Disney World with a side of Football

We're back from Mouse Land!!!!!!

The heat was sweltering. The days were long. And it was a total blast.

Orien did pretty well throughout the trip, despite a crazy schedule and nonstop action. He snuck a nap in once a day and even slept in the stroller a few times. That's a big deal for O! I just wish he slept better in his pack n' play. Mom would've actually felt rested this trip.

We traveled with Eric's JV and Varsity team, along with coaches, other FBBA staff and lots of families of players. It was AWESOME to travel in a big group. We got to know people really well. It was great that everyone was so laid-back and relaxed during the vacation.

We had nearly every meal planned for us, which worked out perfect. First night...Japanese Hibachi restaurant!

Orien quickly won over everyone in our group.

Some fish. A pond. And a mini waterfall. That's all O needs to be entertained during dinner.

You can see the excitement in his eyes.

I think he thought he owned these fish. He had to point and show everyone who passed his new friends.

Headed to Downtown Disney afterward (just us) since Orien took a long and late nap that day. If you've been here (especially after dark) you know it's SENSORY overrrrload. O had that same expression the whole time.

Cool restaurant.

We were in Girradelli's (sp?) waiting on this massive foot-long ice cream cone (see above) and O decided to make friends. He weaved in and out of every single table in the shop saying HI and waving. Every person in that ice scream shop was smiling and laughing with O - literally. Then this one table of 4 told us they wanted a photo of him trying to eat the ice cream. So after 5 or 6 attempts, they finally got the picture they wanted. The whole place waved bye and clapped when we left. We love our little entertainer.

Caught "Illuminations" later that night at Epcot. Soooooo cooooool.

Day 2: Magic Kingdom. (O hated every single bus ride, who knows why)

Had a private brunch at Rain Forest Cafe. Yum yum.

Maqui hung with us this day...

...which was totally awesome because we had a built-in sitter (kidding!). And because we love her.

Had to make a stop at Magic Kingdom. We did the Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor and a Snow White indoor ride. A lot of the rides in Fantasyland were closed for maintenance, boo! Since it's off season, the park uses this time to do fix whatever needs fixin' I guess.

Again, Orien's face was stuck like this all day. This was on the indoor Snow White ride, which turned out to be slightly frightening for little ones. Talking trees, scary witches, dark corners and creepy music...oops.

The lines to meet characters a long and slow SO this is our version of Orien & Donald. Hey, Donald even posed!

Getting ready for the next day. Sunscreen application was a must.

Day 3...

Animal Kingdom! Can you tell it was HOT??? We all had zero energy and it was only 9am.

Not sure what Popo was trying to do here.

Poor baby looks hot. But he enjoyed the African Safari. Saw a bunch of animals chillin mostly in the shade.

Met up with my cousin Jason for lunch. He works at Epcot and I haven't seen him in over 10 years! Woah! One of the highlights of my trip.

Orien loves his kitties.

But hates being near extra-large crickets.

Another one of our slyyyy shots with O & and character.

We walked to the BACK of the park, hopped a SLOW, hot train, and walked UPhill to an outdoor petting zoo...where the animals were blocked off! Arrrg. Still worth it to see O light up at the sight of all the smelly goats, etc.

And very worth it to get this pic. Maqui was yelling "Don't touch the goats butt!!!"

This goat slipped out somehow...

Saying bye bye to Animal Kingdom.

And hello Disney Boardwalk! Orien was still kickin' and going strong. We ate at the ESPN Grill...aka loud restaurant with 200 TVs playing every different sport and lots of yelling fans with college t-shirts on. It was College Game Day! (BU won!!!!!)

That night at Epcot everyone (players and their fams) met up to ride rides and eat. It was a nice cool night at the park. Orien picked out some new toys at one of the many massive toy stores. I've seriously never seen so many really big toy stores so close together.

And now, for the side of football.

Hands down best photo of the trip. Orien was either tantrum-ing or showing off for the ladies.

At ESPN Disney to watch Eric play some football!!!!!

What's a high school football game without a little indoor private suite tailgating with really good food before??

All of these shots were on my iPhone, so please excuse the fuzziness.

If you haven't heard already, they kicked BOOTY. Final was 48-0.

O loooooves him some football.

Chel trying to act like a cool water girl and not pose for my pic.

Go #37!!!

They not only won but Eric got Defensive MVP of the game! WOOOOO!!!!!

Seriously super proud. Best moment of the trip.

Day 4.

Visiting yet another really large toy store. This one kept going and going and going...

Day 4 was short because we had head to the airport. As you can see in this photo above we all survived and managed to have a LOT of fun. I wasn't sure what to expect on this trip since I didn't plan it, didn't even know the plan until after we arrived and of course we have a busy busy boy on our hands. But we really had a great time. Brett and I even managed to hop on some big kid rides ourselves! Yes, Brett joined in. The same Brett who HATES any form of coaster. Something about the magic of Disney I guess convinced him. Fun fun trip but I don't need to see another Mickey Mouse this or that for a long time...

Patricia