A Disney Spring Break

We had the BEST TIME during our week-long trip to Disney World. We got to spend time with friends and family. But most importantly, we got to create fabulous and long-lasting memories for the 4 of us.

**Warning - the following will take a LONG time to look through. Please use the restroom, get a snack, and refill your drink before any further viewing. (I swear I tried to discriminate to only the best pics but it's still too many...and I'm not even done yet.)

We knew from our last visit that Kaelan was ready and wanting to start meeting more of the characters (not just the ones we happened upon out of luck). So, our 1st purchase when we arrived at the parks our first day was an autograph book. Here are a few of the most important "greetings". These are from Animal Kingdom and you'd never believe we walked right up to all 4. This was our 4th park and 5th day at Disney but the lines for these characters were always too long for us to wait through. SO great!!!

Epcot

Posing in front of Lightning McQueen. Epcot was in the middle of its annual International Flower and Garden Festival. Kaelan has actually started to happily pose for pictures, especially if he approves of the opportunity...FINALLY!!!!!
Posing in front of one of his new favorite rides and one of ours too. Luckily we were there with Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Melonna, and Uncle Scott so we could trade off staying with the baby.
Mike fulfilling his 8-year long dream of riding a ---. He had been dying to do this ever since we were there on our honeymoon but the lines were always too long or we didnt have time. See Daddy, there's something for everyone at DISNEY!!!!
Posing in the shark from Finding Nemo
Our little pirate in front of Peter Pan and Captain Hook battling...ARRRGHHH!Muy guapo!!! Inside Mexico at Epcot. "When in Rom---er...Mexico."
ADORABLE!!!!!
I ccouldn't resist including this pic from my Dad's camera. I'm sure Max was just looking around and that's where his eyes were when the shutter closed, but it's HILARIOUS!!!
The babies and middle-eez of the 3 Baumgartner/Fulmer generations
K and Uncle Scott playing after the Figment ride
Max thinks he's so funny "I get to move!!!!!"
A "cheese" for Grandpa
I think Kaelan actually took this picture himself on accident. I LOVE this "whoops"!!!!
Who better to welcome you into Epcot than Buzz and Woody. Plus there was Toy Story music playing in the background. HOORAY!!!
We have this EXACT same picture of me holding K with Grandpa's hat on from 2 summers ago. I wish I had it saved to this computer so I could show it, but if you have the time, you can look back in the blog to see it.

Magic Kingdom
On our way up to Max's favorite ride, The People Mover."Enjoying my favorite ride with my Uncle Scott."
Snack time
Watching Kaelan and Grandpa ride the Magic Carpets of Alladin
About to take off on their "carpet"
A high-five for Grandma while in line for "Small World". He always has that tongue going when he's focusing. SOOO cute!!!!
"Relaxing on Mommy before my boatride. It's a Small World after all."
I love this picture because both boys are so into it. It is definitely one of their favorites...of course!!!! Plus, it shows how we got this next great shot. Thanks Dad!!!!
Photo opp with Pirate Goofy
Our 1st day at Magic Kingdom (it was just the 4 of us), we came out from riding Pirates of the Carribean and they were starting a Pirate's League show. It was awesome luck!!! The best part...Kaelan actually got to go up on stage and meet Captain Jack Sparrow!!!! Are you kidding me??? AMAZING!!!! He is now a part of the official Pirates League and has the scroll to prove it. :)
This was 1 of the best parts of the whole week, our big boy riding his first real roller coaster, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. He was such a trooper, hands up and smile on his face. Much better than the kiddie coaster at Carowinds!!! On the way up the 1st hill, he kept telling me, "Put your hands up Mommy!!!"
"We made it...HOORAY!!!!"
Grandpa and Kaelan on the ferryride over to the Magic Kingdom

Animal Kingdom

He insisted he get his picture taken in this cut-out, and he would NOT let us forget about it. Hey, I guess we have to be happy he actually wants to have his picture taken at all.

Safari ride

Playing on a dinosaur playground and loving any excuse to be out of the stroller and mobile.

Does it get any better than this???!!!! It's sad that I have so few pictures of the 2 of us. Gotta get more!!!!! Throughout the trip, the boys took turns being jealous. I definitely had 2 Mama's Boys on my hands, and I have to admit...I loved it!!!!

I know that floor is probably more disgusting than I could ever imagine. But I had to take advantage of the carpet and let him crawl around. He loved looking at the walls covered with animals. Laughed and talked to them all.

Hollywood Studios

So, we're walking around Hollywoord Studios when we see a Buzz and Woody "Character Greeting" inside a building across from the Toy Story Midway Mania ride. We jumped in line at the thought of meeting both of them as the attendant informed us that it would take about an hour to get through the line and that by then, it would only be 1 of the "friends". We let Kaelan make the ecision and he wanted to stay and wait. So, Max and I went to hold seats for the amazing Fantasmic show while they waited. They ended up being very glad they did because there were all these scenes and cut-outs throughout the line. Clearly, K had a blast!

"The claaawwwww. You have been chosen!!!"

"You can't stop me Evil Emporer Zurg!!!"

And finally...the grand prize!!!!!!

Here are some other characters (but not nearly all) that he got to meet. We had a blast taking advantage of these opportunities and will definitely continue to do so in the future, whenever that is. We just have to hope that little brother comes around...eventually.