It's been a week since we returned home from our trip away to sunny Florida and the land of the Mouse. Good too, because it took a little bit of time for me to digest the trip and all the amazing things that we did together as a family. The main reason for us heading south was so that I could run my first half marathon, the Princess Half, at Walt Disney World. You can read a little bit more about the story behind that here. Seven months of training lead up to this trip and I truly cannot believe that experience has come and gone. It was more than anything I could have ever imagined, the best organized race I've ever done and a morning that was incredibly FUN.
The race itself was challenging. While it's most flat, it's LONG and straight and at time a narrow course. The race also begins at 5:30am, forcing you to set an alarm for 2:45am or earlier. I'm SO not a morning person so this middle of the night wakeup call threw me for a loop. Add in the oppressive humidity (I've been running in sub 20 degree weather) and my body didn't know what to do. Regardless I pushed along and while it wasn't easy I was so EXCITED to be running the race I had been training for, almost since giving birth. It was a surreal experience and I'll admit that when I thought about it during the course I cried, just a little;).
To celebrate my 30th birthday, which happened to fall on the day of the Half, Dave and I managed to sneak away a few days before and a few days after the race to enjoy the parks and resort together as a family. I've grown up going to Walt Disney World so to be able to share that with my little boy, well it was just an amazing experience. And while I know everyone says he might not remember it, we were amazed at just how much he enjoyed it! Jonathan being the people person that he is, couldn't get enough of the sites, sounds and a never ending amount of people to flirt with. Everywhere we went Jonathan made a friend. Including a stubborn little baby girl who didn't want his attention. Undeterred Jonathan babbled and batted his long eyelashes till she turned and smiled. Dave and I just about died.
Overall it was an incredible trip, the first "real" vacation for us as family. It will be at trip I think we'll talk about for years to come. Nothing is more special thank creating memories with your family, I will treasure these memories for the rest of my life!
Planning a Walt Disney World Wedding? Let's connect at deborah@deborahzoephoto.com to chat about how we can work together to photograph the wedding of your dreams!!