It Was Time—Again

 

After over a two year absence from that happiest place on earth, we were planning on doing another trip there in the Spring.  However, some circumstances came about that put Disneyland in our path sooner, and we decided the time was right to go again—this time around with five kids instead of three.  :)

My wonderful Uncle John passed away around Christmas time this year—he was a great man with two beautiful children who have wonderful families of their own and a loving wife.  He left a great legacy of faith in Christ and love for family and you can see the evidence of his life in the ones that have come after him.  Really, his family are all such wonderful caring people—he will be missed very much, but we know he is in heaven and what a comfort that is! 

When we heard of passing, we of course planned on going to the funeral after New Years.  His family all live in California and we had a lovely visit with everyone—when we started to plan the trip we realized how close we would be to Disneyland, and that the kids were still out of school.  So, we decided to extend our trip and spend three more days in our favorite amusement park as well. 

 

Here are a few highlights in a very random order:

 

Our three princess in front of the castle with an attacking knight or something I guess.:)

 

Here we are at the Alladin show in California Adventure—they do a super job with this show!  This was actually the only time that Conner got really fussy—probably because we were just sitting for a while.  However, I was able to catch most of the show while standing with him in the back.  He really did well overall—took naps either in the stroller or in his wrap while I “wore” him—he even slept through the Pirates of the Carrebean ride!  He really enjoyed all the stimulation and being outside a lot.

Yes, all three big kids got to take this picture in front of the Tower of Terror because this time they all went on it—although Logan was definitely not the most willing of riders—I got him on though and he sure bragged about going on it afterwards!

 

LOVE this picture!  This was for the 3D bug movie—pretty scary for little Ella at some parts, but she just sort of wiggled around on my lap until she felt better.

 

Both Ella and Conner were napping here in their strollers so all us non-nappers took this shot together—we were sure ready to sleep each night though! 

This is a new part of Disneyland called Pixie Hollow for the fairies—so cute!

  Here we are inside Pixie Hollow:

I love fantasy land in Disneyland—this is where I really feel like we are in the park—and dreams will come true—when we wish upon a star—and all that goofy stuff that I just love about Disneyland.  Oh, and the castle is so pretty!

 

And you have to go to the Tiki Room!  Both Ella and Conner really loved this one! 

 

I think the greatest part for Ella was meeting Micky Mouse—she really hasn’t seen that much Disney stuff, but she sure knows Micky Mouse and LOVED going to his house and meeting him—that was really fun for all of us to see.  I remember when little Logan met him for the first time!

 

Okay, we all loved meeting Micky Mouse! Well, I’m sure that Conner was dreaming about Micky Mouse at the time.:)

It was a really nice part of our trip to get to go to Disneyland—it was definitely different going with a toddler and a baby, but with a great husband and three great big kids to help out, we did it!  It was pretty funny when we got on our shuttle each morning from our hotel to go to the park—five kids, two strollers, four bags of stuff—everyone just sort of looked at us and smiled.  We wouldn’t have it any other way though—how wonderful that we have such beautiful children to take places like this and make these special memories! 

I counted my blessings a lot this trip—and the funeral afterwards really made me think as well.  I love to attend funerals for wonderful people like my uncle who have lived a great life, because it always makes me think what mine will be like.  I only hope that I can affect some people for good the way my Uncle John did—I have pictures of family from that as well, but I will have to post those later.  Hope everyone out there is having a great new year and decade!