A Most Magical Time!

Hello, my friends! We are home, unpacked, and filled to the brim with the magical memories of our family trip to Disney! We had the most wonderful time together, and enjoyed all the magic that is Disney so very much. There is something special about being in Disney World. When you are there, it is as if the world outside doesn't exist. And for a bit, we can simply spend time together, experiencing the magic that makes us all young again. This is a long one, so pour a cup, have a seat, and settle in for some Disney magic!

Although I will not be able to adequately summarize our trip properly here on this page, I will document some of the many moments we captured so that one day we can look back and remember the time we all went to Disney World together. It was magical, so very fun, hot, relaxing, exciting, and comforting. I remember when we went to Disney with little ones, clutching autograph books, anxiously waiting for Cinderella, Mickey, Donald, or Belle. I remember pushing a stroller with Flynn and us eating cookies while everyone else rode the "Big Kids" rides. I remember afternoon naps in comfy hotel beds, watching Mickey cartoons. And I couldn't imagine a time when we would come to Disney without little ones, who seem to make the magic come true. I realize now, however, that older children are a whole new kind of magic, and spending time with them in Disney World is just as much fun, if not more! Watching my children share their love of Disney with the people they love is amazing. And watching these incredible adults experiencing all the fun together is a dream come true. And a dream is a wish your heart makes, right?

All set to go to Magic Kingdom! We are missing Nicolas in this one, as he came a couple of days later.

Most every morning, I took the short walk to the pool and enjoyed my coffee, my book, and the quiet. Sometimes, Madison and Nicolas joined me.

Did I mention the iced coffee???

Each day was filled with fun parks, afternoon naps, shows, fireworks, parades, amazing food, and evening swims. Steve and I stayed back a couple of times to rest and recover! 

This was the new Epic Universe at Universal. The Dark Universe was my favorite. It is filled with rides, shops, and food that celebrate the original classic Universal monsters like Frankenstein, Dracula, and the Wolf Man.

My children. Or as they refer to themselves, The Core Four!

Shout-out to these two, who meticulously planned and booked all the Lightning Lane passes for the popular rides and organized each day so we could make the most of all the fun!

Sometimes we got cleaned up for a night out. This night we went to a favorite dinner show, The Hoop De Do Revue.

Steve and I even danced to celebrate our 35th Anniversary coming up next month. You know how much I love being the center of attention, right?!?!

We attended a beautiful Mass at Mary, Queen of the Universe, where you could purchase a rose in memory of your mother and place it on the altar. Steve and I chose white for our mothers. 

We always watch the fireworks on our very last night. Magic Kingdom is where we start each vacation, and where we end as well. It is always a little sad saying goodbye, but as I used to tell my children when they were little, it is time for another family to have a turn. And we will be back, someday.

Oh! Rhett caught up with his favorite right before we left the resort! 

And that is a wrap on Disney, my friends. Thank you for hanging around this long. I am anxious to settle in for some good old normal life now, here in Maryland. I plan on catching up with you this weekend, too. I hope all is well, and have a magical weekend!

Billie Jo