Split Travel Home

An extra ordinary travel deal came up during the week so Megan and these two girls took the quick route home. Emily Grace could not remember flying and Addison loves to fly so off they went into the wild blue yonder.

I was tasked with getting our vehicle and all of out stuff home. So, after dropping the girls at the Orlando airport. Olivia, whose job it was to keep me company, and I hit the road for home. Olivia was a great traveling companion and since I was in charge of where we stopped it could be assured that we would investigate at least one roadside tourist attraction because I like them.

Yumpin' Yimmi' The South of the Border Reptile Lagoon!

Then back into the car for last leg home. Good to get home and rest until our next adventure!

A Kingdom ... A Magic Kingdom

So our last day arrived before we knew what hit us. This trip that almost wasn't came at us so fast once we knew it was. We had a blast as always and as is our tradition we wound up at Magic Kingdom. Still having problems with pictures taken with my new phone, there are not a lot of pictures but rest assured there was not one moment wasted and we sucked the marrow out of every single morsel of Disney World.

Its only fitting that we ran into these fellows again and we listened and danced with them. We walked in high cotton spending some of our parting moments with some of our favorite guys.

We went around to various places and picked up our one things and then ... far to soon it was time to leave this magical place. We didn't leave empty handed, we left with a head full of memories and hearts full of love and a deeper understanding and appreciation for one another and the gift that is our family. We are sad to leave this happy place but we all leave with a deep seated satisfaction that we found what we came to find. With so much in our hearts we could hardly carry it, we made our way to the exit for the last time this visit. We have high hopes that we will return again soon but for now - we dream.

Moments

Today was our last chance to enjoy Animal Kingdom. We began the day with The Finding Nemo Musical. 

So much happens in the course of vacation days that you wish had been caught in a picture but most of the time it is not. Even more intangible are the moments that just happen because you are together. They are unplanned and unexpected and they, more than any other thing, make vacation and all of our days spectacular. This has been a great vacation in many ways and there will be many things that have drawn our family together. However' for as long as I live I will never forget a moment singing Its A Big Blue World with Nemo and contemplating my own future and future of our family and Looking up into the lights at an onslaught of bubbles and having girls around me trying to catch and pop the bubbles - as if to remind me that this family would traverse this Big Blue World together. 

I shared the moment with Megan and I shared the moment. It was a stab of joy that blessed our day.

Then it was over to one of Megan's favorite rides - Dinosaur.

Lunch at the largest Rain Forest Cafe in the world

Back into the park 

I love my wife!

To the UP Bird Show

Kilimanjaro Safari one last time

Emily had a good hair day

What more can you ask of a family day on vacation?

Strawberry Shake

The day began with a long wait for the Rocking Roller Coaster for Addison, Emily Grace and Joe. It was an anticipated wait of 50 minutes that turned into 2 hours and 5 minutes. Anyway it was fun and it was a great ride, especially for Emily Grace who celebrated being tall enough to ride for the first time. Olivia and Megan spent their time riding Toy Story Mania and spending time together.

Next everyone went to the Indiana Jones Stunt Show.

After the break it was back to Toy Story Land to ride Toy Story Mania and Alien Saucers

Then it was over to Star Tours for Olivia, Addison, and Joe while Emily Grace and Megan hung out and got refreshment (Strawberry Shake)

Addison joined Emily Grace for a calmer rest of the evening

Meanwhile Joe and Olivia got in one more ride on the Slinky Dog and then a dash to the Star Wars Nighttime Spectacular.