Watch out Mickey

Sweep the floor Mickey, Make the beds, go to the grocery store. 

All 10 Dodd's are ascending to the 

Magical home of Mickey Mouse!!

The decision to go to Orlando with the entire family was not a difficult one! Everyone WANTED to go, but when and how. Maybe not everyone, but we scheduled the trip over Lisa and Mark's birthday so we hoped Papa and Grandma would eventually commit to going with us.

We started planning the trip in March. Emma & Elijah knew we were all going. I was so proud of them for not saying anything about it to Carter all summer long!

I wanted to surprise Carter once we got to Orlando. However, the morning of the trip we decided to tell him just before we got to the airport. I figured some well meaning stranger would blurt out something about Mickey Mouse at the airport and I wouldn't be able to capture Carter's reaction.

Mark and I spilled the beans at the Park and Fly. Carter's reaction was so Dodd like. (We have it on video but I can't upload it right now.) He just sort of said okay. Over the next few hours reality started setting in and he was SO jacked up excited when he saw Emma and Elijah at the Orlando airport I thought he would burst with excitement!

Papa and Grandma drove down mid-week and surprised Lisa and Mark on their birthday!

Down the JetWay! Who doesn't love those adorable faces!!

Into the big rocket ship.

All settled in a for good morning nap, especially since we got up when it was still dark!

Before Carter went to bed, Mark told Carter some big tale about they were going to go running and that was why they had to get up when it was dark.

AJ slept for most of the plane ride. Carter asked more questions than I could count about the upcoming vacation!

Safely in Orlando! Everyone loves the tram!

Orlando Airport.

Now where are those cousins and the REAL Mickey Mouse?

Once we found the Gray's we had a quick lunch at the airport and boarded the "White Glove" bus to our hotel. Check-in took over two hours because someone else was in our room.

Alas we made it to Mickey's HOUSE!

The gang's all here Mickey let's have some fun!

Carter is watching a show in front of the Princess Castle on Center Stage. This photo doesn't quite do justice to the wonder and awe in his expression. Seeing all his beloved Disney friends in the flesh was pretty cool.

(Over to the left you will see our LOVELY tour guide...LISA!)

The more experienced group had a bit less "awe" about the center stage show in the scorching Orlando sun.