The kids had been excited for weeks to fly to Florida today (Tuesday). Their suitcases had been packed for a few days (unpacked and repacked several times in between...thanks to Mackenzie trying on everything in her suitcase and putting it back several times). We woke up early and got to the airport. Jeremy waited inline to check the bags in and I took the kids through the security check point, scanners, and we were the random lucky winners to be selected for hand swabs and bag checks! Got up to the gate and waited a little bit. I decided to call Jeremy and see how much longer he would be...if he wanted me to wait for him to get breakfast or pick up something for him. He told me that our flight was delayed and then cancelled due to storms back East, and the soonest we could fly out would be Thursday! So, I called Michele and told her to come back to pick us up...she was almost home...and then we ate breakfast while I explained to the kids we weren't going to be able to go to Florida for 2 more days! Cameron is THE BEST kid, he deals with disappointment so well. All he said was, "oh man, but I already have my suitcase packed." and "well, the good thing is I get to play with a friend today" and "we better call Grammy T and tell her we can't play with her today". Mackenzie was hillarious she just kept saying, "shoot, the airplane didn't come get us".
Take two! We made it on the plane, Thrusday. We ended up driving our car to the airport and parking it in long term parking since this flight left at 5 am (or was supposed to leave that early!) Of course we had a delay and an hour later flew out. Cameron and Mackenzie were excited for their first airplane ride. Or as Cameron kept saying "my first 3 airplane rides" since we had 2 layovers! Yucky flight(s), we didn't get to Florida until midnight, but we finally made it.
The kids did AWESOME on all the flights. We had lots of activities for them to do and movies to watch. Mackenzie fell asleep on me the first flight. They both fell asleep the last 15 minutes of the last flight so they didn't get to see Grammy T when she picked us up!
I loved watching them pull their suitcases all around. It was too cute. They loved these walk thingies. In fact, we kept going on them like they were rides.
When we landed it was a major rainstorm in Florida. Grammy T wasn't sure if we were going to get back to her place. It really was a bad storm, they closed one of the freeways because it had like 10 inches of water on it. We made it safe and sound. Just in time for the kids to wake up and be wired. We got them back to sleep at about 3 am and then woke up at 9 am and headed to Orlando to Animal Kingdom. We got there around 2pm (after picking up my race packet information) and the power was down so they couldn't sell tickets unless you had cash. We waited for a little while for them to come back on and we tried calling and ordering them on the phone. Jeremy's sister and mom were already in the park waiting for us....so we couldn't wait any longer. Finally I said to the lady, well I guess it means we get in free since the system is down right? She laughed a little and then nodded to another person who waved us to her window and we got in for FREE! Like I always say, it never hurts to ask! That saved about $250. Yay for us :)
Let the fun begin....
Cameron and Mackenzie had so much fun with John's kids, we were glad they were all able to come too!
Mackenzie especially had fun with Kaylee. She liked to play with her and carry her. It was cute to watch them together.
Cameron couldn't wait to go on the water ride. He kept telling me "I am going to get soaking wet and then give Grammy T a big hug. Don't tell her." Finally, they went on the ride and sure enough he followed through with his plan.
Friday night I went to bed at midnight and woke up at 3 am to get ready and catch the shuttle at 4. Not the best preparing for a race 1)no sleep for several days 2)greasy, travel junk food for several days 3) walking around a theme park all day the day before a race 4) nothing for breakfast race day morning except a banana and a yogurt from the hotel 4 hours before the race!
The race was supposed to start at 5:30 am but that was just the start time for the first corral. I was in corral O and didn't start until 7:15 so I hurried up to wait :) I had heard that there would be a lot of things to take pictures by along the run, but I said, "I am not stopping, that is dumb to wait in line to take a picture of something while I am running a race!!" Well, after 5 miles and being frustrated with all the people walking and the major crowds of people I had to weave in and out of, run on the grass off to the side to pass, and just not knowing this was how it would be, I decided "if you can't beat them joint them" so I calmed myself down and decided Cameron would think it was cool to see me with some of these guys. I went with the flow and enjoyed the atmosphere, took some pictures, and just ran a little faster after each picture :)
Ice, Ice baby! I had a little break before heading to Magic Kindgom for another full day of walking around the park and riding rides! It was a great day!! Such a fun run, perfect weather, and then hanging out with family having fun.
