Disneyland or Bust: The Rest of the Trip

WOW--that's just about all I can say, WOW! I am still recovering from all of the excitement! We arrived in California on Sunday, March 8 and had a great week there celebrating Courtnee's achievements and high school graduation in 2 months.

Sunday, March 8--We met up with some friends from Fresno that we haven't see for 13 years, the Taleisniks. Martin (pronounced Martine) and Joe went to law school together and Cindy and I became great friends because of Courtnee. Cindy loves kids and saw us at an early law school picnic with Courtnee and we became friends that day! The Taleisnik's are some of our most favorite people in the world. They were so good to us in Oregon and as Cindy says, Courtnee was the first baby for so many people. Cindy and Martin loved her and so did their parents who visited at the holidays and other times and always brought her gifts. Cindy's dad, a great photographer, always took lots of pictures of Courtnee and loved to hold and "kiss on her." We spent every law school Thanksgiving with Cindy and Martin and either the Taleisnik's, the Sawl's, or both, and of course everyone was there for graduation.

It was a bonus when they had Jordan at the beginning of the third year and we had another little girl to add to the mix. Riley was born on Cindy's birthday just two weeks after graduation and then they added Alexandra two years later. We added Lainey and Halle and now there are six girls between us that are 17, 15, 14, 12, 10, and 8.
I could have spent another week just getting caught up and a lifetime enjoying time with their family. The girls had fun together and it was great to get to know Jordan and Alexandra. They are beautiful, talented, smart, fun, amazing people--just like their parents!

Monday, March 9--We finished settling into our WorldMark condo on Katella Ave. about 1 1/2 miles from Disneyland. We were on the end of the 4th floor next to our often "private" elevator, but it was so slow that we usually took the stairs. The resort is only a year old and very nice--hot tubs on the roof and a view of the Disneyland fireworks and a big pool, two kiddie pools, and a hot tub on the ground level. The condo had two bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen, washer and dryer, etc. Our groceries were delivered on Monday morning and we got everything put away for the week.

Monday was our California Adventure day and Joe dragged us all out of bed so we could get to the park before 9:00. That was the routine for the week--he got us all up and going and it made our days so much better! Joe waited in line for our tickets and the girls and I took pictures and then we hit "Soarin' Over California" for our first ride. Next was "The Tower of Terror" which Halle and I declined from going on--we are both still traumatized from our ride on it 4 years ago. (I think Lainey will decline next time because she spent the rest of the week traumatized by it.) We finished out the day on different rides, meeting Disney characters, visiting Bug's Land, watching the parade, and after a short break to eat at the condo we came back and went to Disneyland. The highlights of the day were the incredibly short lines and the excitement of being there. The lows of the day were waiting too long to eat dinner and "California Screamin'" for me. It is a wild roller coaster ride that goes from 0 to 60 mph in 2 seconds at the beginning of the ride. I felt like someone pulled my stomach out of my mouth, tied it behind the roller coaster, and then shoved it back in after. I was so sick--and I even took Meclazine that morning. That shot a lot of the rides for me for the rest of the day, but I felt better that evening and rode everything at Disneyland feeling only slightly queasy. I guess I am too old for roller coasters--that is so SAD!

Joe waiting under the "magic" tree.

The Cartwright girls at the shuttle.

"C" is for "California" and "Courtnee" and "Cartwright."

Riding the "Jelly Fish" in California Adventure.

Joe, Lainey, Riley, and Courtnee on the "Tower of Terror!"

Joe and Lori in 3D.

Goofy and his girls!

The "Incredibles!"

Tuesday, March 10--Disneyland day! We enjoy California Adventure, but we LOVE Disneyland! Rode lots of rides today--Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Indiana Jones, Toon Town, Small World, the train, the Monorail to Downtown Disney for lunch and back, visited Pixie Hollow and loved the show "Honey I Shrunk the Audience" in 3D. Picked up a few other rides along the way and then headed back to the condo around 3--we were exhausted after two full days! Joe took the girls swimming while Courtnee and I slept (I was tired all of the time from the Meclazine and really goofy--the girls thought I was hilarious)!

