It's a Beautiful Life

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Since we have no family around, and because our biggest Thanksgiving feaster is on a mission, we usually travel to California or Arizona. This year we decided to take a trip to Disneyland as I have never been there during Christmastime. IN addition, my dad, brother, sister-in-law and niece met us there (they live in CA) - Double treat! My dad loves Disneyland just as much as me.

My brother, Anthony, kept referring to me as the "Target" woman. I guess there is this Black Friday commercial that comes on every year showing this mom prepping for the sales. She's on a treadmill and pumping weights to get conditioned to beat everybody. Well, I am a serious Disneyland fan. I choose my routes ahead of time knowing which ride we will ride in order and when to get fast passes for which. You have a two hour wait from your first pass before you can get the next. I had fun directing Matt and Anthony to different attractions to get those for us. I mean, I am serious!! Waste no time - get it all in.

We thought we would take advantage of the short lines and no crowds - ha, ha, ha! Not a chance. It was just a busy. When is it not? Anyway, I thought I would simply post some photos for those of you who have never been during Christmas time - DO IT! It is truly beautiful. Disneyland, I must admit is one of my most favorite places. I feel like I could live there and enjoy the magic, escape the world and just be a kid again with my kids.

Here we are at Sleeping Beauty's castle. It is truly the most beautiful at Christmas time. At night during the Christmas fireworks show, it lights up with different colors synchonized with the music and fireworks. Breathtaking

It's a Small World is probably my favorite ride, I must admit. What can I say, I 'm just a big kid. During Christmas, they sing Jingle Bells and It's a Small World and every doll and country is decorated for the holidays - pretty amazing.

The Princess Walk is always at least a 50 minute wait. Matt didn't want to wait to save a spot for the parade and I was determined to be front row and center and at the beginning so I waited. It was great traveling with other adults also so that they could watch the kids that were to small to ride a ride or too scared. :)

At 7:30 am I wasn't about to ride the tea cups but the kids were dying to and neither Matt nor I did. Can you tell who won?

I love this photo for some reason.

And now, the Christmas Parade! Yay! It was so wonderful. It's obvious the people in it have to have a certain look to make Disney's cast. They are all so wholesome looking. I love it.

This, of course, was the best. Aidan's jaw dropped and he said he hoped Santa knew he tried hard to be good this year. Ella is beginning to be more quiet about it. I'm so sad.