the cockpit of the plane!  They will treasure their "wings" forever.

I thought they might nap on the ride down, however, I was sadly mistaken.  We spent 2 1/2 hours trying to keep them entertained and for the most part, it was a success.  After we arrived, we picked up a rental car, and drove another 2 1/2 hours down to West Palm Beach to stay three nights with Randy's grandma at her condo.  

Randy has been swimming in this pool with his grandparents and family for over 20 years.  I know he truly enjoyed showing us where he vacationed as a kid and now being able to see his kids have the same experience.  The weather was fabulous, in the 80's and mostly sunny.  The nights were cooler, but as long as we got a good dose of the sun during the day, it was the perfect mix.

Sitty helping the kids feed the ducks.

We took Sitty out to eat to celebrate her upcoming 79th birthday.

On Monday afternoon, we packed up our rental car and made our way back up to Orlando to visit Disney World!!! More pics and another post to follow on the second part of our trip!

Polar Vortex

Yes, we certainly have a name for this horrific winter season and it has been relentless.  Snow, more snow, cold temperatures, and gusting wind...we all have cabin fever.  Spring has never looked so good!  

I am sure we are all Vitamin D deficient as I'm certain our kids haven't seen the sun in over 2 weeks, however, Vitamin C flows endlessly around this house. 

We planned to take advantage of Helaina's cancelled school day (due to bitter cold temps) by taking the kids to the Children's Museum in Ann Arbor, however, due to those cold temperatures they were closed.  Teta and I found this cute little place about a half hour away from our house and it gave the kids a chance to burn off all that pent up energy.

Couldn't have been more happy to see my parents as it was a welcome change of scenery!  The kids enjoyed every minute of their Valentine gifts from Grandma and Grandpa.

The kids sorting their change and rolling it to take to the bank.  This is all their coins they have saved for about 2 years and it will be used at Mickey's House in just 1 WEEK!!!

Plymouth Whalers hockey game with "Shooter the Whale."  A great night out at an OHL game.

Superbowl Sunday, preparing fish to cook with Papa.  Fun times and even better food!