Best of Disneyland 2013

So, I have been back a week now and it seems like forever since we went. But....here's the "Best" awards for our vacation.

Best new feature of the park: CARS LAND

This is what it looks like at 7 am, as we got in that early. Not exactly a relaxing vacation.

 So incredibly charming and you really feel like you are in the movie.

Best travel buddies: My parents

So, it was a new experience traveling with a motorized scooter, but I think we figured it out quite well. They will lock them down on a few rides, so nice that my dad could ride some things. However, my mom determined that she has taken her last Matterhorn ride with her bum leg. 

 I actually have more pics of us all together, but they are on my parent's camera.

Earliest meltdown: um, me. 

Only about 3 1/2 hours into the first day (and after this happy picture). That is a new record. Something about Adventure land usually sets me off. Sigh. The last meltdown was Macy refusing to leave the hotel on the last day. 

Best Wardrobe Malfunction: Um, me again

Luckily, no pics for this one. I was wearing a knee length circle skirt while riding Luigi's Tires. Air is pushed out of the ground the whole time, even while walking out to your tire. Kind of a Marilyn Monroe moment for me. 

Best visitors: Bill's parents and Leslie, Jake, and Caleb

Bill's parents, sister, and nephews drove down for a day with us. So fun to have time with them. And even better, my sweet mom-in-law brought oodles of snacks. A definite must when food is pricey. 

 Caleb with Macy

 Jake with Parker.....love their planning on this.

... don't worry, I have a great picture of Leslie later on.

Best Character moments:

 Donald

 Pluto

....and Jack Sparrow. 

(unfortunately, their pics with Mickey and Minnie are in video form. Bill is sure he can fix that. Anyone know how?)

"Necessity is the Mother of Invention" Award

Macy was about an inch too short for the magic 40 inch mark on many rides. I found a pair of Emi's old clogs that we stuck on her for those rides. The Star Tours lady was being a little weird about it, but said go ahead and they'd measure us at the end of the line. Well, like any good mother, I dug into my purse, ripped a maxi-pad in half and secured it into the shoes (all done very discreetly in the line) which put her just at the 40 inch line. Phew! She knew the drill.....put on the shoes, feet together, stretch to her fullest height, and flirt a little bit to get her in. Worked every time.

Best Newbie to Disneyland: Macy

We left her with grandparents last time, so it was finally her turn. She turned 4 on the trip, so we really got to celebrate her. She figured Disneyland out pretty darn quick and is ready to take it on all again. 

 Macy loves pigs. I love this pic....flanked by pigs and her glow stick.

Best Lucky Moment: Happening upon a perfect parade spot just as it's coming, and being the last people let in the "Radiator Springs Racers" line at 10:00 p.m.  

I had in my head that California Adventure closed at midnight, not 10:00. We sauntered over there, not knowing we were in a rush. Luckily, they let us in. Fun to ride at night.

Best Miracle: Macy

My poor little girl with breathing issues caught a cold a few days before we left. Often, this causes a day of steroids, inhalers, and breathing treatments to control her breathing. After the first day, I was sure we would be spending her birthday at some ER somewhere. After a blessing from Grandpa and daddy, she was fine and perked up considerably. Total miracle in my opinion, because that never happens. I got the same cold on the last day, and it wasn't pretty.

 Best Show: World of Color

This is the second time I've seen it, but really, it's amazing. I love the Pirates of the Caribbean stuff.

(Worst show....no promised fireworks on Saturday night)

 Parker kicked out Macy to rest his feet while we were waiting.

Best "embarrass your teenager" moment: Mad Tea Party dance
We happened upon this the last night. Macy can't leave a dance party, so we danced along. Much to Parker's dismay. I do consider myself a pretty good dancer. That means nothing to a pubescent boy.

Biggest Goofball/most photogenic: Quinn
This kid loves his picture taken.

