Family Fun

Hanging out or eating out, we had fun on our trip:

Eric and Ellis playing around with Cousin Shae (my 1st cousin)

Oliver's first spaghetti

My brother, Logan, with Ellis and Yia Yia (my mom)

Oliver and Mama at a Japanese Steakhouse

Yia Yia and Papou

My aunt, Sheila, and Shae

Hanging out in his underwear, singing about broccoli

Eating out for Father's Day

Silly Daddy!

Where's Oliver?

Oliver spent a good deal of our condo time playing with the cords from this cabinet.  Cheap entertainment.

Universal Studios - Day 2

We're back for more!

We stood in line to meet the Lorax, one of Ellis' favorite characters, but he got a little freaked out at the last minute, so Oliver and I got our picture taken with him instead.

The Curious George spray area was a godsend.  

We tried to stay dry and just put Oliver's hand in...

...but then we just went for it!

 

Ellis' first roller coaster.  Can you spot him?

Eric and Ellis are in the second car back in this one (their second go-round).

Crackin' the Code

Move over, Ocean's Eleven!  Ellis and Oliver are in the safe cracking business these days!

There was a safe in the closet of our hotel room, and as you can see, it was a big hit with the boys.

Magic Kingdom

On the evening of our first day in Orlando, we went to Disney World's Magic Kingdom.  We had been advised to go in the evening, as there would be fewer people and the temperature would be cooler.  It worked out well for us, as we were squeezing in as much tourism as humanly possible into two days.  We were glad we went in the evening; it was cooler, the fireworks were awesome, and we saw the evening parade.  Having never been there in the daytime, I can't speak to the crowd level, except to say that there were plenty of people there for my comfort. The only regret is that we got there after Buzz Lightyear had already gone home to his wife and kids (5:30, in case you're wondering what kind of hours Buzz keeps).  

Take us to Disney World, Daddy!

Waiting for the ferry over to Magic Kingdom

Daddy and Ellis, looking at a brochure on the ferry.  

Yes, that's a harness.  Judge if you will.  I am not losing my child at Disney World.

Playing hopscotch while waiting for the parade

Oliver and me at the parade

We were packed in like sardines, hence the up-the-nose shot.  

Dallas - Part III

The biggest hiccup in our trip was that little Oliver got sick while we were in Texas. He started running a fever the first day, then we took him to a doctor the next day and he was diagnosed with a virus that causes a sore throat and high fever for 7-10 days.

Consequently, our vacation agenda got seriously cut, including a side-trip down to Houston to see my BFF. Overall, it was still a fun trip. We got to visit with family friends in Dallas, see a glimpse of the aquarium, visit the zoo, and Eric got to do some flying.

Here are the last of the vacation photos. We're home and almost back to normal; Oliver is feeling much better.

Dallas - Part II

Our Texan hosts were kind enough to treat us to one of Dallas' finest restaurants... finest theme restaurant where storybook and movie characters wait on you, that is.  We spent an enchanted evening at The Magic Time Machine, where Fate smiled on us and appointed us Jessie, the cowgirl from Toy Story, as our waitress.  The food was okay, as it often is at novelty eateries, but the smile on Ellis' face was absolutely delicious!

Ellis, star-struck, with Jessie.  So cute!

Ellis couldn't take his eyes off Jessie, even for a family photo opportunity.

Ellis talked about Jessie all the way home that night, and even today at lunch, he told me that meeting Jessie was his favorite part of our trip.  It was well worth the trip, and I hope he always has fond memories of our time in Dallas.

Dallas - Part I

In a nearly unprecedented move, our little family took a vacation last week.  We flew down to Dallas, Texas, on Tuesday and came home Saturday.  We had a really nice time, minus a few hiccups--but what vacation is complete without those?

Our first day in Dallas, we decided to go to the Dallas World Aquarium.  Ellis was excited, we paid our $96 admission... and before we knew it, eleven minutes had passed and we'd only seen the inside of the restroom and a shark tank, but a terrified Ellis was wailing, "Get me out of here!"  (Noted: the child is terrified of birds and fish.)  Thankfully the lovely people at DWA were willing to give us a refund.  On to Plan B!

We regrouped after nap time and went to the Dallas Zoo.  Thankfully, no refund was necessary.

Eric and Ellis at the Aquarium, pre-entry/pre-drama

 Eric at the zoo

Content with the promise of no "feathers" and no fish 

Kaolas

Admiring the elephants

Our little family at the zoo

My sweet boy

Who needs animals when you can pretend to drive a safari vehicle?

Up close and personal with a giraffe

Carousel fun

Oliver, worn out