Back from Disneyland

We had the most amazing time in Disneyland last week. I knew the kids would enjoy it, but I had no idea I would have so much fun. In fact I told Dave I want to go back again without the kids. In all we spent Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at Disneyland and California Adventure Park and then we spent Thursday and Friday at Legoland and the Aquarium next to Legoland. Amazingly no one got lost, and despite a few traumatic moments, I think we will all have fond memories of this trip.

The whole family at Disneyland

Of course you have to get a picture with Mickey Mouse while you are there. Hunter had to give Mickey a kiss as well as a hug.

Hunter with Donald Duck

Allison with Minnie Mouse

Ashton looking very much like a Cheshire Cat with the White Rabbit

Every night there was a great fireworks show over the castle set to music. Most of us enjoyed it, especially Dave, but the twins thought it was too loud and scary. Here they are during the fireworks on our first night in the park. Kristen is covering her ears and Loryn is covering her eyes.

Kristen and Loryn's favorite rides were the carousels. This fish carousel was in California Adventure. Kristen, Loryn, and Hunter went on it over and over again while Dave, Ashton, and Allison went on the California Screaming rollercoaster (the best rollercoaster I have ever been on). There wasn't any line so we could get off and run right back on again.
Here is Kristen on a favorite Sea Lion.
Below is Loryn on her favorite Sea Horse.


Below: Kristen on the Sea Lion from the night before.

Hunter also liked the Carousel a lot. He didn't like the fast roller coasters very much and luckily for him he was too short for several of them. Next time though Hunter. Below: Hunter on his otter.
The Pirates of the Caribbean ride was a favorite of the parents and Ashton and Allison, but the younger three thought it was a bit too scary. Afterward we dressed up for a few minutes in the gift shop to recover from the trauma.

Another traumatic moment was the Matterhorn. They had heard about the Yeti monsters on the ride and Hunter and Allison were terrified. The twins (one with me and one with Dave) were crying when we got off. Below: Hunter before the ride has even started is a little worked up about it. The rest of us thought it was great.

Of course there were other bright moments like meeting Sheriff Woody. Hunter was thrilled.

And the twins were so excited to meet Cinderella. I wish I had a picture of the Dumbo ride too. Loryn is still praying every night that she can go on the "elephant" ride as well as the "horse" ride (the carousel in Disneyland) and the "fish" ride (the carousel in California Adventure). This Cinderella was fantastic by the way. She never broke character even when she was talking to other workers in the park.

The tea cups were also a favorite. We went on them on our second night there after California Adventure closed. Because it was late, very few people were riding the kiddie rides so we were able to go on the tea cups over and over again. Dave and I both got a little sick so we went back to the hotel soon after.

We also went to Legoland. I think we timed it just right going before all the schools got out for Christmas break. Legoland was empty. You could run onto any ride you wanted to. Our longest wait was probably five minutes. There are so many amazing lego sculptures all over the park. Many of them are life size or bigger. It was incredible to see.

While there we went to a 3-D show about Bob the Builder.

Allison poses with the Queen of England.

Ashton and Loryn next Lego San Fransisco

Ashton and Allison at the Sealife Aquarium. Look at all the pretty fish.

Dave and Hunter with a tired, lego-grandpa. We loved all the detail that went into this sculpture: the Hawaiian shirt, shorts with super white legs and dark socks, Tiva sandals, and there is even a hole in one of the socks where you see his toe poking through.

Kristen and Loryn couldn't go on as many rides at Legoland as they could at Disneyland. I don't know why...I guess they don't have as good an insurance policy as Disney. This made them sad on several occasions, but who cares about rides as long as there is a lego dog to play with. They spent a good ten minutes just playing around this dog. It was so funny. (Loryn is the one with her tongue hanging out like she is a dog too. This is not unusual for her. Half the time at home she is either a dog or cat. Who needs pets when you have two year olds who think they are animals.)