Orlando 2010

Orlando here we come!!!

We had so many bags.

It was so hard to manage my suitcase, Jason's suitcase, Kohen's suitcase, Jason's golf clubs, the car seat, stroller, Jason's carry on suitcase, my carry on bag and my purse...oh... and my baby. The funny thing is THIS was the easy part.

I know what you're thinking.... "oh how sweet"... Nope. You're wrong. Believe me. Just ask anyone sitting in the back half of the plane.
Take off went well. Kohen sat on my lap and said "Wow" about 50 times.

I had everything covered. Books-check. Different types of cars and trucks-check. DVD player and DVD's-check. Pens (yes, he loves pens)-check. Doodlepad-check. Random toys that I bought just for this trip-check. The only problem was he lost interest in no time.

We had a layover in Maryland. Before we got off the plane the pilot let Kohen sit with him in the cockpit of the 737! It was awesome! Kohen didn't want to leave! If only they would have let him ride in the front during the trip!

Waiting to board our second plane to Orlando...

Still waiting...

Oh, I forgot to mention Kohen peed through his pants on our flight to Orlando.... awesome.



We finally made it. Kohen still had no naps all day.

Kohen had zero naps, went to bed after midnight and woke up screaming at 5am...ugh.

On Thursday we went to Disney's Magic Kingdom!

So this is about the point where I could feel myself getting emotional. Throughout my life I have made many trips to Disney World. This would be my fifth visit. But this time was very different...
It wasn't about me anymore. It wasn't about running to get "fastpasses" or trying to get the front seat on Space Mountain.
It wan't about riding the biggest and fastest rides... It wasn't about doing what I wanted to do.

This time it was different. This time is was about taking MY baby to Disney World. It was about seeing him see things for the very first time. I was glued to his face. I can't tell you what color the flowers were. I can't tell you what conversations were taking place around us or how many people were around us. I can't tell you how many people were in line or how long we waited in line.

I CAN tell you what my baby's face looked like when he rode the monorail for the first time. I CAN tell you what my baby's eyes looked like when we stepped foot on Main Street with Cinderella's Castle in the background and when we entered our first ride. I can tell you what my baby's expression was with every single firework that went off at closing time. This, by far, was my best trip to Disney World.

When I read the information about this ride in the pictures below it said:

"ASTRO ORBITER: No height restriction". They're crazy. Seriously, I do not think a 15 month old should be riding this!!! I had no idea the intensity of this ride! I held on to Kohen for dear life! LOL!

One of Kohen's favorite rides was the "Mad Tea Party Teacups". He LOVED it! He enjoyed standing in line watching them spin around as much as he did riding!

This is Jason changing Kohen's diaper in the middle of the park...No changing table required for the Smith's!

Time to ride DUMBO!!!

This was Kohen right when we got on the "Haunted Mansion" ride. He was awake, alert and excited....

This is Kohen by the end of the ride! The dark, cool mansion was the perfect place to take a nap!

This is outside the Haunted Mansion

Kohen missed the Peter Pan ride because he was still asleep.

Time for the Disney Parade!!!
Kohen said "WOW" at EVERYTHING

Here's MICKEY!

Time for the Fireworks show!

Jason informed me that we had to leave the Magic Kingdom to go pick up one of his friends at the airport. (The whole reason we went to Orlando was so Jason could attend the PGA show). I was SO mad. I thought this was our time (the rest of the trip Jason was going to be tied up with golf stuff) to be together and now some guy that I didn't even know needed a ride??? Seriously? I complained the whole way to the airport. I even called my mom to complain while Jason was inside the airport helping "his friend" get his bags. Jason came out and asked me to roll down my window...I was still on the phone with my mom... very angry...and he just stood there and stared at me. I said "WHAT?".... then I looked over and saw Sasha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I could not believe it!!!!!!!!!! Jason didn't have to pick up his friend- he flew in my BFF from Kansas City to come hang out with us in Orlando!!! I can't even tell you how shocked and excited I was! All I could say was "OH MY GOSH- I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU'RE HERE"!!!!. I said this over and over and over and over. Even when we got to the restaurant I still couldn't believe it! This was the BEST surprise ever!!!

I was SO happy to have Sasha with me in Orlando. It was perfect. She had never been to Disney World and couldn't wait to visit all the parks. She wanted to do it all, just like me. And I was so happy I didn't have to take Kohen by myself to all the parks! We seriously had the time of our lives!

Park #1: MGM (Disney's Hollywood Studios)

We were waiting in line for the next show/ride and they asked for volunteers. So like the good friend that I am, I volunteered Sasha :) This is her below in the middle...
Sasha's had to play the captain of the ship!
It was hilarious! I got the whole thing on video, so I'll post it later.

Sleepy baby.
Park #2! Epcot!

This picture of Kohen and Sasha was on a huge screen right above everyones heads when we came out of a ride.

Park #3: Magic Kingdom (Kohen and I wanted to go back so Sasha could see it too)

FYI: Going to Disney World in January is the perfect time to go. Hardly any people! We had this boat on the "It's a Small World" ride all to ourselves!!! Can you believe that?!

Later that night Sasha and I walked over to a restaurant while Jason put Kohen to bed. This is a friend we met on our way there!

This is my sweet baby eating his breakfast :)

Park #4: SEA WORLD!!!!





Sea Turtle

Oh my goodness. These are sting rays. I was determined to touch one. I did and I had no idea I would let out the sheer terror scream that I let out! TWICE!

Feeding the dolphins:

This was great. We got to feed and "pet" the dolphins. Kohen couldn't keep his eyes off of them!

This picture is out of place, but cute!
back to the dolphins...

We went to an AMAZING dolphin show. Can you see the dolphin way up in the air on this picture???

The Shamu show...

That night we went out to eat at the Polynesian restaurant that Jason and I ate at when we were on our honeymoon...

We also celebrated Sasha's half birthday, LOL. Yes, I said HALF BIRTHDAY. She has celebrated her half birthday since she was 5. Because her birthday is in the summer, she never got to celebrate her birthday durning the school year... this is the reason for the half birthday celebration :) This is one reason why she's my best friend :)

Continuing the birthday celebration, Sasha and I went to this awesome place!
It's an Icebar!!! Everything except the floor and ceiling were made of ice, even the glasses were made of ice! I love it! Sasha was FREEZING and had to get an extra coat! I was right at home! I could have gone in without a coat and would have been just fine!

I feel the need to add a little something about golf since that's the reason for the trip in the first place! Jason usually attends the PGA shows by himself but I couldn't pass up the chance to take my baby to Disney World and Sea World! Here's a few of Jason's favorite things :)

Jason and his friend Jeff from CA

Our last day in Orlando we only had time for lunch then we had to go to the airport. We decided to eat at T-Rex.

This was our dessert!

WE DON'T WANT TO LEAVE!!!! And how are we going to fit all of our luggage plus Sasha's in a tiny SUV???

We had such a great time in Orlando! THANK YOU SASHA for surprising me!!!! LOVE YOU!!!