One last hurrah

Last week we took a family trip to Orlando. Despite the record-setting rainfall, we had a blast!

DAY 1 was warm and sunny! We spent the entire day in the pool and even got a little sunburned. Just to the left of the pool island is a 106-foot water slide that both Justin and McKenzie braved - keep in mind, neither one of them knows how to swim. I had nightmares that night of McKenzie drowning. Justin came up all smiles, McKenzie was simultaneously gasping for air and coughing uncontrollably. Alex will say it wasn't that bad, but he was at the top. We spent a lot of time in the kiddy pool after that.

The view from our hotel room:

We had a long-distance view of Epcot Center, Space Mountain (the "volcano"), Magic Kingdom and awesome fireworks!

DAY 2 we ventured out to Downtown Disney. Two years ago when we took the family to Disney, we spent the first couple of days Downtown and Justin loved it so much that for the first little while at Magic Kingdom, he kept saying he wanted to go back to the "real Disney." This time around, he said Downtown was fun, but he knew the "real Disney" was going to be a lot better. There were a few highlights:

Legoland was a hit. Justin especially loved the scenes from London and Paris:

They both loved posing with some of their favorite characters:

There was a train - need I say more?

This little guy shot water at you as you innocently walked by. Of course, J & Mc wouldn't just walk by, they stood and stood and stood . . .

They said they wanted to get wet and shortly thereafter, it poured! We hit The Rainforest Cafe for lunch. McKenzie was a little leery of dining in the jungle (she wouldn't sit with her back to the elephants) and I have to admit the thunder pretty much matched the real thing booming outside!

And, of course, there were hats!

DAY 3 it rained and rained and rained. Lucky for us, there was an indoor pool!

DAY 4 it rained harder. Even the indoor pool was closed. The all-glass elevator that ran up the outside of the hotel made for a great distraction and incredible view of the lightning and showers! Later that night . . . lots of pondering on whether or not we should go to Disney the next day . . . one late-night trip to Walmart for umbrellas and ponchos . . . earnest prayers for a miracle in the weather . . .

DAY 5 PERFECT!! Where to begin? At the castle!

McKenzie's primary interest was the castle and princesses - how big will it be? will they be real? can they give hugs? And, face painting! Let me present . . . princess kitty! She also really liked the tea cups (aka tea "pots"), Cinderella's carousel, the flying elephants, Minie's house, and It's a Small World. She wasn't too keen on all the rides in the dark but, that's okay, I got my snuggle time . . .

Justin LOVED the race cars and Splash Mountain and "everything else" -- yes, he road Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Thunder Mountain terrified him! He came walking off with his puppy-dog eyes and when asked if he liked it, answered with a flat out "NO!" Ahh, but he was brave . . .

The rain didn't hit until the final parade but even then it caused only a delay -- and the fireworks were spectacular! Definitely a day to remember. Justin and McKenzie keep asking if we can go back again today. I'm glad they loved it! I can't wait to go back either!