We hadn't been planning on it, but we ended up joining some of Dan's family at Disneyland in October and had a magnificent time. How did Ethan put it? The fun members of the family? (: Here are the 5 cousins while meeting characters during dinner at Goofy's kitchen. This was the first time we did character dinning the children really loved it. I later took the girls to Ariel's Grotto and they had a blast with the princesses. Super not having to wait in long lines.
There were several reasons we decided to go for it. Since Dan's parents are on a mission in the Caribbean, we wouldn't be traveling out to see family over the holidays and this was a chance to spend quality time with part of the clan. Also, with Kaelah beginning kindergarten next year and Colorado schools not having a fall break like Utah does this would be our last chance to enjoy the Halloween festivities at Disneyland. Also, we had been thinking of doing a big trip to either Florida or Hawaii in January, and this would be much cheaper. Instead, we will be going to Steamboat Springs in January by using some of the vacation points Dan's parents aren't using while they are away. Hooray for in-laws. (:
This was Kaelah's first chance to ride the grown up rides like Big Thunder Mountain, and with her cousin, Evie, loved every one. (Evie is exactly 2 months older than Kaelah). Once I asked Kaelah if she wanted to go on a certain ride and her response was, only with Evie. How brave Kaelah can be when she has someone her age she loves around. Meanwhile, the 3 younger cousins would do more little kid-ish things. (Sloan is half way in age between Danny and Michelle.) I highly recommend going to the happiest place on earth with cousins... especially when the children can be outnumbered by adults 9 to 5. That's super handy.
This was one of the most popular pictures when I put a bunch on Facebook so I included it here as well. Michelle is a natural Disney fan, with a huge love for purple wearing Rapunzel, Minnie Mouse with the big bow, and Jesse the cowgirl from Toy Story. It still amazes me she fell in love with Minnie at the age of 1.5 last fall just by seeing her around Walt Disney World.
Here is another good cousin photo, of Sloan and Danny at the Disney Junior Live show at CA Adventure Park. I loved how into the show they both were.
I don't think there is a single thing we would have changed about this trip. Well, maybe we would have stayed a day longer if we could have and gone to the beach again. But thank the Lord there were no more broken bones like when we went to Florida last year!.
Thanks so much to Amylynn and the Parker clan for making the trip possible and spectacular. Love you guys!
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