Noodle is 13 at Disney World

What happens when an amazing trip to Disney World collides with an amazing birthday girl? A super-duper-awesome-amazing birthday! We were blessed by our friends to be able to stay in Orlando for five days and go to Disney World with them. I don't know how your friends celebrate your birthday, but as friends go, I think they set the bar pretty high.

Traditionally, I do a photo shoot of Noodle on her birthday to commemorate the day. I think 4 or 5 days worth of photos will fulfill that tradition.

We visited Disney's Animal Kingdom first.

Everyone loved the Everest rollercoaster.
Especially Noodle.
That's why she's hiding in the 4th row from the back.
Or, she just ducked down to tie her shoes.

We had fun coming up with silly poses for the ride cameras.

There may have also been some Bollywood dancing in our day.

We got soaked on the river.
 

We re-enacted old times.

Then the grown-ups had to have a turn.

Here's this entire crew of people we love and wore out our feet with on the miles and miles and miles of Animal Kingdom paths. What? Not miles? Tell that to my flip flops.

Steve, Michelle, Susie, Seth, Pam, Mike, Caleb
Liam (asleep!), Joshua, Jacob, Me, Noodle, Matthew, Hopers, Brianna

On our second day, we went to the Magic Kingdom.
The ferry ride into the park was, well...magical.

The kids were fresh and ready to go for another day of fun.


We brought 3 gallons of deer jerky with us.  The snacking began first thing every morning and continued until the final squabble over the last piece (between the dads of course, not the kids).

The dads, hyped up on jerky, ready to blast some alien butt on the Buzz Lightyear ride.

More fun with ride cameras.

Hopers and Briana survived the teacups with style. I, however, have vowed never to step foot in anything that spins again.
Yes, I am now old.

That night, we had a celebration dinner for Noodle back at the hotel.

The next day, it was time for a visit to Epcot.  We burst through the gates as they opened and ran our way to the first ride we could: Soarin.  If you haven't been, I highly recommend it.  It was amazing!  A virtual hang gliding tour across the country. I couldn't stop smiling.

Steve, Jacob, Michelle, and Faith on Soarin

Beautiful Noodle on her birthday. She's 13!!!!!
Hopers and Noodle loved the Test Track ride, but Mission to Mars was their favorite of the day.

Joshua, Briana, and Hope playing in Epcot Japan.

Caleb, Faith, Jacob and Hope in Epcot France.

Puppets in Epcot China.

Hats in Epcot Mexico.

Noodle in Epcot Morocco.  It's her birthday today!  Happy 13th, Noodle!

On our final day at Disney, our little family of four headed alone to Hollywood Studios.  We had so much fun running around to all of the rides, we didn't even take pictures!