So. . . Vaughn turned 4 this past March, and we wanted to celebrate in style, as well as take a family vacation, so the obvious choice was. . . Disney World! It was truly a magical vacation, and Vaughn was THE PERFECT age for his first trip like this!
I will apologize now - this post is EXTREMELY picture heavy but there are SO MANY memories we don't want to forget! I'll do my best to give a bit of info and move on!
Loaded in the car, ready to head to the airport!
On the plane. . .Vaughn's FIRST plane ride!
After a flight delay in San Antonio - for about 2 hours, a 4 hour plane ride, a 30 minute bus ride, WE MADE IT! Vaughn is watching vintage Mickey Mouse cartoons while Dad checks us in to Port Orleans Riverside.
The first night we watched the light parade on Main Street, ate hot dogs at Casey's and waited for our luggage to make it to our room - but I don't have any pics of this :-)
But the next day, we started bright and early! V is waiting on the bus to take him to Hollywood Studios!
Just as you walk in, there is an old fashioned gas station replica - complete with one of Vaughn's favorite things - "The Old Grandpa Truck". Not sure why he called it this, but we made MULTIPLE visits to see him!
After some exploring, it was time for lunch - at PIZZA PLANET! We ate here twice during our trip!
On to a favorite ride - Toy Story Mania
A real life celebrity - Handy Manny!
Back to say goodbye to the Ol' Grandpa Truck on our way out!
On to Epcot -where the flowers are amazing, the food is incredible, the science and technology is fascinating. . . Jason and I want to come back someday and spend our entire vacation here!
Chip and Dale - do you know which is which? We do!
Chip has the chocolate chip nose. . . Dale has the red nose!
This picture is out of order - but the camera people took it - so it was numbered funny. . . oops! We were at Hollywood studios on the first day. . .
Back at Epcot we had the opportunity to meet and greet with a lot of the characters all in one place. Below are a few of our favorite pictures from that event.
MICKEY!
PLUTO!
GOOFY!
Again - out of order, these guys were at Hollywood studios, on a totally different day, but they were characters, and two of Vaughn's FAVORITES, so we included them here!
LIGHTY (Lightning) MCQUEEN and MATER!
(Back at Epcot. . . ) MNNIE!
DONALD!
Not sure what the boys are looking at, but I love how their facial expressions are EXACTLY the same!
After a fun filled day at Epcot, it was time for dinner at Coral Reef!
While waiting for our table, the birthday boy got a very special phone call - from none other than GOOFY - wishing him a very happy birthday!
Chattin' it up with Goofy!
The biggest sea turtle ever. . . in an aquarium we could see from our table. . . that took up an ENTIRE wall of the restaurant!
The next day was spent at Animal Kingdom where went on Safari, rode down the rivers of the world, etc. etc. etc . :-)
Here Vaughn is getting some rest while waiting on mom to ride Everest and come face to face with the YETI!
Crashed - after the day at Animal Kingdom, but before dinner! Guess the little guy needed some rest! Looks like the big guy is catching some zzzzzz too!
Bicycle Surry at Port Orleans - a FUN way to explore the resort - before we head to Magic Kingdom for the day!
Discussing the pros and cons of riding Big Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain. . .
In case you didn't know this already - Jason is one of Vaughn's BIGGEST fans - it's written all over his face!
Truth be told - it's kind of a mutual admiration society those two have going on. . .
After much discussion - Splash mountain won out!
Waiting to board a pirate ship -at Pirates of the Caribbean - AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH Matey!
Parade time on Main Street U.S.A.
Much anticipated and fought for dinner reservation at Via Napoli - back at Epcot.
Little did we know what awaited us there. . . .her name was Deborah. . . she was from Italy. . . she was our waitress. . . and she officially holds the title of Vaughn's FIRST CRUSH!
Taking it all in by Cinderella's Castle - daddy is strikig the GQ daddy pose. . .complete with cross body bag and all terrain jogging stroller!
V blowing off a little steam. . .
Another big hit with the boys - the Fast Track test track where Vaughn was behind the wheel!
Memories from MY favorite dinner of the trip - at Garden Grill - again at Epcot. The food was fantastic, the rotating restaurant with landscapes and dioramas below was so cool, and the caracters - Mickey, Goofy, Pluto, Chip and Dale - were a real treat for V!
Ready for a ride 0n "It's A Small World" - back at Magic Kingdom!
A sweet treat in Frontier Land
Fantastic towel art awaited us each evening when we returned to our room, but this was our favorite creation of the trip - it incorporated my glasses, as well as both of Vaughn's Yellow Puppies.
Ready for another day - headed for the shuttle. . .
More cool, old cars at Hollywood Studios
Another Lighty Queen and Mater sighting. . .
Playing at the "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" playground -coolest playground EVER~!
All in all - this picture sums it up - this is, to date one of the most memorable things we have ever done as a family. Not a week goes by that we don't make mention of our trip or some memory we made there. Definitely a THUMBS UP vacation!
