Trip to the Happiest Place on Earth

Photographic evidence that I actually went on the trip (stole that one from Betsy)

Emma at the Orange Orchard.  When asked at the end of the trip this was her FAVORITE part.  Still wondering why we paid for all of the "amusement" on the rest of the trip, I guess.

Warning:  There are at least 3 rides at Islands of Adventure that are designed to get you SOAKED.  I'm sure on an August afternoon it's absolutely welcome (it wasn't even too bad in 80 degree weather)

At this point in the day Kaisa was asking to go home and go to bed.  Luckily she could snuggle up with "Blankey Pink" the whole day.

Emma was an amazing rock climber (barefoot, even)

This is Kaisa ON THE WAY to the amusement park.  No wonder she was so tired!

Kaisa sat with us during our skydiving orientation class and then went absolutely crazy when she realized nobody was giving HER cool clothes and goggles to wear.  Luckily, the nice instructor got her all outfitted too.  She loved it!  She didn't even mind that she didn't actually get to fly.  

Unfortunately, Kaisa is still too short for most of the cool rides and has to find other ways to entertain herself.

Ah, shorts and t-shirts in December . . . nice.

No, not Disneyland or even DisneyWorld (though we were in Orlando) the happiest place on earth is the Orlando Watersports Complex--for Roland anyway. And the draw of that magical place (and the fact that Grandma & Grandpa Pat invited us to join them on their vacation there) was enough to get us packed in the suburban for the long drive and 4 days and 4 nights in the Orlando sun. Sitting at my desk now and watching the trees swaying in the stiff breeze and knowing it feels like 20 degrees outside here today, is making me miss last week's perfect 80 degree weather. We did lots of fun non-Disney stuff: Sea World, Universal's Islands of Adventure Park, Indoor skydiving, the Kennedy Space Center, relaxing in the pool, 30 mile bike ride, a visit to an orange orchard, and, of course, the OWC. It was a fun trip! By the way, the week BEFORE the kids get out of school for Christmas break is a GREAT time to go to Orlando--minimal crowds and great weather!