The Miller Family

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Santa

This year our visit with Santa didn't go as well as last year. Mason did not want to wait in line. He wanted to walk everywhere, but couldn't because so many areas were roped off. By the time we got up to Santa he was so mad that he refused to sit. This provided us with our first (of many, I'm sure) screaming Santa photo.

Monday, October 31, 2011

Pumpkin Carving

This year Mason tried to help carve his pumpkin. He really enjoyed "scooping out the guts." The pictures are kinda blurry though because he was moving so fast!

The finished Cookie Monster pumpkin

Saturday, October 29, 2011

He's Walking!

Mason was so close to walking for so long. All of the sudden he woke up one morning and started walking everywhere. It was the weirdest thing. He barely stumbled at all! So our little guy is officially on the move. Here's a small clip of some of his first steps!

Mason's First Birthday Party

For Mason's 1st birthday we had a party at the Brookfield Zoo. He had a lot of friends and family come to celebrate with him.

Sign outside the party

Mason's lion cake

The guests' cake

Walking with Grandpas (I'm bummed this photo is so dark)

Ready for cake??

Making a wish

Cake time!!

Opening presents

It was Boo at the Zoo weekend also, so after the party Mason changed into his costume and walked around the zoo. He even went to the dolphin show with some of his party guests (although he slept through part of it). He had a lot of fun showing Grandma and Grandpa Miller around the zoo. Thanks to everyone who came and shared in his day and for all the cool presents. Mason is a very lucky boy!

Watching the costume parade

Riding the carousel for the first time (he was so sleepy)

We ran out of time to open presents so we left one of the presents from us for Mason to open at home. It turned out to be one of the only ones he actually tried to open.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Disney Cruise

The day before Mason's birthday we left for a Disney cruise to the Bahamas. It was Mason's first airplane trip and I was nervous how he would do. Not only did we have to fly to Orlando, but then we had about a 45 minute bus ride to Port Canaveral to board the ship. He did a great job! All the older kids going to Disney World on the plane starting clapping when we landed so Mason did too!

Just after landing in Orlando

Strolling through the airport

Being greeted by Mickey

Our "Welcome Aboard" Photo

Once our family was welcomed onboard by the crew we grabbed a quick bite to eat before heading to our rooms to change for the sail away party and dinner. When the ship leaves there is a big party on the pool deck which was a lot of fun.

Dinner the first night was at the Animator's Palate. It was a really neat restaurant where Crush from Finding Nemo came onto the walls and talked to the guests. We met the family that we would be dining with for the rest of the trip as well as our wait staff for the trip.

Mason at dinner

The next morning our little birthday boy woke up in Nassau. After a quick breakfast in our room we headed off to the Atlantis resort to spend some time at their pools. We also wanted to check out their aquarium since Mason seems to love fish so much! The weather was gorgeous when we arrived, but started to pour after lunch. Luckily we did our swimming first so once it started raining we went in to check out all the aquatic exhibits.

Breakfast on the balcony

Swimming at the Atlantis

Looking at all the fish

Mason on a big chair

The night of Mason's birthday we had dinner at the Enchanted Garden. Our waitstaff brought out a little cake for him and sang, but he wasn't too sure what was going on.

At dinner

Happy Birthday

After dinner

Outside the Walt Disney Theater

So tired

We spent the next day at Castaway Cay, Disney's private island. It was so much fun! The weather was perfect too. Devin & I went parasailing while Mason spent some time on the beach with Auntie Erica and Grandma Monica. We all did some swimming in the ocean before lunch and then took Mason to the splash park. After all that swimming he took a nap on the beach while Erica, Devin & I went snorkeling. I think everyone had a blast here but we had to get back on the ship to get ready for the big pirate night!

Heading out to parasail

On our way up

Ocean dip

Playing in the sand with Auntie Erica

Time to swim!

off to the splash park

Pelican Plunge

That night was "Pirate Night" aboard the ship. Dinner was at the Royal Palace that night and all guests were encouraged to dress up in pirate attire. There was a pirate party after dinner and another party with fireworks and more food later that night (Mason was already asleep).

Our little pirate before dinner

Pirate Party

At dinner

After dinner a photographer actually asked us to take some pictures of Mason. He was totally cheesing for the camera.

Waking up for our "day at sea"

Our last day was spent at sea enjoying all the activities on the boat. In the morning Mason won 2nd place in the ship's diaper dash. It was such a funny experience. People were crowded all around these babies screaming at them to crawl. I'll add the video later! The afternoon was spent at the Nemo's Reef splash pad as well as riding the Aqua Duck. We didn't have time to do half of what there was to offer. We definitely need to sail longer next time.

Diaper Dash