Thanksgiving Trash

Now that Christmas is over I have time to tell you about Thanksgiving! Chris had to work all day, but we had a great time nonetheless. Two of our closest friends came in on Wednesday to spend Thanksgiving Day with us. This of course involved the usual turkey, massive variety of side dishes that I try to pass off as vegetables, beer sampling, and our newest tradition, the jumping out of the trash bag.
The jumping out of trash bags dates back to when we all visited Dublin together last year and watched a hilariously quirky British TV show late one rainy night. It of course, had a part involving a trash bag.
Because I'm awesome, I put the link below to the part I am referring to. You may not find it hilarious. But we did. Enough for it to be recreated on Thanksgiving Day. Except I didn't drop my casserole dish.

This is part 2 of the episode. Watch from the 2:30 to 3:30 mark. Then you can stop watching. Unless you're awesome like me. Then watch the whole thing and then buy the season on iTunes.

The Rest of The Adventure

Are you totally over hearing about Florida?

Too bad. 

This is the last one though.

We met up with my Aunt M and Uncle D, my cousin R and her little R.

Austin and little R weren't quick to warm up to one another at first...

But after some ice cream from Ghirardelli in Downtown Disney,

And playing Pirates, they were good to go.

 Little R and I loved meeting Pluto at the Disney Character Brunch at our hotel.

Austin, not so much.

 My Aunt M (aka the Toddler whisperer) did get Austin to stand pretty darn close Goofy though.

 Apparently being so close to those huge animal people things bonded the two.

They were best buds from here on out.

I was SO excited to get to spend time with my Aunt M and Uncle D.

They're pretty awesome.

(Awesomeness must be a genetic trait)

Oh, did I mention there was swimming?

And dinner at The Rainforest Cafe.

And falling down in fountains.

Buzz Lightyear and Austin.

To Infinity and Beyond.

Downtown Disney has this AMAZING Lego Store.

I wanted to buy the Harry Potter Hogwarts set.

It was like $200 and a kidney.

I'm just going to wait a few years and then buy it for Austin and play with it.
Cause' I'm a good Mom.

Nessie. Made of Legos.

Coolest thing ever.

And then we got ice cream. Again.

And ran through the fountains, again.

How else are you supposed to wash the ice cream off your kid?

Then we headed North.

Where it was cold.

And snowing.

I think Austin's alligator is going to need a sweater.

Mouse Ears

I'll do this a bit out of order. Technically we did a Disney Brunch, Downtown Disney and visited with my family BEFORE our Disney World trip. But the Disney part is just so wicked cool I couldn't wait. We actually went to a special Mickey's Christmas Celebration at Magic Kingdom in the evening, then the park again on the next day. There were parades, characters in Christmas costumes, hot chocolate with cookies, and short lines for big rides. They also had Santa, but Austin fell asleep while we were waiting in line (probably because it was 10:30 at night). When I tried to wake him up to ask if we should go home he informed me that he was "just resting for Santa:". Then he passed out and started drooling on Auntie Katy's shoulder. So home we went. To rest up for the next day.

The minute we walked into Disney World, Austin spotted the mouse ears and asked Nonny and Pop for a pair. Disney World is pure marketing genius. Plus the ears are ridiculous cute on little kids.

I may sound like a 5 year old, but "Magical" is the only word that I could think of while watching the lighting of Cinderella's Castle. 

Waiting in line with Pop for the Buzz Lightyear ride.

Nonny and Auntie Katy are RUTHLESS on the tea cups. I almost lost my cookies.

Literally. I had just eaten cookies.

Mr. and Mrs. Mouse!!!!

I love that Austin is yelling and trying to get out of Nonny's arms under a sign that says "Let the Memories Begin". Priceless.

Carousels are always  a good idea.

So are Mickey shaped ice cream bars.

Austin and his entourage.

And his $8 popcorn.

What I DON'T have a photo of is the huge knot on Austin's head where he literally ran into a hand rail as we were waiting for the embroidery on his mouse ears. It was getting so big that I was pretty sure if I touched it brain matter would start oozing out. Fortunately by the magic of Disney, an employee wearing a spotless uniform and space age earpiece jumped out of the bushes and escorted us to the First Aid station where they gave Austin some Tylenol, a quick check over, and an ice pack. That place is amazing. And creepy. But mostly amazing.

Sun and Surf

Since Chris has been working A LOT lately, Austin and I took the in- laws up on an offer to go to Florida and Disney World with them. Seriously. Remove brain, accept offer. It was perfect timing, because I was starting to have deep philosophical conversations with a flat coated retriever and a three year old boy. It was time to get out of the house. After a LOOOONG drive to West Virginia and a short recovery time at my parent's house, we hit the road with the rest of the Taylor family and headed south.

I won't bore you with all of the details (and by details I mean the driving), but we made it to Florida alive and sane. That's all you can really ask for. After picking up Chris' sister from the airport, we headed over to see Chris' Grandmother and Uncle. Austin was able to go to the beach for the first time. meet some new family members, and take home a 4 foot tall stuffed alligator. All in one day.

Taylor family tradition. And what a delicious tradition it is.

First look at the ocean up close.

Those waves come up on you fast!

And the water may have been a little chilly.

Good thing Austin is part polar bear.

Austin liked the beach so much, we visited another one the very next day!

I was wearing jeans and a fleece.

Europe REALY influenced Austin's perception of when it is acceptable to take your clothes off.

There were a lot of birds at this one. I was beginning to feel like Tippi Hedren.

After some beach fun, we made a quick stop at Target (because we're in America!) and picked up a few toiletries and a glittery red Christmas tree. 

Because.

Then Austin took a power nap in the car to prepare for the next leg of our adventure. Holding the glittery red Christmas tree. 

Because.

Life's a Beach

While I sort through my 100 pictures from our trip, decorate for Christmas, apply Benadryl cream to my hands and forearms due to my Christmas tree allergy, clean up from hosting Book Club, pick up dog poo in the yard, and do laundry, please enjoy this video of Austin's first time at the beach. 

I'm going to go have a glass of wine.