Monday, December 27, 2010

our Disney Christmas ...

Like I mentioned before my little hiatus, J and I surprised our girls with a trip to Disney for Christmas. When we loaded up the car early on the morning of the 15th, they didn't really know what to expect and we didn't really know how they'd react, so we videotaped it. Personally, I think the reaction we got was pretty funny. Dizzle freaked. Doodle cried (not because she was so happy, but because Dizzle figured it out first). And Dilly barely even noticed. Typical.

So, do you want to see it? Thought so. (Note: When Dizzle's guesses that we were going to see Katye, she meant Katye from Long Legs on the Loose. And watch the video of the end. The last thing Dizzle says makes me laugh every time.)



Good stuff, right?

Once we arrived in Orlando (we were also joined by my mom and sister, Angie Pants), our "relaxing" vacation became anything but. We spent almost every waking minute at the parks getting our fill of rides, shows, attractions and unhealthy foods. It was magical.

Over the course of our nine day trip we ...

swam.

ate things like this (I did manage to run 37 miles to counteract these indulgences).

went on safari.

traveled by boat.

waited.

posed.

kept our kids up WAY past their bedtimes.

reconnected.

goofed around.

played.

played.

and played some more.

took the best family portrait ever.

Every second of our trip was amazing. Well, mostly. Those two days when Dizzle had a stomach bug and was puking here and there, kind of sucked (and yes, I am a horrible mother and filled her up on Pepto and Motrin and made her suck it up. And be honest. You'd probably would have done the same.)

Anyway, this trip reaffirmed a few things for us.
1. There is no question that Dizzle and Doodle are adrenaline junkies. They LOVED Tower of Terror, Big Thunder Mountain, The Haunted Mansion and Expedition Everest.
2. Dilly proved that she is an endurance athlete in the making. Her 23 month old legs WALKED the vast majority of the time.
3. J and I are big kids. We had as much, if not more fun than the girls.
4. I am done with giving the girls "things." I would MUCH rather give them these experiences. To show them the world and create memories that they will cherish for so much longer than some gift they unwrap on Christmas morning. And I know that if they really thought about it, they'd feel the same. Trust me. I saw their faces when they saw Cinderella's castle light up ...

44 comments:

Running Ricig said...

looks like so much fun! great pictures!!

Anabela (Bela) Neves said...

OMG looks like you all had a blast! I totally agree with #4...we did a cruise last xmas where DD swam with stingrays and held baby turtles and baby alligator and to this day she still talks about it. This year was not the same.....staying home and unwrapping a pile of gifts is not giving he any life experiences in my mind, next year we will definately travel again at xmas!

Jen Feeny said...

What an awesome trip!!! I agree, giving the kids amazing experiences over toys and other things that will soon go forgotten is so much better!!!

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

Great video!

I agree with giving them experinces. My younger sister is so great at doing that with her ONE child. I say one because it was easy when I only had ONE, I applaud you for doing it with THREE little ones. Your kids will always remember THIS Christmas. What a great example you and J are in what to give your kids.

Anonymous said...

Amazing! What a blessed Christmas!! That gift they will always remember!

Jodi H said...

I love how J turned it around when there were tears in the car. What a great dad! And holy guacomole...what a great time it looks like you had! LOL. And if we are being honest, yes I would have given my kids meds too and told them to suck it up....it's Disney for goodness sakes!!

RunKathyRun said...

What an amazing trip and memories that will last a lifetime!

giraffy said...

"I want to eat myself". lmao!!

I made my kids go to a character breakfast at 1900 Park Faire, while #2 was sick, and she literally laid on the ground behind me and went to sleep. We have a series of pictures of sleeping #2's back, with character's making a sad face next to her. I know EXACTLY what you mean.

Amanda@runninghood said...

LOVE LOVe LOVe this! Holy Guacamole!! :) Love that. When my 3 year old gets really excited about something, she says "this is off the hook!" I totally agree with you about giving your kids experiences more than "things" . We just went to Disneyland in September...sooo special and magical. I think I had more fun than them. Thank you for sharing. Love your pictures too!

Unknown said...

OMG. They're so FREAKIN' CUTE. Of course she made that up! Tee hee hee.

So glad you all had a great time. I think the experiences beat the presents every time.

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

Carly said...

Welcome back! Glad to hear you had so much fun. I think giving experiences is always better than giving things. Those memories will last a lifetime!

Terri said...

Yes, these adventures are the best! We took the boys on a ski trip one Christmas and it was wonderful - definitely considering that one again next year!

