Our Happiest Place

Our family LOVES Disneyland--every single one of us, including Joe.  We planned to go during Veterans week and knew it would be crazy busy on that weekend so we pulled the kids out of school and hit the park early in the week to avoid the crowds and I must say we did the right thing.  There were no lines or waiting and the kids had a blast.  We rode on the rides over and over again.

This trip was extra special because we went with our dear friends, the Swaseys, and all of our kids were out of diapers and bottles and were tall enough to go on almost every ride.   It was so easy for all 6 of us to jump on the rides with nobody left behind waiting to watch a baby/toddler or stroller.  Carlee had no idea what she was getting into but we took her on everything so she could experience it all.  Every day since we've been home, she says "Remember when we went on . . ." and "Space Mountain was not my favorite ride, Mom!"

The kids were fabulous with their behavior, excitement, manners, and no whining or complaining.  It was a wonderful trip for us.

Disneyland--Day 1

Highlights:

*Loved that we just took Carlee on every ride without her knowing what was ahead
*Loved that Carlee was brave enough to go on every ride and kept on going even if she didn't like the one before
*Buzz Lightyear AstroBlasters ride

*Space Mountain
*Sheer terror on Carlee's face as she sat front and center for Splash Mountain
*Meeting princesses
*No waiting in lines for longer than 15 minutes
*No worries about gathering Fast Passes

*Beautiful weather
*Watching the pure joy on my children's faces as they ran from ride to ride
*Enjoying how much the kids were getting along and having fun
*Laughing so hard as the kids practiced "Parkour" on the walk to and from Disneyland
*Jake got a visit from the tooth fairy for losing his first tooth
*Showing our pride as Clark and Katelyn both trained as Jedi Masters
*Loved that all six of us could go on all the rides together, except Indiana Jones
*Giggling as our kids fell asleep during dinner at California Pizza Kitchen

 

 

Jake lost his first tooth and was visited by the tooth fairy at Disneyland!

 California Adventure--Day 2

Highlights:

*Laughing hysterically while my kids screamed from fear on Tower of Terror

*Tried to convince and bribe Joe to go on Tower of Terror but to no avail

*Soarin' over California was the favorite of the day

*Enjoyed California Screamin' for the first time with Melissa and then with Joe

*Loved Toy Story Mania

*Rode Monsters, Inc. four times in a row

*Had a sweet little visit with Jake while waiting for everyone to come out of A Bug's Life Theater since he was too scared to stay the whole time

*Drank hot chocolate while watching the Pixar Play Parade

*Loved the World of Color Water Show

*Chasing children all over the Redwood Creek Trail and Playground

*Grabbing Subway sandwiches for dinner and falling asleep right after snarfing them down

Ella was so good to stay in the stroller and just hang out

This is our picture from the screen at Tower of Terror.  Melissa and I are laughing while our kids are scared to death.  I lost the feeling in my arm from Carlee holding on so tight.  Clark wimped out!

Melissa and I got to ride California Screamin' together!

Really hamming it up for our kids that were watching from the side.  They were scared one of us wouldn't make it.

The kids were completely exhausted from the long day.  They were tired of walking so Joe pushed four of them.  Carlee is asleep up front and Jake is asleep against Cole's stomach.  We love to wear them out!


Back and Forth--Day 3

Highlights: 

*Going on all the favorites "One More Time"

*Shopping for souvenirs

*Watching the "Celebrate! Let's Party" Street Parade

*Eating at the Blue Bayou Restaurant for the first time (the kids were excellent!)

*Getting character signature for their autograph books

*Enjoying more and more Christmas decor magically appearing each day

Carlee loved meeting all of the princesses while the older kids got to go on more rides.

Eating at the Blue Bayou.  Arrggghh!

Melissa captures the best candid moments of best friends

Carlee and Luke watching a movie in the iPod while waiting for the parade

Downtown Disney--Day 4

We hit Downtown Disney in the morning after checking out of our hotel.  The kids wanted to pick out a Disney Christmas ornament and hit the Lego store of course, where we bought some Harry Potter magnets and a Lego Christmas Village.  

We then headed back to Vegas with a little stop at the Primm Outlets on the way back.  A wonderful vacation with some wonderful memories.  Can't wait to go back next year?!?

The Stuseys, a crazy crew

Halloween 2010

Halloween this year lasted all through the weekend and it was so much fun.  Unfortunately, I didn't take enough pictures of all of our activities but here is what we did:

Thursday, the 28th, was Nevada Day so the kids dressed up in western attire, had a family picnic lunch out on the playground, and paraded around the school grounds in the afternoon. 

Witches Night Out commenced that evening and was hosted by Millicent (Missy) and Glinda (Geneva).  There was incredible food and a wonderfully witchy atmosphere.  It was a lot of fun. 

On Friday the kids didn't have school so we spent the day cleaning the house for the weekend and playing at the park.  That evening was our ward Trunk or Treat and Cub Scout Fundraiser.  It was a fun night and we won a delicious and really cute Frankenstein cake at the silent auction.  The kids filled their bags full of candy and enjoyed it the whole ride home and sneakily under their covers while they were supposed to be asleep!

Saturday we cleaned up the yard, had soccer games, and carved pumpkins.

Sunday we had our own little Halloween party with chili, dinner in a pumpkin, rolls, apples and dip, beignets, fruit and veggies, and homemade root beer.  We handed out candy to a few trick-or-treaters that came to our door, played Halloween Bingo and Neon Leon.

Monday we made candied caramel apples and they were so delicious.  We ate them all up the next day. 

Halloween decorations are put away, the candy is just about gone, and the costumes keep reappearing for dressing up and shows during the evenings.  We had a wonderful Halloween and can't wait for the holidays to come!