In February, we went on a family vacation to Disneyland. It was the best thing for our family to take a break from all the stress we were under and just have a great time making memories together. Disneyland has always been such a magical experience for me that I never get tired of, and I think the most magical part about it is seeing my kids getting to experience it and seeing their reactions.
We drove down on a Saturday, leaving at about 5:30 in the morning, and arriving at Rob & Kimberly's around dinnertime. It was so nice to be able to stay at their house and spend time with them. The kids loved running around with their cousins that they don't get to see very often. After enjoying a relaxing Sunday with them, we set off for Disneyland on Monday. Luckily it's only a 25-minute drive from their house! We went back on Tuesday and Wednesday, took a break on Thursday, and then went back on Friday. Saturday we piled back in the car and headed home. Our kids missed a week of school, but it was so worth it to be able to go when the weather was picture-perfect and the crowds so minimal. We rarely waited in line more than ten minutes for anything, so we were able to revisit all the kids' favorite rides. It was amazing!
Some of the highlights of the trip:
*Matthew was selected to do the Jedi Knight training and got to fight Darth Vader!
* Rachel was begging to meet Minnie Mouse, and we were trying not to get her hopes up, but we ended up getting to meet both Minnie and Mickey!
*Discovering that both Elizabeth and Emma are thrill ride lovers after taking them on Space Mountain multiple times.
*Having enough time to do low-key things like visit the animals at Thunder Mountain Ranch, go to shows, and play at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.
*Joshua seemed to enjoy all the rides, just not the short waits in line.
*Being able to go on all the rides we wanted, other than Critter Country, which was closed.
*Successfully taking five kids to Disneyland without anyone getting lost!
We had to visit the Lego store for our mega-fan, Matthew.
Disneyland does wonders to cure sibling rivalry. Our kids were amazingly well behaved the whole time, except for Joshua being fussy at times.
On our break day from the parks, Kimberly and I took Carter and Joshua for a walk around the neighborhood. Joshua was not thrilled about going, but within a few minutes...
the two cousins had fallen asleep holding hands! Awww! We'll have to remind them of this moment ten years from now.
Elizabeth and Matthew on Jumpin' Jellyfish.
The most memorable moment of all: getting to take a picture with Mickey!
Emma on King Arthur's carousel
Rachel
We all got to experience a ride none of us had been on before: the Sailing Ship Columbia. Every other time we've gone, the Mark Twain Riverboat was going around the Rivers of America instead. The kids had so much fun exploring above deck and below. Joshua tried to take a nap in the meantime (naps presented an interesting challenge at the park!).
Emma at the wheel
At a cottage in Fantasyland
Joshua and Brent waiting to enter the spooky depths of the Haunted Mansion (Brent's personal favorite ride)
Just before entering the park on the first day (sorry these pictures uploaded out of order) 
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