January 2018

We headed out to Aunt Luise's for our Disneyland vacation. These Darth Vader and Storm Trooper hats cracked us up while we waited for Dad. On Tuesdays he works in Lake Havasu, so if we are heading to LA, it makes sense to pick him up on the way and shave off an hour of the drive. 

While we waited this particular day I said everyone could have a Frosty at the Wendy's, but Adam wanted a Slushee and as we were trying to ascertain what flavors each color was there was an explosion of Slushee on my face, hair, and outfit, and a little on Sarah as well. We got it mostly cleaned off and dignified looking by the time Tyler got there. He just laughed, knowing that we are always up to some mischief. What a way to start the trip!

Inside of California adventure on our first day we stopped at the Candy Shop. We were on a Hidden Mickey Hunt and this was our first find of the day. The window display of Big Rock Candy Mountain is rumored to have a hidden Mickey in side the mountain.

It is so tiny, but we found it, behind the ladder, there is a tiny snowman wearing a tiny hat with Mickey ears.

Gingermickey! haha

We love getting to take our time and enjoy the holiday decor.

At the end of Hollywood street Santa and his reindeer were in flight.

We were excited to go back on Guardians of the Galaxy. Without the creepy Twighlight Zone theme it has become one of our favorite rides!

Awesome.

The hidden Mickey search continued in Cars land at Ramone's. There is a special hood in each window and each one has a special hidden Mickey.

Ramone will paint you up right, man!

Sarah and I went on King Triton's Carousel while the others went on Screamin'

We saw Minnie in the Holiday Fiesta.

We learned we do not like Bug's Land in the dark. There isn't enough lighting.

We went to the Animation Academy and drew Zero, Jack Skellington's ghost dog. We were trying to draw Olaf, but we got the timing wrong.

The next day was at Disneyland!

Sisters at the "Mickey Temple"

Mom and Rachel flying over the world on Dumbo!

Sarah's favorite, Small World!

Why can't we all look good in every shot?

These are the droids we are looking for.

We have developed into that stage where the single rider line benefits us. We use it together and let the kids go as many times as they while we rest...or join them.

Adam no memories of  Toon Town, so we had to show him around.

Adam liked Mickey's house.

He loves the old black and white cartoons.

 We like Mickey's to do list...Mousercize, Call Minnie!

Two very old dolls, I'll bet there is a story behind these, maybe Walt's own? Maybe the first ever made? or first type ever sold at Disneyland?

Can you find the hidden Mickey in Gadget's Go-Coaster line?

This stump of petrified wood was given to Mrs. Disney by Walt for their 35th Wedding Anniversary. She donated it to the park where it now stands between the Mark Twain River Boat and Golden Horseshoe Cafe. I think it is hilarious, because he obviously thought it was pretty cool, and she obviously had nowhere to put it and probably didn't want it.

Canoes are open! We are so rarely here when the canoes are open! I love them so much.

The guides are informational and hilarious like the Jungle Cruise guides. Our guide told us about this really special tree coming up around the bend that Walt loved to sit under, when we came to it there was just a big chopped stump and he screamed, "Oh no! What did they do to Walt's special tree?!" It was hilarious. Obviously he made the whole thing up...if you didn't get that.

We had a great meal of chicken and chili cheese fries again in the Golden Horseshoe during the show.

Funny Jungle Cruise sign.

About to embark, we actually enjoyed the line. We saw collections of huge bugs we've never seen before because we were always in the wheelchair line that bypassed everything.

The Disney crest on the castle. There is a matching one inside the Pirates of the Caribbean on the first breastplate to the right of your boat in the last room where you go up the hill. It has a little hidden Mickey in it.

Small World at night is magical.

Snow White at night is magical, but they turned off her singing for the show of lighting the castle.

We watched it light up then went to use our fast passes for our last ride, Thunder Mtn

Yay Mickey. This is the not-so-hidden variety.

The next day we began at Toy Story. I love how Sarah is so happy and the kid on the other side of the glass is so not.

He is finding ways to occupy himself though.

Time to shoot 'em up!

Hidden Mickey, can you see?

So cute!

Mater was strolling through Cars land with a Santa hat on.

The Yeti again, now it always makes me think of Fran, because she pointed out to me that it is the old one from the Matterhorn.

Yay Guardians!

The next morning we had fun playing at Aunt Luise's. We played a big car game with the Chevron cars.

It was fun to play before packing up to head home.

Goodbye our wonderful hosts.

We drove through Huntington Beach to have lunch with a special missionary (and yes we did get permission). Elder Myers was one of the young men in our Laveen ward while Tyler was Bishop, he turned 12 just after Tyler got called. He is such a great kid and now is a phenomenal missionary.

After we got home, we were invited to visit Grandma and Grandpa Cole in Vegas.

We talked and played games.

We had a relaxing swim in the hot tub and heated pool.

Adam made his own car for the Derby!

Meet The Lightning Bolt

The cars were all very cute and creative.

Adam on awards day with his teacher Mrs. Taylor. She is great. The photo-bomber in the back is actually his principal and the husband of his teacher.

He loves all the coupons for free tacos and Baskin Robbins ice cream that come with awards.

Good motivation! He always has a baggie full of them in his pocket that he pulls out when we are out on errands hoping that maybe there is time for a taco run.