Thursday, August 07, 2008

Happy 4th Birthday Holland and Eden: Our Disney Adventure

Wow! What a whirlwind the past couple of weeks have been!

So, we survived our BIG trip, and very thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We left last Monday, the 28th, and returned home on Monday the 4th. In those 8 days, we packed a serious amount of fun into 4 Disney parks in 5 days. FIVE days of theme parks...I don't know what we were thinking???! The girls were such troupers. Sometimes I can't believe how flippin lucky I am to have such awesome kids. They are so much fun, and have such sweet and interesting personalities, that I can't help but fall more and more in love with them every day.

On Tuesday we did the Magic Kingdom, Wednesday was Animal Kingdom, Thursday Epcot, Friday Hollywood Studios, and Saturday back to Magic Kingdom. We got to see a Lion King musical, Beauty and the Beast on stage, a Nemo musical, have a princess breakfast, ride Cinderella's carousel, play in Ariel's grotto, check out Pooh's treehouse, talk to Crush (the sea turtle from Finding Nemo), see a Monster's Inc. comedy show with Mike Wazowski, check out Mickey and Minnie's country homes, take an African safari, see Playhouse Disney Live on Stage, see the Spectral Magic Light Parade and the fireworks over Cinderella's castle, and meet LOTS and LOTS of Disney characters. Holland and Eden loved the rides and the shows, but meeting the characters was by far the highlight for them, and thus for us.

They got SO excited when they saw any character, complete with squeals and waves. We actually had to hold them back on a few occasions because it was just SO hard to wait their turn! Every character we met got huge arms wide open hugs from Holland, and kisses on the nose from Eden. Eden especially couldn't take her eyes off of them, and we had to work hard to get them to look at us for pictures. They were big hams with Holland showing off her wacky knee dance, and Eden spinning her wheelchair.

We had an exceptionally awesome experience on their birthday at Epcot. Near the end of the day we thought we would leave the park a little early, and go back to the condo for dinner. On the way out, we passed a character greeting area, and Eden spotted Minnie Mouse through the window. We wheeled up to the window, and I crouched down next to her to wave to Minnie. Minnie saw us, and came to the window to blow Eden some kisses. Next thing we knew, one of the greeters came around to get us, saying that Miss Minnie had requested to meet us. We bypassed the entire line to go meet Minnie, who was so amazingly sweet and kind to my kids that it brought tears to all of our eyes. She then took us down to meet Mickey, and Pluto joined us for a group photo. The girls were completely overjoyed and excited. Everyone in the room was watching them, laughing, and enjoying the moment along with them. Their excitement was contagious. It was truly an awesome day, and I was so happy to be able to celebrate their lives with such joy.

Four years ago, I might never have imagined that such a day would come, and I am forever grateful.









27 comments:

Kristin said...

Wow Billie, it looks like it was such an amazing trip and birthday for the girls!

Happy Number 4 you two!

Anonymous said...

looks like a wonderful trip. disney is my favorite place. happy 4th birthday to your adorable girls.
stacy
mom to 23 2/7 week twins conner and angel, braedon
www.aboutthelarsons.com

Katy said...

Looks like you guys had a blast!

Anonymous said...

Those are the kind of magic moments that make life worth living. Happy Birthday Holland & Eden!!!

--Sadie

abby said...

Happy Birthday, Holland and Eden! We're thrilled that you guys all had a wonderful time at Disney and that Minnie, Mickey, & Co. proved to be such stellar company!

Melissa said...

Those smiles!! It looks like you had a fantastic time! Happy 4th Birthday, beautiful girls!

Anonymous said...

Happy 4th Bday! What a great trip and great post! Glad you had fun!
Amy

Dandelion Quilts said...

What a fun trip! It just sounds you created the best memories. I know your girls will remember it for some time. They are at such a fun age.

Are you going quilting on the 23rd? I hope to see you there. -KBP

Bird's Eye View Photography said...

Wow! What a trip!

Anonymous said...

What an amazing birthday trip for two amazing girls! Happy birthday Holland and Eden.

Now I really want to take my duo to Disney, they would love it!

Justinich Family said...

Looks like you all had tons of fun. So cool about Minnie taking a special interest in the girls. We are hoping to head there in 2009

Brianna said...

Hi Billie! I started reading your blog about a month ago and I think I've read every post! It's been very encouraging and inspiring for me. It even prompted me to finally start blogging about my 22 week micro preemie, Sylas. You are doing an amazing job with your girls! Happy Birthday Holland and Eden!

Anonymous said...

Wow what a trip we had. It was so much fun being with you guys at Disney World. You can see in the first pic that dreams can come true when you have a fairy in your hand. Loved sharing the trip with you all. You girls are amazing. Love Nana And Papa

Anonymous said...

Your post brought tears to my eyes. I could feel your family's happiness. I'm soo glad you and the girls enjoyed the big 4!

Love and thinking of you often,

Sara S-M

DESJ and Company said...

I started reading your blog a few weeks ago...we did Disney through Make a Wish last September...it truly is magical, especially for special kids.
Happy birthday Holland and Eden!!!

AZ Chapman said...

looks like y had fun I love the picture of the girls with Mickey Mouse


happy belated fourth b day girls

Judith and Jason said...

What an amazing trip! Minnie, Mickey and company are the greatest for making the girls visit so special and wonderful! Memories of a lifetime!!!
YEAH YEAH YEAH

Kim said...

Wow 4 years seems like so much longer than it feels like. I can't even imagine life with you guys! I'm glad you had fun but I really glad you are home.

Amy said...

I can "hear" the excitement still lingering in your voice! I'm so glad the girls had such a great time. AND I'm glad you're back...I've missed y'all.

Happy Birthday Girls!

Kendra Lynn said...

How very exciting! Sounds like such a great trip! While you were in Florida, Katie and I got to have lunch with Aunt Kimmy....she told us you all were having a wonderful time!
Yay!
Lots of love,
Kendra

Allison said...

I want to hear that story again and again...

Ivanna said...

Happy Birthday to Holland and Eden and congratulations to their mom and dad for doing such a fantastic job! What a great 4th birthday it must have been.
I've been following your blog for a long time, and while I rarely comment, I've always been tremendously impressed with you, Billie, and the girls. They are beautiful. Congratulations again.

Ivanna

Sarah Furlough said...

What a fun trip!

Happy, happy, happy birthday, Holland and Eden! I can't believe you are 4 years old!

jenniferklenke said...

Happy 4th birthday Holland and Eden!!! What a cool way to celebrate. I'm jealous - I love Disney. Glad you had a wonderful trip. =) I still read and enjoy your site often.

Sarah said...

Happy birthday girls! Glad you all had such a fun vacation!

Beth said...

Happy Birthday, Holland & Eden!

Your trip to Disney World looked so fun... makes me want to take my 1 yr. old there now... though we're probably wait until he's four - perfect age! Glad you had such a "magical" time! :)

Sarah Pope said...

This post made me cry. What a special day!