Disneyland!

Here are the kiddodiddos all ready for fun.  We departed Stansbury Park for Anaheim early Sunday morning, stopping for church in Arizona.  (Not one of our finer moments, but at least we tried.)  The kids packed "the essentials" and I was surprised that the jester hat was essential.  It made this 15 hour ride much more festive. 

Crowded into Roger Rabbit's car.  What a ride!

Meeting the Mouse: this is one of the nicest pictures we have of our family with Mickey. And this was one of the best trips to Disneyland.  

This is in Mickey's house, when you are waiting to meet him.  Fun times!

Here's Jonny in Dumbo.  He rode with Gary. 

Simon, Rachel and I rode Dumbo together.  Rachel cried when it was time to get off.  She cried when she had to get off every ride.

The workers had to pair our kids up just right to meet their age requirements. Kids under 8 can't ride without an adult.  Consequently, James and Amelia were frequently paired up.  You couldn't tell that here.  He's hiding because he does not want to be seen with Amelia (front Dumbo.)

We stopped by the Big Thunder Ranch to check out the animals.  This is the best smelling petting zoo, hands down.  Rachel liked the goat, but she thought it was a dog.

James, Simon, Mia, Jonny and Rachel line up in front of the Small World ride.  I was so looking forward to taking Rachel on this ride.  Babies love the colors, movement and music.  She cried in line and promptly fell asleep, missing the whole thing.  She also snoozed on Buzz Light Year's Space Ranger Spin.   

Mia on Small World. pretty girl!  One addition I enjoyed on the ride was cartoon Disney characters.  They are done in the style of Small World's other characters and are pretty subtle, but if you are looking you can find Jasmine and Aladdin, Ariel, Woody and Jesse, Pinocchio, and other friends. 

Jonny driving on Autopia.  Because of fast passes and baby swapping, I think Jonny ended up riding this a lot. (5 times)

  
Disneyland was great time.  We used a touring plan from a Disneyland guide book and made full use of our time there.  I love having a plan when we go.  It means that no time is wasted on figuring out what to do next and everyone is happy because they know that the rides they want are on the list. 
Fast passes and baby swapping let the kids ride the ride multiple times in a row.  For example here are a few ride totals from our more popular choices:
Splash Mountain:
Jonny and Amelia 4 or 5 (depending on who you ask)
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh:
James and Rachel 6+ times (James did Splash Mountain, but did not want to get more than once.  Consequently, he hung out on Winnie the Pooh with Rachel)
Indiana Jones:
Amelia and James 4
Autopia:
Jonny and Simon: at least 4 times 
Space Mountain:
Jonny and Amelia 2, Simon and James 1
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad:
Everyone but Rachel rode this once. 
Pirates of the Caribbean:
Everyone but Mom and Simon rode this.  It was "too scary."
Buzz Light Year
Everyone rode this twice.  Rachel was awake for one of those times
Star Tours:
Totally redone, Jonny and Amelia rode this twice.  Simon and Rachel were asleep in the stroller so they missed this one. 
Good time had by all.  Wish you could have joined in the fun!