the Cleggs do Disney

I am too pooped to go into all the wonderful details, but this trip was simply the best...totally magical. Each day ended perfectly. The kids were happy. The parents were happy. The weather was perfect & thanks to our year-round schooling, there were minimal crowds.

Highlights from Day 1 in the Park:

Collin officially becoming a Jedi. While getting his light saber to activate proved tricky, he successfully defeated Darth Vader!

Asher and Collin became obsessed with the Star Tours ride. Asher made it onto almost every roller coaster in the park- we were so proud of him for being so brave about it, given how anti-roller coasters he was last time.

Sethie's favorite was BUZZ! And the Teacups. His cowboy boots made him just tall enough for his "rolla-coasta".  He also loved meeting all his favorite characters.

Eden was a complete angel. These next pictures ought to be sent into Disney. So, we were sitting down & eating lunch when Pluto comes over to pose for pictures. We ate & watched. Next thing we know, the line was gone & Pluto directed all his attention to us! He was funny, pretending to eat the boys' sandwiches. Later that day, that same Pluto spotted Eden across the park & beelined right for her. She pretty much charmed the socks off everyone, everywhere.

We ended Day 1 with a ride on the Mickey Swinging Wheel as the sun was setting...so so picturesque.

Day 2: I loved getting to know the French Quarter a little better...although, I would have preferred to spend more time window shopping. :) These were taken after the Pirates of the Caribbean ride...so fun! The only downside to this day was that Nate took Collin and Asher on the Twilight Tower of Terror. It kind of killed Asher's willingness to go on roller coasters the rest of the trip. In fact, that night at the hotel both Asher and Collin prayed that our family would never have to go on the Tower of Terror. hahaaaa!!

 While in line for Toy Story Mania (which we all became pretty good at...even Sethie!), Asher lost a TOOTH! It's a good thing the tooth fairy is such a smart lady, she knew right where to find him. ;)

Oh Collin...he was so sad/jealous that I was taking pictures of Asher. So...

Sethie & his buddy "Mury"!

That evening we ate at our favorite Disneyland restaurant- the Carnation Cafe. Just as we were finishing dinner, a parade started rolling down Main Street! Such a great way to end that night!

Day 3: Everyone made a list of their 3 most favorite rides & we did our best to stick to just the favorites. We let the kids each pick out 2 souvenirs. A bunch of Asians kept taking pictures of Eden. At first I was a little creeped out, until Nate said to me "how often do they get to see the Gerber baby in real life?" 

 

Asher had just 2 meltdowns in the park...one was when we tried to tear him away from watching the California Screamin' roller coaster take off. He was such a trooper though! He walked the ENTIRE time. Not once did he ask to ride in the stroller. Such a good kid.

Collin on Grizzly River Run...poor buddy got totally SOAKED. He was such a good sport about it! His face on the ride though- shocked & shivering...priceless.

Other iPhone pics...

We really enjoyed getting to spend a few hours each day taking just the older boys on rides while Mary & the babies napped. Thanks Mary!!

Our hotel was LITERALLY right across the street from Disneyland. We couldn't have gotten any closer unless we had stayed at the Grand Californian (which we hope to do one day). While the room decor was a little dated, the suite accommodated us perfectly. The free breakfast in the morning was pretty awesome. I loved hearing people whisper, trying to figure out if all the kids were ours....just about! haha!

Our last ride was Soarin' Over California, which we all agreed was a new favorite. We ended the trip with the World of Color Show. Couldn't have asked for a better trip!