Family Disney trip

 We just got back from Disneyland for our big, quick, family gathering. We had 19 of us there– including Lexi’s mom- Rebecca.  No Truman this time..and we definitely missed him and his own brand of humor and fun.    Laila and Markus were able to play in California Adventure with us all day on Monday.  (Landon and Alex bought them the tickets)  We went to Disneyland because Lady and Elsie’s dance troupe was invited to dance there.  They did darling– big smiles and did all of the moves perfectly.  

Wayne and I drove down on Friday– all day in the Tesla- so 4 stops..but it’s a nice way to go with the car practically driving itself.  We checked into our hotel and got some pizza. We are at the same hotel as the Buzelli's.  Monson and Addison families have adjoining rooms at a different hotel.

Then to bed early so we could make rope drop at Disneyland.  We all got the extra lightning lane passes- so we could skip the line.  It’s more money per ticket, but it’s definitely worth it.  We didn’t wait in very many lines.  Add and Bre ran all of our passes and they did a splendid job coordinating everything.  

We got such fun food,  beignets, mint juleps, croissant cookies, Dole Whip, raspberry Macroons, pretzel with garlic cheese on the inside, churros, popcorn… all the treats, plus spring rolls, and bao’s and pot stickers… and fried chickens and mashed potatoes, and an amazing cobb salad!  The food at Disney used to be expensive and bad, now it’s still expensive but it’s delicious!   

We laughed on all the rides.  Got drenched on the new Tiana/Splash Mountain ride!  

 We loved entering the new Star Wars area and doing Smugglers run and Rise of the Resistance.  Disney really knows how to build worlds..and do merchandise. It was fun to have Poppy and Lady be in charge of me, and make sure I knew what was coming and what was fake and what I needed to pay attention to.  All of the grands like to pretend that what is happening on all the rides is real and they really get into it.  It’s so funny.  

If Elsie decides she is your partner on a ride..she immediately holds your hand and will not let go til the ride is over.  She has claimed you.  

Addison and Monson both got strollers, which was great to be able to stash out stuff and for tired kid legs.

We walked between 20- and 30,000 steps each day!

We pulled our Disney  jackets out that we made out of sleeping bags for our family pics in front of the castle at Sunset.  ( 11 jackets)  It was great!  The picture is perfect– except for George who was so tired and fell asleep.  

The fireworks and parade were awesome.  Just the whole day with everyone getting along and laughing and having fun together.   We got home before midnight–

Sunday, we drove down to LaJolla to play at the tide pools. .. it was overcast and kind of cold, but the kids still got in the water along with Addison and I.   Addison, Poppy, Alfie and Tayla all LOVE the tide pools.  This was Rebecca's (Lexi's Mom) first time there and she couldn't get over it.  

 We tried to get into Din Tai Fung as well– but no luck– they actually laughed at me when I said to put 17 people on the wait list… so we drove up to Vista to see Markus and Laila and went to BJ’s brewery instead– the kids much preferred it– fettuccini alfredo, chicken strips, and burgers and Pizookies!…. We had a kid table and an adult table… ( once again missing my Tru)  .. and laughed a  ton.  Geo insisted on sitting by and coloring with Laila.  Laila sprained her ankle and she and Markus pretty much decided they weren’t going to join us on Memorial Day in California Adventure– too much $ and too hard with her ankle..but the brothers and Lexi all persuaded them to come!    After late lunch, we went to the beach on Oceanside Pier..and it was suns-out glorious.  Poppy and Geo played in the water for over an hour, while most of us sat bundled up in our beach chairs…. We saw a woman on the beach dressed as a witch, walking slowly up and down the sand– we called her a Sandwitch!  

We got back up to Anaheim, and Landon ordered us Din Tai Fung take out– which we enjoyed eating on our hotel bed at 10:00 at night… it was delicious.  You can’t beat the cucumber salad, garlic green beans, and Soup dumplings with ginger and the dipping sauce. YUM 

Monday, we got up early again for the rope drop to California Adventure this time.  We went straight to the back of the park and did the Toy Story ride twice– Markus and Laila got there and joined in.  Laila in a wheelchair because of her sprained ankle.

 We rode the Incredicoaster– Wayne said never again.  ( a bunch of us did it again later) He’s done pretty great on all the rides with his dizzy..

We did lightning passes again and Bre told us where to go.  We did Guardians of the Galaxy twice– Web Slingers, and Grizzley River Run– this one is Markus’ favorite..and many of us got drenched– even with our ponchos.  Soarin.. The Cars ride broke down and we were stuck in a line for an extra 20 minutes– but the attitudes were good, the kids played games, and it was cool…so win win.  Cars is a cute ride that you can’t fast pass to. 

We had more delicious park food, birria tacos, a turkey leg, soft ice cream cones, and double scoop hard ice cream cones, churros, popcorn,  sourdough bread bowls filled with soups and chowder, bread cones filled with mac and cheese and bacon, and chili and frito chips.  All delicious.  Strawberry salad, burgers, the works.

Anyway – it was another full day which ended with World of Color on the water– and the music and message was so incredible.  I loved being there dancing with my kids and grands.

We just loved it.  30,000 steps.  Got back home after 11 again, exhausted and happy and grateful to do this with my clan.  We made a jambook while there and I can’t wait to see the fun pics!