Eric, Rachel, & Mason had to fly out at 7:00 in the morning, or something crazy like that. Our flight didn't leave Nashville until 10:00 so we got to "sleep in". I had a trunk show Friday night, the crawfish boil Saturday, and then packed last minute the night before (as the storms rolled in). I am amazingly surprised that I didn't forget one thing & when we came home, the house was much cleaner than I remembered. That's quite an accomplishment!
Our drive to the airport came on the 2nd day of torrential downpours and devastating flooding. It wasn't raining when we left, but the storms were rolling in so we headed out as quickly as possible. As soon as we hit the Interstate, the storm let loose. It was the scariest ride of my life. We literally could not see out the window ahead of us. It was as if someone was dumping bathtubs of water on our car over and over again. Ryan tried to pull over and stop on the Interstate but the water was rising so quickly, we had no clue how deep it was getting and if/when we would get swept off the road. I just kept picturing the cars that I saw on the news the day before. They were on the Interstate, almost to their roofs in water, when a trailer came floating down the road next to them. When did they get out? How did they know it was "time" to bail? What about the people who didn't leave in time? I kept praying with the girls, asking God to surround our car with angels. I am so thankful Ryan was driving. He did an amazing job of staying calm...and on the road. I had packed the girl's life jackets and seriously thought about climbing to the back to put them on the girls just in case we had to bail or got swept away. As we were exiting I-65 for I-440, the cars ahead of us on 65 were stopped due to flooding ahead. They were just piling up on top of one another and then we started seeing reverse lights. I was praising God that we didn't go that way but couldn't get over thinking about what was going through their minds as everyone panicked and tried to reverse out of the flooding. I hope everyone was safe. We finally made it to the airport and had just a 50 minute delay. I have no clue how the airplanes take off in rain like that b/c it never let up. Only an hour or two after we left Nashville, Southwest canceled all flights in and out of Nashville. By then we were in 90+ degree sunny weather. Our timing couldn't have been better! We're just so glad we made it safely.
Our travel agent, Bryan Harris at Operation Destination, had everything ready for us. Itineraries were mailed to us in advance, our magical express was scheduled, and he even checked us in on-line. I'm normally a total control freak and get obsessed with vacation planning but I let Bryan take the reigns this time and it rocked. I will let him plan my vacations from now on. Why wouldn't you???
Harper was more excited about flying in a plane and riding on a bus than she was about Walt Disney World. (oh, and getting to sleep on a bunk bed too). She and Saylor were amazing on the flight. They loved taking off, got a little bored on the flight, and a tiny bit scared during landing. Saylor even pooped in the airplane potty. Speaking of airplane potties....how in the world can anyone become a member of the mile high club in one of those?? Have you ever tried to take a 2-year old potty in one? That's impossible enough! Anywho...
Here's a shot of Saylor on the plane.
We got to the airport pretty much starving, so we ate there and then hopped aboard the magical express. We never had to get our bags, it was sent straight to the hotel. The bus did not disappoint Harper. She sat across the aisle with Ryan and after a few minutes riding she said "mommy, I can't believe this" with the biggest eyes and cutest smile on earth.
We arrived at the Animal Kingdom Lodge around 5pm. Ryan & I had stayed there 8 years earlier for our 1-year anniversary and I was surprised that it was still great condition! It was just as nice as it was back in the day when it was just newly opened. Impressed. We checked out our room....a queen bed and a bunk bed (yeah for Harper!) and then met up with Eric & Rachel to head to the parks.
Here's a synopsis of how the week went....
Rachel & I almost cried when we got to the Magic Kingdom for the first time. We got there just in time to see some parade go by. It was so "Disney" and festive and happy and the kids were in awe...I cry very easily. (It happened again when I saw The Festival of the Lion King....no clue why but Broadway shows always make me cry). Here are some shots of the kids watching their first parade!
Note to parents - no matter how much you want your 1, 2, & 3-year old to love fireworks and staying up late, they won't. Especially on your first day of travel when no one has had a nap. Bad, bad, bad idea. We basically tortured the kids trying to keep them up to see the fireworks at Magic Kingdom but finally left just before they started because hell was breaking loose.
That night, around midnight when we were all finally in bed, I told myself that never again would I keep my kids off their schedule to make them do something they didn't even ask to do. The next morning my alarm went off at 6:00 am for the princess breakfast at Epcot. I wanted sooooo badly to skip but this was the one and only event that Harper was looking forward to...plus, we pre-paid crap loads of money for it.
The girls were SO tired when we woke them up at 6 am (5 am our time!)
The bus ride to Epcot was exciting for minute...then they got tired again.
Waiting for breakfast with the princesses!
We saw Ariel
Aurora (sleeping beauty)
Snow White (my favorite)
...and CINDERELLA!!! (look how Harper won't take her eyes off her)
Saylor isn't nearly as impressed.
We had purchased an autograph book & pen for Harper and she just loved getting all of their signatures. When Cinderella came in, Harper would not take her eyes off of her. She even stared at her while smiling and saying "cheese" for the camera. This breakfast was literally, the best moment of the trip. (p.s. Saylor didn't have much interest in the princesses so she kind of kept to herself).
The rest of the week was full of fun, swimming, rides, and food. I've told the good stories and will condense the rest in the photo captions from now on :-)
Some family shots
Riding on Aladdin's carpet
It's a Small World! Both girls were fascinated. As we were leaving the ride, Saylor finally spoke in her little munchkin voice and said "bye bye, baby dolls".
I was so surprised at how receptive Harper was to meeting the larger-than-life characters! She really enjoyed getting each of their autographs.
Here's a shot of Saylor & Ryan on the Finding Nemo Ride. Harper is petrified of the movie & we quickly found out that she's also petrified of the ride. So, we have no shots of her on this one b/c she was crying and I was covering her eyes.
Daddy & Saylor are silly
A Great way to cool off!!!
Hanging out one night at Downtown Disney
Saylor did great sleeping on the bottom bunk with rails!
and Harper still talks about wanting a bunk bed.
Another night at Downtown Disney, the girls didn't want to stop taking pictures with the Cinderella statue.
The girls loved cooling off in this water fountain. They had a great time trying to "catch" the water!
Bus Ride Shots
Saylor at the pool
Harper sat w/ Ryan on the flight home. It wasn't a full flight, so they got two seats and so did Saylor and I! Ryan & Harper colored and then fell asleep for the rest of the flight.
Saylor slept the whole flight. Thank the Lord for that extra seat. She was begging to go to sleep.
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2 comments:
This is so fun to read! Love the pictures! Harper is so cute posing with her dress and the princesses.
awesome memories brooke!
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