#7 Disneyland Trip

Farewell Disneyland

Alas, we cannot end this mini-series without telling the 'Lost My Child at Disneyland' story. You always hear about them, my friends have personally experienced them.  Me, nope, not until this year.  

As we stepped our very last step out of Disneyland, we headed to the ginormous Disney Store on Downtown Disney just to torture our children by looking at stuff we were not going to buy. We left and headed to the tram with speed to catch the next departure.  Just as the tram pulled up, I counted heads.  "Hey, there is only one green coat girl!  Where is the other green coat girl?"  Rebekah was NO where.  We stepped back, gave the kids instructions to STAY, Cam went one way and I ran the other way.  We ran through the entire ginormous Disney Store with no luck.  My heart was starting to beat to the repeated words of a mother's prayer.  I circled back to the kids who informed me that a lady had seen a green coat girl with a cast member.  Whew, now where?  Just then, the same lady yelled from the moving tram that she was inside the gates.  Wow!  That far?  I ran and found Rebekah with a lady cast member preceding to Disneyland Park.  Apparently, Rebekah told the lady that we were too fast and she couldn't keep up and lost us.  No words can describe the relief of a safe child.

#6 Disneyland Trip

Disney Characters

It has been voted that Disneyland 'Rules'!  Going to Disneyland two years in a row has been an indulgence for us Jensenites.  I loved it and I hope that my kids will always remember the magic.

We received several 'yahoos' for Utah from other Ute fans

 throughout the three days.

  

Even Tigger is a Ute fan.

It rained and poured throughout our third day of fun fun (hence, the wet look).  Fortunately, we had rain ponchos and the lines were so short that we were able to go undercover for most of the down pours.

Yeah for memories!

#5 Disneyland Trip

Jedi Training

I now have three official padawans residing in my home.  Although, they are trying to perfect the Jedi hand movement to convince me of giving in, it is not yet working.  This year we were determined to participate in the Jedi Training and walk away with the 'Force'.  I followed the handy dandy Unofficial Guide to Disneyland and arrived 30 minutes early - actually 15 minutes early, had my kids plop in the front row and told them to wave their arms outrageously  to be chosen.  As any mother would do, I prayed that all three would be chosen in this highly defensive training program.  The whole presentation was entertaining and exceptionally well done.

Focused and training

Serious and training

Determined and training

Darth Vader comes and tempts the young padawans into joining the dark side.

Lala stuns Darth Maul  with her pretty looks.

Jarin yells, "Go Utes!" before charging his opponent.

Trev knows the Force is with him - there is no doubt!

Foiled again, Vader walks away in defeat.

May the Force be with you.

#4 Disneyland Trip

My Princesses meet Disney Princesses

After quenching the big kid's thirst for excitement, it was time to indulge in some girly time. Standing in line to meet the Disney Princesses was torture for my 5 spoiled kids since they had no concept of what waiting in line means.  Going to Disneyland the first week of March is a different experience then going during one of the seven weeks of spring break or summer for that matter.  

Cameron was back at the hotel working for a couple of hours so I was flying solo. The wait in line was about 40 minutes.  We hadn't stood in line for more than 10 minutes on any ride, so I pulled the 'yummy' snacks out to ease the pain.  After 20 minutes, Jarin and Trevor couldn't handle it anymore.  They did not want to be subjected into meeting Princesses.  The fact that they were the only 'big boys' in line did not please them one bit.  They groaned several times, "This is the longest line in history!" (Whatever!) I didn't have any threatening tactics with me - we were in Disneyland.  So I settled by scooting the older three to ride It's a Small World to get them out of my hair.  Normally, I would never let them go on their own, however, considering the small amount of people in the park and the 5 minute wait for It's a Small World  plus the duration of the ride, I figured we'd all be done at the same time - and we were.

Snow White and the two cute Ladybugs.

Rebekah and Kerri are hilarious when they pose - 

what looks like pain is actually an attempt to 'princess pose'.

Cinderella

Worth the 40 minute wait?  

Absolutely!

#3 Disneyland Trip

Disneyland Park

Disneyland really is one of the most happiest places on earth.  You just can't help the jittery feelings you get when standing in line to be admitted.  Just prior to opening time, an older gentleman stands inside the gates and gets the crowd cheering and counting down to fun fun fun.  Oh, what a place to be with your cute little kids whose faces are full of excitement and wonder.  I love it!  Jarin could not stand still from excitement.

Disneyland has a clever amusement for pin collectors.  You are able to go to any Disney cast member wearing a lanyard full of pins and trade for pins that you want.  I mentioned this past time to Trev prior to our trip and he was hooked.  He became our designated pin collector.  I handed 30 stinkin' bucks over for 7 Disney pins so that he could begin his hobby.  It was worth every penny to watch him trade and make memories.  

Check out the crowd around this water ball of wonder.  

What crowd?  

Exactly!

Trevor really is the funniest kid.  He made me wait and others wait while he posed for this picture. 

 "Mom, wait, I want to look like I am falling out of the car."  

I still laugh every time I look at this picture.

Ah, The Teacups.  

This ride was much anticipated by all five kids since it was closed last year.

Twins are really cute!

Makayla received this cute 'High School Musical' hat for her birthday, yet had never worn it. When I asked why, she replied, "Mom, it's cute, but too cute for Jr. High!" As if she can even wear it to school, I suggested she wear it just out and about.  All I received was 'the rolling of the eyes'.  When we announced that we were heading to Disneyland, she pulled it out and proclaimed, "Finally, I can wear this hat.  It's perfect for Disneyland!"  I'm glad that it got some use.

Thank you Walt Disney!

#2 Disneyland Trip

Disney California Adventure Park

The decision to spend the first day at Disney California Adventure came mostly from two boys who could not contain themselves from wanting to ride California Screamer (Trev was tall enough for it this year) and The Big River Run.  We hit every attraction (some several times), viewed my favorite musical - Aladdin, danced with a parade, and walked several miles of fun fun fun.

The Tower of Terror was just that for Rebekah.  We tricked her into going on it before she remembered it from last year.  Immediately after the ride, she informed us that she would not be going on any 'scary or fast or dark' rides.  We were able to get her to go on all of the rides over the three day adventure with the exception of The Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain.

The Big River Run 

California Screamer

#1 Disneyland Trip

Newport Beach

Our first day in Anaheim took us to Newport Beach for some salty sea air.  We bummed around the waves, dug toilet size holes, chased seagulls, collected sea shells, and buried our toes in the sand.  It was all very therapeutic after a long 7 hour drive from St. George.

This picture makes a mama proud to have five kids.  Love you all!

Ah, the perfect way to end the day.