Florida randoms

little guy

suntanning

pre dinner light and warmth

First slide ride

hook and ring game.  I nailed it on the first try.  Epic.

toothy

standing

He climbed all the way up the stairs onto the playground.

sisters with a different skin tone

tiny metal hotel crib with homemade towel bumpers 

Indoor skydiving

I don't quite remember how we ever decided we wanted to do this, but Paige had been mentioning it for months as the #1 thing she wanted to do in Orlando.  Pretty sure she changed her tune after actually doing it. 

Rose

Paige

The girls were actually quite scared but Paige actually took her second turn without a word.  Rose didn't want to do her second turn so my "flight" was extended.  I actually found it slightly scary....and nauseating.  The instructor took me way up and we circled around...and around...and around.  blech.

Mike is eager to do it again in order to improve and become more of an expert, as he is want to do at these sorts of things.

We ordered the photos of the girls only, as ours looked weird.  The other photos of Rose had her super scared face and it was so sad.  What brave girls for trying something so crazy.  We also have a video.

Epcot

Although we were "slightly" Disney'd out by the end of week one, we still had days left on our pass and decided to use up another day.  I checked a crown calendar and although the week was marked as a red "danger" day at Disney, Epcot was supposed to be a less busy option.  We have never been in Florida the third week of February before, but that is when Spring Break kicks in and makes it get disgusting.  

Although we weren't too keen to do massive lineups, we forced the kids to tour through the world showcase where we did precisely 1 ride.  We were able to do a secret mission with an old cell phone though, which was fun for Paige.  It was nice to get exercise, and bask in the sun while avoiding the crowds that were in the main part of Epcot.  I missed going on Soaring though. 

Secret mission

In Mexico

old cell phone

My prerequisite for the day was that we had to have a pint of beer in Germany.  Boy was it a lot of beer on an empty stomach.

Sushi in Japan

Cousin time!

It was so sad to say goodbye to everyone :(

The St. Albert contingent went home at the end of the first week.  Not sure why we couldn't have just waited out the rest of the winter at the hotel....?

The 3 girls had a great time playing together, and it was so nice to have a family vacation for the first time.  It was hard to get used to not having the giant group around.  Not to mention sad that the 2 rooms surrounding ours weren't occupied by family anymore.

Thanks for coming everyone!

Some scenes from some wonderful weather!

We really did have beautiful weather.  I only remember being cold about 1 time.

Downtown Disney

A little shopping at Downtown Disney, followed by the required lunch at Earl of Sandwich...mmm sandwiches and beer.  Rose was in a real hiked up socks phase when we were in Orlando.  Notice the socks in the last photo.  Sometimes she would stop to adjust them approximately once every minute.

Second day of Magic Kingdom

We headed out as early as we could for our second Disney day.  

Right away we bought mouse ears for the girls from the hat shop on Main Street

Cinderella's glass slipper

Family photo op!

 We were super smart this time and took advantage of the new fast pass kiosks.  We weren't aware the new system had rolled out so we didn't take advantage of it the first time.  This time we went right there and got passes for the most popular rides for times later in the day.

See those grey clouds there? We took this photo on the way out before our most dramatic Disney ordeal ever.  We leisurely returned the rental stroller and proceeded to head to the monorail which was closed. No problem.  It's not too busy trying to leave the Magic Kingdom in the later afternoon, so the ferry shouldn't be too bad.  Cue tornado-esque clouds barreling in here.   We funnelled ourselves onto the ferry like herding cattle and inspected the foreboding clouds closing in straight over the Disney parking lot. The ferry made its way across the lake as the wind picked up.  No sooner had the ferry docked then a sudden blast of cold wind swept across the shore of the under renovation Polynesian resort, and sent a sheet of sand and water ominously towards the dock.  As we disembarked the boat someone commented "that looks like tornado clouds".  The Disney cast member supervising our exit says "ya it does"....and then in true Disney fashion: "have a magical day!" The second we stepped off that ferry the rain came down in what can only be called a torrential downpour.  The wind picked up, mike's hat was gone, kids were freaking out, babies were not covered up, and everyone started running.  We made our way to the first covered area we could find and attempted to regroup ourselves, putting ponchos on the kids and covering up the baby strollers.  As for those of us without ponchos, we just had to suck it up.  The problem with the Disney parking lot is that you have to take a tram to your car.  We run to the tram area collapsing strollers and just chucking all of our loose stuff into the tram--diaper bags, random junk, water bottles.  Henry and Lewis are being held in blankets to stay out of the cold.  We're sitting in the back row of the tram which has a seat that is essentially a river of water, and upon each stop on the way to the lot a waterfall of rain comes into the back seat.  We are literally soaked right through our underwear.  As we got off the tram and collected all of our stuff we ran through the lot drenching our shoes and socks fully through.  I think the one enjoying it the most was Lizzy.  She thought it was great fun.  Splashing in the puddles and smiling.  Jen and I both announced that our pants were falling off from the weight of the water.  Finally we were in the car and frozen.  Sigh of relief.  Nothing felt better then getting home and having a hot shower, or bath for the kids.  Geez.  Good thing Jen had the premonition to see the fireworks on the first day.