Disney World-Part I

A week ago, we got home from a fantastic family vacation to Orlando, Florida. It was filled with airplane rides, roller coasters, animals, family, water, and fun, fun, fun. We went with my entire family to celebrate having everyone together for a few months between missions. My brother Taylor got home from his mission to the Philippines this summer and Jordan will receive his call in just a few weeks.The trip started with the girls' first airplane ride. Using frequent flier miles, Madeleine and Matt left first at 11:59 pm with many of the other Goodman clan. Tori and I left the next morning. Madeleine was ecstatic about flying. Here she is looking at our plane with her Uncle Jordan. She was glued to that window for at least an hour explaining every detail about her plane. Because of her vantage point, she was convinced that the plane only had one wing. Funny girl. She loved being on the plane and would probably tell you that was her favorite part of vacation. Although she loved it, she only got a few hours of sleep that night. So, our fun began with a tired Madeleine which continued throughout out time in Orlando.

We started off at Disney's MGM studios. Much like Universal Studios in CA, but better. We enjoyed some great rides and awesome stunt shows including an Indiana Jones stunt show and a car stunt show. Both incredible. And those stunt drivers are insane! So many accidents waiting to happen.

There was a highly energetic Block Party with Toy Story and Monster's Inc. characters. There were a ton of people dancing and doing tricks on trampolines and stilts and of course lip-syncing. Where they get so many crazy, spunky, perma-smile faced people we don't know. Oh, and how awesome is that life-size Mr. Potato Head. We danced with Woody...

and Little Bo Peep.

We also went on the new Toy Story ride where you shoot virtual rings, eggs, darts, etc. at carnival type games and it keeps track of your point totals. So fun! Can you tell who is excited? I don't think it's the kids. But it might be that handsome guy in the 3-D shades. Madeleine did have fun...I think. She was so exhausted!

The girls also loved playing in the Chinese theater they have there. Yep, that's George Burns' signature they are playing on.

The next day we went to Epcot and it was probably one of my favorite days of vacation. We rode some fun rides (including one that caused me to lose my breakfast), played with fun innovations and played in the water fountains (think Gateway Mall). There was also a Nemo ride which the girls loved, and an aquarium with dolphins, sea turtles, sharks, and so may fun fish including Nemo, Dori and the gang. We were lucky enough to stumble upon Mickey scuba diving in one of the tanks. Madeleine got to give him a kiss through the glass and he reacted as if he were smitten. So cute.

We also went to the interactive "Turtle Talk with Crush" from Finding Nemo. It was a wall with an animated ocean and animated Crush who interacted with the audience and answered questions. He picked on Madeleine (the girl with the blue shell) for a question and she asked, "I like fruit smacks!" Ya, he was a little confused by that question and it caused Madeleine to clam up. But with a little help we asked what he like to snack on. The answer, Jelly Fish. It was so fun!

A bunch of us got to ride a Segway. Those things are awesome. I can't wait to be rich enough some day to own one.

We spotted Mickey Mouse again,

Mexican Donald Duck,

And the "squirrels" or Chip and Dale as we all know them.

We also enjoyed entertainment by an American Band or as Madeleine calls them Pirates!
So much fun and we've only begun!! Well, I'll stop there and let you digest that. We would hate to overload you on all our good times.