Day 2 was Rich’s birthday and we started bright and early.  We had a breakfast reservation at 8:10 at Tusker House in Animal Kingdom so we had to get up nice and early in order to leave in time to get there.  After a fun wake up call from the characters we got ready and we were off to Animal Kingdom.

We were some of the first ones waiting for the bus to Animal Kingdom at our hotel.

Hailey and Rich at the entrance to Animal Kingdom

Us in the empty park

What Animal Kingdom looks like before it opens.

Hailey entering Africa

Posing for a picture with Donald Duck at the Tusker House.

Rich was thrilled to be celebrating his birthday and enjoyed his birthday cupcake.

The first character to stop by our table was Mickey Mouse.  Hailey was so excited to see him.

Posing for a picture with Mickey.

Hailey and Daisy Duck (sorry for the blurriness)

Hailey and Goofy

The buffet area at Tusker House, one of my favorite places to eat.

After breakfast we went right to the Safari ride.  We were there early in the morning before it got too hot and we got to see lots of animals.

Next up we took the train out to Rafiki’s Planet.  Hailey got to meet Rafiki,

Pocahontas,

and Jiminy Cricket.

Hailey also enjoyed the petting zoo.

I found a “Hidden Mickey.”  Do you see it?

On our way to the Lion King show we got to meet Lilo and Stitch.  This was one of the best character interactions we had during the entire trip.  They were so funny and had everyone in line laughing at the things Stitch was doing.

Hailey with Lilo and Stitch.

We went and saw the Lion King show next which is definitely my favorite show.  I love to see it every time we go and it never gets old.  After the Lion King we went back to our hotel to take a nice long nap because we were planning to go to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party that night and knew we’d need our rest!

On Thursday evening we loaded up our car to drive to the airport.  We had found a nice cheap flight for our trip ($152 per person, round trip) but we had to drive to an airport 3 hours away.  Our flight was leaving at 5:50am on Friday, so we thought we would drive up on Thursday night.

We left around 10pm and Hailey went right to sleep.  We stopped when we were about 40 minutes from the airport so that Rich and I could sleep a little too.  But then Hailey woke up around 1:30am and was wide awake and would not stop talking.  Eventually we figured we would just go the rest of the way to the airport.

We hung out in an empty airport until the we could go through security.  Hailey kept herself occupied with her MobiGo but had no interest in going back to sleep.

Finally on the airplane!!  Hailey slept some on our first flight.  She woke up before we landed and when she looked out the window during landing it made her sick.  Thankfully I was ready with the barf bag.  During our second flight she was sound asleep the whole time and didn’t get sick at all!

Posing in the Orlando airport.

Waiting at the longest red light ever in front of our resort while we were on the Magical Express.

Finally there!!

When we got to our room these 2 lovely bird type things were hanging around outside our building.

After some lunch and a nice nap for Hailey and Rich (while I organized the room) we headed off to Magic Kingdom.

When we walked in Pluto was there signing autographs.

Pluto and Hailey

Us

Then we had to stop and see Chip and Dale

Posing with Chip and Dale.  Dale is pulling on one of Hailey’s braids.

Us in front of the castle.  I have no idea why Hailey’s face looks like that- she really was excited to be there!!  See the crane in the background behind the castle?  Apparently they are already putting up lights for Christmas time.

We got there just in time to see the Dream-Along with Mickey show.

Some more of the show.

Then it was time for the Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! Street Party.

Hailey got the dance with Chip.

Then we went on our first ride of the trip- The Magic Carpets of Aladdin.

Hailey was begging to go on Splash Mountain, since she spent the last year hoping she’d be tall enough to go on it.  But we had a dinner reservation to get to so we decided to wait.

Hailey waiting for the train.

Then we were off to ‘Ohana for dinner.  Since ‘Ohana means family they treat you like family there and everyone is cousins.  It’s so much fun!  When Rich and I ate there for our anniversary we loved it, so we just had to go again.  The food didn’t seem as good this time, but it was still pretty yummy.

Hailey had fun in the parade.

And the coconut race was cute.

On our way out of ‘Ohana.

After dinner we went over to Epcot to enjoy the Extra Magic Hours.  It was a little after 9pm when we got there.

Hailey wanted to go on one of the big rides and the wait time for Test Track wasn’t too bad, so we decided to give it a try.

Finally tall enough!!  Last year she was just a little under 40 inches and couldn’t go on some of the rides.  This year she was definitely tall enough!

Waiting in line for Test Track!

Sitting in the car waiting to go, looking a little nervous.

And she did NOT like the ride.  When it was over she said, “I didn’t like it Daddy, can we go on Nemo?”  She said it was too fast and she was scared.

We were pretty exhausted by this time- so we decided to end the night with Hailey’s favorite ride- Nemo

Hailey loves posing inside Bruce’s mouth.

Then we went back to our hotel and slept very soundly for the night!

Favorite of the day- Hailey picked The Seas With Nemo and Friends as her favorite ride.

Here are some more pictures from our trip to visit my brothers and my sister in law.

We celebrated Mike’s birthday while we were there.

Me with my brothers Mike (sitting) and Matt (standing).

Hailey had fun swimming with Pa and Uncle Matt while we were at Mike’s.

We played a really fun game at Matt and Ellie’s house (I can’t remember what it was called).  Rich had a good time acting out whatever he was acting out here.

Ellie, Hailey and my Dad having fun with the game.

Hailey with Tuxedo

Family picture (taken by Matt and Ellie’s camera)

We had lots of fun visiting with everyone!!

Back about a month ago we went on a little vacation to visit my brothers and sister in law.  On our way to visit them we stopped somewhere in Virginia and stayed over night.

Hailey enjoyed playing in the closet at the hotel.

Hailey had really been looking forward to going swimming.  So even though it was raining out Pa still took her in the pool.

After we left the hotel we stopped at a Safari park where the animals walk right up to your car and stick their heads in your windows hoping that you have bought some feed to give to them.  We had a blast- lots of laughs!

Hailey loved getting to feed the animals.

I loved the zebras.  I had never realized before that their stripes go right up onto their mane.

“Hello… is anyone in there??”

“Ahhhh yes, there you are.”

This little pig was so fat he had a hard time waddling over to the car.

After we finished the drive through part of the safari there was a part to walk through too.

Hailey had to pose for a picture every time she saw one of these.

My pretty little miss.

Cute little baby pigs.