Family Snapshots From Disney

We just returned from a much needed family vacation. The entire time I was on my book tour, traveling and away from my kids, we were looking forward to our family trip to Disney World, our favorite place on earth to go!

In fact, that was what was on my mind the entire time I was in New York for the Today Show. With all of the air travel issues due to the weather, I was SO WORRIED I wouldn’t be able to get back home in time for our trip and so grateful that I did!

Our time was filled with singing, dancing, laughter, thrills…and that was just the car trip down to Orlando!

In an upcoming post (as soon as I get our good family photos from Disney in) I’m going to tell you how to do Disney on a budget. I am not one to toot my own horn but over the years I’ve gotten really good at Disney money saving tips and this trip ended up being less than half the normal price for us, with all of our food included free as well. So keep posted and I’ll fill you in some time over the next few weeks.

Today, I thought I’d just share some of our family snapshots with you.

I love taking photos of my family walking together. It’s neat to see all of their varying heights and how much the kids have grown.

Me and Bradybug in Epcot.

You won’t see a lot of attraction photos in here. My favorites are just seeing the faces of the kids as we go through the day.

Katy Rose and her carrot smile.

🙂

Me and Carrot smile.

My family has Southern Plate t shirts that you’ll see throughout this post every now and then. I don’t sell them at this time because I just don’t have the time to process and mail orders (and if I ever do sell them I want to charge as little as possible, which means I can’t afford to pay someone to help me with them right now). I’m still having to travel a pretty good bit (but I avoid it whenever possible) and keeping up with Southern Plate while keeping my family as my top priority is about all I can do these days. Maybe I’ll have staff one of these years and we’ll be able to do cool things like Southern Plate Family t-shirts!

Ricky and the kids outside of Mexico in Epcot.

They have a counter service restaurant that is my personal favorite!

The kids inside Mexico

This is us getting ready for the Magic Kingdom to open. Brady and Katy are making a new friend.

Brady found some Mickey shaped confetti. This is my favorite photo of the entire trip!

Brady and Katy posing with Zurg outside of Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

Us in our 3-D glasses

Dumbo is Katy’s favorite ride!

I rode it with her once and liked to have died! lol That was when I learned I can’t do spinny rides.

Ricky and Katy watching a parade

Ricky and Brady went off to ride Space Mountain while Katy and I went to meet the princesses.

Main Street USA

Look at those happy faces!

Katy and Daddy

Brady and Mama 🙂

The kids posing with Prince Charming.

Katy got all giggly over getting to meet him!

The kids with Cinderella

At one point Cinderella and Prince Charming waltzed in the center of the restaurant and Katy wanted to waltz, too, so she and I got up and danced together 🙂

The Osborne Spectacle of Lights in Disney’s Hollywood Studios

We dearly love this for the obvious reasons, but also because we are big on Christmas lights ourselves and would dearly love to pull this off in our own front yard!

more Osborne.

We were there on the very last day they had the lights up!

Karo and Mama

One of the big guys here is Goofy. I’ll let you decide which one 🙂

Oh Mickey you’re so fine, you’re so fine you blow my mind!

Hey Mickey!

Hey Mickey!

~giggles~ You’ll be singing that all day now, won’t ya?

At one point during our trip Katy leaned over and whispered to me “Mama, I just can’t stop smiling!”

Me and Minnie

You are NEVER too old to get Minnie’s autograph!

Or to wear mouse ears 🙂

Yup! I’m the mom who packs bananas and granola bars in my bag to save money in the park.

Disney doesn’t mind and you’ll be in good company with tons of other moms who do the same thing!

There are lots of arts and crafts in the park. This is the kids making a mask in Africa (Animal Kingdom)

My cheetah and ape.

Ricky and Brady on the tram

Me and Karo

See those waving people? Thats m’family!

and to think, it all began with a mouse…

We had a WONDERFUL TIME this past week and I really needed this time away with my family.

It’s good to be home and back with you now, though!

Alrightly. Vacation over, time to get cooking!

“A man should never neglect his family for business. “

~Walt Disney

30 Comments

  1. Hi Christy, looks like you had a blast in my town! O-town. Yelp, you were right down the street from me and didn’t even come by for some Butterfinger cake that I made or one of my many casseroles that I’ve been whippin’ up. Just wanted to also give you a little tad bit of info in case you do decide to print you up (or us) some t-shirts, I am in the promotional items business, t-shirts, lanyards, cups, pens whatever you can think of, I have a way to put a logo on it. Anyway not trying to make a sales pitch *(and I do give discounts to family, even my SP family).. 🙂 So hope you have a wonderful New Year and look forward to reading you soon.

  2. What wonderful photos of you and your family. You definately look like you all enjoy yourself.

    My daughters got the chance to fly and go to Disney with their girlscout troop 2 years ago. I would say that you had a better time than they did since Disney lost their luggage and they got it back the day before the left. They laugh about it now but they were so miserable that week. Thank God, the girl scout leaders were able take care of the panty/sock area.

  3. I love the pictures! We love Disney World, too. I am anxious to go back, but with an 11 month old…not sure when we’ll head back. Can’t wait to hear your money saving tips!

  4. Glad you got your wonderful trip in. It’s my favorite place too. I’m lucky enough to live in FL, have a seasonal pass, and go about once a week. I spend Christmas Eve at the park (The Magic Kingdom) and then watch the Christmas Parade from Walt Disney World and Disneyland on TV Christmas Day. I also go to the Very Merry Mickey Christmas Party. I have photos of the parade in my albums on Facebook. You can enjoy them if you like. Good Luck to you in the upcoming year Christy. You have such a nice family.

  5. So happy to have shared in looking at your pictures. I suspect it won’t be long until when you go places, people will recognize you and you won’t be able to move around. You will have to be in disguise as all the Stars have to do. Congrats on your success.

  6. Ah, another fan of the Mouse!! I knew we were kindred spirits! We just returned a few weeks ago, but don’t live nearly as far from WDW as you do, so we get to go a bit more often….. eager to hear your budget tips!!

  7. Glad you had a chance to get away with your family…and glad to have you back with us!! Looks like y’all had a terrific time! Thanks for sharinging the pictures with us!!!

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