One Time Around: A Magical Vacation

The week before Thanksgiving, we took an amazing family vacation to Disney World. We had been planning this for almost a year (although if you ask Daddy, he would say he's been planning it since our last trip in 2008 before I was even pregnant with Liam) and were so happy that Grandma was able to come with us. We had so much to celebrate on this trip: Liam and Joergen's first Disney experience, our 10th Anniversary, and Grandma's retirement. And celebrate we did!

In all honesty, I have no idea how to blog about this experience. Our week-long vacation and 5 days in the parks were so full of both big adventures and little moments, all of which are precious to me as I look back on our time together.

We took hundreds of photos (which, if you really want to, you can check out here and here), and I could easily do a post for every day we were there.

Instead, and in no particular order, I will share my top 10 favorite memories from the trip.

#1: The Characters
We met so many of our favorite characters that week!

Liam and Joergen's very first encounter was with Pluto at Hollywood Studios. We spotted him walking with his handlers from out of nowhere and followed him to his meet-and-greet spot where we were first in line. The boys looked at him with such awe!

You know, kind of like this:

Joergen spotting Mickey

And this.

Liam asking Pluto for his autograph

And then there was this.

Hugs and kisses for their pal Pluto

I loved watching them both interact with characters for very different reasons. For Liam, it was his thousand-watt smile and the way he would always find something to say to make the character swoon.

With Joergen, it was the way he approached each character with wonder and curiosity, carefully touching their whiskers, paws, eyes, and gently stroking their fur.

Those interactions alone made the trip worth it a hundred times over.

#2: Going Around the World at Epcot

The park we were most concerned about visiting with the boys actually turned out to be everyone's favorite! We were worried that they might be bored with the World Showcase, but that couldn't have been further from the truth. We had a blast. Even when it comes to theme parks, simpler really is better.

My favorite moment within the moment would have to be trying the sake in the Japan showcase...

Not even the pouring rain could put a damper on our fun that day!

#3: Finding Fun in Unexpected Places
For example, what Liam and I did while waiting for the gates to open at Hollywood Studios:

And this of the boys one morning, goofing around in the bedding at the hotel:

Which is closely related to...

#4: Finding Magic in Unexpected Places
Like this trashcan!

It moved and talked. What the...?!

Moving trashcans are hilarious!

#5: Late-Night at Hollywood Studios
One night after dinner, we took Liam back to the parks for some "bigger-kid" adventures: watching Fantasmic!, riding Tower of Terror (which I still can't believe he did!), and visiting the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights. I loved watching him chase snowflakes and wonder at the amazing, well, spectacle of those millions of lights. This picture with Liam that night just might be my most favorite ever taken.

#6: Our 10th Anniversary Dinner

To celebrate our special milestone, Anthony somehow scored us reservations at the Chef's Table at Victoria and Albert's in Disney's Grand Floridian Resort.

It was life-changing.

Want proof? On the menu was lamb. Anthony hates lamb. But perhaps not anymore?

Hands down...

Best

Meal

Ever.

#7: Downtime at Our Hotel

We spent the week off-property at the Wyndham Bonnet Creek, where we snagged a 2-bedroom timeshare condo with a full kitchen so we could make our own meals and have some room to relax (without paying Disney property prices). And with their lazy rivers, water slides, pool-side bars, and beautiful lagoon, it was a destination in itself.

Liam and I floating down the lazy river

Joergen enjoying the pool

The view from our floor (that's Epcot in the distance)

Liam learned to swim on this trip- we were so proud of him!

Our cabana rental on our "day off" from the parks.

Homemade grilled pizzas by the lagoon

Dad having fun on the water slide

A sweet moment with Joergen and Dad

#8: Spending Time with Grandma

We were so grateful to have Grandma with us on this trip! For Dad especially, walking through the gates of Magic Kingdom and heading down Main Street USA with her and their many shared memories from the past was beyond words.