Sam is not a huge fan of characters. It is kinda of like when he chases a squirrel at Colonial Williamsburg who is really used to people so it doesn't run away-- he didn't think he would actually catch it so panic sets in once he gets close. He loved looking at the characters, from a distance. After a great long day at the Magic Kingdom (Not Disney world as I REPEATEDLY referred to it as, that is the term for the collective parks apparently), we got up a little later and headed to the Animal Kingdom. This is a VERY different experience. I didn't really know what to expect and I still don't really know how to describe it. I guess a zoo with rides? Except there aren't really "inclosure's" or specific animal areas... I dunno it is an anomaly. Whatever it is we thoroughly enjoyed it. There are lots of amazing shows including a Lion King bonanza and Liam's favorite Finding Nemo.
Personally my favorite part was the Safari Ride. Much to Christopher's dismay I insisted on joining them on this Jeep ride even though there are signs "suggesting" pregnant mothers not ride. Hello I have been on WAY bumpier roads in VA, they are totally just avoiding law suits with that one. It was amazing seeing the animals so close up.
We actually had to pause to allow a mama Giraffe and her baby cross the path! Sam had fun sitting on my lap gazing out the window, but Liam was absolutely in heaven.
He is crazy about animals so this was his version of a Train Yard. He kept shrieking and pointing and making animal noises, some accurate some not (apparently the hippo moo's). After the safari we wandered through the forest and saw some pretty cool fish.
Along the path they had little encampments with different smaller animals and exhibits for the kids to touch.
I am pretty proud of this picture because I am actually holding Sam up with my leg and taking the picture! Yeah I know super cool of me.
We got to ride a really cool old train around a loop which of course triggered a nice tantrum from Sam when he refused to get off.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Going Wild
Posted by Crawford Family at 9:23 PM 1 comments
Thursday, May 28, 2009
quick aside
Posted by Crawford Family at 11:23 AM 0 comments
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
The Magic of THE Kingdom
It has been a CRAZY month. I mean literally nonstop amazing fun... I am wilting in my comfy chair just thinking about the MILES that have been walked this last month. I really should have worn a pedometer that would have been fun to track. ANYWAY I have about fifteen posts to to be caught up and since I have a sewing project I am desperate to start but cannot allow myself until my blog is caught up, thus begins the post marathon. I am going to try and do one a day for the next little while so watch out world! As a wonderful graduation present Christopher's parents took our family on a ten day vacation to Disney world. That's right people ten days in Florida at the happiest place on earth. I had been planning for this vacation for over a year and with the help of my good friend and fellow obsessor compulssor Sarah Crookston felt like I was very prepared. To begin the trip Chris and I decided that instead of breaking the 12 hour drive up into two days as originally planned (meaning only one small day in between our arrival home from Cleveland and out departure) that we would do what our parents had ALWAYS done and get up and start driving at 4am. I of course was to excited to sleep! Luckily Chris had some books on ipod to listen to and gracefully drove the first three hours, while I struggled to get my increasingly ginormous preggy body comfy in the back seat. We then bleary eyed let the boys go crazy at a McDonald's out door play place in their pajamas as people in the drive through line gave us curious looks. Needless to say it was a LONG day of driving and I vowed not to make that mistake again (said vow was promptly broken when we drove straight through on the way home :)) Christopher's parents had booked us an amazing Condo right down the road from the parks with gorgeous warm pools and playgrounds. It was a gorgeous apartment with a HUGE comfy bed
and an equally huge tub. We crashed early ready to begin our first day at the magic kingdom! I had our days completely planned out having printed off daily itineraries from the experts ... down to which turnstile to enter from. We headed straight for Dumbo. The line was about twenty mins long but the torture everyone around us in line had to experience at the hands of our two boys must have made it feel like hours. Both boys LOST it. I mean screaming, kicking, bucking you name it. I looked at Chris and literally felt tears welling up in my eyes. Was it going to be ten days of this!!!! So much planning, so much time and for heaven sakes so much money and they were screaming. Then to add salt to the wound when we got to the front Sam refused to go on. I seriously thought I was going to launch into a "YOU WILL RIDE IT AND YOU WILL LIKE IT!" speech but my ever calm husband had already whisked him away. My guide book suggested having any extra "accompaniers" get in line twenty behind you and then passing off your child so they get to ride twice without having to wait again. We did so with Liam and at least was able to get one cute pic of him and his grandparents (who luckily were not associated with the family of tantrum throwers).
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Posted by Crawford Family at 12:31 PM 1 comments
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Mothers day and some great mail!
Christopher spoiled me big time this Mothers day with something to wear, a few things to watch and a much needed boost for my computer. It was a great couple of days getting the mail. Every time I did it felt like there was a fun surprise! Thanks for making it a wonderful early mothersday. I hope all you other moms out there have a fabulous one as well!
Posted by Crawford Family at 11:36 AM 0 comments
Sunday, May 3, 2009
THIS IS NIAGARA!!!!
(For some reason this photo looks like it was taken years ago, and don't mind my man hands either.) This week we headed up for one last visit to Cleveland before our awesome friends the Tillman's pack up and move back to UT to cure the state of any dental woes. It was funny thinking we will probably never return to Cleveland-- with the exception of our friends I really do not think the city "rocks" as the song claims. We always have a hilarious time though and I leave with a very sore tummy from laughing so much. Last time we visited Chris decided that he really wanted to go see Niagara falls. It is a few hours drive and I had never been to Canada. Unfortunately our neighbors to the north now require a passport and birth certificates for kids, none of which we had. This time we came prepared and after a day of goofing around we caravaned up to Canada. The kids were good sports and except for almost hitting a raccoon (the guys, who were driving together, waited to see us roll the Tillman's SUV to avoid, thankfully the thing was walking like a sloth) we got there in one piece. Let me tell you it was NOT what I expected AT ALL. I thought it would be really national parky with picnic tables and some cabins and lots of people in campers. We roll in and the kids are yelling "let us out and play!!" as they see all the Vegas lights and huge Ferris wheel. It was crazy! I spotted the falls for a second but then they were out of view until the morning when we took the kids swimming. The pool was okay, Sam swam a little... Liam spent his time eating a ginormous apple.
The view however was amazing!
I have to admit though that I was thinking "pretty cool but was it worth the drive?" After drying off we headed down and bought our tickets for the Maid of the Mist. Sam was pretty excited to go on a boat. Liam on the other hand was grumpy and tired.
As we boarded they handed us these huge ponchos and I debated on whether or not to put it on thinking there was no way we would get THAT wet. Sam loved his and skipped his way to the boat.
Heading out we were able to take some nice dry pictures.
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Posted by Crawford Family at 9:21 PM 1 comments