Trip to FL

What a special trip we had to see Mommom Nijole and Rawy in Florida this year!! Because we are moving to Nebraska just after Christmas, we felt like it was ok to take the kids out of school a little earlier than normal. We headed to Englewood, FL for a much needed 2 week vacation....time to rest up before the Christmas festivities begin AND the big move! What was even more special about this visit to FL was that we got to see Kevin's brother Jason and his family (wife Karry, kids Aidan (8), Ainsley (6), Hudson (4), and Wilson (2)). We haven't seen Jason et al. since before they moved to Iwakuni, Japan (Jason is a Marine Corps F-18 pilot). Even more interesting, we hadn't met their youngest, Wilson, because he was born while they were stationed there. SO, needless to say, we were thrilled to have some beach time with both Mommom AND the now Phoenix Ladds!! Harrison and Emerson played so well with their 4 Ladd cousins. They spent the days body surfing (which was cool since Ma and Rawy's house doesn't typically have any waves on their beach), boogie boarding, playing in the sand, hunting for sharks teeth, fishing, and of course countless activities that Mommom had all planned out. Oh, and let's not forget the many many warm-up showers in the outdoor shower of the house where Kevin, the kids and I stayed! Thank goodness for that shower! We had a good several days getting reacquainted with the entire family and couldn't have asked for more beautiful weather. We certainly hope that we don't go another 4 years without seeing them!





After the Phoenix Ladds hit the road home, we decided on a spur of the moment Disney trip. Emerson happened to see a commercial on tv for Lego Land that had just opened in FL and asked if we could go. When we looked up the location on the map, we realized it was only another 20 minutes to Disney. We gave the kids the choice of which to visit and they chose Disney. Fortunately, Ma is a member of AAA and a resident of FL so she decided to give this as another Christmas gift to us. Amazing!! (Thanks Ma!) The next morning, we woke up bright and early and jumped in the car. The boys and I sat in the back and slept most of the drive. Kevin drove and had some quality "talk time" with his mama. Win-win. We stopped for breakfast just before we got to Orlando so we would all be nice and full. As we got closer and closer to the park, you could feel it....and see it. Even the posts that hold the power lines up in the air were shaped like Mickey Mouse! I'm not sure who was more excited...the adults or the kids! We parked the car, took the tram up to the monorail, and then the monorail right to the front of the park. When you check in, they ask if this is your first visit to Disney. Ma made sure that they knew it was her grand kids' first visit and they gave them each a button to wear that said "My 1st Visit!" I think the walk up to the front of the castle is emotional for anyone. Excitement, happiness, and for me nostalgia. The last time I went to Disney World was with my parents and my little sis. My mom was pregnant with my twin brothers, though we didn't know it yet. I remember making a wish at the ride "It's a Small World" with a coin my dad gave me. I wished for twin boys. Guess I should tell me Dad that the boys were really my fault. LOL! Anyway, as we walked up to the castle the emotions just washed over me. I was fighting back the tears and Kevin knew it! I was so thankful to Kevin that he agreed to take the boys to Disney and that he understood what it meant to me. I was so happy to be back in a place where I had such happy memories from my own childhood. And I was incredibly happy to provide my own children with happy memories of a day at Disney.

We did just about every ride we could that day. Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain (totally not Harrison's favorite since he rode in the very front, by himself, and just after he had downed a bunch of water....yuck.), tea cups, It's a Small World. you name it. We saw some of the shows that Kevin could remember seeing as a kid, but many I didn't remember. We had lunch and Mickey Mouse ice cream treats, and chocolate covered rice krispie Mickey's as we left.

When we were finally getting to our "max steps" for the day (that's what Kevin calls it), we headed back to the front of the park. We went through a couple of shops to grab some small souveniers....for Emerson, a Mickey Mouse Christmas ornament and Phineas and Ferb pins, and for Harrison, a Mickey Mouse Ears hat ornament and a pair of Mickey fleece-lined Crocs (perfect for tired feet!). As we were leaving Main Street, we turned one last time to say "goodbye" to the castle. We turned just in time to see them light it up with thousands of Christmas lights! Spectacular! Again, here came the tears. My sweet hubby just giggled but was sweet and knew it was partially because I was so happy, partially due to new pregnancy hormones, and partially because I was oh so tired! Have I told you lately how much I love that man?!

We stopped for a quick dinner and then headed home. What a fantastic first trip to Disney! I hope the boys remember that day vividly for many, many years.

The day after Disney was a day of recouperation for all of us. I know Ma was tired, and I was too. Kevin and the boys spent much of the day on the beach fishing and looking for sharks teeth. I pretty much laid on the couch. I felt SO tired and SO nauseas. Thank goodness the nausea didn't start until the day AFTER Disney! I was able to get most of our laundry finished and bags packed so we could leave to head home the next day.

Our flight home was uneventful, and we made it home safe and sound. This is surely a trip we will remember for a long time.