Pop Century

We stayed at the Pop Century resort while at Disney. The rooms were on the small side, but it really didn't matter since we hardly spent any time in the room at all. They were very clean and we paid for a mini-fridge so we could save some money by eating in the room. It was nice to be able to use the Disney transportation and also get into certain parks early.

Here I am with the kids in front of the 80's

Nathan is a child of the 70's

Waiting on the bus to take us back to the hotel after a late night at Hollywood Studios

Mickey Mouse in the night Spectacular show with the fountains

You will be happy to know these pictures conclude our Disney trip. Ava is still talking about how "We went to Disney World!" She always says it in the cutest little high pitched voice. The kids had a great time and honestly were at a great age to take them. We hope to try a Disney cruise sometime in the future.

Hollywood Studios

After much debate, we decided to go to MGM our last day. We were basically there all day but it wasn't quite as tiring as the other parks.

Noah & Woody from Toy Story

Buzz Lightyear, Noah, Woody, Ava, and Nathan

Thirsty?

Maybe we should move up north??

Noah loving the Car Stunt Show- see how both kids have their hands covering their ears?

Ava in the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground

Noah with Tow Mater from the Cars Movie- We were in line to get a picture with Lightning McQueen too but we had to get leave so we could get seats in the Car Stunt Show

Little Einsteins

Did You Miss Me?

I'm back!! Sorry for the extremely long blogging hiatus... I finally got an internet connection in May but we have been very busy and I think I just got out of the habit of blogging. After much thought, I am just going to pick up where I left off blogging since I primarily use this blog as a "scrapbook" of memories for our family. I know a few years from now, I will want to be able to look back and see everything in chronological order, so I guess you will have to stay tuned to see what all has been happening in our lives over the past 3 months. I hope you don't get bored... please bear with me!

Picking back up with Disney....

We went back to the Magic Kingdom on Saturday and it was finally a beautiful (not rainy) day. These pictures are backwards, but oh well.

Classic Ava smirk

Noah took this picture of us after the fireworks in front of Cinderella's castle

After a very long day at Disney (I think we went back to the hotel this day as well and took a nap- otherwise the kids would have never made it this late- 11pm)

I know this is a poor quality pic, but it captures how excited Ava was during the fantastic Spectromagic Parade

Noah excited to be riding the train... there was an exact replica of this face when we finally rode the monorail- he loved it!

Pretend shooting on Tom Sawyer's Island

At the Swiss Family Robinson treehouse

Family pic in front of the castle

Funny story from this day... After the Spectromagic parade and the fireworks, we walked over to Space Mountain since we had not had the chance to ride it earlier in the day. There was a very long line outside and apparently the ride was broken or something and they did not know when it would reopen. Nathan and Noah waited around for awhile since Noah really wanted to ride it. Honestly I thought it was a lost cause, but after awhile they finally started letting everyone through and the line really moved fast. We used the Rider Switch pass so Nathan and I took turns and Noah got to ride it twice! I remember riding Space Mountain with my dad when I was 6 years old. I had no idea it was a roller coaster and I screamed the whole time- I remember it all... so I was glad Noah got to ride it about the same age that I did for the first time.

Downtown Disney

Since it was raining again on Friday, we rescheduled our days at the parks. Nathan's sister Rachael and her little girl Lydia met us and we went to Downtown Disney.

Playing at Legoland

We had a late lunch at the Rainforest Cafe. Noah and Lydia love each other so much and I always get the cutest pictures of them together.

Rachael, Lydia, and Noah

Cousin love back at the hotel

One More Ride then We're Leaving!

Noah on the Buzz Lightyear ride

Nathan and Ava shooting the aliens on the Buzz Lightyear ride... Nathan got some kind of crazy high score... I guess that's a boy for you... Doesn't he look like he's having fun?

Around 2 or 3 pm we had decided that we had had enough of the rain and all the people. It was supposed to rain even more later. We were wet, cold, tired, and Nathan was sick on top of all of that. We had been in the park since 8 that morning and gotten in about 6 full hours of Disney. After a nice hot bath to warm up and some fresh clothes, we had a little snack then we all laid down for a 2 hour nap.

Even Noah took a nap. Can you believe it? I had to get a picture to document the event since it never happens and especially on command!! He also took another nap on another day... I guess he really did get worn out!

More Magic Kingdom

Little Miss Priss showing off some attitude... She wanted to go see Minnie's house but we had to wait on Noah and Nathan to get off the Barnstormer ride. Check out those puckered lips...

Finally made it over to Minnie's house... Ava was really checking out her mailbox

Nathan and Ava in one of the many 3D shows

Mommy & Noah on the Transit Authority in Tomorrowland

Fantasyland

Ava & Daddy on the Mad Tea Cup ride

Okay, so I didn't think Ava would voluntarily walk up to Minnie & Mickey, so I handed Nathan the camera since I was already holding Ava. Bad idea. Bless him, he tried, but Nathan is not the best picture taker and it is painfully evident in these snapshots below. They may not be the best, but they are all that we have!! And surprisingly, Ava walked right up all on her own!! I absolutely love the look on Ava's face in this picture meeting Minnie Mouse for the first time. It's priceless.

Noah finally decided to join in on the meet and greet. He had been the one hanging back and we had to encourage him to get even this close.

Rainy Day at the Magic Kingdom

Since we've been back for about a week, I figured it was time to post some pics from our recent trip to Disney. This was Ava's first trip to Disney, but Noah has actually been before when he was very young, but this is the first trip he will remember. Our first day was rainy and yuck. It did not rain constantly, but it was enough to make it somewhat miserable with the ponchos and all the people. As ugly as the ponchos are, we were thrilled to have them with us because an umbrella alone simply would not have sufficed. Thanks to my friend Lori who recommended that I pick some up from dollar store before we left. Do not go to Disney without them- even if it doesn't rain, you will want them for Splast Mountain!!!

Obligatory picture in front of the castle on our way to Fantasyland


Ava loved riding the horse on the Carousel

Noah on the Carousel

Noah in Pooh's Playful Spot