A Donkey Named Eeyore Is Her Friend...

Monday morning we woke up at our regular time. We didn't have to set an alarm because Ashlyn usually wakes up at, on average, 6:30 am. So we knew we'd be up at a decent time. We went down to the lobby for the free continental breakfast. On the way Aaron asked the front desk where the nearest mall was. We had planned on Sunday being our shopping day when we thought we were flying out on Saturday into Jacksonville, but since that didn't work out we just decided we'd hit a mall on our way up to Orlando.

After breakfast we packed up, got in the car, and headed to the mall. We got Ashlyn a few things and I got some new shoes. Aaron also spoiled me and got me an absolutely beautiful Coach purse. It was a floor model and was 25% off, but the zipper stuck a little. So we took it anyway because we knew we could go up to another mall on our way and either exchange it and, if they didn't have the same one, return it. I said we shouldn't get it so we wouldn't have to deal with the hassle, but Aaron insisted because he knew we both really liked it. :) He's so sweet.

So off we went from the mall. Ashlyn was really good during the car ride, too. She had her moments, but we made enough stops so she could be changed, fed, or just stretch her legs. She played with some toys, including her little Eeyore.

Down the road we stopped for some lunch and Aaron asked directions to the nearest mall. The mall was close by and it was a NICE one. We went in just to go to the Coach store and in that little corner of the mall itself there was Gucci, Tiffany & Co., Michael Kors, Burberry, and more. I could have spent forever in there!

Anyway, back to the important stuff. After Aaron tore me away from that mall we finished our trip to Orlando. The trip took longer than we had anticipated, but soon we finally saw...

Pop Century! We've stayed here before and really enjoyed it. We paid for a standard room but we got a little pixie dust and got upgraded to a preferred room. That just means it was closer to the main building and the bus stop. When we got to our room, Towel Puppy was in the window waiting for us.

We had many an adventure with Towel Puppy, but I'll talk more about him in other posts. The room overlooked the lake and was really nice... except for the fact that our neighbors were LOUD that night! One lady just wouldn't stop screaming at the top of her lungs and woke up Ashlyn at one point. We complained, nothing was done, but they eventually went to sleep and it didn't happen again during our trip.

My dad was flying in this night, too, and was taking the Disney Magical Express from the airport to the hotel. When it was about time for him to arrive, we headed downstairs. Aaron took a super cute picture of Ashlyn while walking by one of the pools.

Those pink straps are from the Disney Princess backpack we got her at the first mall. She had never worn a backpack before and she kept it on whenever we had it on her. She even asked to wear it a few times throughout the trip! We kept her snacks in it so they were easy to get to while in the parks.

Very soon, my dad was there! It was so great to see him!!! Ashlyn wasn't too sure about him at first, of course, but she warmed up to him really quickly. For some strange reason I don't have pictures of them from the first night. There are plenty from the following days, though.

We all stayed up just talking for awhile since the people next door were keeping us up, but all in all that was okay because it was nice to just catch up and joke around.

That was our first day on Disney property! Tomorrow I will post about our first park... Epcot!