Disneyland!

Five years ago we went to Disneyworld with Jer's family.  At that time Luke was still three and Seth was a baby.  Cindy said we were going to Disneyland in 2012 for her 55th birthday, and we did.  This time we had 7 kids between TJ's family and ours, and it was a blast.  We crammed as much as possible into two days in Disneyland and a day at Sea World with some swimming on the side, and we were all pretty much exhausted by the time it was over.  The kids all got along so well.  No major meltdowns and lots of fun cousin time.  Jer's parents were so gracious to plan and organize this trip.  It was really fun.  Thanks Boyd and Cid!  

Now on to lots of pictures.   (I don't often use my point and shoot camera, so I couldn't figure out what was going on with the settings.  On our camping trip over Memorial Day and the beginning of this one it took such terrible pictures.  TJ discovered for me that it was set on 1 mega pixel.  I'm pretty sure I have Seth to thank for that.  So the quality of the pictures gets considerably better as the trip goes along!)  For a Disneyland vacation I only took pictures in a few spurts—most of the time kids and parents were too busy for many photo ops.

 And we're off!

 Leah got to know this stroller well.  She was very good though and managed to get some naps along the way.  All the kids were quite sleep deprived the whole trip.  We got up early and went to bed late!

 Seth is notorious for wandering off.  Actually it's more like running ahead.  He is always on the move, checking something out, disappearing...so this was Jer's solution.  He told Seth if he truly got lost to find a mom and have her call us!  Luckily we didn't have to resort to that but I bet the phrase "where's Seth?" was uttered no less than a hundred times.

 It's a Small World after all!  Repeat.

Seth is also known for his immediate physiological response to sugar.  He ate this cotton candy faster than I've ever seen it done and within minutes was bouncing off of everything.  As we walked around the park you would have thought he was practicing parkour—jumping off of things, running into things, full speed bursts with mid air spins..it was exhausting just watching!

I think that's officially a mullet—business in the front, party in the back!

 Our first day included Star Tours, Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain Railroad several times, a parade, and the big fireworks extravaganza just to name a few.  Leah absolutely loved the parades.  She was on her feet clapping, dancing to the music, and waving to all the performers.  Watching her was one of my favorite parts.  It was truly hard to believe that three months ago she lived in an orphanage.  I know she won't remember, but I'll never forget the look of pure delight she had on her face.

 Day Two began early in Toon Town.  The kids loved it.  They got all the characters' autographs, checked out the houses, and rode the little roller coaster a few times.  Meanwhile, half of California was lined up at California Adventure waiting for the opening day of Cars Land.  Needless to say we walked through there (while our two little Cars fans were sound asleep) but didn't venture the 240 minute wait for rides!

 Grandma Cid got everyone a hat and this beauty is what Luke chose!

 Day 2 we got wet several times—Splash Mountain and then the much preferred Grizzly Rapids one in CA park.  The kids loved that one (excluding Addison).  TJ and I took the brunt of the water on this one.  It dumped down our backs, and I walked around in cold, clammy undies the whole day.  Seth was such a trooper and rode every ride that Luke did.  I do feel bad though that he was a little freaked out by Indiana Jones.  It wasn't the motion, but the realistic effects and dark...he was temporarily scarred!

 Waiting with the littles outside Soaring California.  That was a big hit with everyone.  Day 2 ended with a trip back at night to use our fast passes for two rounds of Tower of Terror—can't get enough of that one!

 Day 3—Sea World here we come.  We were blessed with nice, cool weather throughout our trip.  Sea World was surprisingly crowded so we didn't do any rides, but we did see all the shows and the kids played in the big Sesame Street park.

And then of course there was swimming.  My kids would be happy with any vacation that includes swimming.  In fact, Luke has often asked me when we're going on a trip to the Marriott in south Logan—you know the one that's about 15 minutes from our house.  Leah loves the water!

 Grandma and Grandpa were so awesome.  They spoiled us, chased kids, and were total troopers.  They definitely need another vacation after this one!

That's a wrap.  I'm too lazy to write more so let's just say it was awesome.  Enough said!