Disneyland

We knew we had to take Luana to Disneyland so we braved the crowds and had a blast.  Disneyland was so much fun and so festive.  I loved all the lights and Christmas themed rides. 

Disney Cruise - here we come

Grandma Johnson took all of us to Orlando and on a Disney cruise for family vacation this year.  Because of schedules and cost we decided to go during the school year so we pulled the kids out of school for a week to go on the most amazing vacation ever. 

Day 1:  Travel day.  Our flight left in the afternoon so we had plenty of time to get ready and to the airport.  We are all so excited for vacation!!  They each packed a bag to take on the plane with a few things they would need before we got on to the ship.  

All 4 kids were really great on the flight and had lots of stuff to do.  We didn't get to the hotel until about midnight but they were all troopers!

Disney's Magic Kingdom

Once the work was done Saturday we had the night to go play at Disneyworld.  It was so much fun.  Todd went the whole day and then me and some friends from work met him at 4:00. Disney is totally different when you don't have kids with you.  We scheduled our time and hit the park.  We managed to go on 7 rides and watch the parade.  It was perfect. 

 

Celina and I 

Leon, Colby, Celina, Todd and I on the Small World ride

In the Tiki Room

I sent this picture to Traci - because she hates the turkey legs at Disney. I should have bought her the shirt!!   

It wouldn't be a day at an amusement park without funnel cake

Todd was so excited to see the Main Street Electric Parade - he hadn't seen it since he was a kid.  

Disneyland - Day 3

We started the day at California Adventure today. First stop: Little Mermaid ride. It was a really cute ride and the girls LOVED it.

Sophie was so happy after the ride

Todd & Amy's family
I can't believe I forgot my Schultz shirt....I felt so left out!

Grandma with all 8 of her grandkids
The Toy Story ride required 3D glasses - look at these cute kids!


We had a little too much fun with the Toy Story box

Luke was tall enough to ride alone on the swings and there wasn't an extra adult to ride tandem with him. He was a little scared at first to do this ride alone - but he did it and once it started he was having a blast.

All week the kids did this "special handshake" that Tayson taught them. I loved watching the kids play together.

She loves ice cream almost as much as her mama ... almost

After spending the morning and lunch at California Adventure we headed back over to Disneyland while eating our ice cream. We wanted to see the parade, ride Space Mountain again and watch the fireworks.

I love this family picture of all of us

The kids all bought their one special toy today. The boys all got light sabers and the girls got these reversible princess dolls. Claire and Emma got the same one of course.

While waiting for the parade we took the kids to the hat store and had them all pick a fun hat to try on. After taking a picture when I was making my kids put theirs back one of them asked me if we could buy one and I said entirely too loud "when would you ever wear a hat like that?" Yes it was in the middle of a store where people were purchasing them to wear. Rookie mistake on my part. They do look cute in their hats though.

The parade was a blast. The kids got so much attention. Captain Hook actually scared Luke when he put his hook right in Luke's face then had Luke shake his hook. Every princess blew kisses to the girls and the boys got lots of high 5's. The kids absolutely loved it! After the parade we had dinner then found a spot for the fireworks.



The firework show was so great. Sophie loved Tinkerbell flying across the sky. We were right in front of the castle and had a great view. All 3 days were so much fun!