The Happiest Place on Earth

Last week we were lucky enough to head to California with my family for a few days. We drove down on Sunday morning and stopped at the CHAPARRAL motorcross store. Ellie and Cooper loved climbing on every bike in there and Ellie picked out the Razor that she would like for Christmas, however, Dad would prefer this...

Then our family, Aunt Nannie, and Jordan headed to the beach. It was cold and windy, which Cooper didn't mind. Ellie fell in the water and was over the beach after a few minutes.

We finally made it to the hotel, changed into warmer clothes and headed over to Downtown Disney to play and wear out our kids. We played a few games at ESPN and then spent a good time kicking up our heels with one of our favorite bands.

Monday we spent the day at Disneyland and rodes tons of rides.  We discovered Ellie was just tall enough to ride some to the BIG rides, so her Dad took her on the Matterhorn, which she loved 4 times, Big thunder railroad which she didn't like, and Splash Mountain. I think she was pretty tired then and didn't really get how scary it was, but she sure did look cute in my to big rain jacket!! Her and Ryker loved the maps this time and wanted to know where we were at all times. We even brought home a few that Ellie still plays with.

Tuesday we explored California Adventure where the BIG rides continued with Soarin California. Ellie was pretty cute high up in the air with just her toes hanging off the seat. Brady tried to talk her into Tower of Terror, which Ellie refers to as Tower of Scary, butwas unsuccessful.  We also got to watch the World OF Colors!! We loved the show and i would have loved to see it again, but we never made it back the next night. 

Wednesday we spent the day in the park with the Mohlers. Ellie and Ryker rode plenty of rides together and had a great time discussing everything Disney. We rode the monorail and went through Pixie Hollow. Ellie was decked out in Tink and couldn't wait to met her again. We spent the rest of the night in ToonTown playing in Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Donald's houses.

Thursday we went back to the park and rode ALice a few times then went down and met the princesses before the line got to long. Due to Veterans day the park was packed and our kids were grumpy so we left and took a long drive up to see the LA Temple. The kids got out and explored the grounds and then we got back in and the kids slept the whole way back to Disney. We walked back over to the park and went to the Princess Coronation where Ellie was able to dance with Snow White. Then we waited around a few minutes and the princesses came back out to met the kids. Aurora asked Ellie if Cooper was Dopey and we corrected her and said he was Grumpy. Then Ellie showed Cinderella that she was on the bottom of her shoe. When it came time to  talk to Snow White she told her about her cape and that she lived in St. George, Snow knew it was in Utah and said she would love to visit there sometime. Ellie loved all the attention and was so excited to met 6 princesses this trip. 

Small World had been closed all week so they could finish the Christmas decoration, but they opened a night early and we were able to ride it during the parade while the line was short. Ellie could barely sit down the entire ride and Cooper just bopped his head to the tunes and tried to take it all in. The kids then picked out a toy and we said good-bye to Disney for awhile. We have loved all the time we have spent there this year and can't wait for another trip.