California Trip - thus far (first 4 days)

Love this picture - you can see the pent up energy, but we finally got to California!

We started at 5am (after a lot of long packing and unpacking) and headed down south in the 15 passenger van.  We had almost reached High River (25 minutes into the trip) and we hear a little voice pipe up, "Mom and Dad.... it's taking a long time to drive to California..."  Jarett and I laughed out loud.  25 minutes down out of 25 hours.

The trip, however, went very smoothly.  The kids were amazing!!  Lanaya took to traveling extremely well and the other kids set the perfect example for her.  Two days straight in traveling is hard on anyone... but the kids handled it like champs!  Slight problem at the end of the trip... a person started yelling at us that something was going on, so we pulled over.  We couldn't find anything wrong, so we kept going, but when we got to the resort, we saw a red/brown liquid coming from the van.  According to the mechanic, the next morning, our transmission housing and a seal need to be replaced.

We spent all day Monday getting the mechanic/car rental/condo all set up.  We got it all figured out and were all ready to go for Tuesday at DISNEYLAND!

Highlights of the day in Disneyland:

1. Jaymeson was selected to do Jedi Training.  He now has a certificate that makes him an official Padawan.  He fought Darth Vader, followed the instruction and listened intently without cracking a smile.  This is very serious business... After, I asked, "Jay, did you fight Darth Vader?!?"  With complete sincerity he answered, "Yes, and I almost killed him!"  If only he had more time...

2. Benson loved the Peter Pan ride and seeing Goofy, Mickey and Frozen characters in the parade (Saryn loved the Frozen parade as well).  For Pirates and Haunted Mansion, he had his hands over his ears the entire time (his scared position).  He said he loved them afterwards, but had no interest in going again.  "They was just a little too scary, Mom".  He also was too nervous with Mr Toad's Wild Ride and enjoyed moving the Dumbo ride up and down.His favorite ride (he was pushing me back to it to do it again and again) was Buzz Lightyear.

One ride that he really did not love, however, was Space Mountain.  He clenched my hand through the whole thing and had all his strength going into it.  Afterwards, he was almost in tears and told me he liked it, but it was just a little too scary.  This was almost the exact same reaction that Kaia had 6 years ago.  Jaymeson, however, LOVED it.  It would be the one ride that he'd go on again if he could.

3. Fantasmic was definitely one of the most favorite things by everyone (unfortunately, Benson fell asleep just before it started and slept through the fireworks, music and everything).

4. The kids have enjoyed seeing the pictures after the rides.  Saryn is making it a resolution to do an Egyptian dance or something next time through.

5. The Indiana Jones ride was a huge hit - Jaymeson held my hand to make sure that I didn't get too scared all 3 times that we went.  He would reassure me that it wasn't real - it was just pretend, each time.  Kienna loved trying it from different seats and seeing what things became more or less scary with where you were seated.  (She may have been thinking too much about that when she left her hat on the ride... luckily they have an awesome Lost and Found).

6. Jarett put "Skipper Dan" by Weird Al on his iPhone while we were in line for the Jungle Cruise ride.  This was right after there was announcement for a missing person, "She is approx. 5'7", has dark hair, enjoys basketball, snuggling and the occasional romantic stroll down the beach.  If anyone has seen her, please bring her right to me as I have been looking for her my entire life."

Benson - scared on the Jungle Cruise.  This was his position for almost every ride.

7. Kaia loved Thunder Mountain, and Indiana Jones the best.  Space Mountain definitely went up in her books from last time, but isn't a FAVORITE favorite.  She loved pirates and is disappointed (as we all are) that Splash Mountain is closed.  They also have the castle closed which has been super sad.


8.While Jay was doing his Jedi training, Darth Mal came and kept scaring Benson.  Benson would just look down and ignore him no matter what happened.  Darth Mal kicked his shoes and did everything he could to get Benson to look up, but to no avail.  Kaia, on the other hand totally missed Darth Mal standing right behind her until people were laughing and she turned to see what they were laughing at.  She was NOT expecting that!

Our list of activities/rides went along these lines.
Magic Morning - Peter Pan, Mr Toad, Dumbo,Teacups, Storybook Land (we decided we should have skipped this one as the line was too long - but we did get a chance to snack while in it, so that worked out okay).  We then headed over to Tomorrowland and saw a little bit of Jedi Training.  We left so we could get to Autopia.  We then breaked for lunch and while we did, noticed that they were starting Jedi Training again.  We decided to do it if they picked one of the boys.  They picked Jay (Benson bowed out).  Then we took pictures with some stormtroopers, his Buzz Lightyear, got a couple fastpasses and headed over to do Indiana Jones.  Once we finished that, the parade was starting, so we booked it back.  Mom had reserved us some seats and it was super fun.  After the parade, we did Star Tours, and Space Mountain - twice (along with a mini-dinner).  We then headed over to Indiana Jones, Pirates and the Haunted Mansion.  My mom then saved us seats for Fantasmic while we hit Indiana Jones one more time and Thunder Mountain.  We got back just in time for Fantasmic to start and then the park closed.  We just stopped in at a Glass Blowers/Crystal Shop on Main Street.  My mom remembered seeing the Glass Blowers working when she was a little girl.  They no longer do that, but she asked a worker at the shop if she remembered correctly.  He responded, "Yes, they were across the street and my father was one of the blowers".  After we walked to the tram, my mom walked to the car and we headed home.  By the time we got home - all 6 kids had fallen asleep.  What a day!!