Disneyland December 2008 (long post with lots of pictures)

My parents took all of my family to Disneyland the first weekend of December. We have been on family vactions this year but they were to funerals. I guess they decided we all needed a little fun. We left Thursday morning. On the way over we made more potty stops for a certain someone (who remains nameless) but I didn't complain because Shea and I always had to go to (TMI). We stopped at the outlets at Cabazon and went into the Coach store. I think the men were feeling generous. I bought my Christmas present as well as my sister-in-law Kim who scored two purses out of my brother and my mom who bought one. So the ladies were happy. Except for Jody who poughted and said she couldn't buy one at this time. That's okay she was half asleep from working the night before. We then stopped at McDonalds and had lunch. Shea and I had made goodie bags for everyone and gave them a Disney name.
Mom and Dad- Minnie and Mickey
Brad and Kim-Bruce (shark from Nemo) and Dutchess (cat from Aristocats)
Kevin and Pam- Louis and Franny from Meet the Robinsons
Matt and I- Cinderella and Hercules
Jody and Steve-Lilo and the chef from Ratatollie
Laura- Stitch
Madi, Ellie, Shea, Carson and Brody- Belle, Lola, Marie (cat), Hanny Manny and Abu
So we got to our hotel. We stayed at the Homewood Suites. They have just renovated it and it was nicer than when we stayed there last. We then went to Knotts Berry Farm to there Chicken Dinner place. I had made reservations so we didn't have to stand in line. Very good food but too much of it.




The next morning we all meet for breakfast in the hotel and headed off for Disney. My parents and Brad and Kim left before all of us and stood in line at the gates. When we all finally got there we cut in line with them and waited maybe 10 min. for the gates to open. Our first stop was to get my mom a motorized wheelchair. Her foot is jacked (that's another post) and she can barely get around. We are usually waiting for her (which we don't mind) but after the wheelchair we had to practically run to catch up with her. She was so funny on it. My dad wanted to get me one to but I refused. The walking didn't bother me it was just the standing. The first ride we went to was Nemo and then I can't remember after that. We hit all the rides and the family stayed together most of the day until late that afternoon. I mostly just people watched. I was fine with that as long as I could sit. Carson fell asleep both days around 2:00 so I had fun just staying with him and chilin. We had hopper passes so Matt and I headed for the "CORN DOG CASTLE" to get a snack. After that we split up and went back to Disneyland to watch the Christmas parade. After the parade I tried to walk back into the park but I couldn't walk anymore. So we left and went back to the hotel. It was a good first day!


Waiting for everyone to get off of Space Mountain
Brad looks grumpy but he really wasn't. My mom on her wheelchair





Waiting for the parade. We were lucky enough to find a bench.
Day two started out with less people. We went over to the park with my parents and Brad and Kim. With my mom's wheelchair we were able to get on all the rides fast. So we rode everything in Fantasyland within a half an hour. It was great. We headed over to Toon Town where we meet up with my Aunt Brenda Poo and her family. They live in California and have passes. We took Shea to go meet the Princesses and the line was to long. So we shopped in a little store next to the line. A woman came up to us and asked "Have you seen the princess?" I told her no and she proceed to give Shea and I a pass to see Cinderella by ourselves in a private room. She was life saver. So we took Shea in and she was so shy. Carson was with us and all the girls said "well, hello my prince." and he looked at them, stuck his tongue out and spit. The princesses were dying. Typical boy. After Cinderella talked with Shea we walked out and the said good bye to Carson and again he spit and they spit back. It was so funny. The rest of the day we meet up with my family off and on and split our day between the two parks. Yes, we did get a corn dog on day two as well. It got dark about 5-6:00 there. We started to head out and stopped at the Jungle Cruise. We got stuck on the ride for 20 min. while one of the boats refulled. After that we were done. I felt like my crotch was going to fall out of my pants!! They kids didn't know any different. We got back to the hotel Shea fell asleep on the bed and Matt and I ordered pizza and a salad. I started to get sick or something. I couldn't get my body to stop shaking. So I cuddled up with Shea and fell asleep. Matt and Carson enjoyed the pizza and sports on their own. After about an hour I was better. I think my body was saying enough!




