May 1: Day 2, California Adventure

May 1.  We started the day with a few lightsaber fights and a Darth Vader impersonation.  Even Abby joined in.

Aunt Ginny, Xela and Willa joined us in the fun today at California Adventure Park.  First we watched the Disney Junior Show, then Bryce took the boys and Ginny took Xela on the Tower of Terror.  I think Stan might have screamed the whole time.

In Bugs Land we rode all the rides and Abby drenched herself at the splash pad.  This might have been her favorite thing of the whole trip.

After some lunch it was more rides, ice cream cones and the Pixar Parade.

We managed to squeeze in the Car's ride (without having fast passes!) and the tire ride before we found our spots for the World of Color show.

We ended the night with World of Color, a light and water display set to Disney songs.  It started at 8:30pm and I'm a little surprised that all of our littles survived and enjoyed the show.  It was worth staying up for, although I did have to beg a seat in the handicapped section because my back was killing me and Abby only wanted to be held by Mom.  I didn't take pictures, but I found some on the web.  All in all, super long day, but super fun!

April 30: Day 1, Disneyland

April 30.  We were so excited to get our Disney adventure started that we made it to the park just after it opened.  

Right as we walked into the park we found Mickey Mouse!  I asked Stan if he wanted to go get in line for the Buzz Lightyear ride (his first choice) or to hug Mickey Mouse.  He sweetly said "Hug Mickey Mouse."  So we did.

After riding a few rides in Tomorrow Land the boys wanted nothing more than to build their own lightsabers.  You get to choose your color, a hilt, an emitter and a bottom.  Kimball made Mace Windu's lightsaber and Stan made Darth Vaders.

Next we went to see the Jedi training academy show.  I managed to hold Kimball in the air and wave him around enough that he got selected to participate.  He got to wear a padawan cloak and fight Darth Vader.  He was so excited!

We rode a some rides, like the tea cups and Dumbo.  Then we got hot and grumpy.  Kimball wanted nothing more than to make more lightsabers.  We eventually ate some ice cream and called it a night.  We made it back to Gin's where we were served a homemade meal of spaghetti.  So good after a long day.  All the grumpiness faded as the boys got to play with their cousins, Xela and Willa.

April 29: More Driving and Las Vegas.

April 29.  The morning started early.  No sleeping in with these monkeys!  Abby enjoyed looking out the window.

The kids were able to open one of their presents as soon as we got into the car.  The boys got their own little white boards.  Abby got a different drawing thing.

One of my favorite parts of the drive is from St. George into Nevada.  The red rock canyons are so beautiful.

We made it to Las Vegas around lunch time.  We ate at In-N-Out Burger because I remembered I had some gift certificates.  Cheapest meal of the trip!

After lunch we went to the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay.  

Bryce made me take a picture of what we think were some kind of solar farm outside of Vegas.

We made it to California safe and sound.  We stopped for some Chinese food before heading over to Aunt Ginny's and Uncle Sam's.  The kids thought the chop sticks were for fighting.  The food was really good and totally hit the spot.  We are so happy to have made it and can't wait for the real fun to begin.