Katye said...

ok i haven't even looked at the rest of it but that video is the perfect display of your kids! omgsh loved it! although a trip to my house would probably be as fun as disney.... oh and i love how Doodle gets mad and says "Ariel won't even be there!". omgsh i love your girls.

LookingUpAgain said...

What a great Christmas gift to your girls! Totally jealous! If all goes as planned, Husband and I will be making a trip this summer. Can't wait until I have kids to surprise with a Disney trip like that one!

Unknown said...

You guys had such a great trip. The pics are fantastic and it will be hard to decide which one to frame.

I keep telling myself that I want to take my boys to Disney. Trips like yours just convince me that much more.

Pam @ herbieontherun.com said...

Dizzle was crackin' me up! Does she always talk that much??? lol And is Dilly always that quiet? That's my kind of kid! hahahaa

Anonymous said...

loved the video. Hilarious! So glad yall had a great time. I cant wait to be there in less than two weeks for the marathon!
I am so with you on the experiences thing. i would much rather go to disney than get some junk!

Fruit Fly said...

Oh how much did I love it when she said "Holy guacamole!"!?!? I always say that - and that was right after I told my mom how much I like her because she wanted her own popcorn!

Too cute!! Glad you all had a fantastic trip!

a runners' life said...

what a fantastic way to spend Christmas with the family. Experiences are definitely better than material gifts. :)

Molly said...

looks perfect!

Karen Seal said...

How NEAT! Disney World is incredibly magical!! :0) Looks like y'all had an awesome trip!

Twila said...

I am SO jealous! This trips looks amazing and I agree with giving memories and not "things". We go on a little trip around the holidays and buy small gifts. Glad you had a blast.

*I would have made my kid "suck it up" too

Pretend this is real said...

Fantastic pictures!

Aimee said...

That is so awesome! I'm glad you all had a great time!!
I love the picture of your two girls in the water...awesome!

Anonymous said...

I agree with giving experiences over things. Looks like a fun trip!

Lisa said...

Looks like a priceless Christmas present to me!!!

Char said...

That was the BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT EVER!

RunningFromCancer said...

Things are easily forgotten - but trips are made up of memories and they last forever!

We took our boys to Disney twice and they loved it . . . well actually my youngest went the first time when he was only 2+ months old - so obviously he doesn't remember his first trip. ;-)

Detroit Runner(Jeff) said...

Looks like you had a great trip! That food(junk) looked yummy.

Allie @ The Constant Pursuit said...

I am in LOVE with these pictures! So precious.

MCM Mama said...

What an awesome trip!

Welcome back to reality. ;o)

AM! said...

Kudos to you/DH for doing this trip for your kids. They look like they're having a blast;-)

Happy New Year!

H Love said...

very cool! looks like you had a wonderful time!! My mother in law is taking our fam to Disney in Feb. I have to get some of those DISNEY head bands for my girls!!!

amy said...

That video is one of the best things I've ever seen. The kids reactions are perfect!

Jen said...

AMAZING... I love the video and we too started making memories for their birthdays instead of presents... I like the idea of doing that for Christmas too...

Anonymous said...

Love this, absolutely priceless!!!

I gave my kids Disney for Christmas... but we're not going until February... I didn't get hardly any reaction at all... I guess it works much better if you just GO the day you tell them. ;-)

Catey said...

How fun!
I LOVED the reaction-especially the crying because "I wanted to guess!" too funny! What an awesome Christmas!

Courtney @ I CAN DO THIS said...

Wow, that's awesome. Never having been to Disney, I just don't get what's so magical about it...but watching that video and seeing their excitement made me understand! What a great trip you had!

Mel -Tall Mom on the Run said...

Such a GREAT idea to give experiences.. Maybe if I had done that my house would be clean.. UGH!!

Jeri said...

I can't believe your kid stole my catch phrase.... holy guacamole is totally my thing. ;) What an awesome gift!!! :)

Non Sequitur Chica said...

Looks like you guys had a fantastic time!!

Good for you for fitting 37 miles in while on vacation- that must have been difficult with all of the activity!

Bethany + Ryan said...

LOVE the video!! priceless!!

Marlene said...

I can't believe your little girls went on those rides!!! Good for them! Looks like the trip of a lifetime.

Julie D. said...

That video is fantastic!! My middle child would have cried for the same reason as Doodle! what a great time. We had the same awesome time at Disneyland in October! Magical even in the 110 plus degree heat. :)