Shea with Cinderella
Rocket ride. My mom got stuck in the rocket and my brother had to help her get out. We didn't see it but Kevin said he was laughing so hard he almost feel into the pit. Too bad we didn't get it on video.
The girls after Splash Mountain. We realized they were watching some teenages make out behind this statue. gross!


We had a great time. After the second day Shea was crying because it was all over. Thanks mom and dad for a great vacation!!!!

What's wrong with this picture?

This is my mother in law's Christmas card. She printed it then realized there was something in the wrong place. Can you find it? Luckily she got another card printed with a different picture.

I need your help with Boy and Girl names!

Yes, I did this to myself not knowing the sex. I am getting a little panicked. So I want to know your best boy and girl names.

Polar Express

Every year Matt and my dad have inventory (they work together). As a wife you start to understand when to leave your husband alone because you know he will be grumpy until INVENTORY is over. So this year I told my mom we should leave town and go to the polar express and leave the grumps behind. She agreed in a second. We this year of all years Matt was done by 2:00 on Friday (usually he is there all night). On Saturday they were done by 10:00 am and are usually there all day. Oh well. Matt got some time to himself and we got to go to the Polar Express.

My mom, Pamela (sister-in-law), Kim (sil) Madi, Ellie (nieces), Shea and Carson went. We didn't tell the kids where we were going. I pick Shea up early from school and she had no idea what was going on. They kept guessing. We meet at my mom's house and took her new car which can hold eight. BTW the car did not have a DVD player and I was nervous that the kids would go nuts. They did pretty good. On the way up my mom read the Polar Express to them and they guessed where we were going. They were so excited. I told them who ever fell asleep first would get a prize. Mainly because I wanted Shea to sleep. Well the other two girls fell asleep and Shea stayed awake.

We ate at a little country restaurant right by the train station. The food was good. Side note: my mom used her American Express card there and someone stool her card number and has been trying to buy stuff from all over the world. She never uses that card and this is the last place she used it. Jerks!! But AE is investigating and my mom hasn't been charged for anything they bought.

At the train station. Getting ready to get on the train.



On the train. The train rides in one direction for 30 min. They pass out cookies and hot chocolate. They also read the Polar Express book.



Then we get to the north pole. As you can see it is so cheesy but the kids love it.


Santa gets on the train and hands all the kids a bell. On the way back everyone sings Christmas carols.

After the train we drove back to Flagstaff and stayed at Tutu and Papa's house. It is still weird for them not to be around but I can still feel them there. I had bought the kids trains and Carson figured out that his made noise. He wouldn't stop pressing the song. It drove us all nuts and he just kept laughing (I took the batteries out as soon as we got to Flagstaff!) We got up the next morning and went to Bashas for some doughnuts. My great Aunt Jessie is in a rehab hospital up there so my mom wanted to go visit her. On the way home the kids were really good. Except for when Carson got a little bored and started throwing his toys and calling everyone STUPID and spitting. We are working on that!

November Pictures (I am getting caught up!)

Random events from November.
We told our dog a couple months back that he better settle down or we would have to get rid of him. I told Matt that we would give him till the baby comes. Well he has been really good lately so I think he got the message. I captured a rare moment between Shea and the dog playing together without her getting mad at him.




Shea had a head ache after school and refused to eat unless the lights were turned off or she had sunglasses on.

Shea had a turkey trot at her school. She did so good. She would run for a while and then walk. She never gave up. We were able to eat lunch with her after that. I am glad I brought our lunch because the line for the "turkey dinner" was huge and I heard it was not that good. Carson loved being there with her.

It is December 10th do you know where your Halloween pictures are?

These are pictures from our ward trunk or treat. Shea was Alice in Wonderland this year and Carson finally decided to be Hanny Manny. Every time we asked him what he wanted to be for Halloween he said "NOTHING!" So when we saw this costume at Target he was all over it. They enjoyed the cupcake walk and Carson later threw up all over his costume and our blanket. I think he ate a carmel candy bar and he chocked on it. oops!






Matt and Shea carved the pumpkins this year. Carson wanted nothing to do with it. Matt loves doing this so I just step back and let him go with it. He gets really into it!





Halloween night I had to work so we took the kids around the neighborhood fast. I ran back to the house and left for work while Matt finished up. He said the kids had fun getting candy and passing it out at home.



I found this picture when I got home. My brothers and sisters and I used to do this and trade candy or steal each others candy!