Disney Vacation / Christmas 2011 Photos

Below are some photos from our recent trip to Florida. More photos from the trip (and commentary on the photos) can be found at the following link:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2073556&id=1479573483&l=b172dd5baf

(The link is a Facebook Photo Album, but you don't need a Facebook account to be able to see it.)

Caleb with his glowing Buzz Lightyear lemonade.

The Magic Kingdom at Christmas

Laura and Graysen on the Tomorrowland Speedway

Caleb and Graysen on the Liberty Square Riverboat at the Magic Kingdom

Christmas lights at the Magic Kingdom

Cinderella's castle at night at the Magic Kingdom

The boys meet Spider-Man

Caleb, waiting for the superheros

Caleb and Graysen meet Wolverine

Our hotel at night

Caleb at Epcot

The boys meet Handy Manny

Caleb graduating from Jedi Training Academy at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Caleb, thanking his Grammy for many wonderful gifts on Christmas day

Night at the Beach

We are spending tonight in Tybee Island. We have a beautiful view of the ocean from our hotel room and I am really looking forward to a relaxing evening with my three boys, enjoying the area and hotel. This trip has been very busy, so it is nice to take an evening and relax with ocean sounds, a good dinner, and a relaxing evening drink of wine.

We have had an amazing trip and have enjoyed every part of it. We will be heading back home to Spartanburg tomorrow and will start the process of slowly unpacking and cleaning up Christmas. I anticipate that it will take a about a week to be fully back into our old routine.

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas with their families. I know that this will always be a very special trip for us.

Freezing in Daytona

We have had beautiful weather all week, up until yesterday. The weather was terrible and our riverboat lunch cruise got cancelled. Grandpa recommended the Daytona Museum of Art and Science as a backup and it turned out to be a great suggestion. There is not a lot of art or science at the museum, but there is a great kids museum there!

Mission to the Moon

Shuttle Pilot, and ladies' man, Graysen.
Mission Specialist, and quiet genius, Caleb.

Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios was a great end to our week at Disney, with the highlight being Caleb's enrollment into Jedi Training School. Here are a few pictures from our day:

Graysen was obsessed with Handy Manny. He had been asking for him all week and was thrilled to finally meet his hero.
We signed Caleb up for Jedi Traning. He was made it into the last show of the day and was put at the front of the stage since he was one of the littlest ones into the class. Lee got video of the show and it is hilarious!!! He will post video later, but here are a few still shots that I captured.

The one from "the Jedi nursery" learning how to use his light saber.
The "hobbit" fighting Darth Vader.
Caleb's graduating class, our first graduation ceremony!!!
The boys loved eating dinner at the Sci Fi Drive In Diner.
The boys insisted on sitting the in the front seat of the car together and Lee and I got to enjoy a peaceful and quiet dinner behind them.
Amazing Christmas lights.

EPCOT

My parents went around EPCOT with the boys so that Lee and I could have a special day enjoying the park alone. It was great!!! We had a wonderful (and very relaxing) day enjoying the World Showcase and tasting and trying new things.

Islands of Adventure

Today could be summed up as a little bit of everyone's favorite things. First, Lee enjoyed spending time in Harry Potter World. Then, the boys LOVED meeting all of their favorite super-heros. Finally, I enjoyed the evening back at the hotel with a horse-drawn carriage ride followed by glowing drinks at the bar.

Just a tip that Lee and I learned about the ride at Harry Potter, doing "kid-swap" can make the wait only 20 minutes instead of 120 minutes! I have to say that Lee and I LOVED having kids this morning!!!

As usual, I only got a few pictures from the day. Lee is the main trip photographer. Here are a few that I captured:

Lee enjoying Butterbeer (non-alcoholic, very yummy) in Hogsmeade.

Graysen on a motorcycle in Dr. Seuss Land.
Graysen running from a VERY real Grinch...
Only Caleb was brave.