We're home from Disneyland. It'll be a while before I can get our trip journal assembled into a legible fashion and compress our many pictures for viewing, but keep checking in... I'll publish it at manullang.com as soon as it's done.
Overall, the vacation was fabulous. Disneyland is a totally different experience with children, and we loved seeing Katie and Jack soak up the magic. We celebrated Katie's birthday with Mickey and Minnie--if you ever get the chance to do this, you MUST!--and Jack still hasn't stopped talking about his favorite rides (Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters and Monsters Inc.). We created some really wonderful memories. The 388 digital photos I brought home will help.
Dee talked me into going on the Tower of Terror ride. I was scared to death but only cursed once (I know, I couldn't believe it either). It was fun, fun, FUN! If we had gone on it before our last day, we probably would've ridden it several times. I loved it. Some of our other favorites: Soarin' Over California, Turtle Talk with Crush, Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters, Monsters Inc., Space Mountain... ah, we'll admit it... we loved pretty much everything. Even Small World!
One of Katie's favorite parts of the vacation was the Princess Celebration lunch at Ariel's Grotto in Disney's California Adventure. Darlene and I joined her for a girly afternoon and got to meet Ariel, Belle, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and Jasmine. Their costumes were gorgeous, and they were all incredibly sweet with the children.
We were really spoiled with wonderful California weather. It was in the 80s and 90s every day. I heard it was dry in Portland too, but it was cold and rainy when we got home so I'm not sure I believe it.
The driving part of the trip really blew (literally). We left home on Friday night and drove to southern Oregon, spent the night, and drove all day Saturday to Anaheim. Coming back, we left Anaheim Saturday around noon and spent the night in Redding. Sunday we were on the road most of the day. Just as we were getting to the Portland area, one of our tires a-sploded; fortunately it happened right near an exit so we were able to pull over quickly and safely. Still, it was a pretty sucky way to end our vacation. Not to worry... I got some great pictures of Vic and Wellington changing the tire. They weren't too pleased to pose, the party poopers.
In case you were wondering, I will never, ever, ever drive or ride in a car for 2000 miles again. It's insanity.
All six of us came home sick. Disneyland is pretty much a big germfest, I've decided. Feeling pretty yucky yesterday made celebrating Valentine's Day not so fun. Katie and Jack didn't let it slow them down much--they still stuffed their faces with pa-lenty of candy--but the last thing Vic and I wanted was a dinner out that we couldn't really enjoy. We'll combine our V-Day with our anniversary on the 23rd, I think.
Now that we're home I need to get back into work mode, finish up with my reunion responsibilities, and think up a good anniversary gift for that husband o' mine. What I need right now, though, is a nice long nap. Toodles--
Jen
