The Happiest Place on Earth

We had an awesome time last week at the happiest place on earth - Disneyland! Actually, I have never considered myself a real "Disneyland person" - but have gone the last two years with the kids and my parents and I really enjoy it. It's very nostalgic to me and brings back memories of my childhood. I really love to see my kids experience it and love to see their reactions and expressions. I especially love going with my parents - they are such good friends and I love hanging out with them. They make the whole trip better. Going in the off season is great because the lines are so short - we never waited more then 10 minutes.

Our favorites from the trip:

• Jen - Space Mountain and California Screamin'
• Jason - Watching Dawson fight Darth Vader
• Dawson - All the rides - he loves it ALL
• Taya - Tea Cups and the Carousel (over and over again)
• Holden - The Front Pack

The not so great moments:

• Dad getting sick with the flu the day we drove home. We hung out and swam in the hotel pool waiting for Dad to feel well enough to drive home. By 2PM he came around and was able to make it home without needing a doggie bag.
• Taya completely loosing it after a long day at Disneyland when we woke her up to change her into her PJs. BIG mistake on our part. The next night she again fell asleep on the shuttle bus to the hotel and we correctly let her sleep in her clothes.
• Holden crying in the car - this is typical, but gets really old on a 8 hour drive. So, there was a lot of singing primary songs and baby foot rubs, which seemed to help.

Happy, Easy Kids in the Car Ride

Holden was not so happy in the car

Taya was a trouper and went on all the "scary" rides the first day - Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion - even the Matterhorn. But after half a day of that, she was OVER it and spent the rest of the day in Fairytale Town on the Tea Cups and the Carousel. We gave her a break from scary on the second day!

Dawson was especially excited to go on the rope swing at California Adventure - he was too short last year by 1/4" and remembered well that he could not go on it (he cried last year when they turned him away). So, he talked about wanting to go on it the entire first day.

Taya loves the Rocket Ride at California Adventure. She rode it 5 times in a row she loved it so much. On her last ride they made her the Honorary Captain - complete with sticker and a flashlight to lead the way. Fun!

Dawson got to do the Jedi Training. Fighting Darth Vader was the highlight. Plus - his sword fighting skills greatly improved from the training.

The Parade - always a highlight. I love Disneyland at night - it's Magical.