Adventure In The Great Wide Somewhere

So after popping last minute odds and ends into our luggage and checking my list a time or two, I tried to go to sleep early. A 7:20 am flight (meaning the possibility of arriving at our Walt Disney World Resort before lunch) seemed like a great idea! Until about four the afternoon before when I realized that we would want to be leaving our house shortly before five am. Thankfully, pre-trip pixie dust levels in myself and the children meant we were awake, enthusiastic and dressed in advance of when we needed to be. When Chris is tired he gets quiet, but Kylee talks a blue streak. While Kylee told the United agents about every detail of our upcoming vacation, I printed off our boarding passes and checked our bags. We practically flew through security, with a minor hang up when Chris didn't want to talk to the security guard or respond to his name. (Frankly we all needed our coffee.) The security guard thought it was funny once Chris woke up enough to respond to his name a...

Kylee and I parted ways with Ben and Chris in front of Mount Rustmore.  As the sun began to lower behind our friends. Kylee cried for a minute or two when she realized Ben and Chris wouldn't be at the cabana the remainder of the afternoon. Then she realized that meant she got a whole cabana almost entirely to herself. Yes, Chris went back to the ship without his sneakers. Boys. I told her she could play in the sand for a bit while I gathered up the remainder of our sandals and scooped them into our beach bag. Everything ready for our last minute departure of the cabana, with the exception of our IDs in the room safe. I laid out our dry clothes and towels so that once we were good and dry we could take the time to get redressed to go back to the ship. I decided to pop out on the porch, let Kylee swim and I could snap some pictures.  So peaceful. See how they are drilling with the lifeboat at midship? Unfortunately this is when everything fell apart. Almos...

After enjoying several cruises on the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder departing from Galveston (which is just down the road a spell), this cruise involved a bit more planning and vacation time as we needed to make our way from Texas all the way over to Florida. So we loaded up the car and hit the road! Please forgive the goofy expressions and sunlight washout, we were more excited than the kiddos to be hitting the road! Getting everyone packed into the car and hitting the road always inspires that "what did I forget" nagging feeling, but with visions of pixie dust dancing in our heads we pressed onwards. Besides, I double checked paperwork and medications, so whatever I forgot would be decidedly non-essential. The drive to Port Canaveral is a little over fifteen and a half hours from our home. Without potty breaks or meals. Yay!!! We're going to be in the car for two days!!! (Said no five year old. Ever.) Thankfully, less than an hour after leaving ou...