Well we have officially survived another family vacation!  I say, ‘survived’ because at times that is exactly what it feels like we were doing!! 3 kids age 5 and under, removed from their home, daily routines, bed times, and somewhat healthy ,meals can be a challenge for even the most capable of parents. We were dealing with some intense sugar highs, nap withdrawls, stroller fights, and intense girl drama, but when we weren’t going crazy we were having a great time.  Disneyland, is one of our favorite places on earth, and we really aren’t kidding... Bradey and I started our married life there together on our honeymoon, and we have been back almost every year since. This year we went with some great friends, the Blanchard’s, and their twin 4 year old boys.  They had never been before, and it was so fun to experience their ‘first time’ with them.  We have discovered that the week just before Thanksgiving is the most perfect time to go, Christmas is all out, perfect weather, and no lines or crowds!  I have lived in Idaho too long and I don’t do well with traffic, crowds or lines.... I am spoiled!  We always stay at the Grand Californian and love being so close with our own entrance into the park.  This makes it easy for us to run back to the room for naps, dry clothes, time-outs.... you know the things that seem to always come up during a day of fun and adventure.  We spent one day at the beach this year, and loved watching all of the kids frolic in the freezing cold water.  It was 70 degrees and all of the locals were bundled like eskimos, but not the Idaho rugrats! They didn’t even think twice before jumping in the ocean to play, and the funny thing is, we had to beg and bribe them to get out when they were all turning blue from hypothermia.  Some quick highlights of the trip

Bradey (aka Walt)- having Nate, one of his favorite BFF’s and fellow “12 year old trapped in a 30 year old’s body”, there to go on the Maliboomer 5 times back to back with. Shutting down the park at midnight with the aforementioned BFF, with one last corn dog and a ride on Indiana Jones.  Getting to experience a crazy busy Anaheim ER with a distraught 4 year old in the middle of the night..... once again, have I mentioned that we LOVE Idaho? (next time, he is packing heat... scary stuff ) 

Ali- Walking through the front gates and down main street.... this NEVER gets old.  Watching my kids and husband get almost giddy over just ‘being there’.  Looking at all of the Christmas Decorations, ( you know I want to be a designer there when I grow up!) Watching Caroline try to attack each character, no fear for that little girl.  Watching my 2 big girls at the beach.  Enjoying the nice clean disney restrooms at least 25 times a day, or so it seemed!

Quincy- being Daddy’s best bud, and 5 year old daredevil, bring on the Tower of Terror!! Eating junk food for 5 days straight and getting away with it.  Sleeping on the top bunk.  Meeting all of the princes, who needs the princesses?  Freestyle dancing in the streets after the parade at California Adventure. Taking over Tarzan’s Treehouse with the kids.  Up and down 8 times in one hour!! they slept well after that.

Olivia- Small World all done up for Christmas. The TIKI ROOM (“greatest ride ever, mom”)  Singing Christmas carols the entire week.  Hanging with Grant and Garret and catching ‘slimes’.  The parades, ohhhh the parades!  Conquering her fear of Splash Mountain, the Haunted Mansion, Soarin, Nemo, pretty much all of the rides except for the Matterhorn and Pirates, we will save those for next year... Being the happiest kid around, and peacemaker of the bunch.

Caroline- Pooh, Pooh and Pooh! Koda, Tigger, Minnie, Chip, and every other character she could get her hands on!  Lollipops as big as her face.  Watching the fireworks with Mom and Dad,  getting to sleep in a ‘big girl’ bed, and wearing her ‘du-du’ (tutu) so she could dance better to all of the music.