DISNEYLAND!!!

Last year for Christmas Ryan's parents got their whole family a family trip to Disneyland. And this last week we all went. All six of us went with Ryan's mom and dad and Ryan's sister, Laura, and her husbnad and son, Dave and Taylor. We left on Friday the 15th and drove down to Laura's house in Dixon to spend the night. We just wanted to shave a couple of hours off the trip before the long haul on Sat. So, on Sat. we got up and started the journey. Nothing of huge importance to write about that day, except arriving at our hotel directly across the entrance from Disneyland was a highlight for the boys. Evan, Chandler and Ethan have been before but Evan was 5, Chan was only 2 and Ethan 9 mos. So, Evan remembered a little bit but the other two had no memory. It was so great to watch them be so excited about something that they had no real idea what they were excited about. The next morning we all got up and and went to the Orange County Swap Meet. It is this huge outside fair type market that various vendors come and sell their goods. It is one of Cindy's things she likes to go to when in So. Cal so it was fun to see finally what she talks about. That night we all went to Rainforest Cafe, at Downtown Disney, for dinner. We've never been so it was new and fun for the kids. Then of course we had to go to the Lego store that was there. We cannot pass up Legos. Like we need anymore sets, I know, but we can't help ourselves. We are Lego junkies!

The next morning, Monday, we all got up and met the 9am opening of Disneyland. It is so fun and amazing to me how that park does make people happy. Not only were the kids mesmerized but I found myself kind of smiling and bouncing as we made our way down Main Street. We had 3 full great days of Disneyland and California Adventure Park. Chan went on every roller coaster, Ethan went on all of them too except Space Mt. and Splash Mt., and Evan even got on Indiana Jones and Mullholland Madness and did great! Chase loved the rides too! I think Chase's favorite ride was the merry-go-round. He'd beam from ear to ear and hold on and pet the horse. It was great!

Chan had a great experience with the Jedi training academy that they have there. They pick about 22 kids to come up, wear Jedi robes, learn a light saber routine, and have a chance to fight Darth Vadar or Darth Maul. He really wanted to get picked. So, while the other boys were doing other rides I ran him over and waited for the show to start. It was on our last day there and the last show time so he had to get picked. When it was time for them to start picking "younglings" my ex-cheerleading days kicked in and I became the obnoxious parent in the front row making my son known. They said to be enthusiastic and those kids get picked, so that is what they got. Well, it worked, Chan got picked. He couldn't smile any bigger if he tried, and it quickly became the highlight of his trip. ( Not only are we Lego fanatics but Star Wars is HUGE at our house too!) Oh, he fought Darth Maul and did great. (That dude was scary!)

On Wednesday for lunch we were treated to the Blue Bayou for lunch. That is the restaurant in the middle of the Pirates of The Carribean ride. I had always seen it before but never fortunate enough to go there. But, this time we did. It was fun and way yummy food. Thank you Bill and Cindy!

Also on this trip Chase and Ryan formed quite an elite bond. Chase has always adored Ryan and he has been our first baby to actually want to go to Ryan. On this trip, however, this bond grew to Ryan being the ONLY one Chase wanted. At one point Ryan went on a ride with Ethan and I stayed out to hold Chase. I have never felt like the babysitter or stranger that is holding the baby while the baby is hysterically crying, snot running from his nose and pushing away from me. Anyone walking by would have thought that I was definitely anyone but the mother! I enjoyed the "freedom" and didn't complain once. Notice every picture of Chase, Ryan is holding him. Ryan thought it was pretty cool, eventhough I don't think he would admit it.

We left Thursday all very tired and ready to come home. At least mommy and daddy were. The kids of course didn't want to leave and understandably so. They got to miss a week of school and were in kiddy paradise for three days. Who'd want to leave that? We were all very grateful for a fabulous time with family. Thank you so much papa and grandma we had a blast!