A few (or 30) more favorites

Disneyland felt much more manageable this year and I think it was because we went in with a plan and stuck with it.  Believe me, it is much harder than you would think.  I was up by 6 each morning and had us out the door by 7 for breakfast.  We were in the park when they opened and went to all the busiest rides/characters first.  After that we could lounge around with the rest of the family and head back for lunch and naps.  I cannot tell you how hard it was to leave the park.  There is always so much to do and the kids are really happy.  But I went drill sergeant on the family and it made all the difference.  We were out of the park during the busiest/hottest times and then came back after dinner and were ready to go until midnight.  I highly recommend that strategy if your traveling with any little people who naturally lean towards irrationality.  Not that I would know anything about that.  

Out of everything we did I think Ian was happiest to try out all the cars in Toon Town

Mama was just happy to finally be out of line.  Cars land was the one place where it didn't matter how early you got there.  

 One of my favorite moments was a late night stop at Ghiradelli's.  The streets were empty, the kids ran wild, and the ice cream flowed.  

 "the earthquake" 

Next time I'm definitely getting my own

The whole gang

sweet Ammie

This lovely lady made the drive down so we could get a little dinner and so I could ooh and aah over her beautiful baby girl.

 Ian was quite smitten, but I think Vianne might have been secretly laughing at his hat.

Bumper cars

I was very surprised that Ava wasn't really interested in meeting the princesses this year.  In an even weirder twist, Ian wanted to meet all of them.  So first up was Tinkerbell...

and then Merida and her little bear brothers

Trying out the bow and arrow

Me do it too!

Then he saw this guy with Goofy.  He jumped out of my arms, took his hand and was rewarded with a private meeting.  Only at Disneyland is any of this ok.

Ian talked about Goofy eating his head for about 15 straight hours, and then at least once every day since.  It was definitely a highlight.

Look at the love

And finally some googly eyes for Ms. Minnie

We went on this roller coaster four times in a row, turns out Ava's an adrenaline junky. 

Crazy asian drivers

This was the picture of the picture of splash mountain.  Ava and Elia wanted to sit up front.  I wanted to wet my pants.  Luckily everyone got their way.

Soaked!

This was the little red truck that Walt Disney would drive around the park in the mornings.  Our driver had worked there for 35 years.  I wish I would have taken his picture but here are the kiddos ringing the bell.

On our last night all the girls dressed up and we walked down to the park.  The four of them held hands and sang A Whole New World... at the top of their lungs...for...20...straight...minutes.  It caused a stir people.  I mean complete strangers had them stop to pose for pictures.  

But they didn't let it go to their heads

They had a ball to get too.