Spirit of Aloha Anniversary Dinner

My parents married and went on a Hawaiian honeymoon FORTY years ago.  They chose to celebrate this special anniversary with us in the most magical place on Earth.  So, to recreate a little of that Hawaiian honeymoon feel, we went to the Spirit of Aloha dinner show.  Check out these side by side pics, my parents haven't changed much at all!   

While I stressed about rain cancelling our show, everyone else had fun dressing up in Hawaiian clothes.  My mom is the master of mail order and her dress was absolutely gorgeous.  We had leis, hair flowers, kukui nuts and authentic clothing  We thought it would be most fun to travel by boat from our hotel to the Polynesian.  When booking this trip originally, we considered staying at the gorgeous South Pacific themed hotel.  However, it is currently undergoing major renovations.  Kudos to Disney for keeping things fresh but it did cause us to revamp our plans.  Honestly though, we never go wrong at the Grand Floridian.  It's the best of the best.  We took a few pictures on the dock while waiting for our boat.   

Little man is taking an afternoon nap.  Sweet little boy slumped over on Daddy's chest.  Good thing he got this nap though because the luau was nonstop party fun. 

I realize that Jack Ryan is almost a year old but seeing pictures of the four of us together makes me unbelievably happy.  I love my family. 

The food was amazingly good.  Pineapple bread, tender meats, and lots of other goodies.  The meal is included in the show and we had heard that sometimes service can be slow.  Not so for us.  Our drinks were constantly filled and extras brought as we ate our way through each delicious course.  We had front row seats in honor of the anniversary couple.  Thankfully the rain held off and we saw the whole amazing show.  Children were invited to join the dancers and learn the luau.  Tessa was the prettiest girl on stage. 

Then the anniversary couple was invited to join the dancers.  It was very sweet to watch them dance together.  My mom was radiant with happiness and my dad was having fun too.  This anniversary celebration is so them.  Happy Anniversary Gamma & Gampa, we love you!

Hollywood Studios

We planned a short day at Hollywood Studios as a little bit of a break after yesterday's long day.  This park has limited attractions for the little kid crowd so, planning to leave after lunch wasn't a hardship.  On a side note, rumor has it that Disney is planning major renovations for this park.  I'm sure we'll be back in the future to see what they do.   

There are always good character meet and greets here and the lines aren't usually long.  We spotted Donald and Daisy on our way to the uber popular Frozen Sing-a-Long. 

We had Fast Passes to the live show featuring Frozen characters.  We parents and grandparents were happy to relax in an air conditioned theater while Tessa sang along with her new favorite characters.  Disney didn't disappoint with this show, it was first rate.  We swung by Wandering Oaken's trading post where kids could play in real snow but it was underwhelming.  We rode Toy Story and then went to the Disney Junior Live show.  Jack Ryan slept through the whole boisterous show, he's such a trooper.   

That pretty much took up our morning and we were ready for the character lunch at Hollywood & Vine.  The food here is delicious and the margaritas are even better.  Tessa met Princess Sofia for the first time.  They make adorable princess twins. 

My little pirate met Jake the Neverland Pirate.   

We also saw Handy Manny and Doc McStuffins before the meal was over.  Then it was time to head back to the hotel to get ready for our luau.   

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party was the highlight of this Disney vacation.  We planned the trip specifically to attend this special function and it was awesome!!!  Everything was decorated for Christmas and the characters had special Christmas outfits.  It even snowed on Main Street!  For the record, this is my kind of snow - no coat required.  This shot is from the parade which capped off our fantastic evening.   

But, let's back up to earlier in the evening.  After a quick dinner in the room, we went back to the Magic Kingdom for this special ticketed event.  I had a moment of stress when we had to wait in line for our previously purchased tickets.  We were all so excited about the party and all the signs said they were sold out.  Never fear, our tickets were at Will Call just like they were supposed to be.  We practice a divide and conquer technique when it comes to Disney lines.  Ryan, good daddy that he is, went to the Seven Dwarfs line outside.  We went to the princess line inside.  You might be thinking, haven't you seen all the princesses already?  Well, yes we have.  BUT, at the Christmas party you get the boys too.  Flynn Ryder and Rapunzel were first on our meet list. 

