Here are some of the pictures from our trip. We are at IVIG today, so I've taken some time to shrink and upload some pictures, but it is very time-consuming; so there are many more! The above picture is on the private jet on our way to Florida. The pilots had gifts for the kids--this is a picture of the boys opening their gifts. What a blessing this flight was!!
Melanie with some of her gifts from the pilots.
Ethan in the cockpit checking out all the dials and buttons. He hung out in the cockpit quite a bit and chatted with the pilots.
Brandon in the cockpit.
Daddy and Bella on the plane.
Melanie in the cockpit talking with the pilots.
Hanging out on the plane. It was easy to forget we were even on an airplane--so comfortable and smooth . . . .cannot even put into words what a blessing this flight was!
Melanie in the cockpit with the lion the pilots gave her.
Our family, Shari, and the pilots in front of the plane at the airport in Kissimmee, Florida.
Thank you to the pilots and generous donor!! We are so blessed!
Our first day (Wednesday, February 29) was a very rough day. Melanie overheated within minutes of being outside which started a downward spiral. Shari got online, found a portable air conditioner, we ordered it, and had it overnighted to our villa. That afternoon and evening were really rough and the outlook for the week did not look good. Melanie went to bed at 4 p.m. with thoughts that we'd try to get up at 2 a.m. and get to Magic Kingdom while it was cool enough for her to be outside. (For the first time, Disney was open for 24 hours on leap day--we had no idea this was the case and had never even considered going out in the middle of the night. But God knew and worked it out that we were there on the *only* day Disney was open for 24 hours!). Shari and I both slept for about ten minutes that night. We got up at 2 a.m., got things ready, woke the kids before 3 a.m., and headed out to Magic Kingdom--with many prayers that things would improve. Thankfully, our prayers were answered! We had a fabulous time at Magic Kingdom from 3-6 a.m. It was the longest period of time Melanie was able to be out and enjoy Disney. She got to meet characters, ride a few rides, and we all really enjoyed it! The picture above is at the enterance to Magic Kingdom.
Our first ride--It's a Small World. Fun times!
Bella, still in her jammies, on It's a Small World around 3 a.m. on February 1.
Bella and Melanie with Shari on the big carousel.
Brandon and Ethan on the carousel.
This was an amazing experience. We were walking along the street in Magic Kingdom--Ariel and Prince Eric were walking the opposite direction, waving at people. I asked Ariel if she could say hi to a Wish Kid. She was the most sincere character we met. She knelt down and talked to Melanie for probably ten minutes. A group of people gathered to see Ariel (who devoted 100% of her attention to Melanie). When Ariel stood up I thanked her and told her she had just made Melanie's night. She had tears in her eyes and said, "She made my night!" Melanie is so genuine in her love for all the characters--it had obviously touched Ariel. I should mention that Melanie's "dream" for her Wish trip was to meet characters (specirficially Cinderella) . . .she has always wanted to meet and hug and talk to characters. As you will see in the following pictures--her dream came true . ..she met *so* many characters!
Melanie hugging Tuffy the bear (not sure who he is? . . .but Melanie was more than happy to meet and hug any character!)
This is about 6 a.m. on February 1. The boys, Scott, and Bella went back to the villa and slept. Shari, Melanie, and I took the opportunity of the cool morning to let Melanie look around Give Kids the World. This is Melanie in front of the Theater.
This is Ol Elmer . . .a tree that snores. The kids loved walking by it. Bella always commented that the tree was snoring.
Melanie meeting Mickey Mouse inside the theater at Give Kids the World.
Melanie meeting Goofy and Pluto in the cool of the morning, about 8 a.m. on February 1.
Being silly!
Shari, Mommy, Melanie, and Tigger!
Melanie meeting Belle from Beauty and the Beast.
The "royal family" at the castle at GKTW.
Bella loved this big bear in the castle at GKTW.
Snuggles with big brother and the big bear.
Bella liked to hug this little girl statue.
Every night at GKTW is a "theme." This night was Christmas. It was too hot (and the party was too late) for Melanie to be out at the party, so they sent Santa to our villa. He brought presents for the kids, and they had fun getting to see Santa.
Meeting Curious George and the Man with the Yellow Hat.
Melanie got her nails done and face painting at the La Ti Da Spa at GKTW. :)
At Lego Land. This day was too hot for Melanie. We used the portable air conditioner to get in from one building to another, but we still had to run--literally. This was the day we all got a lot of laughs--at Shari and I running, dodging our way through people, me with Bella in the front carrier, Shari pushing a double stroller with Melanie, oxygen, two IV pumps, etc. I'm sure we looked rediculous; but we got some laughs out of it. :) My knee is still angry with me about this day. Melanie crashed hard after about an hour, but we did enjoy our time for that hour. The boys were especially glad to get to go to Legoland!
Brandon and Ethan at Legoland.
Bella at Legoland.
One night was Pirates and Princesses at GKTW. Again, Melanie could not go out because of the heat/how late the activity was (7:30); so the GKTW princesses came to her! She got some special time with the princesses in our villa.
Four princesses!
Group hug!
The boys at the pirates activity.
Star Wars characters came to visit after the Pirates and Princesses party!
Ethan giving Boba Fett (I think?) a high-five!
Ethan and Darth Vader.
Brandon and Boba Fett.
Melanie got to ride a horse! The lady riding with her is holding her portable air conditioner. This day was very hot, and even though it was just 8 a.m., it was already getting too hot for Melanie; so we got there first thing, rode the horse, and Shari took her right back to the villa.
Bella rode the horse as well. She liked the horse ride, but did not like it that they took her away from Mommy. She cried most of the way around.
The boys at Jedi Training at Hollywood Studios. This day was too hot for Melanie to be out at all, so she and I stayed at a Disney hotel . . .we found a quiet area on the second floor where she laid on a couch and we played Polly Pockets and watched a movie on the computer. The boys got to do Jedi Training and then "fight" Darth Vader!
Ethan getting his Jedi diploma.
Brandon and Ethan with their Jedi diplomas. They are both very warm!
They got to have a special photo shoot with Darth Vader!
At Hollywood Studios.
Brandon's "fight" with Darth Vader.
This is "Mayor Clayton" and his "wife." They tucked Melanie into bed one of the nights. Here they are saying bedtime prayers . . .Melanie lead the prayer; so sweet!Many more pictures to come!
