California

What a great trip and getaway-- for all of us!!!

Back in April Mike's boss surprised all 11 families with an all-expense paid trip to Disneyland.

He flew us there. Covered the car rental, parking, hotel. Bought our tickets. Gave us spending money.

The airplane ride in and of itself would've been a vacation enough for our boys-- up until now, they have been very easily entertained. Hopefully that will last.

Our first stop was to the "Luxurious Lamm Estate" to visit my brother and his family. Kate and Elle LOVE Andrew and could've carried him around like their doll the entire weekend. James and Tanner played in the playroom morning till night. Rescue and army helicopters. Batman. Bad guys. Legos.

Forts. Even a Disneyland ride.
Daniel had fun playing Princess with Kate and Elle.

 Donut run on the golf cart.

Our next stop was to Auntie Nettie's house and to the beach. We held her birds and dog. At the beach we saw hermit crabs, a starfish, clams, anemones, fish, seals, etc.

Then to Aunt Debbie's house for a night. We had a good visit, plus the missionaries came over for dinner-- something that just doesn't happen living in Utah. The boys loved all of her toys and sleeping in the "Castle Room."

Final Destination: Disneyland!

Dinner at our hotel

Daniel looking at the map and thinking hard about where to go going next. 

Top 5 Favorite characters: Donald. Tigger. Buzz. Mickey. Goofy. 

Boy do I love this ride! Poor James, look how terrified he looks! 

Yes, my friends, we have all three boys on that stroller! Love the B.O.B.

The Daniel does not stand in lines.

He will run up and down them, sometimes to the front and very far from us. He will chase James. He will balance on a rock wall until he falls three feet into the bushes. He will sling-shot himself from one rope to another, and of course he will do plenty of the Mikey Monkey pose.

Hard as we may try, there's no taming the Daniel.

The boys surprised me with how excited they got about the characters. I like this pic because it shows how helpful Jeanette aka: Mary Poppins was with our kids. You name it, she had it in her magic bag of Disneyland tricks. Entertainment in the lines. Spray bottles with the fans on them. Ice water. Lunch. Snacks of every kind. She even got our family those hiking kerchiefs to keep us cool during an unusual  Southern Cal heat wave.

 The Lamm's met up with us on Friday-- here are the cousins waiting for the parade.

Why can't bedtime always be this easy!? Boys passed out all 3 nights-- usually before we made it back to the hotel.

Disney highlights: 

Cars Land. is. incredible. Exceeded all expectations.

Mother's room. It was like walking into Mary Poppins with maids to help me out with any possible childcare need.

Nightmare before Christmas x2. Winnie the Pooh x5. Matterhorn x2. Pirates x3. Small world x3. Buzz x2. Toy Story--would've done that tons more if the line wasn't so long. Cars Racers: due to the baby pass, the boys went x4. Aladdin. Mickey's Playhouse. Dole shake. Jungle cruise. Paradise Peir Kabobs. Jeanette's 20% off everything. World of Color show. The Disney Parade.

Shad wins the quote for the week: while watching the princesses dance during Fantasmic, he said: "

I thought all they did was sign books."

Such a breath of fresh air for our family and so grateful that 

1) Mike has a job

2) Mike has a good job that is close, composed of good guys, has time for the family

3) that his boss was so generous to give this trip to us and these memories