We all woke up Saturday morning refreshed from a good night’s sleep – except opposite. Samantha decided to scream for a good 2 hours of the night. I guess she didn’t like being by herself in a crib in the same room as me, Robert, Maxwell and Spencer so she did whatever she could to get us to pick her up! Oh well, we survived and were ready for a fun day at Animal Kingdom….without her! GJ and Daddo nicely agreed to stick around the hotel with the baby so she could get some good naps in. They’re the best!

We took the bus over to Animal Kingdom and the boys were really excited to see some lions and tigers!

Robert and I have laughed at that picture because we both look like such dorks – but we were proud to be there! ha!

Our first stop was the safari and we got to see tons of neat animals. It was a nice, cool morning and all the animals were out and roaming! Unfortunately, there are no tigers in the safari (or really anywhere in Animal Kingdom) which greatly disappointed Maxwell! But, it didn’t totally ruin his day – there was plenty of other fun to be had!

We made our way over to Dino-Land where I had fast passed the Dinosaur ride for Robert and Maxwell to do. Maxwell had been talking about this ride non-stop – ever since we went last time and he wasn’t tall enough to ride it! Well, Robert took him and I think it was a little scarier than any of us remembered! Maxwell made it through but has no desire to do it again!

Love that picture with his eyes shut tight!!

We then explored the carnival area of Dino-Land and the boys played all the fun games. It was pretty funny to watch – and because we were basically the only ones there, they won every game and we came home with about 8 stuffed animals!

The boys also managed to walk out of Animal Kingdom with some purchased toys too – a stuffed lion and leopard and this cool cobra and green dinosaur!

We then went over to Tusker House for brunch with some of our favorite characters! Spencer wasn’t so sure about them all but Maxwell could not have been more excited!

No love for Daisy…

even when she tried to give him a smooch!

Donald at least got a smile…

but Spencer wouldn’t get near him.

Maxwell was happy as could be though!

Spencer was a little interested in Goofy…

but still couldn’t be convinced to go stand next to him!

Maxwell and The Goof were fast friends…

and Maxwell loved showing him his new cobra!

Spence then had a slight change of heart and did give Goofy a high five!

We then met the main mouse himself and Spencer decided Mickey was A-OK and hopped right up for a picture!

After lunch, we had fast passed the Lion King show. It was fantastic and really worth seeing! We called it quits after that and headed back to the hotel to rest up before dinner. Except, when we got back, no one was interested in resting and so Robert and I took the boys to the pool. They started in the kid area where the Mad Hatter’s hat dumps water on you every few minutes. Spencer wasn’t quite so sure at first but then Maxwell convinced him to get in there and get soaked!

We then headed over to the big pool where I took one for the team and got into the pool. The water was warm but the air outside wasn’t and I was freezing! It didn’t seem to faze the boys though. They were loving it and kept getting out to go get back in line for the giant slide. Maxwell was an expert coming down the slide…

and then Spencey came down like this!

hahaha!! That picture makes me laugh so hard. On his back – head first – here comes Spence!!

After we dried off and warmed up, we went over to the Wilderness Lodge for dinner. It was fun to see another hotel. I can’t say I’ll go back but it was a good evening outing.

We were all worn out from our day of animal and pool fun and were hoping for a good night’s sleep. Yet, again, baby had different ideas! No rest for the weary I guess! See you tomorrow!

We went to Disney last week and it was GREAT. The weather was perfect, the crowds were manageable, and the kids were excited! We really couldn’t have asked for better Disney conditions! We got up dark and early on Friday to catch a 6:30am flight to Orlando…

GJ met us at the Orlando airport and were at the Grand Floridian by 10am! woohoo!

We headed over to the Magic Kingdom and had a super fun day.

Maxwell’s 2 things he really wanted to do in Disney were 1. ride the Dinosaur ride in Animal Kingdom and 2. get his face painted! So, our first stop was the face painting area next to Space Mountain. They didn’t have the exact tiger and lions on the menu that my boys wanted but, as always, Disney accomodated!

We had fast passed some of our favorite rides but were able to get in several others too because the lines weren’t bad at all. Our first stop was Dumbo!

We then used fast passes for Barnstormer. It was Spencey’s first time on it and he loved it! Listening to him belly laugh through the whole thing was worth the trip!

We then took a train ride around the park…

Hit up the Astro Orbiter…

and used our Fast Passes to drive on The Tomorrowland Speedway!

Robert and I then tried to use our Fast Passes to ride Space Mountain but we got to the front and they had to shut the ride down for technical difficulties. That was ok though because we got two free Fast Passes that Robert used to take Maxwell on Big Thunder! He thought it was AWESOME! We also went on the Haunted Mansion and a few other rides but, we also found plenty of time to just play…

and eat treats!

By about 5pm, my tiger and lion were worn out so we headed back to the hotel.

They were excited to find some new Lion Guard pjs waiting for them (Samantha got new Minnie pjs!) and then enjoyed room service! Fun!

We all got tucked in for a restful night’s sleep – or at least that’s what we were hoping for! Samantha had other ideas!! See you tomorrow!

Around here the last week…

I had to go down to Naples unexpectedly last Friday. GJ had a little procedure but happy to report she is now heart healthy! There were no worries back in Birmingham because Robert held down the fort tremendously!

I got back into town in time to watch the big Championship football game on Monday night! We were dressed in our colors…

and ready to cheer Roll Tide! It was definitely a good game and we were all very pleased with the outcome! Maxwell has especially gotten into watching football with Dad! He asks a LOT of questions…not sure how much Dad was enjoying all those questions during the first half of the game Monday! ha!

Also this week, Maxwell built the Lego Police Station he got for Christmas…

and has been very proud getting all of his Legos displayed in his room!

Spencer has had a little cold (KLEENEX!!) and stayed home from school Tuesday. But, he was feeling better by Thursday so got to go play with Jairus and Sebastian at school.

Samantha has been all over the downstairs in the walker we brought inside. Video here. She’s loved it!

That’s a wrap on a great week! Here’s to a long weekend ahead!!

Happy Friday!