Disneyworld

Tuesday, December 26

Kristi and I decided to take the kids to Orlando as our Christmas gift to them. We drove down in our new van leaving Tuesday the 26th. It is approximately 620 miles one way. Unfortunately the day we left everyone on the eastern seaboard decided to drive to Florida as well. The traffic was as bad as anything I have ever driven in. Everyone hung in there and we arrived late evening just before 10:00 p.m. We stayed with Matt and Stacy Jemtrud and their son Ryan. The girls loved playing with Ryan and had a great time.

We went to Magic Kingdom on Thursday the 28th. The excitement and energy of Disney was all around us and the kids were very happy to be there. The first day at Magic Kingdom was analogous to walking around New Orleans during Mardi Gras. I think the entire population of North America were at Magic Kingdom that day. Needless to say, we did not have the experience we anticipated but did manage to take in the Pirates of Caribbean ride and the Haunted Mansion. We left Magic Kingdom around 3:30 and went to Animal Kingdom which was much less crowded. We were able to get in the Bug's Life Theatre and Kristi took the girls to the Dinosaur ride while Matt & I took the boys around to the kiddy rides. On our way out we ate at the Rainforest Cafe and the kids were all almost asleep before our food arrived.

We went to SeaWorld on Saturday the 30th. SeaWorld was a hit. There were fewer people which made it easier to get around and take everything in. We went to the Shamu show, fed live sharks and pet dolphins. Nora and Hanna got their first Henna tattoos. Matt and I took a ride on the Kraken roller coaster. That was fantastic. You forget how much you can laugh when you get older and riding on the Kraken was like being 18 again.