Last week we took a lovely family vacation to sunny California. It was my parents Anniversary so we planned a trip to Disneyland with my whole entire family. We started off leaving the cold weather behind on Saturday morning heading for Las Vegas. Our kids are very good travelers so when we go to Disneyland we have a tradition that we only stop twice. Once in Nephi, UT for gas, exercise, potty and food then we head to Vegas, cruise the strip and stay the night. The next morning we get up and drive the last four hours to Disneyland. Jairo loves to drive so it works out well, he drives the whole time while I am making sure the kids don’t make a mess in my van, I mean while make sure the kids are taken care of and having fun.
We arrived in Disneyland Sunday afternoon, checked into our Hotel and headed for the park. We went on some rides, watched the parade, then went on some more rides.
The first day or two Ryan did not want to get close to the characters, but by the end of the trip he loved them. We spent two days at Disneyland and California Adventure. On the second day all of the kids wore Red, White or Black which was so cute.
I made little Minnie Mouse hair bows for all the girls so they could match. (When my girls were little they would wear princess dresses but now they think they are too big so I have to settle for Mickey Mouse colors day.) We got a picture of my whole family in front of “Pirates of the Caribbean” which was monumental because we have not had a family picture in almost a decade, too bad some of us are closing our eyes, anyhow it is still a family picture.
On Tuesday we went to the beach. It was so much fun. It was Sunny and Hot but the water was a little to cold for me. The kids didn’t mind at all. They played in the water, built sandcastles, played ball and at treats. Jairo wrote a message in the sand to document our family vacation.
After we left the beach we went back to the Hotel for a swim then went to Downtown Disney for the evening to eat and shop.
Wednesday and Thursday we went to Disneyland and California Adventure again. We had so much fun. The kids loved being there with Grandma, Grandpa, and all of their cousins. Allie was either buddies with Grandma Debbie or Uncle Jeff the whole time. She is so sweet.
On the last day we had the kids make a list of all the things they wanted to do before we left so we had to break away from the group in order to accomplish this. We went to the Princess Fantasy Fair to meet the princesses (again), went on all of their favorite rides (again) and ate another churro and frozen lemonade. We were sad to leave but look forward to the next big family trip.
Katelyn’s Favorites: Splash Mountain, California Screamin and the Beach. She also said she love being with the family
Allie’s Favorites: Tower of Terror, Big Thunder Mountain, Riding rides with everybody and Grizzly Rapids.
Ryan’s Favorites: “The Pirate Boat Ride” (he rode it 6 times), The Buzz Lightyear Ride, Toystory Mania, playing with Luke, Ty Kaden and Jackson, the swimming pool and Toon Town.
Jairo’s Favorites: Billy Hill and the Hillbillies (dinner theater), the beach, Soaring, Pirates and Indiana Jones.
My Favorites: Being with my whole family and seeing them have so much fun, Soaring over California, not cooking or doing laundry for a week, and my all time favorite ride “Pirates of the Caribbean” especially going on it with my whole entire family.
On the way home the girls wanted to stay somewhere fun so we stayed at the “Paris Hotel” in Las Vegas.
Ryan loved it because it looked like a little city inside so he was acting like he was fighting crime as Spiderman. He was running down the fake cobblestone street shooting his “webs” at random strangers”. The girls love the water show at the Bellagio so we walked across the street and watch it a couple of times through then came back to the Paris for some “Fresh French Crepes.” The next morning we got up and drove home to freezing cold weather, unpacking, and lots of dirty laundry.
This was the best family trip we have ever had. The kids were just at the right ages to really enjoy themselves. It was a miracle that all 21 of us were able to make it. Thanks Mom and Dad for the Park hopper tickets and for making sure that we are always taken care of. You have kept us all best friends since we were little kids and I am thankful to have such a great family. I hope you had a great 33rd Anniversary with us. Disneyland, 21 people, 7 days, 85 to 90 degree weather the whole time, no drama, JUST FUN! This really is the happiest place on earth!
