Christmas in Florida

We had the most AMAZING Christmas EVER! Due to some major planning ahead, we were able to spend our Christmas vacation in Orlando, Florida. Just to give you a small taste of my background... I was born and raised in Florida. We moved around alot to a few different states and many cities but we always came back to Florida. Every year my Grandpa Smith always had a Christmas dinner the Sunday before Christmas at his home in Leesburg, Florida. And every year, my parents made it a point to be there. At the time, I thought it to be huge inconvenience even though I always had a blast reuniting with my cousins, aunts and uncles. We were spending countless hours in the car only to get in return a few measley hours of catching up. My parents always reminded us that these would soon be the memories we would one day cherish. Little did I know how quickly that time would come and how precious those memories would be to me. I now, find myself conjuring up the same plans my parents once did to make sure that Clay has the same priceless memories as mine. I know I won't always be fortunate enough to get my family and I out to Christmas dinner every year, but hopefully I can instill in Clay the same importance of family that my parents left me with.

Anyways, moving on from my moment of sappy-ness. Dad and mom rented a house in Kissimmee, Florida only minutes away from Seaworld and Disney World. Despite the convenience of being so close to the parks and surrounding extended family, we still found it very hard to squeeze everything we wanted to do in a measley 5 days.

Wednesday was the day we all arrived. The house was fully equipped with a game room, and so to wrap up everyone's full day of traveling; we took turns vegging out in between ping pong and pool tournaments.

Thursday, we spent the day at Seaworld. It was amazing to see my son experiencing the same exhibits and shows that I saw when I was young. Highlights at Seaworld (for me at least): the ride called Manta (as in Manta Rey). The Polar Express exhibit. I love that movie! The Shamu show called "Believe". We thought we sat far enough away, but we still got soaked. Clay was pissed! I got it all on camera...thank goodness for my cat like reflexes, I was able to take pictures of the splash before it actually got to us. :) And then the seals. They're so cute!!

Friday was a "free day", given to us so we could do whatever we like; sight seeing, etc. So we hit up flea markets and carnivals and came home with full tummys and arms full of prizes and souveniers. Clayton surprised us all by wanting to go on all the rides that he was almost too small for and not just by going on it once, but several times. I thought for sure he was going to puke on more than one occassion, but he's really got a stomach of steel. I was feeling queazy for sure.

Saturday, was Grandpa's Christmas dinner--it was held a day earlier than the past years. I should actually call it Christmas Lunch, cause we had to be there by 12:30pm. I still can't believe after all these years how many of us still make it to this gathering. We were missing a few people, but the majority of us were there. It's unbelievable that a decade ago it was all of us cousins getting rowdy and playing around, and now it's all of the cousins' kids getting rowdy and playing around with one another. I think Grandpa was little overwhelmed watching all of his great grandchildren talking to him, and hugging on him. I never knew either one of my great grandfathers so I treasure the fact that Clay is able to meet and know one of his great grandfathers.

Sunday, Dad woke us all up at the butt crack of dawn and we spent the day at Disney World. Clay was absolutely smitten by Buzz Lightyear from Toystory-hence the reason why we waited in line for almost 45 minutes to "meet" him. He couldn't stop smiling, or staring at him. We rode all the rides and ate all the food. We shopped and watched parades and fireworks. Took tons of pictures and got faces painted. It was very crowded but the lines weren't horrible, only because it was actually kind of chilly for a Florida, December day. Highlights for Disney: Buzz Lightyear for sure! Thunder Mountain-Clay was too short by measuring standards, but they still let him ride! He was so stoked about it, and so was Chris for that matter! The Christmas parade was definately a hit with Mickey Mouse (especially bc that's who we came to see after all) and alot of other different characters. And probably just the time I was able to spend with my parents, my siblings and their families, and my husband and son. Even though it's been a decade or more since I've been to Disney, all the memories came rushing back to me, and I remember how special it was my first time.

Monday morning, Chris and I had to catch an early plane ride home. Coming home from Disney extremely late, and waking up extremely early to catch our flight made for a very sleepy ride home. So glad we had most of the day to recover and sleep. We did have to go back to work the next day but thankfully not for the full week with Christmas being just two days away. And bc of our awesome planning Chris and I both got our way and were able to spend Christmas with both of our families. It was wonderful and very Merry. Clay was spoiled rotten, by everyone...what a lucky boy. Think I might donate all of his old toys just to make room for the new ones. And throughout all the hype and craziness we were still able to get in a day of snow boarding with all of Chris's brothers. Needless to say it was a blast and an awesome ending to a great December.

To wrap this blog up(and the year for that matter), my heart is extremely full...full of gratitude and love. My family roots are so deep and important to me and I am so grateful that that is one of the things that Chris and I value most. Without my family...I am but a poor, poor person. Because of my family I am rich, beyond my wildest dreams. Thank you Mom and Dad (on both sides of the family) for making this a Christmas we will never forget!