Disney's Animal Kingdom!

The girls couldn't wait to get to Walt Disney World (ANY part of it; they didn't care which part), so Monday we went to Animal Kingdom. When asked to describe it, the best thing I could come up with is that it's like Disneyland mixed with the Zoo. They have animals, rides, characters, different "lands," shopping, food, parades, games, etc.

My favorite part was the Africa safari, which took you on a tour in an open air truck, of a wild game preserve with dozens of African animal species, all (potentially) within arms reach. Super cool!

I think Camryn's favorite was the "Kali River Rapids" ride, in which you float down the rapids in an over-sized inner tube, and get drenched. She went twice, once with Brian and once with me, and laughed hysterically the entire time. ( *I think we may need to implore Aunt Lacey to take this one white water rafting someday. She just thinks it is the best!)

By the end of the day, we were soaked, and simply exhausted from all of the walking and fun. We all collapsed into our beds that night, new Mouse Ears on our heads, ready to recharge for another day of fun. :)

Downtown Disney!

Throughout the week, we visited, revisited, and revisited Downtown Disney for multiple evening outings. In fact, it took us three visits, just to make it all the way through the three sections of DD!

During our visits, we saw street performers, shopped for souvenirs, got lost in the massive Disney store, posed in front of amazingly giant toys and candy displays, and ate at "famous" restaurants the Rainforest Cafe, and Planet Hollywood. The people-watching was AMAZING, and there was constantly something to see or do. The options were simply overwhelming. Not bad for free entertainment!

Pool time!

On our first full day in Florida, we explored the grounds, and visited nearly every pool. During our "tour" we identified our favorites (the "fountain" pool, the "fun" pool, and the "waterslide" pool, but not the "old people" pool), and pretty much stuck to a few of them for the week.

Camryn became a non-stop fish, splashing, jumping, and floating until we literally had to force her to get out of the water. Several days, she nearly melted into her bed after having exhausted herself swimming for hours on end.

We especially enjoyed the poolside bar, which provided a unending supply of strawberry smoothies for the girls, and pina coladas for Brian and I. :) The girls also enjoyed the poolside stand where sweet, patient employees did their hair in hair wraps, for which they got to choose the colors, patterns, and beads.

The girls just had SO. MUCH. FUN. If they didn't know the Disney parks were merely a few miles away, they would have been satisfied swimming, splashing, and lounging all week long! To know I'm telling the truth, just look at their smiles... :)

Florida Vacation 2012

Wow! What an amazing time we had! We feel so lucky to have been able to take advantage of Spring Break in a sunny, warm destination. The weather was GORGEOUS; sunny, warm, and 85 degrees every single day. Not once did any of us wear long sleeves or long pants. It was shorts, tanks, and flip flops all the way!

We were lucky enough to stay in a condo that was beautiful, clean, and even had a full kitchen and washer/dryer. (My kind of place!) ;) On the grounds were seven (7!) pools, dozens of fountains, waterways, and bridges, abundant wildlife (tiny lizards, beautiful water birds and dozens of baby ducklings), multiple playgrounds and restaurants, and even a grocery store. Truly, if we hadn't wanted to, we wouldn't have had to leave the resort once during the week. It was simply amazing.

The girls were great travelers, and tolerated the 6 hour flight like pros. Even when things went a little awry at the airport, they were patient, and kept themselves busy with their backpacks full of toys, books, games, and movies.

The only thing that could have made the trip better was another week of it. None of the four of us were ready to leave when the time came, and it was so hard to arrive to cold, dark, rainy Oregon. I'd give just about anything for another week in paradise. Perhaps next year...?