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Disney Vacation!

As many of you know, Lia was granted a wish from the Make A Wish Foundation, back in April.  She chose to meet Princess Belle, which led to an amazing Disney World vacation for the Shields Family!  Not only were we able to experience all that Disney has to offer (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios), but we also spent a day at Sea World and made a trip to the beach!  It was Ryan, Jack and Lia's first time seeing the ocean!  We made such wonderful memories, and know that we will remember this trip FOREVER!  The look on Jack and Lia's faces as we experienced different things each day is enough to make your heart melt.  If you have ever considered making a donation to a charity, I would encourage you to donate to the Make A Wish Foundation.  They were so amazing to work with, and gave Lia (and us) a trip that we would never be able to do on our own.  It was a nice break from the reality of heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, medical bills, injections, and pills.

This is actually Lia's second time flying--but we try not to think about the first time!

The kids were excellent passengers!  Thanks for the activities to keep them busy, Cara!

This is Dennis.  He was our airport greeter.  He also helped us get our luggage and our rental car. One of the nicest people I have ever met!

The kids loved Dennis
Next stop was to check into our villa at Give Kids The World!  It looks like a castle, so the kids loved that!  It was a 2 bedroom/2 bathroom/full kitchen and living room!  All Make A Wish families stay at Give Kids The World.  The people here are amazing and cater to your every need.
Day 1:  Disney Springs and Epcot
We knew Jack wouldn't be into all the princess stuff, so we made special reservations for him at T Rex cafe.  We ate lunch next to a woolly mammoth, which he thought was awesome.  We also got to experience a meteor shower during our lunch!

This is Lia, and her Fairy Godmother.  Lia got go be made over into Snow White!





Our beautiful Princess!
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Family photo in front of Epcot.




 Day 2 took us to Magic Kingdom:
 We were literally there from park opening to park closing! (A small nap after lunch)  Breakfast at Cinderella's Royal Table all the way to the Electric Lights parade that doesn't start until 10 pm!


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Rapunzel
Ariel



Jasmine
Cinderella
Snow White
 And then the moment we had all been waiting for!  Meeting Lia's favorite princess, BELLE!!  We got to have her all to ourselves in her library for about 15-20 minutes.  She showed us around, gave Lia a rose, and talked with us.  It was so amazing!








So proud of Jack for trying many roller coasters and Splash Mountain!
Waiting for the parade to begin!  Because we were with Make A Wish, we got priority seating! Talk about spoiled!
Tinkerbell
Rafiki
Goofy
Chip and Dale

Minnie
Mickey
Olaf

Sophia


 Day 3: Jedi Training at Hollywood Studios!








 Animal Kingdom!

Lia wasn't so sure about some of the characters

Glowing Drinks!
 Cocoa Beach!





Jack drew a whale in the sand.


Jack and Lia in bottom left corner!

Cocoa Beach Pier

My 3 favorite people!
 Sea World!




When we got home from Florida, we were exhausted, but so so so grateful for our wonderful vacation!  Thank you Make A Wish Foundation!

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