Vacation 2008!

Our vacation this year was to...Florida! Surprised? I know, no real shocker there since we go just about every year! This year was different because we usually go to get away from everyone and focus on the four of us, y'know, really reconnect with each other - but this vacation we took some of Tommy's side of the family along!
However, we did spend the first week of our vacation as a foursome. We stayed at the Portofino Bay Resort in Orlando, and spent lots of time at Universal Studios. Maggie really wanted to go there, but we told her that it was too expensive (which unfortunately is true!) She was very happy when we pulled in and she realized we would be staying for a whole week! We all enjoyed the beautiful weather, Tim loved the pool, Maggie liked the roller coasters, Tommy liked the spa massages, and I liked the Luau with all of those cute Samoan boys dancing!


Week two was all about Disney World and extended family! There were 13 of us in all - Gran, Papa, Lindsey, Rebecca, Kurt, Valinda, Dylan, Kyndal (Happy 8th Birthday Kyndal!), Railey and the four of us. We stayed at the Contemporary, which was new for us, and actually spent quite a bit of time at the parks. We haven't done that in several years because the kids know exactly what rides they want to go on and exactly what shows they want to see - that doesn't take very long, so they like just hanging out at the resorts instead. None of the family we were with had been before, so we went to Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. It was fun riding some of the classic rides and noticing some of the improvements that have been made. My favorite ride is always Pirates of the Caribbean, but Expedition Everest is a very close second! Tim got over some of his roller coaster fears this time, (he braved Everest and Space Mountain both - twice!!Good job, Tim! We will try for Tower of Terror next trip!) and Maggie realized her dream of visiting the Bippity Boppity Boutique, where she had make-up, hair and nails done - and best of all she got to dress as her favorite Disney Princess,Cinderella!

We were pleased that we were able to get that appointment, as this was the last year that she would fit into the dress - it's not exactly meant for 14 year old princesses! Of'course for all of you who know Maggie, you know she would wear the dress no matter how small it was (or IS in this case! I LOVE the shoes!)Her silly personality really shines through in her princess photographs! It was fun that the girly cousins got to join in on that fun - even Auntie V had her hair and make-up done! It is hard not to catch that Disney Spirit, huh Lindsey?! Thanks go out to Tim and Dylan for being so patient. It was a long wait outside of that boutique - good practice for when they are married, i guess! I can't say what Tommy liked best, but I know he always likes seeing the parades and fireworks every night. He looks just like one of the kids when Tinkerbell flies and the fireworks begin! Maybe that is why we keep going back year after year!