Carney Christmas in Orlando

After the excitement of Disney, we woke up and celebrated an early Christmas with the kids. They rocked their matching PJs from Leslie.

Maeve made little notebooks

Jude sewed hand warmers

Playground and a walk to a neighborhood lunch spot

We had plans to go to a Christmas play in the afternoon. Or so I thought. I was riding with Leslie and Nana and as we passed the exit for the play, Leslie revealed the real plan. As an early birthday present, she arranged for us to go shopping at her friend's boutique! Her friend had pulled clothes for us and we spent the afternoon choosing outfits and sipping bubbly. So fun! 

Success! 

Back at the house, the adults exchanged their secret Santa gifts. 

Then the birthday celebrations continued with a grownup dinner out at a yummy Latin American/Mexican restaurant. And the last surprise, Pete and I were sent to a hotel for the night. 

The kids happy with Peyton's babysitter

We flew out the next day to North Carolina, but not without having birthday cake for breakfast first! More early celebrations for Peyton and me. 

A short, but very sweet visit to Orlando! 

Disney World!

We made it to Miami after a long day of travel. Highlights were watching the end of the World Cup final on a small airport bar screen from an elevated hallway at Newark airport. We spent one day in the sun, swimming and playing games with Nana and Pops before we hit the road again. Destination: Orlando! Leslie invited us to come up and Nana and Pops offered to make a day at Disney the big Christmas gift this year. We kept it a secret from the kids until we arrived in Orlando. Our kids were so happy to be reunited with Peyton. The Disney surprise was icing on the cake!

We repacked our bags and headed to Fort Wilderness for the night. Dinner in, campfire marshmallows, and a fun cousin sleepover to start the fun. 

Ready, set, Disney- Go! Being jetlagged helped us all wake early to get a head start on the day. We got Genie+ passes and were able to book rides throughout the day, which allowed us to pack it all in! 

We beelined it for Big Thunder Mountain. Jessie joined us just in time to ride with Peyton. The girls decided that ride was not for them! 

Parade time!

All together for the nostalgia ride

We split up in the afternoon: The guys and I headed off for some rollercoasters while the girls did some tamer rides and meet some princesses. 

Jude is the red blob behind Pete. The rest of us got wet! 

My favorite ride just as I'd remembered it! Extra exhillarating to not have to wait in line!

Monsters Inc Laugh Floor was a hoot! 

I found out that an old NYC friend, Collette, was going to be at Disney with her girls on the same day! I really wanted to see her, but knew it would be a mad house there. We ran into each other, unplanned, two different times!! Sweet serendipity!

The girls hit their limit and Maeve really wanted to play with Peyton at her house, so they took off in the late afternoon. We got some group shots before they took off!

We got in a few more rides before the cloudy fireworks show to cap off a very fun day! Thank you, Nana and Pops! 

The girls on their sleepover

Beat!