Our Disney Vacation

Last week, we went to Orlando to attend the wedding of Blake's sister, Nicole to her fiancee, TJ. They were engaged over a year ago at Cinderella's castle so it only seemed right that they get married at Disney as well (Nicole is a HUGE Disney fan). So, it gave us a chance to take Ethan down there for the first time. Although the trip was packed solid with activities, we all had a blast. The whole trip between the plane ride, the rides, the pool, and seeing Mickey in person just blew his little mind. So, I'll apologize now for all the pictures but I didn't know how to narrow them down any more than this. These are some of my favorites from each day.

Day 1: Plane Ride/Magic Kingdom

Ethan's first time on a plane. He literally had to use the bathroom 4 times in a 2 hour trip. How is that physically possible? I'm thankful at least that the doctor gave me the "okay" to travel being 29 weeks pregnant with twins! The whole time we were sitting on the plane before leaving Ethan kept saying, "Are we ready to fwast off yet?" I think he thought we were in a rocket ship!
After arriving at Disney and waiting for our luggage to arrive, we decided to join Nicole and TJ at Magic Kingdom for a few hours (we were able to get reduced tickets after 4 p.m. because we were there for the wedding). We were able to hit the tea cups, Dumbo, Peter Pan and a few others. While we were up in the air riding Dumbo, the fireworks started going off right over our heads. It was so cool!

The fireworks were being shot off from two different directions. Ethan practically got whiplash up on Uncle TJ's shoulders trying to catch a glimpse of all the fireworks. This is a picture of Blake, Nicole, TJ and Ethan watching the show!
I can't remember which ride this was (maybe It's a Small World) but I thought it was a cute picture of the gang.
Ethan crashes after a VERY long, full day of travel and Magic Kingdom. Poor little guy!

Day 2: More Magic Kingdom

Our second day there, we started out at a hotel for the wedding rehearsal. Afterward, the guys hit the links for a full day of golfing at a pro course nearby and Nicole and I took Ethan back to Magic Kingdom for more fun. Since I don't have any pictures of Blake's golf outing, these are the pics of our day at Magic Kingdom.

We took a train ride over to Mickey's house which Ethan loved (anything with trains is great in his book). I wasn't sure how Ethan would react to seeing Mickey and Minnie in person but it didn't take long for him to warm right up to them. By the time we left, he was giving them hugs and kisses. I love this picture!
The Goofy ride was Ethan's first real roller coaster experience and he loved it! I tried to go on with him but they basically kicked me off because I was too pregnant. Bummer. I have always loved roller coasters so it KILLED me to not be able to ride any of the more adult rides. I couldn't even ride the kiddy Goofy ride. So depressing! The perk was that I was able to drive around a scooter (as embarassing as it was) so I didn't have to walk much and I had a handicapped pass which got us to the front of every line. So cool!
Ethan and I went on this ride and had a blast. I let Ethan steer and I controlled the gas pedal. But, after some pretty large bangs back and forth, I decided I better help out at the wheel a little more before the kid put me into labor. Ethan was convinced that he was Lightening McQueen from Cars. He was in heaven!

Day 3: The Wedding

The day started out very early with hair, make up and breakfast and Ethan was in a mood. I think the poor little guy was just exhausted and I was worried that he'd never make it down the aisle with the ring pillow. However, when he met his new friend, Rori (Blake's aunt's daughter -not sure what that makes them), he suddenly came to life. He was so happy to have another little person around to hang out with that I began to think that him walking down the aisle might actually work. I told him that I had to go ahead of him but that he was supposed to follow Rori until he got back up front to me. So, I nervously watched Rori and then Ethan walk out. As soon as Rori started dropping flower petals from her basket, Ethan immediately stopped in his tracks to pick them up. She dropped a few more and he walked forward to try to get them off the ground. I should have known that my little OCD child would be bothered by this! After she continued to drop flowers, he had this look of total frustration on his face when he realized he just couldn't keep up with her. He gave up and started walking over them. By this time, however, the entire audience was cracking up. It was so funny!

He finally made it up to the front to stand my me but it wasn't long before he discovered the big fountain of water behind us (the ceremony was outside at Epcot Paris). By the time I saw him, he had already managed to climb up on the edge of the fountain and get his pants all wet. People kept snickering in the audience and I ran over to snatch him away from the water. I was mortified that he was taking away their attention but I guess there's only so much you can do to control a 3 year old!

This is a picture of Ethan and his darling little friend, Rori at the pre-reception just after the ceremony.
Ethan and Rori walking to the bus that will shuttle us over to another part of Epcot for the reception. They look like a little bride and groom. So cute!
Nicole and TJ, the newly married couple, dance to the first song at the reception. They look so happy!
How cool is this cake? It's called the Mad Hatter cake. Love it!

The reception was a blast (though my feet and ankles looked like tree trunks by this point). Nicole had lined up a babysitter to help with Ethan which actually worked out really great. She kept Ethan busy so we could sit and eat in peace for once. Nic also had the DJ play Ethan's two most favorite songs (Girls Just Wanna Have Fun & Highway Star - he learned this one on Rock Band) and he couldn't help but hit the dance floor all by himself and show everyone his moves!

After the reception, we went home and napped so we had some energy to get back to Epcot. That evening, they held a dessert party at Epcot on the water where we could sit and watch the fireworks. It was a beautiful setting and a fantastic show. Ethan LOVED it!

Day 4: Animal Kingdom

Here we are with our bug glasses on as we get ready to watch "A Bug's Life" which is a little 3D film. During part of the show, a large bug decides that he wants revenge and tells all the bugs to get us. Smoke starts coming in as they "spray the insect killer" and large spiders drop down from the ceiling. Suddenly you can hear kids throughout the room screaming and crying and mom after mom had to leave with their little ones. It was pretty hilarious in a sad sort of way. Ethan did well with it though and didn't get worked up over it.
Another perk to being in a scooter - front row parking for the parades! Ethan LOVED this parade with Donald, Mickey and other friends.

Day 5: Chef Mickey's, Downtown Disney and Home

On our last day, we were able to snag a very early breakfast reservation at Chef Mickey's (which books up at least 3 months in advance). Everyone wants to come here because all the main Mickey characters come by to your table and visit with you for a minute. So, we were able to see Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Pluto. Ethan as in heaven!

Afterward, we had some time to kill so we hung out at Downtown Disney and rented a pontoon boat for 30 minutes. It was so much fun. The weather down there was amazing. It was so hard to leave paradise to come back to New Jersey's 30 degree weather!

We got a little swimming in before we had to get on the plane. Ethan was asleep almost immediately after take off and slept for the entire flight. It was awesome. All in all, it was a wonderful and busy trip. I wouldn't recommend doing it when you're this pregnant but it's definitely one of those thing you have to do with your kids. I hope Ethan will remember it!