Magical Mix Kids website

At this link you can see a group picture of most of the kids that went on the trip to Disney World this year. Ellie is in the lower right side of the picture with Minnie ears on.  Nathan decided he didn't want to sit to be in the picture.  So he missed out.   http://www.magicalmixkids.org/  Enjoy!

Grand news!!

Lately Ryan and I have been noticing a slight change in Ellie's mouth, cheek, etc.  There isn't as much drooping of her right side.  So Tuesday I asked her to try to move her mouth by pushing her tongue on the inside of her lower right jaw. She did and I saw the corner of her mouth move up slightly.  So the good news is that the nerve graft surgery is now taking and she is able to begin to move her mouth.  The doctors say it will just take time and practice to see more improvement!! This is so exciting to see, only five months out of surgery.

MGM Hollywood Studios

MGM Hollywood Studios is where we spent Tuesday. In the morning there was an opportunity for the families to see the radio station and speak about the trip. So we waited our turn and Ellie did a great job talking. I was sure she'd be too shy but she shined! This is Ellie looking at a park map before her turn.

 Also on Tuesday was the Mickey character greeting. This is where the kids got to meet Mickey and get pictures with him. Here is the fam with Mickey.

 Ryan, nurse Ann Marie and Dr. Kim Neumann visiting with us while we waited our turn to be on the radio.

 I caught a picture of Ryan wearing Nate's pirate Mickey ears.

 Daddy and his princess in her Minnie ears.

 All the kids with Mickey.  Nate didn't want to stay in the pic.

 We went on the ride called the back lot tour, or something like that. So these are wierd looking props used in past movies.

                       We saw Mike from Monsters Inc.

                           Miss Piggy's fountain.

                      Lightening McQueen and Tow Mater.

 The monsters were at this part of the Block Party we saw right before a rain storm that stuck around the rest of the afternoon.  This started as a parade, then stopped and it turned into a block party with trampoline stunt people, dancers and green army G.I. Joe guys. Other parts of the parade/Block party had different characters to enjoy. This was a very up beat musical party that was prety fun!! At the end they threw balls at us for the kids.

 We found a building to get in out of the rain and it had many many characters that all changed every half hour.  Here is Handy Manny. One of Nate's faves!

 Ellie got so excited jumping for joy when she saw June and Quincy from Little Einsteins.  She used to watch these guys every morning and weekends. She loved this cartoon. Her pics with Annie and Leo didn't turn out clear.

 Characters from The Incredibles. We haven't seen this movie though.

               
                    The wonderful Snow White!
                                           
                  Mary Poppins and penguins.
                                          
                              Chip and Dale

                                        Mulan.

 We saw a stunt show where this red car races around this set being chased by four black cars.  This is the end where they reveal that the red car is really 3 red cars adapted in different way to drive backwards and split in half the long way with a driver on the outside. 

 On the Back Stage Tour ride we went into a cave and saw this truck sitting up there. Then a fire began and explosions....

 ...then water came rushing down...

 ...and over us.  Thankfully we didn't get wet.

 This is the stunt car jumping.

Hollywood Studios was a place we could have spent two days. There were so many great shows to see here we didn't get to do it all.

Animal Kingdom

Thursday morning was our group's character breakfast at a restaurant at Animal Kingdom.  We saw Donald outside then inside while eating Mickey, Goofy and Daisy came by for individual visits to tables. It was yummy food and fun for all. Then we spent the rest of the day at Animal Kingdom. I loved this park. The 3D shows were fun and great.  The live shows were amazing also.

 Ryan being silly trying to give Ellie a kiss for the pic but she's trying to get away.

 Ellie and Luanne. Luanne was our chaperone that checked in with us and helped when needed.

 On the truck getting ready for the safari ride to see animals!

 Another breakfast pic.

 A few of the animals we saw on the safari.

 The tree that was intrigueing to look at.

 A humongous bat sleeping hanging upside down. This was wild to see all the bats hanging upside down.

 Now you will see an assortment of pics of Ellie and Nate wanted to take posing around the park. Some are really funny...

...like this one.

 Now Nate wants a pic by himself like Ellie had. Look at those eyebrows.  Daddy's prominant eyebrows.

 The 3:00 daily parade was amazing. Here are just some of the pics I took.

 Amazing costumes these people walking on stilts are wearing.

 Elaborate bikes the front people were riding. Beautiful work.

 Mickey's truck.

 Goofy's truck.

 Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Expeditions.

 Nate thought Ellie needed a hug I guess. It was so sweet. Gotta love the goofy hat he insisted on getting.

 Oops another breakfast pic.

 The Animal Kingdom entrance.