And Flynn was one of the best character meets of all time!  He talked to us forever and was charming, funny and handsome.  We were cracking up the whole time.  When we moved on to visit with Prince Charming and Cinderella, Flynn Ryder followed us to continue our conversation!  Seriously!  Usually it's us chasing characters but this time it was the reverse.  He was fascinated that Tessa had a little brother that could do "the smolder."  Too bad Little Man was asleep outside with Daddy, we could have had a smolder contest.        

Cinderella was gracious and beautiful as always.  Poor Charming, after Flynn he seemed a little stiff and boring.  I mentioned that we would be joining Cinderella for breakfast on Sunday at her castle.  With a wink and a smile Cinderella confirmed that we would see her there. 

The Dwarfs make a special appearance at this party and they are just precious.  They are so popular that the wait gets crazy.  Ryan had managed the line very well and we practically walked up and were ready to jump in a picture.   

Jack Ryan is not impressed but Tessa is having a great time.  On a side note, I think this is the skinniest Snow White we have ever seen. 

Prince Phillip and Princess Aurora were sweet with the kids.  She played peek-a-boo with Little Man to get him to smile. 

Most of the rides are open during the event but we can ride them anytime.  We wanted to do special party stuff that we can't do any other time.  So we snagged cookies and headed to the dance party at the Diamond Horseshoe Saloon.  I was having the time of my life.  It's like combining the best parts of sorority girl and mom life all into one.  Tessa and I could have partied all night.     

We staked out a spot on Main Street for the late parade.   

You could say that we were more than a little tired by this point.  Jack Ryan gave it up and slept in the stroller.  He's such a trooper sleeping on the go.   

 My night owl buddy is still going strong.  Love the huge Minnie bows.  Merry Christmas Mickey!

 

 

Magic Kingdom

We arrived bright and early in the Magic Kingdom to take advantage of the Extra Magic Hours.  Little Man and I had already been up for hours.  He and I had a nice little breakfast together at the 24 hour cafe in the hotel and watched the groundskeepers get everything ready for the hotel guests.  Someday I'm sure he will learn how to sleep more, I hope.  Magic Kingdom is bigger and better than ever and our first stop was Fantasy Land.  Yesterday we were able to ride the new roller coaster The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.  It's a zippy little ride that takes you through the mines and past Snow White's cottage.  We all loved it.  So, having seen the new characters and ridden the newest ride yesterday, we were free to tour Fantasy Land at our leisure today.      

And, of course, there were a few characters to meet.  Our favorite mermaid. 

Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum were funny messing with Tessa's pigtails.  I have a picture of my mom as a little girl with Alice so it was fun to recreate the picture.   

Tinkerbell is adorable as always. 

 And Tessa still loves Marie the Aristocat.

And the Mouse that started it all.  We had to stand in line for a pretty good while to meet Mickey.  Jack Ryan took a mini nap in Ryan's arms but when he woke up he wanted to crawl around.  It was pretty hilarious to see him scurrying around in his costume, little mouse tail and all.  This Mickey talks and we had a long conversation about cheese.  Too cute.    

We had lunch reservations at The Crystal Palace.  This is a great buffet with fun fur characters.  Jack Ryan was not shy at all with the big fuzzy friends that came to our table.  And Tessa greeted her old friends with warm hugs. 

Near the end of the meal, I took Jack Ryan to the Baby Station conveniently located next to the restaurant.  I'm totally impressed with this previously unknown to me Disney feature.  There were changing stations, high chairs for feeding, baby supplies available for purchase and a mother's room for nursing.  All of this staffed by a friendly attendant in Victorian costume.  Jack Ryan and I settled in to a comfy rocking chair in a quiet room with other nursing moms and I promptly fell asleep.  Refreshed and with a happy baby we met everyone else on Main Street for Little Man's first haircut.  There was a bit of a mix up with our appointment so we had to wait.  Tessa and my parents went back to the hotel to rest.  When it was our turn, Jack Ryan was fantastic.  Ryan distracted him with a toy and I took pictures. Of course I cried as his long blond locks started falling.       

