Ok, ok. So I realize it has been forever. In fact, it's been over a year since my last post! Wow. How time just flies. Well, here we are! We are alive and super busy. I can go back in time, and post the pics that have been waiting in my "to-post-on-the-blog" folder, but, for now I'll just post the latest....
We just got back from California! It's been too long since we've had a major family vacation, and luckily, we were able to go during Fall break (along with a lot of other Utahns).
I suppose it was a typical vacation with a few problems along the way: Greg jumped in the pool with his iphone, we got a flat tire on Tuesday, tire blew on Sunday night on the way home, had sick kids, we lost the Disneyland tickets for an hour, missed an appointment, left clothes at the hotel, etc.
But really, we had a blast and here are some of the best parts!
(Not sure anyone actually reads this, but at least it'll get it down as a journal/scrapbook, since I'm not doing either one. :) )
After spending a day in Manti with my family, we headed to St. George.
We saw this on the way in Gunnison!
Haley has got quite the Mater face in this pic.
We went to Tuachan's Little Mermaid in St. George.
It was so awesome! The effects were amazing!
It's starting!
Scuttle!
Fun with the Fam!
Sebastian
Hee hee!
Ariel and Prince Eric
That broke up the trip nicely.
We stayed one night there and then it was off to California!
We're HERE!
It's fun to see Disneyland at this time of year... All decked out for Halloween.
You can't really see it, but Mickey is wearing a mask behind us. So cool.
The Haunted Mansion is re-done Nightmare Before Christmas-style.
A bit of trivia: This, I was told, was the actual hearse that carried Brigham Young.
We found Club 33! Google it sometime...
A snippet of Mickey's Soundsational Parade
RIDES!
One of the favorites - Star Tours
Gotta go on It's a Small World, right?
I promise this one is not scary, Greg.
Ash was big enough for all the rides except 2! She is fearless, so she went on everything she could.
Daddy took her to Tarzan's Treehouse while the rest of us went on Indiana Jones.
CHARACTERS!
Mickey of course!
I love that the employees are happy and kind.
Oh, and that's the Sheriff from Robin Hood.
There are lots of villains around at Halloween time.
Right after the end of this video, the Queen said,
"That's enough!" to the crying baby. So funny.
Army Men
Snow White had the cutest little voice! The characters are fabulous!
Minnie is one of my favorites! She loved Ashlyn's mouse hair clip!
Tinkerbell and Vidia
Vidia: "What's your name? Vidia? Veronica? Victoria? Venessa? Valarie?" "Where are your wings? Don't have any yet? Well, you're just a sprout. Give it a few seasons."
Jack Skellington, when choosing what color pen to use to sign Haley's book: "You know, in my world we don't have very many colors. We just have black, light black, dark black, sorta black, grey, blackish grey, somewhat grey, almost grey, and orange." HAHAHA! He was great.
"Take a picture? Ok - I'll stand DEAD center."
YUMMIES!
Cinnamon Roll
Monte Cristo
(Thanks for the suggestion, Emron!)
Waaaaaayyy too many goodies!
THE BEACH!
Haley found a clam!
Ash was in her glory! It's a giant sandbox!
The water was a bit cold, but the girls didn't seem to mind too much. :)
They loved the birds.
Loudmouth!
Somehow we always end up making mermaids!
Ash's turn!
This is "Mermadia," with the fanciest tail.
Let's bury you!
I'm surprised she smiled.
She actually ate a lot of sand doing this!
Highly suggest eating here if you go to Newport Beach.
This one's for you mom!
PARTY!
We got tickets to the Halloween Party. Everyone dresses up, there is trick-or-treating around the park, special parade/guests/events, and best of all, the lines are short!
We had a lot of fun with our good friends during the week!
The 2 little pirates make the best couple don't you think?
We're already planning their wedding. (Hee hee)
The castle looked so cool!
Parade
I love Disneyland details!
One of the few pictures we were able to get from Greg's drenched phone.
LAST DAY!
We used our Magic Morning Pass.
It's so fun to see the park so empty!
It was worth getting up early for.
The shows are so fun!
Parades, Aladdin, Fireworks, World of Color,
Turtle Talk with Crush, and Fantasmic (our favorite)!
Go BYU! I think Greg was ok with missing the game for this.
Now THIS is why I love Disneyland!...
Even though so many people come through every day, they focus on making it magical for the individual. We were told we should go see Turtle Talk with Crush. An animated turtle talks to the people in the audience and answers their questions! We're still trying to figure out how they do it. Ashlyn had her hand up the whole time and never got called on. She started to cry after it was over, so we asked the host if she could just ask him the question ("What's Crush's favorite food?") He said, "You know, I'm not sure." He asked the usher at the back if they were all clear. The usher gave a thumbs up and they closed the doors. He said, "Crush usually doesn't swim too far away, so let's see if we can ask him." I'm sure this has probably happened to others, but it was super awesome! We got a special private session with Crush! Check it out...
Haley's got some moves!
We were EXHAUSTED! The last night Haley was falling asleep just sitting on a brick wall! I think we did enough to get our money's worth! Let's go HOME!
It was the longest trip home EVER! Between sick girls, bathroom breaks, and filling up the leaky tire every hour, we made at least 10 stops. Finally, around Cedar City, the tire blew. We actually found a place in Beaver that was open late on a Sunday night! Amazing. And, they don't charge after hour fees. Wahoo! We don't have to stay in a hotel in Beaver!
It was was so much fun! It may take a while to recover, but it was soooo worth it!
