Magic Kingdom

We definitely saved the best park for last! Magic Kingdom!!!! We even got lucky and as we were walking in a parade was starting. It couldn't have been better timing and a great way to start off the day.

As soon as the parade was over, we headed for one of the little areas where there were several rides for the kids. One the way, I snapped this picture of Maddie next to the Minnie and Mickey shrubs. I'm not a big character clothing person, but I couldn't take Maddie without a Minnie Mouse shirt. I figure if she has to wear something with a character on it, it might as well be cute! Besides, this is simple and I can handle that. However, she probably won't wear it any other time (besides character day at school). :-)

The kids had probably the best time, as far as parks go, at Magic Kingdom. There were more rides aimed at their age group. I took almost 700 pictures on this trip and can't help but share some of them.

I couldn't take pictures on every ride, but tried to get as many as we could.

We decided that since we wanted to stay at the park for the final parade of the day and the fireworks show, we would do dinner there as well. Erik picked out a two star restaurant that he thought we might like and we made our way over. We were all hungry but it was so hot that you didn't want to eat too much. Alex and I shared a meal and it was great! We almost didn't want to leave because sitting in the air conditioning was so refreshing but we were off and running again in no time! However, while we waited on our food to come, Katrina, the kids and I went to visit the Princesses.

Ashton and Maddie didn't know who they all were, but the girls did a great job talking to them and telling them a little about who they were. It was cute!

After a few more rides, we headed toward the front of the park to find our spot for the parade. Katrina and I had a "bumpy" ride getting there but we managed to find a fairly good spot. We parked it and waited on the festivities to begin.

The castle light up

This was in the streets just before the parade started. As you can tell from looking at them, they are hot and worn out!!!

The parade was great and the kids loved it. I am not sure why I didn't get a picture of Maddie but here is a shot of Ashton.

After the parade, we decided to head on out and catch the fireworks from the parking lot. We were all getting pretty tired and crowds and tired kids aren't always the best combination!

Maddie is FINALLY swimming

Maddie has been our child a little less interested in learning to swim. Actually, she has been quite scared! Alex and I have both tried and tried and she even wears a puddle jumper to help her feel more comfortable/safe. It doesn't matter, she just doesn't trust it. It can some times become very frustrating for both Alex and I. This was another concern for us going in to this trip. We told her that we'd be spending some time at the pool and she needed to remember that her float would not allow her to go under, we wouldn't let anything happen to her and there is NO CRYING at the pool!

Well, guess what?!?!?! You got it! Maddie conquered ANOTHER fear on this trip! She started swimming!!!!!!! Alright, so its not FULLY swimming ( she is still wearing her float) but a HUGE hurdle for Maddie and Alex and I for that matter. LOL She loved it. She was all over the place and so proud of herself. Here is a video that Alex sent me while they were having some Daddy/kid time.

Clearwater Beach

We decided that Wednesday was going to be beach bumming day. We drove about an hour and a half to Clearwater beach. A friend of Alex's lives in Tampa and he recommended it to us! Justin definitely picked a good place. It was beautiful and the water was so nice and clear. :-) I'm not normally a big ocean fan and I even got in the water!Here is Alex and Maddie out in the water. Maddie was not the biggest fan last year on vacation and she was so brave this time! We were very proud of her. Yet another fear she conquered while we were away. GO MADDIE!!!!! Maddie and Kaleigh making a sand mess!

Alex and Erik just chilling, but Katrina and I couldn't complain because the guys took the kids to dinner and let her and I have a night of dinner and shopping all alone! Yes, we spent about five hours alone and we had tons of fun!
We took a couple of silly pictures trying on some fun glasses! I don't think either of us have laughed so much on a shopping trip in a LONG TIME! It was a nice break!

Thanks to Alex and Erik for hanging out with the kids while we got out!!!! We owe you guys!

Mahiki Luau

Tuesday night we went to the Mahiki Luau at SeaWorld. The kids were super excited about it once we explained what a luau was.

Mommy and her girl!

The group that preformed while we ate did a great job. The kids were invited up to learn the hulu dance and perform for the crowd on stage. The kids went over in the corner to practice but when it came time to go up on stage, they bailed! LOL We were NOT surprised! Our children do not enjoy the spotlight.
The group even had one of their daughters come out. She was adorable!!!

Animal Kingdom

I really wasn't sure what to expect with Animal Kingdom. The zoo isn't exactly my FAVORITE place to go, yet I take the kids because they enjoy it. I have to say, the Safari ride we took was pretty cool. I couldn't believe how close we were to the animals, especially the lions! It was crazy!!!! I got some pretty cool pictures of the animals. I love the one with the lions tongue out which I didn't realize I'd gotten until I flipped back through them later.

Of course a park wouldn't be complete without some characters. Yes, Alex and Erik had to have a picture with Pocahontas.
Here is Ashton and Maddie after a long day. There were HOT!!!!

Epcot

Epcot was our first theme park stop. Alex and I were just hoping and praying that our children didn't go totally physcho when they started seeing all the characters. Some of you may not know this, but Ashton and Maddie are TERRIFIED of dressed up people. I'm not talking about halloween costumes, I'm talking Chuckie Cheese type people. Its crazy! We talked to both them of them about how they are just dressed up and there is a real person inside a suit but we had no idea what it would actually be like once they saw them.

As you can see, it went great!!!!! Both of them conquered their fear of dressed up people! YAY!!!!!! There were just a couple of them along the way that Maddie opted out of unless Alex and I were going to go with her but that was only a couple.

Mad (as Kaleigh calls her) and Kaleigh were BIG BUDS all week.

Ashton and Kaleb are always BUDS!

Here are the kids inside of the big jaws.

In front of the Nemo ride

It was a day full of rides, fun and only a little sickness. LOL Ashton threw up once in Alex's hand (YUCK) when he got choked on his gum on a ride. However, it didn't stop him from getting right back on it for a second time! We were very proud of Ashton and Maddie for taking on the rides. They aren't always up for stuff like that. :-)

Pool time

Ashton and Maddie couldn't wait to check out the pool when we got to our resort Sunday afternoon. We decided we'd check out the Splash Lagoon area first. I had a terrible head ache, so I literally laid poolside and took pictures.

Here is some pictures of them both of them going down the slide.

Ashton was much braver than Maddie, but once she went down with Alex she really liked it as you can tell from the big grins!! Maddie came a long way over vacation and conquered several of her fears! We are very proud of her.