Disney World, Day 1

We had an absolute AMAZING time at Disney World this year.  It truly is the most magical place on earth.

And I can't wait to go back!

*As I did with our trip to San Francisco, I'll break apart our visit in four posts.  One for each day.  Because there was so much we jammed-packed into those four short days.*

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Upon entering the park, you're of course greeted with the most wonderful sight: Main Street, U.S.A.  Drew especially loved the train station, while I favored the grandiose Christmas Tree that was so beautifully decorated.





 Our plan of attack was to visit Fantasyland first.  Our friends had told us that this part of the park gets crazy-busy in the afternoon, so we wanted to try to steer clear of it as much as possible in the latter part of the day.

Well, that was our plan. 

But we just happened to go during the most busiest time of the year so in all honestly, it really didn't matter.  Besides the early morning hours, it was crowded the entire day and night.  So we just decided to stay in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland on the first day, then Liberty Square, Frontierland, and Adventureland the second day.

First up, the classic Tea Cups!

Then it was "It's A Small World," another classic.  It was exactly how I remembered it, 20+ years ago.

We saw a couple of amazing 3D shows, our first being Mickey's PhilharMagic.  It is UNBELIEVABLE, the types of shows and movies they put on.  Not only are you seeing it live, on a huge screen, but it's amazing how life-like they make it.  They pipe in smells at the all the appropriate times, like the smell of sweets when showing a candy store.  They even blast you with a subtle mist of water during any water scene.  Truly amazing.

After lunch, it was time to take it easy, with a ride on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover.

Then we took a quick spin around the race track at Tomorrowland's Speedway.

Around mid-afternoon, it decided to suddenly downpour on us.....so we all got completely drenched.  This was actually a blessing in disguise, because it allowed us to go back to our hotel to catch a quick nap, before heading out again for the night.

My sweet, sleeping men.

After our little siesta, we were in full-force roller coaster/action-ride mode.  We took an intergalactic, interactive adventure on Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, went to Stitch's Great Escape, and hit Monster's Inc. Laugh Floor.  While waiting in line for some of those, Andy took the kid's on Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress.  He said it was exactly the same as he remembered it back in the 80's.  Not sure the kid's fully enjoyed it, but it kept them entertained while I waited in line.

Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin

Since we didn't hit all the attractions in Fantasyland that morning, we headed back over there, by finishing all the fun rides like Peter Pan's Flight, Snow White's Scary Adventures, and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.

Oh, but wait! 

How could I forget all the princesses and characters we met?!?!  We got Emma an autograph/photo book, so she can remember all the fun characters she met on this trip.  Can you guess her favorite?

We ended our first night with a lightTAStic display of fireworks and the Main Street Electrical Parade. 

Ahhh.....the parades.  They, too, are amazing. 

No photo does this justice.
It was simply stunning, all the thousands and thousands of lights that covered the castle.

And here are some videos I took of the show they put on, ON the castle.  Again, no photo or video can do this justice.  It is mind-blowing how and what they do.  The castle must be wrapped in some sort of LED film, where they project images up on it.  It was stunning.

Christmas 2011

This Christmas was definitely one for the record books.  Not only did I get to surprise Andy with tickets to the Super Bowl, but we also got to surprise the kids with a trip to Disney World! 

Yes, that's right......

We went to DISNEY WORLD!!!

But before we get to that, here's a look at some of the fun things that Santa left for the kids.

Setting out the milk and cookies for Santa.

Trying to get a picture of the two of them in front of the Christmas tree.
This is a challenging task.

We kept all the gifts over at Grandma's. While we were at Papa & Grandma Ann's, she hid them in our closet.
It took up our entire closet space.
Poor kids.

Christmas night.

Some of the goodies Santa left!

Drewbie loved handing out all the presents!

She got her Bella Ballerina's!

Here she is, showing how they make her twirl!

And finally.
She got her Orbeez Soothing Spa!

Taking these things out of the box and putting them together is a real treat for the parents, let me tell you!

Playing one of her new favorite games, Sorry!

Little man, all curled up on the couch after an eventful morning.
My sweet little man.

And finally........the grand finale surprise:

Christmas at Papa and Grandma Ann's

After the Swickheimer fanfare, the next stop on the Christmas train was in Lafayette at Papa and Grandma Ann's.  After gorging ourselves on the yummy brunch that Karen prepared (dang, her Christmas brunch is SOOOOO good), we had yet another meal to inhale at my dads! 

My waistline is still trying to recover.

That recovery might take a while.

Anywho, after a couple of knock-downs from their new dog Lacey (poor Drewbie), a good time was had by all with Papa, Grandma Ann, and J.D.  Emma just loves making J.D. laugh.....in fact, she still talks about some of the things that make J.D. laugh (like, ahem, burping.....).

Christmas with the Swickheimers: a Super Bowl Reveal

We are really lucky, you know it?  Our kids get multiple Christmases.  Not only do they get to wake up on Christmas morning to see what Santa brought them at their own house, but they also get to see what he brought them at the Swickheimers and at the Wells'.

We had a great Christmas this year, and we kicked it off at Nana's to celebrate it with the Swickheimer clan.

From Left to Right.
Top: Andy, Matt, Brian (14), Anne, Patrick
Bottom: Emma (5), Drew (2.5), Karen/Nana, Brennan (7), Uncle Barry

I must say that the best gift this year was what I gave to Andy............

SUPER BOWL TICKETS!!!



It was a complete surprise.  And I was super-excited to give it to him!  So excited, in fact, that I accidentally hit the "Stop" button on my camera.  Just as he was getting excited, too....dang it!