The Happiest Vacation On Earth...and we have t-shirts to prove it!

We had a great family vacation to DisneyWorld.  Although most of you have probably already heard about our great time in Orlando, I decided to post my pictures as well.

Nicholas and I left Thursday evening and arrived in Orlando late that night; we rented a car and drove to the resort where everyone was waiting for us.  We got to sleep on a pull-out bed, which was far more comfortable than anyone was anticipating (either that or we were just really tired the whole time...which is also likely!)

The next morning we headed out bright and early to the park.  All 11 of us spent the day together- running from ride to ride and grabbing snacks here and there.  It was a fun day and we were all worn out by the end of the day.  We left just before the fireworks to head home.  

The next day we slept in a bit and then headed to the pool at the resort.  We swam awhile and then got cleaned up around lunchtime to head to the park again.  This time we were ready to hit our favorite rides one more time and do the few things we hadn't had time for the day before.  We sat on the curb a long time to save a great place for the electrical parade that evening and made sure we grabbed a souvinier pin before we left (Nicholas and I both collect pins).  We stayed for the fireworks show and had a great spot right at the base of the castle.  

The next morning we all packed up, ready to head home.  Isabelle, Amy, & Ben happened to be on our flight and so after eating Panera with the family we ventured to the airport.  We returned our rental car and checked in; Isabelle learned that her giant Mickey balloon would not be allowed on the plane and so, since we happened to have brought a large suitcase that was nowhere close to being full, we put her balloon in our checked bag.

The flight was fairly uneventful- I was exhausted and slept through most of the extra time at the gate fixing some part of the plane as well as our flight.  Once in Houston, we rushed Isabelle, Amy, & Ben to their next flight and then sought out to collect our bag and find the shuttle to the extended parking lot.  

It was a whole lot of fun and neither of us wanted to go to work on Monday...but we can still wear our t-shirts that Tara made us and dream about seeing Mickey someday again!

We realized at the end of day 2 that we hadn't taken a picture together...so here is one!
Being Mickey and Minnie at the gate...
Colleen & Max in Dumbo, with Amy, Belle, & Tara right behind them!

Belle tried out her driving skills...
Nicholas was exhausted...too much playing!
I insisted that Nicholas cut in front of some kids so I could take his picture trying to pull the sword out of the stone...he is a good sport. 
Of course I wouldn't pay for our picture on Splash Mountain, but I took a picture of the screen!  Chris, Max, & Colleen are in the front, Mom is behind them, and Nick and I are behind her...
Isabelle was crazy to get to be around Nick...he is such a good uncle!  Here they are on the beginning of Day 1- we had just parked...notice our rental car in the back there.