Walt Disney World

Our first family vacation to Disney was the first weekend in February. My mom and step-dad surprised us with the trip for Christmas. We were very surprised and so grateful! It was an amazing time. Riley loves all of the Disney characters, especially Mickey and Tigger. But, his absolute favorite, is Lightening McQueen from the Cars movies. He has loved him for several years now and was ecstatic beyond belief when he found out we were going to Disney's Art of Animation Resort to stay in our very own Cars Themed Family Suite. Tom and I truly believe that he loved the hotel more than the actual theme parks. There were life size replicas of the Cars characters and our suite was decorated with everything Cars too. Riley was still a little too young to appreciate the theme parks fully, but thoroughly enjoyed our character breakfasts with Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore & Piglet at The Magic Kingdom, and with Mickey, Goofy, Donald & Daisy at Animal Kingdom.  It was an amazing time and we cannot wait to go back. Riley still asks if we can go back to "the hotel" at least once every week! It was truly a magical time for Tom and I as we watched Riley experience Walt Disney World for the first time. 

We also had a chance to visit with some of our cousins that live in Orlando. Riley has never met them before, and it was so fun seeing the kids play together for the first time. We had dinner at the hotel and the kids played like they'd always been friends!

We took tons of pictures. Here are some of the best ones...

In our Cars suite, right after arrival

Downtown Disney

Riley posing with Buzz & Woody @ The Lego Store

The view of the Cozy Cone Pool from our suite

Another courtyard view from our suite

Mommy & Riley @ The Magic Kingdom

Riley and Tigger - he wasn't afraid!!!

Riley and Pooh Bear

Riley and Eeyore

Riley's bed in our suite

He loved the castle!

Hanging out in Pooh's house

Riley and Daddy on the Great Goofini roller coaster

Riley and McQueen

Family photo time :)

He pretty much claimed McQueen as his

Riley's favorite from the nighttime electric parade @ TMK

After the parade, and after Riley's bedtime!

Safari Riley

Riley and Safari Goofy

Hanging out with Goofy and Pluto

Cousins Gabbi and Riley

Down by the lake at Downtown Disney

Riley and Safari Mickey
One of my favorites from the whole trip - his smile is priceless!

Cousins, Gabbi, Josh and Riley

Cousins Riley and Josh

Hanging out with Rafiki in the Lion King part of our resort

My cousin Rachel and her kiddos!

Howdy partner!

Sheriff Riley

One of the buildings at our resort

One more with his favorite:)

Riley's 3rd Birthday

It's hard to believe our little man is three already. He's growing up so fast. A few months before he turned three a wonderful milestone was reached... he was potty trained!! Yay for Riley! No more pull-ups! He is still growing like a weed. At his 3 year check-up, he was 90th percentile for height, and 55th percentile for weight. Tall and skinny, just like his Daddy! His favorite toys are still Tigger, Pooh and of course the Cars movie characters, Lightening McQueen, Tow Mater & Finn McMissile. His favorite food is mac n cheese and his favorite show is Frosty the Snowman. Thank goodness for our DVR, because he asks to watch Frosty almost every day. He constantly sings the Frosty song. Almost to the point that we don't want to hear it anymore. He wants no radio in the car, just to sing either Frosty or Rudolph. I guess it could be worse!

He had a great birthday this year with 3 different celebrations. We had his party at Fun Station, Jr., where they have bounce-houses and an arcade. He is one lucky boy to have so many friends and family that came to help him celebrate. For Mommy and Daddy, having a December birthday is no fun because of ALL the toys he gets. Our house is just overflowing with stuff until a few weeks after Christmas when we have to sort out the old ones and put the new ones away. He is overwhelmed with so many and really can't figure out which ones to play with first. Somehow, he doesn't think it's so bad!

We celebrated his actual birthday with his playgroup friends at our house in the morning. I made cupcakes and Tom stayed home to man the bounce house. The kids had a good time. We are very lucky to have such great friends in our playgroup thanks to Mom's Club. In the afternoon, we went to the park to celebrate with more friends and he had even more cupcakes! What a lucky boy!

Tom and I are so proud of our boy and can't wait to see what this next year brings. But... we're only one month past his birthday and I must say one last thing... the "two's" are easy compared to the "three's" and whoever made up the saying "terrible two's" must not have had a clue what the "three's" bring!!

Birthday Boy!

Riley and Daddy driving a race car

Pooh and friends cake

Uncle Robbie & Riley

Cousins Henry & Riley

Our family :)

He was so excited for everyone to sing to him

Getting ready to open ALL of his gifts

Cousins Preston & Tabetha

Love this smile :)

And this one :)

:)

Thanks for the fire truck, Papa

Riley, Ethan and Tom playing in the bounce house

"Let's compare these, Grama"

He loves his new Finn car from Uncle Robbie

Love this action shot

He was singing Happy Birthday to himself!

Olivia & Reagan Carter with Riley @ the park

Hey guys... Look at my frosting face:)

More cupcakes... thanks to The Carters!