Connected

After 48 hours without internet, and 24 hours without cell phone service, I am back.  I am far too tired to care that I am again "wired," so I'm logging off and going to bed, in our last hotel of the trip.  Bon nuit.

California Adventure

So much fun.  So little energy left.

Toy Story Mania, still one of the most amusing rides I've been on.  I laugh like a little girl.  A Bug's Land, the best shade in the whole park.  Nice place to kick back and nurse the baby.

Tower of Terror, a ride I have avoided for years.  Not this time.  I rode it. . . twice!  It helped to go with good friends for support, and some of their kids, so I wasn't the most terrified in the group.

Long afternoon nap at the hotel.  Back to the park for the Wonderful World of Color.  Spectacular!  Sore legs, colds, aching knee, sunburn, all fogotten for a few magical moments.  Disney knows how to end the day like no other.

Off to dream in color.

Disneyland

These are getting harder and harder to write, as I get more and more tired.

We spent most of the day at Disneyland.  We started off in Tomorrowland (my favorite!).  Baby Boy went on his very first ride, Buzz Lightyear Astroblasters.  Doug held him during the ride, and still managed to more than double my score!

Next, we spent a little bit of time in Toon Town.  Always amusing.  Onward to Frontierland (my favorite!) and Thunder Mountain.  Twice.  I'm very thankful for the rider switch pass.

Splash Mountain was a hoot and just might edge out Thunder Mountain for the top spot.  The Haunted Mansion was all decked out for Halloween.  Fabulous!  Baby Boy rode that one, too.  I should mention that he wore his Mickey outfit, complete with Mickey ears.  He was the cutest little thing in all the park.  I'll post a photo later for proof.

We took a couple hour lunch/nap break at the hotel.  Mr. Hubby stayed put while the Kid and I went back.  Adventureland (my favorite!) then Fantasyland and the parade.  The perfect way to end the day.  I think that was the boy's favorite part.  He nearly shone with joy!

Tomorrow - California Adventure. My knee is killing me, the boy is still reeling from his cold and the baby is exhausted. It could be a very interesting day. Interesting at Disney is better than interesting at home, though. Bring it on!

Tripping Along

Overnight in St. George. 

Late start.  Driving, driving and more driving. 

Vegas.  Baby blowout.  Steak 'n Shake awesomeness. 

Driving and driving some more. 

100 degrees in the desert. 

Fussy baby.  Uncomfortable, sick kid. 

Still more driving. 

Anaheim!  Sigh of relief.
Big day tomorrow.

Sweet dreams tonight.

Big Trip - Zion National Park

This will be short and sweet because I am drowsy from the Dramamine.

We spent the afternoon at Zion National Park.  Baby Boy was a trooper.  He was sleep deprived, but did well.  Even managed a nice, big blowout in the middle of the Park.

Big Brother is a trooper, too.  He made it through the day, a short but steep hike, and still had a great time, even though he has a sore throat.  Poor guy.  He also earned a Zion National Park Junior Ranger badge.  He took the Ranger oath, and the other visitors around him thought it was pretty cool, and it was.

Three things I learned today:
1.  Take the pain reliever when you first get the headache.  Do not try to tough it out, as you may find yourself in the middle of nowhere with no pain relief.  Uff da.

2.  If you suffer from motion sickness, have an excruciating headache, and your tummy is rumbling due to lack of food, do not ride facing sideways on the Zion shuttle.  Add some extra heat from a wee one sleeping in your arms, and it is not good.  I was extremely close to getting sick and honestly have no idea how I didn't.

3.  Take the time to spend at least a day at Zion.  It is a breathtaking place!  The time we had there was great, but it merely scratched the surface.

"Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God has shone forth."
Psalm 50:2

The Big Trip, Segment One

We are on our way to Disneyland with our very favorite friends!  Hooray!

Day one was hectic, to say the least.  Early this week we all opted to leave Saturday evening instead of the original Sunday morning start time.  No biggie, so I thought.  Then I remembered that I had a haircut and color scheduled for this morning.  No way I was canceling that, as I have been waiting for the better part of a year to finally make it happen.

With the hair done, I'd head home to pack, right?  Nope.  First we had to pick up our mini-van rental.  Then the baby needed fed.  Then I needed fed.

Finally time to pack.  First comes baby clothes, then more baby clothes, and all kinds of other important baby items.  Then it's time to get all of Jocool, Jr's clothes in the suitcase, and the rest of their clean clothes crammed hastily into drawers and closets.

Now I can pack for me... but wait!  I forgot that I don't have enough clothes that fit to last me a week on vacation, with a baby.  I was supposed to go shopping but didn't get the chance.  Off I go.  Not a happy task with the added baby weight that is coming off VERY slowly.  Still, I find a couple shirts and it's back home to pack for me, finally.

Favorite friends arrive in the midst of my packing, and are nice enough to help the hubby move furniture.  Did I mention that we are having our hardwood floors refinished while we are gone?  What is it with us having work done in our house while we go to California?

Still packing.  Said friends patiently wait.  Kiddos play in the backyard.  Time to snarf down the leftovers that won't last a week in the refrigerator.  Dinner of cold French fries, yogurt, and half a cinnamon twist.  Um, yum?

Now it's time to hit the road!  Oops, baby needs fed.  Friends leave thinking we'll be 15 minutes behind and eventually catch up.  Haha!  Try 30 minutes.  Still, not bad.  We even got our IKEA stop in, and closed the store while we were checking out.  That was close!

So, here I am, up late while the loved ones sleep.  I could be.  Should be.  But I'm relishing a few moments to myself, and looking forward to tomorrow.