Disneyland Here We Come!

A word of warning: This is going to be the longest post in the history of blogging. Just so you know.

As many of you know, we set out for sunny California last Monday morning for a dream Disneyland vacation. Here are a few shots of us starting out, eager and excited to hit the road:


(Lindsey was a little camera shy.)


Joseph wondering what was going on.




Just a few miles down the road -- already engrossed in a DVD.



First stop -- In-N-Out in Vegas. Yeah, baby.

So we arrived Monday evening at our super nice hotel, the Residence Inn. I kept thinking I would take some photos but never did. And once that first night was gone, I was just too exhausted to think about it again.

Anyway, we got to Disneyland Tuesday morning, and the fun began. I'm just going to post about a zillion photos with some intermittent commentary.

It happened to be akin to the surface of the sun in California last week -- a heatwave that brought on temperatures of 108 or so all week. It figures, huh?


Cute stuff wearing Dad's hat.


Did I mention it was hot? We drank water like camels.



Mel, Manda, and Joseph living it up on the Jungle Cruise. Joseph slept most of the time, I think to escape the heat.




All tuckered out at the end of a long day.


Ditto.


And the next morning, we couldn't wake them for anything. They were wiped out!!!


Girl power on the teacups.


Bradley in line for Buzz Lightyear.


Some photos from the Carousel.


Joseph had a good time on his horse.








Nathaniel braved the Tower of Terror, but only once. He did not love it -- check out his worried expression (bottom left).





Lindsey really liked driving the cars on Autopia.








Waiting in line for what became his favorite ride, California Screamin'.


We rode it many times.




Look at that kid -- hands up and everything!






Some good lookin' boys on the Sun Wheel.


Bradley and Chris on Big Thunder Mountain. This was one of Bradley's favorites, and he rode it about 8 times.


Trying to pull the sword from the stone.




Look Marmee, no hands!



A definite highlight for Lindsey was meeting several of the Disney Princesses. Here she gets an autograph from Pocahontas.

Posing with Mulan.

Hanging out with Jasmine. (The kids -- especially Bradley -- were all very concerned at how immodest some of the princesses were!)

With Belle.

Meeting Snow White was a special treat; she was so nice to Lindsey, who later told us, "Snow White held my hand."

But the biggest thrill of all was meeting the beautiful Cinderella! Lindsey met her twice, and she got an autograph, a hug, and a kiss! She was in heaven!




We also got to meet Mr. Incredible and Pluto. It was pretty cool how many characters were out and about, no doubt roasting in their costumes!

A cute bunch taking an easy ride on the Disneyland Railroad.

Posing on Dumbo.

So there you have a few pictures from our 3 days in the parks. On Friday, once we realized we were too darn tired to drive back home, we stopped by Huntington Beach. Originally the plan was for the kids to walk on the sand look around, but when I went back to the van to feed Joseph, well, just look what happened....

This was really cool -- there were dolphins jumping in the waves.

So about this point Joseph and I take off. Then the fun begins.

Mel had the boys take their shirts off so at least they would stay dry. Next thing she knew, Lindsey joined right in!

Driving home on Saturday, we stopped in Barstow at this train museum and learned about the Harvey Houses (which I was gung ho for, cuz I love the Judy Garland movie called, "The Harvey Girls.")

Lindsey posed with one of the girls.

Outside the kids checked out some trains.

We stopped again in St. George to visit the Temple grounds and visitors' center.

And believe it or not, we eventually made it home. Whew. It was an awesome trip, but I have some recovering to do! Disneyland is a lot of fun, but it is no vacation!

1. Fun times together with family

2. Space Mountain, the Haunted Mansion, Pirates, and California Screamin'

3. Coming home again