Elizabeth and Ella: Day 1 of our Florida Vacation

We were ready to go when Todd got to our house Sunday afternoon (3/29/09). His kids, Chad and Elise and Grandson Cameron were ready to go too. We took off to the Park and Go lot and got to the airport in plenty of time. We check in and were told our flight was 3 hours late... Oh My. Todd had a great idea of going to the Mall of America so we checked our bags and took the train over there. Ella was getting crabby so we found a bench and she slept while I people watched. The others in our travel group walked around and did a great job of killing a few hours. After that the flight to Florida was great. All the kids did great as did the adults. The flight was not full so there was some breathing room. We got our rental van and the bags in as well as the kids and car seats and off to the condo we went. Oh My it was a nice one. We even saw an armadillo in the parking lot. I think most of us were asleep by 2 am Orlando time but Todd and Chad were a little later. Thanks to them, we had breakfast the next morning. :-)

After breakfast on Monday, we looked into a baseball game but the traffic was really long and all they had left were standing room only. We didn't think the 1 year old, soon to be 4 year old and the 6 year old would enjoy that. So off to Downtown Disney. We did some shopping and snacking and then had lunch at McD's. From there we went to Tampa to visit with my brother Jim and his family. Thanks for the warm welcome and wonderful dinner Pam. Ella and Elizabeth swam in their pool and Madeline was game to try as well. The heater wasn't on so the former Minnesotans didn't think it was warm enough to swim. But my girls were Game On. After dinner, Jim and Pam brought out gift bags for the girls. Thanks for thinking of Elizabeth as well as Ella's birthday presents!

We headed back to Orlando and I think I slept most of the way. Unfortunately, I had a cold for most of our vacation and it started on Monday.

Downtown Disney. Ella and Elizabeth loved the Cotton Candy even though Elizabeth had her back to me. :-)