But he looked so handsome once she was done.  My little boy looks so much older all of a sudden!

 We went back to the hotel to rest before the big Christmas party later that night. 

Disney Arrival Day

Day One of yet another Disney vacation for our family.  We just can't get enough of this place.  While we usually don't tour the parks on arrival day, this year we changed it up a bit.  With the new online fast pass system, I had maximized our touring plan by including this first day.  So here we are on Main Street stopping for some pictures before heading to our first ride. 

Dumbo was our first stop.  We take turns with G&G so everyone gets a photo op.  Because it's not a vacation until I take literally thousands of pictures.  I'm excited that Jack Ryan's first Disney ride is on the iconic Dumbo.  Also exciting is the no wait thanks to Fast Pass. 

He goes for a second ride with Gampa.  The sun was setting as we watched and we got some cool pictures.     

In honor of the major hit Frozen, the castle is iced down each night.  In Disney style, it is beautiful. 

We are staying in the Grand Floridian again this year.  It is such a glorious hotel.  The Christmas decorations are astounding.  The trees are huge and there is a gingerbread house big enough that it serves as a bake shop.  I love this picture of my two babies.  No sibling rivalry here, just lots of love and happiness in the most magical place on Earth. 

G&G have reservations at the swanky restaurant Narcoossee's.  It's the start of their anniversary celebration.  While all Disney restaurants are kid friendly, we decided to let them enjoy their meal alone for once. 

Meanwhile, we were getting ready to meet Anna and Elsa.  This has been my Disney stress for months.  It's the top thing on Tessa's list but the waits are notoriously long, like five hours long.  Now, over the years, we have perfected the art of minimizing waits for our princess.  But, passes for this super popular meet and greet disappeared within minutes of going online.  I'm a dedicated Disney planner and we are staying on property which gave me an advantage.  Even still, I couldn't get one.  Thankfully, persistence pays off.  I kept checking prior to our departure and lucked in to some late night Fast Passes.  My parents planned to meet us there after dinner and Ryan happily opted to stay in the room with Little Man.  Tessa and I walked up Main Street in the crush of parade traffic.  It was so crowded and dark I could have had a mini panic attack that I might lose my precious daughter along the way, but I didn't have time for that.  We were on a mission to see the famous sisters.  Because my mom has an awesome sense of direction and sixth sense about all things Disney, they beat us there.  The Disney cast members cheerfully announced that our family was already there and escorted us right on in.  Someone is beside herself with excitement.    

Tessa was so awestruck that she got very quiet.  Of course, I'm never quiet and I chattered on and on about everything.  I said something about stuffing chocolate in our faces.  (I love quoting movie stuff to characters because they totally play along.)  Tessa about died of embarrassment.  Oh no!  Have we already gotten to that phase?   

Mission accomplished!!!  Tessa has now met the elusive Anna and Elsa.  Woohoo!!!  The rest of the vacation will be a breeze now that this task is complete.  

Disney on Ice

Disney on Ice came to town again and Tessa and I went with G&G to see it.  Ryan was happy to stay home and let Jack Ryan nap.  They will get plenty of Disney time on our upcoming trip.  As always, it was a fabulous production and Tessa loved it.  She's beginning to ask questions about the characters.  She is so close to putting it all together and figuring out that none of it is real.  But I'm trying to hold on to the magic for just a little longer. 

Thanksgiving

I love having everyone here for Thanksgiving.  My mom and Paula do most of the cooking, the boys do the clean up and I get to enjoy my family.  I have so much to be thankful for and this is the perfect time of year to reflect on that. 

 

10 Months Old

Bath time for my beautiful boy.  Look at those big blue eyes!

Gampa's Birthday

Happy Birthday Gampa!