Disney Birthday Getaway

This year for Aubrey's birthday we decided to spend the money on a short trip to Disney instead of having a birthday party for her. I figured this might be the last year that I can get away with not having a party and Disney was having really great deals for Florida residents, $99 for 3 days at any Disney park.

It wasn't a complete success but we did get away for a few days and Aubs had fun at Magic Kingdom. Animal Kingdom was pretty much a bust. I wouldn't recommend going there unless your kids are older, like 6 or 7. I actually wouldn't recommend going there at all if you have ever been to Busch Gardens in Tampa. Animal Kingdom just seemed like a down grade from Busch Gardens for us. It also didn't help that Aubrey had a meltdown every 20 minutes while we were there and we ended up leaving and checking into our hotel early.

Magic Kingdom was much better, although it was super busy. It was a stampede to get onto the trolley to get from the parking lot to the ticket area. Joe and I were shoved on and got separated a couple of rows apart. It wasn't a big deal but you'd think that people wouldn't be so pushy at "the happiest place on earth". We took Aubrey on Small World and she loved it. She also loved the parade where they invite you at the end to dance in the street with the characters. If you didn't know already, Aubs can be a bit of a dancing machine.

We decided to skip going to the park on the 3rd day because it was a Saturday and we figured that if it was that busy on a Friday then it was going to be twice as busy on Saturday. We can use our pass until the end of May so we are going to go back on a weekday at the end of April or beginning of May when Spring Break is over and school isn't out yet. I will probably be able to get more pictures then too because I won't be pushing a stroller through huge crowds.

Birthday Wake Up Call




I was going to do the whole fill her bedroom with balloons thing but then I decided I would just blow up a few and put them in the living room so she could find them when she came out in the morning.


Animal Kingdom





Silverback


Out before we could get to the hotel

Magic Kingdom



She climbed up there because there was music playing from a big speaker and she wanted to dance.





small world





Trying to get in on some Mickey action








Her favorite part of the trip was dancing in the street during the parade.


A rare sweet face






I wanted her to get the Minnie hat but she insisted on Mickey


Watching the show on Daddy's shoulders


Light parade

Until We Meet Again

These are long over do, I know.
With the holidays and everything I got a little bit behind on my photo editing.
I miss Vegas already and I wish it weren't so far from me so I could visit more often.
We were actually planning on going back in February but there has been a little hiccup in our plans.
So it looks like it won't happen until 2013.
At least I've got some good pictures to look back on.

Planet Hollywood








Caesar's Palace


The Venetian






Excalibur


New York New York


Cosmopolitan

Vegas: Bellagio & Paris

So, I had originally planned on only doing 2 more Vegas posts but...
I am having a hard time cutting back on photos so I am going to do as many as it takes for me to get my favorite photos posted
I will also be doing my regular posts- I will just throw in the Vegas pictures here and there for the next week

These photos are from The Bellagio and the Paris Hotel & Casino

Joe loves the Bellagio- I think it's because it was the first place he ever stayed in Vegas
We were fortunate that our hotel was right across the street and we were actually able to see & hear the fountains from our hotel room at all hours

I really loved the Paris Hotel
I was under the impression that it was old and cheesy but I was totally wrong
The inside was gorgeous!!!

The Bellagio







Paris









{Joe is such a good model after he's had a few beers}

My week in Phone Pics- Vegas Style

Being vain on arrival ~ View from our room ~ Boot debate: I went with the dark ones
Sparkles in Planet Hollywood ~ The Strip ~ Palazzo
Bar ceiling in The Venetian ~ Mountains in the distance ~ Lights in Planet Hollywood


Guess what? I'm baaaaaack!
I am still trying to get it together so forgive me for not giving you a proper post.
I promise to be back to my old tricks by Monday.
We has a blast in Vegas, although we did lose/spend a lot of money.
More on that Monday.
For now here are some pictures from my phone, there aren't a ton because I took the bulk of my pictures with my Canon.
I will be editing away all weekend long for your viewing pleasure next week.
I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and I look forward to hopping back on the blogging train next week!

Friday Flashback: Hilton Head

Every year my family usually goes to Hilton Head, South Carolina
This year we're skipping it because my parents bought a boat
I'd much rather the boat all the time than the one week trip

We were there this time last year
Aubrey was just about 7 months and couldn't even crawl yet
She was such a little chunk
I thought I'd share some of my favorites from that trip