I know I said I would do a blog every week on one woman from our community and I really am struggling this week to get with it. See we went on a magical adventure over our spring break and I had been caught up so every week a blog would run until this week. With the huge winter storm and our crazy schedules getting back to normal I will not be able to get one done until next week. As much as it has weighed on me to keep up I also have to be realistic, I have a family and a business and I cannot let one week behind schedule get me down not after the magical week we just had. So instead this week I will be showing off our vacation photos. Some are from my camera, but I took a lot with my phone. Yes me taking them with my phone, I know I will get flack for that but it was worth not taking my camera to every park. We purchased the memory maker with our vacation package and I will tell you now it is so worth every penny! There is a cast member from Disney everywhere, and with the magic bands they take your pictures and just scan your bracelet. So easy and so worth it!  

To start our trip we had kept this secret from our girls, they had no clue we were going to Disney World in Florida. Yes they knew we were going this year but had no clue when. They thought we were headed to Denver to see the eye Dr. or that’s what we told them anyways. Once we got to Denver airport with them still watching a movie in the back, we had asked them to open a package. This package had a note attached and they had to read that first (I recorded the whole thing) the note was a map of Florida and written on it in big letters was “Allison and Madison Surprise, we’re going to Disney World.” Inside were all about Disney items, a new outfit, autograph books, a key chain, their magic bands for the parks, and hair bows. Man were they excited, the screams, the silence, the worry, and then more screams! I will tell you as hard as it was to keep it a secret. It was so worth the wait just to see their expressions and utter excitement. 

"Art of Animation Resort" where we stayed.

We did all the parks, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Epcot, and one of the water parks Typhoon Lagoon. We spent two days at Magic Kingdom and I could have spent all week there, by far my favorite out of all of them. We then spent a day at each of the others. I would say you could do Hollywood Studios and Epcot in one day if you needed, but the break in between was nice. 

At Magic Kingdom, Cinderella’s Castle was amazing. Just the size of everything there is a lot to take in. But the castle is breathtaking and beautiful. The shops, the flowers, the sites, oh and the people wow were there a lot of people. For two days we did rides, ate great food, shopped, hung out with princesses, walked more than I had in months and took in the amazing fireworks and parades. It was a blast and would have to say Splash Mountain was my favorite ride and we managed to do it twice in one day without waiting in line. 

We had dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table and got to meet five more princesses. This is another reservation we had paid for before the trip.

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique the girls got their hair done, got to pick out a princess dress and got their pictures taken by a photographer in the shop. Allison was Belle and Madison was Ariel.

Now I thought when I was planning this trip which by the way took us two years, but only nine months of that we actually had our dates and tickets. If you want to do most of the stuff like the extras, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or the Wild Africa Trek you have to call way ahead to get in on the days you’ll be there. Now they are pricey but in my option if you’re going to go, you might as well spend the money to do it. I knew our girls would love to go to the boutique and be a princess for a day, and their faces and memory’s from that day will be well treasured.

"Enchanted Tales with Belle"

At Animal Kingdom we had some weather. It rained most of the morning, but we still enjoyed our time there. We did the Wild Africa Trek and got to be closer to the animals then most. We walked over Hippos and Crocodiles on a bridge in the air, had lunch in the middle of elephants and giraffes, and the guides then take you through the park and stop and watch. I loved it, now the girls like it but if it hadn’t rained on us I think they would have enjoyed it much more. We also say the Lion King Show which was a favorite also. The things you can do are endless and one of the girl’s favorite rides there was Expedition Everest, Legend of the Forbidden Mountain. We also got really lucky on this ride and did it twice.

The morning we went to Hollywood Studios was probably the hottest day we had there. I am super thankful we were indoors most of that day. We only stayed in this park the better morning, and rode The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror which I also rode 20 years ago. The girls weren’t sure they wanted to do this ride, but mom was going to make them try it once at least. Let’s just say it isn’t on their list to try again, but I will do it again. Love that ride, but I am also love extreme rides. We got our pictures taken, rode a few more rides, and ate lunch and the headed to the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith. This was extreme and they will not let anyone on that isn’t 8 or older. We now know why. The girls will probably love this ride when they get a little older but it is fast, intense and when they got off of it they both hit us and said “never again”. This ride was my husband’s favorite and a couple days later we found out Steven Tyler from Aerosmith was there and rode his own ride. Now that would have been cool to see.

Now Epcot was cool, but probably not one I would need to go back to. For rides we missed out on a few with our fast passes and some were closed, the flowers and characters in topiary displays in the gardens were beautiful and the food was amazing. In Epcot they have eleven countries: Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, the United States, Japan, Morocco, France, United Kingdom and Canada. You walk this big circle and see building and people from these countries. You also see way more princesses and characters from movies there also.  Now the IllumiNations, Reflections of Earth fireworks show were amazing. We had gone later in the day just so we could see this that evening. I would recommend that show to anyone. 

Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park was fun. It’s not as big as some water parks but still enjoyed our day relaxing and playing in the pools. The park has sandy beaches and we enjoyed the lazy river that wraps around the whole water park. We even had a few drinks and meet a lizard that wanted to sun bathe on my beach towel. 

As much as none of us wanted to leave our Disney vacation we still had a few days left to spend with my family in Florida. My Uncle Frank and Aunt Sandi let us stay with them for a few more days while on vacation. Now not to say or stay at Disney wasn't amazing because it was but staying with family was so nice. The girls didn’t want to leave when we did, and I think it was because they have their own pool. 

Now I have been to the ocean, and I love it. I love water, sand between my toes, the smell of the ocean breeze, and the sun.  We had planned to go to the ocean with Frank and Sandi months before we came and we were so lucky to get a beautiful day. We drove to Cocoa Beach, Florida for the day. The girls had never been to the ocean and they loved it. What’s not to love! We walked to beach, swam in the ocean, found a ton of sea shells, and took a few family photos. It was a beautiful day, and I could have stayed there forever. 

Day nine of our trip and the last full day we had, we headed to Sea World. Love, love, love Sea World! I am so an animal person. I think I could have a zoo or even an aquarium if I only had the money.  The girls watched in amazement as dolphins, seals, and killer whales did tricks and shows. Now Sea World has some amazing rides too. The only problem was the girls were two inches to short for two of them. So Greg, Sandi and I did those and well I may have made my husband go do one again, so I could be in the front. Yep I love my rides! After some ice cream and a few shows we headed back to the house to finish off our last night in Florida and enjoy some cards and the pool. 

This vacation was much needed and well worth the wait. I know it will be an adventure of a lifetime and so many memories were made. I am truly blessed to have such a hard working husband who made this happen for our family. This time with my family was amazing! If you have never been I would say start saving and make it happen. It is truly the most magical place on earth and well worth every penny!

Orlando, Florida 2016