Disney Magic

Whew! We are just back from 3 wonderful days at Disneyland. I love Disneyland. It is very nostalgic for me, having grown up in So Cal, but also it truly does feel like a very happy place. Maybe it's the happy music everywhere, the churro fumes that I can never resist, or the Small World song I'll be singing for the next 3 months. Whatever it is, I love it, our family loves it (Rich almost loves it), and we've enjoyed taking several trips there as a family.

There are many wonderful things I will remember about this trip, but the one that stands out in my mind will be that our family got.along.with.each.other. Now wait--there was still whining and insulting, nit-picking and impatience, but there was also an overall feeling of togetherness, a spirit of determination to keep moving forward despite our imperfections, a feeling of being a family. That probably sounds corny, but it just meant so much to me, because most days it feels like our family really struggles. And so here goes the picture montage of Disneyland 2013:

Here we are with half a storm trooper. We LOVE the Disney/Star Wars connection---the new and improved Star Tours ride was amazing, as was the Jedi Training:

Autopia is always fun, especially if you're 4 and get to drive with your big brother!

(Everyone wanted to sit by Sam on every ride, it was awesome!)

The weather was warmish and sunny, the crowds were down and lines were short, and we got to ride Small World (and everything else) as many times as we wanted. 

You know the recorded instructions they play on every ride about keeping your hands, arms, feet, and legs  inside the boat/car/ride at all times? They have to play that several times when Garrett is in the park, and sometimes they even have to make a special live announcement over the intercom about what you can and can't touch on the rides. Just saying.

We rode almost every ride in Fantasyland, and I'm not sure who enjoyed it the most--Sam, or his brothers and sister and parents watching him. He loved the carousel and every other ride there. But I think the person who loved Disneyland the most had to be Garrett. He was just so excited about each and every ride. He was fearless and especially loved the roller coasters. He probably thanked Rich and I 10 or more times for bringing him to Diz. What an awesome kid.

Aunt Melissa joined us for parts of each day, being an annual pass holder and all. She is nicer than I am and will go on the Teacups multiple times without throwing up. Isn't she wonderful?

It's always fun to spend time with her when we go to Cali!

We spent most of Tuesday in California Adventure. We were so excited to try the new Radiator Springs' Racers and it did not disappoint. Fortunately we were able to snag a FastPass and avoid the 90 minute lines that were a standard feature of that ride. We also used the single-rider line to ride it multiple times. The ride was amazing! I loved that our whole family (even me!) met the height requirement and we could go on it together. Disney has done an amazing job.

Here Sam and I are on Mater's Junkyard Jamboree....

riding the carousel for the 48th time....

and taking a break after Whinnie the Pooh.

Other favorite rides include:

Pirates of the Caribbean (although Sam is still not sure about the waterfall part)

Indiana Jones

Soarin' Over California

California Screamin' (Garrett's fave)

Matterhorn and Space Mountain

We  enjoyed Aladdin the Musical and Disney's World of Color. Amazing shows!

We also enjoyed dinner at the Rain Forrest Cafe and did a little gawking at the Lego Store in Downtown Disney.

We really had so much fun. I love my family, even with all our struggles. I'm so lucky to be a mom, to be their mom, and to be his wife. These people are everything to me.

But alas, the laundry is waiting, and somebody has to start doing it!