Favorite Drink/Treat: Mint Juleps and Mickey Mouse Beignets....
We sucked down a lot of these. I figure you are burning SO many calories by walking all day, right?



Best ride picture: Bill and Leslie.....

 ...and me, Parker, and Emi.

Newest Brave Girl: Emi
She rode every last ride. The girl used to have such a fear of a lot of the big ones, but she's been so very adventurous lately. Quinn......that's another story.

Nicest Afternoon: Friday

Bill and his sister, Leslie took older 2 kids on big rides, Grandma and Grandpa S. took Quinn on his favorite rides (and he LOVED the attention), while I took Macy for a nap at the  hotel. Lovely.

(last one, I promise)
Funniest Scenario: The older kids begging to stay until midnight the last night, and thinking the little ones would go back at 10:00. 
Nope...I had the big kids, and they pooped out at 11:00. They went to the hotel and crashed. However, Macy, Quinn, and Bill got back at 12:30 a.m/ after a crazy last run through several rides, along with an ice cream sunday. I have never seen such a second wind.

Man, the energy it takes to take 4 kids to Disneyland is intense. But I'd probably do it all over again. =)

Summer picture dump....the Summer of 2013

I've had about a million posts in my brain this summer, but blogging didn't quite make the priority list. It's weird how 4 kids at home all day can suck away your time. 

So, minus the trip to California, here is a little snapshot of a summer with us. 

Me lying down....I took this because it only happened once. I had just received 2 cortisone shots in my hips and was given about 1 hour to recover at home. I'd go through the shots all again to lie down for another hour. 

 Lunch with some of my college girls. I had just returned from Monterrey with Becky and Stacey, but was lucky enough to meet up with some of the rest of our group in Park City. Love these ladies, and like I always say, so good to talk with people who knew you before you lobotomized by motherhood. 

 It rained a good amount.......

 Teen Beach Movie=happy girls

 The big old smelly farm. It had rained so much the night before, which seemed to kick up the manure smell. Blehhhh.....how am I even related to my farm-loving sister?

 Using our Thanksgiving Pointe passes to the fullest, we attended the extremely overrated Jello fight. It looks like we are having fun....we are not. The sensory issues of the jello stickiness were just too much for certain kids, as well as myself. 

Backpacking for Parker...... 

 Dancing in top hats for Quinn and buddy Derek.

 Badminton at the "cabin" 

 My aunt throws a great party for all of us every summer on her amazing estate known as the "cabin" in Holladay. I love this place because of all the great memories of spending time there. 

 Yeah, it's pretty sweet.

 Cecret Lake hike.....I'm so making this a yearly thing. Too fun.

 Boating! We own a boat now, which has been quite the learning experience. We took it out a total of 5 times, and hope to get it out a few more times. Super fun, and I'm thrilled we did it. 

Partying on the boat with the Hoppers. I'm so glad I've been able to waterski consistently again. Emi was the only one to get up on skis, but the tube is a blast for all the kids. 

 Frontrunner ride.......I always get a train headache.

 Lagoon.....yeehaw! I rode Wicked 3 times and didn't get motion sickness. Always a plus. 

 Extended Newman family party.

Macy was thrilled that one of her besties has her same swimsuit!

 Cowabunga Bay with good friends at a private function. We wouldn't let the wind and rain ruin our fun  (what you'll do for $5 tickets)

 We managed 4 trips to 7 peaks with our Pass of All Passes. I guess that is a good deal. Yep, that's my kid who is all geeked out in this pic. 

 Lunching outside 7 peaks, as they don't let food in.

 Our dear friend got access to a bubble machine.........

 so fun.....

Namaste

I laid down a new floor in the dance studio.....such a pain, but it's so heavenly to dance on.

 Bill and I had an End of Summer bash at the Dave Matthew's Band for his birthday. It was nice of Dave to show up for Bill on his special day.

He's really not picking his nose.

And, a lot of trips to Harmons for snacks.

The END