Orlando, Florida Trip

Wahooooo!!! 

For our last big trip during residency (seriously, Matt's LAST vacation) we went all out

and went to Florida. You could say it was a graduation trip.

IT ROCKED!

First of all, I want to say a HUGE thank you to Matt's parents (who are serving in China) 

for letting us use their Marriott timeshare. The trip wouldn't have happened with it.

We loaded up and took a VERRRRY long road trip. First day we had to drive 10 hours, which ended up being more like 15. West Virginia is all windy roads, through the "mountains." Luke barfed twice. 

Then we discovered our AC was out in our car. We spent over 2 hours trying to find a stinking walmart, to add some freon. Found it. And no such luck. So, we suffered the heat for the whole trip.

We stayed in Waltersboro, SC the first night. Matt did a priceline thing the day before and because of spring break almost everything was booked from DC to Daytona Beach. So, we all snuggled and stayed in a tiny microtel "hotel" with one queen sized bed. :) 

This is where we were meeting up with Dave and Meg. They had to call about 20 hotels to finally find something that night. The next morning we met up at church. 

 The rest of Sunday we spent driving 5-6 more hours to Orlando.

It was toasty!

 The first Florida welcome center gave out the most delicious free orange juice and grapefruit juice.

 Later that night we finally got to the resort.

Meg and Dave were staying at a different resort, a couple of mins up the road.

 Our resort was pretty awesome.
It was very kid and family friendly. We spent a lot of time there. 

They had two pools, a big slide, splash pad, and pirate ship in another pool with slides and sprinklers.

Also, some kiddie pools and hot tubs.

There were also fields for disc golf, soccer, volleyball, etc. A playground, mini golf, fire pits, bbq grills, ping pong, foosball, etc. It was so nice!

 It was such a cute resort, that felt almost like disney or something, like it's own little town.

 Monday and Tuesday we spent by the pool at our resort and then at Dave and Megs.

Monday was also Matt's birthday! Sadly, he got some kind of stomach bug 

and spent the day sick.

Tues night we met up with cousin Dan for dinner. It was really fun!

 Day 2 at the other resort. It was also really nice! Very ritzi. 

We played in their pools and the guys let us do some sunbathing...ahhh.

It was such pretty resort!

In the afternoon that day Sarah flew in! Matt went to get her, while I took James to nap at our place.

Dave and Meg watched Luke and Dev. While with them she sent me these photos!

Wednesday was DISNEY!!

We went to Magic Kingdom, for one day. Which was enough. :)

It was incredibly crowded (spring break). The weather was perfect though, not too hot or too cold.

We were SO excited.

 Poor Meg got the same bug Matt had, at some point and spent the 2nd half of the day really sick.

 Dave and Meg took the 3 little guys back home after dinner.

They were so kind to let the rest of us stay. 

We went on a ton more rides. It was so fun, because McKelle and Luke were tall enough 

(and brave enough) for all the big rides.

 And YES I am a nerd wearing a poncho!

It was cold after it got dark and I didn't want to freeze!!!

 We were literally going from about 6am-midnight. It was fun but sooo exhausting!

Dave and Scottie were in the spotlight for this funny Monsters comedy show.

And this is totally random...but we were walking through the park and I noticed a bunch of people taking photos at the sky. So I looked up and there was this funky rainbow circling the sun. It was freaky!

Disney...we will be back...but not for spring break. :)

 Almost every night we hung out at our place till late and just let the kids fall asleep on the pull out bed.

Each night they were beat!

 Our resort also had a bunch of activities throughout the day. 

We played a bunch of games and each time the kids earned sand dollars.

At the end they redeemed them for prizes.

 Thursday night Sarah kindly offered to watch the rugrats while we went on a double date.

We ate dinner at a steakhouse and then went to Downtown Disney.

 That dragon is made of Legos!

 More pool time. And photobomb Dave.

 James was such a happy camper.

Friday we drove about an hour away to Legoland!

It was fun. Not as exciting or "magical" as Disney, but still fun.

The boys loved it.

 McKelle is hilarious. She was such a daredevil the whole trip. Luke on the other had is very cautious. They were on the front row of this rickety roller coaster.

 If you can't tell everything is made of Legos! It was pretty cool.

 They have this cool mini city that is so awesome.

 Star struck meeting Emmett from The Lego Movie.

 Saturday was sadly, our last day. We did not want to leave!!!!

We wished we would have flown, to give us 2 extra days in Florida. We seriously LOVED it!

So we soaked up the last day, working out at the gym, swimming in the pool, mini golf, bbq'ing, and sunbathing. While I was laying out, Meg comes over "Mary!! This trip cannot be complete without a poolside colada!!!" Boy was she right!!! :)

Around dinner time we packed up and hit the road. 

We drove 8 hours and got to our (dumpy) hotel at 2 am. 

Somehow the Easter bunny found us!!!

 And then we drove home the rest of the day and got home around 6pm. Boy were our bums sore.

Thanks for coming Meg, Dave, McKella, Scottie and Sarah!!!