House of the Mouse!

We just returned from our one week vacation to DISNEY WORLD....and had a blast!  I've posted WAY too many pictures below, but I just couldn't help it!

What did we take?  Four people, one gigantic double stroller, three rolling bags, two duffle bags, two backpacks, two carseats....and I'm not kidding you when I say that I had to talk Jacob into getting the luggage cart to carry everything.  He HONESTLY thought we could just carry all of this stuff to the ticket counter.  I'm pretty sure a pack mule wouldn't have even been about to carry all this!  Best $4 we've ever spent...

We watched a TON of shows....animals, stunt shows, puppets, etc.  Mitchell LOVED them..and Maverick must have to because he learned to clap at them.  He has been a clapping fool ever since...you just say "Yeahhhhh!" and watch his little hands clap. It's the cutest. :)

In five days, we went to SeaWorld twice, Magic Kingdom twice, and Hollywood Studios.  Mitchell was a fan of Santa Shamu.

My third favorite picture of the trip! :)   Maverick was SOO excited about the dolphin.  He was happily screaming at the tank for probably a half an hour. Mitchell was contently napping in the stroller, so we just watching and smiled :)

SeaWorld has a great sea of lights show at the end of each night.

Right before the show, we watched an ice skating performance.  Mitchell sat on Jacob's lap....Jacob said he was encouraged by his "masculinity" at the performance.  Apparently, he asked if we could leave half way through...until he saw a new woman ice skater appear.  She was wearing a leotard - Mitchell said "Daddy, she's not wearing any pants."  After the show, Jacob asked him who his favorite ice skater was and Mitchell responded that his favorite was the girl with no pants.  Ha!

Before a 4-D movie experience.  We loved it!

On a gigantic ant

Watching a stunt show

Hollywood Studios has a great Christmas display complete with yummy fake snow!

Most afternoons the boys would nap in their stroller....a few days they actually napped at the same time.  We took advantage of the down time to share a carmel apple without kid drool all over it!

You notice they are covered with a blanket. Yes, it was chilly (50 - 60 degrees) most days...40 degrees one day.

Excited to ride "It's a Small World"

On the Winnie the Pooh ride

Think somebody was excited to meet Minnie & Mickey?

(Maverick was snoozing in the stroller)

They had the castle all lit up for Christmas.  It was beautiful!

Watching fireworks over the castle

Mitchell was very good on the trip, but it was tough to explain why he could not buy something from every street vendor that we passed!  The theme of the fireworks presentation was "Wishes Come True".  Jacob was trying to explain that if he could wish for things and they could actually happen...Mitchell thought about it a bit and then informed us that there were LOTS of things that he wished for that he did not get.  Welcome to the real world, Mitchell :)

My favorite picture of the whole trip.... :)

This represents the entire trip to me!  Everyone wanting to go in a different direction!

This is the picture they take as you go through the ride.

This is my second favorite picture of the trip.  Seriously, is he 16 or 2?

Maverick on one hip, Mitchell by one hand...story of our lives for 5 days :)  What am I kidding...story of our lives everyday...and wouldn't change it for the world.

Notice the tear rolling down Maverick's cheek....we coined the term "Disney Meltdown" while on the trip.  We experienced a few ourselves (although not too bad), and witnessed a TON.  And yes, Disney meltdowns can apply to adults too!

There was a new killer whale born at SeaWorld Orlando in October.  This is extremely rare!  Here he is...swimming by his mommy.  So cute!

Mitchell went on a few kiddy roller coasters. He wasn't so sure about them while he was on them, but as soon as he was done, he'd ask to go again!  Jacob even took him on the large roller coaster at the Magic Kingdom (Thunder Mountain Railroad).  There was literally only 1 ride at Magic Kingdom that Mitchell couldn't ride because of his height (Space Mountain).  Jacob's hoping Mitchell grows at least 4 inches before our next visit!

Both boys loved the Sting Ray exhibit at SeaWorld.  The only other time I've been to SeaWorld Orlando was in 4th grade, and I specifically remember loving the Sting Rays too.  I couldn't believe you could pet them!  Later you'll see some pictures of Mitchell feeding them!

We loved the parades at Disney World.  They even drug Mitchell out into the street for one of the parades...he had just awoken from his nap and wasn't quite sure what he was supposed to do...so he just stood there in my sunglasses and looked around.  As you can imagine, just that got a few laughs from the crowd. 

Cheesy as it sounds, we truly believe in the magic of Disney World.  We had a wonderful trip and can't wait to go back!