I've recently learned that every time my brother reads my posts about Disney it makes him want to go less. So, Paulette, don't let him read this.
On Labor Day we drove to Las Vegas and stayed at Mandalay Bay. Halle and I went to the Lion King. It was, eh, ok, I guess. I knew they had added songs, but I had no idea they had more than doubled the movie time, it was a nearly 4 hour play! Halle fell asleep after intermission, and I think she only made it that long because she was so thirsty. It wasn't that she didn't enjoy it, but it was nearly 11 PM our time by the time she fell asleep and we had been up early for our drive. I don't regret spending the money on the play. It's one I've always wanted to see, and now I know I don't need to spend the money again.
We headed out to California the next morning, but ate at Cici's pizza on our way out. They seriously need a Cici's Pizza in Utah. I grew up eating there regularly in Texas and still love it. Even Jared, who really dislikes buffets, likes Cici's. Anyway, so we drove to California. Halle knew we were going to Las Vegas to see the Lion King, but she thought we were heading home after that. When packing I had to secretly pack her Mickey ears, Disney clothing, pins, and other fun Disney things. Her cousin, Alyvia, had told her the Friday before that she was going to Disneyland. Halle's response was, "I'll go there someday." And she knew we were going there someday because Jared showed her the receipts for our annual passes. So anyway, here we are on our way home, or so she thinks, when we see the Tower of Terror and I ask her what it is. Even though it's her favorite ride she had no idea because she didn't have a context for this weird building. So we kept driving and she saw the entrance to DL. Oh the joy on her face. We have it all on video. Someday I'll learn how to post videos in the blog. She pleaded, "Mommy, can we PLEASE go to Disneyland?? PLEASE?" as if we had just happened by on our way home. I told her yes. She said, "RIGHT NOW?!?!" Again, yes...after we drop our stuff off at the hotel. It was so cute. The next day Aunt Janene drove up Jared's mom, Joan, who had been visiting her in San Diego. We had a great day playing with Janene. Disneyland was SO empty Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. I've never seen anything like it and it was awesome. It was also 101 degrees and SO hot and humid. We kept wet paper towels with us. And, yes, we are color coordinating every day. I told Halle that if she couldn't find us to look down at her shirt, then look for that color shirt to help find us. We could also do the same should we lose track of one another.
Little Mermaid. Eli LOVED this ride. He would dance and clap and make happy noises. When we got to Ursula he'd turn his head and bury it in my chest. Then after that he'd dance and clap again. It was so cute, but too dark to get on video.
A new character, Duffy Bear. He is Mickey's teddy bear.
Thursday night we saw World of Color, the light show they do on the water in California Adventure. It was really fun and so cool. Jess, Jory, and Alyvia were driving, so Joan spent the day with us and helped us with Eli so we could go on rides with Halle.
Friday we went to the beach for an hour, then went to DL because Jess, Jory, and Alyvia had arrived the previous night. It really cooled down on Friday and the beach was cold and windy. The ocean is freezing, but there were a ton of people surfing (in wet suits).
Saturday Jared, Jess, and Jory went to the USC game. We lost. The rest of us played while they "enjoyed" the game.
Phinease and Ferb Dance Party
They turned the wilderness area that just used to be an un-themed play area to be themed around the movie Up. You walk around and have to do things to earn your Wilderness Badge like Russell.
The girls with Russell after earning their Wildnerness Badges.
The boys came back and Jared stayed with Halle in the park while Eli and I headed back to pack up and sleep for the drive on Sunday. We ate at Cici's in Vegas again on our way home. Yum.