Halle and Lainey meet Tinkerbell...

...and Irridesca in Pixie Hollow.

Joe, Courtnee, and Lainey on Small World.

Resting in Minnie's house in Toon Town.

Meeting Mickey...

...and Minnie.

Courtnee's new car!!!

"Smiley, Riley" in Toon Town!

Joe gears up for one of his favorite rides--Indiana Jones.

Wednesday, March 11--Down Day! We slept late, swam, ran, read, ate and spent the afternoon at Laguna Beach. I loved the town and would enjoy spending a few days there visiting all of the art galleries and shops. The beach was cold, but that didn't stop Riley, Lainey, and Halle from enjoying the water. I went beach combing for some sand and shells to add to my beach bottle collection. It was a nice relaxing day...and night!

Thursday, March 12--Early entrance to Disneyland so we were there by 8:00 a.m. That is my favorite time at the park because it isn't as crowded and I can enjoy more of the sights of the park. I wanted to just leisurely stroll through the streets and shops, but I was overruled by 5 ride-crazy people! We spent the morning in Tomorrowland and Fantasyland, lunch in Downtown Disney, and the afternoon in Adventureland. We also did some shopping today and all of the girls got Mickey Mouse ears. I finally got to go to the show at the Tiki Room (no "Tiki Room" meltdown this time) and I LOVED it! Lainey and I opted to visit Tom Sawyer's Island instead of go on Splash Mountian and The Haunted Mansion for the third time. It was fun to see and I decided that I would like to live there as long as we can move the island somewhere else and we can take a set of the restrooms with us. It is exactly the kind of place I would have loved as a child--I was such a tomboy!

A wild time on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride...

and the Teacups--is Riley okay?

Disneyland's oldest attraction--The Storybookland Canal boats (very cute)!

Had fun in the "tiki, tiki, tiki, tiki room!"

Joe's favorite part--shopping! NOT!!!

We love Disneyland...and our mouse ears!

Friday, March 13--Our icing on the cake day. Spent our last day at both California Adventure and Disneyland. The 4th day was the warmest, but also the most crowded by far. We went on all of our favorite rides again and saw the Muppets in 3D show--those Muppets are so funny! We had lunch back at the condo and returned to the park for Thunder Mountain Railroad, more shopping, and to ride our favorites again. About an hour before the fireworks, Halle and I were done with rides so we had some down time eating, talking, and staking out a good fireworks watching spot. After the fireworks, Riley and Joe tried to ride Splash Mountain one more time, but it broke right as they headed up the BIG hill and they had to get off and walk down. We made it back to the condo around 11:00 p.m. and fell into bed.

Enjoying the "warm, California sun."

More "California sun."

Ice cream for dinner? Only in Disneyland: "where all your dreams come true."

Hangin' out with Halle on Main Street U.S.A.

Saturday, March 14--Plans: get up and run 7 miles, visit the American Girl Place in L.A. for lunch, visit the beach. Reality: sleep in, watch TV, read, movies, early dinner at the Cheesecake Factory, swim, bed. We were over-tired, over-fed, and over-stimulated so we stayed around the condo and had a nice, relaxing day. Joe, Courtnee, and I walked to the Anaheim Garden Walk for a movie and Courtnee did some shopping while the three youngest watched a video at the condo. We all met up for dinner which was wonderful until Joe got a glass of ice water dumped on him--that always happens to him. We loved the food at the Cheesecake factory, except for the prices, and we all shared some cheesecake for dessert. It was a nice day.


Sunday, March 15--Time to head home. We packed up and headed back to St. George to pick up Bo, rest up, and see Joe's parents.

Monday, March 16--Back home and back to real life! I hate this part!

Today--still haven't finished unpacking, still tired, still adjusting!