We stayed in "Andy's room" as Cameron and Mackenzie called it. It was an awesome hotel and the kids loved climbing on all the stuff in the loby outside.
Climbing up on Rex by his tail was a challenge....
Grammy T and Jamie on the teacups with Jeremy, Mackenzie, and Cameron
Mackenzie enjoying "it's a small world" ride. She was pointing to everything and saying what it was.
Mommy and Cameron hung out at the pool and played some of the games they had planned. They had a water balloon toss game. I was Cameron's partner and we had to toss it back and forth and scoot back further away from each other as we went. We won! Everyone else dropped their balloons and they popped. Cameron got to pick a prize (the slinky) and keep his water balloon. He was sooooo excited!
Monday was another Magic Kingdom park day. We met a lot of the characters this day!
Mackenzie didn't love the idea. She was scared at first and didn't want to get near them. She warmed up after a few of them and started giving them "high five only, no hugs!"
We bought this balloon and the characters were signing it. We didn't really plan on taking it home on the plane with us, but felt sad leaving it behind since it had everyone's signatures on it. Once again Cameron was a good sport and said, "Well, we can leave it for Grammy T, she will love it."
I love this picture!
On a roller coaster that was pretty big for Mackenzie, we weren't sure what she was going to think, but when she got off she said "again".
Super glad we brought the stroller! It was a life saver. They both fell asleep one of the days at the park.
The very last thing we did on the last day was watch the night parade and then go meet Mickey Mouse. Mackezie gave him high five and then we took pictures, he signed the balloon and then she said she wanted to give him a hug! What?! She did and she was so proud of herself. She kept telling us she hugged Mickey Mouse.
The kids were having the time of their lives at the hotel cafeteria that night. We got back and had dinner and then got ice cream. For whatever reason they were extremely excited and being silly.
Beach day. I wish we had spent more time at the beach, the kids loved it. They had so much fun building sand castles and finding sea shells.
Cameron built a masterpiece. He spent lots of time putting the sea shells on his castle exactly where he wanted them.
Nothing like getting a little sand in your hair...and everywhere else :)
Of course we had to go to Build A Bear with Grammy T. Actually this was the highlight of the trip for Cameron. He told everyone he was "going to Florida to go to Grammy T's Build A Bear". After we got home people asked him what he did in Florida and if he went to Magic Kingdom etc. He said, "I got a smurf from Build A Bear."
Alea had us over to their house for dinner one night. Cameron found the pet snake, the Wii, some board games with Dani, and lots of fun!
Kenzie found Kaylee, baby dolls, the cat and dessert :)
Cameron found this coconut one day under a palm tree. He wanted to take it and eat it. We didn't know how to open it and he kept asking several times a day if we were going to eat the coconut. He was super excited about this find and said "I've never seen a real live coconut or eaten one!" I felt bad that we didn't try to crack it open and he was disappointed, but once again he dealt with his disappointment very well. He decided he could give it as a gift/surprise to Jamie. So he wrote on the coconut with a marker and we left it on Jamie's table in his condo. He jumped up and down and said, "he is going to be so surprised and say hey where did this coconut come from and then he will read it's from me!"
At the turtle rescue center...
Headed back home. Cameron took the flight attendant very serious when she said to take the flight information out of the seat pocket and follow along. LOL
I love these kids! They did amazing on the flights. I was worried about Mackenzie being contained, but she did awesome. I love how she had to buckle in her baby and bears.
We had a great trip. I am glad I signed up for the Disney World half marathon so we could get there. Maybe I should find a race in Hawaii next??
