What else is new?

So I forgot to mention that when we were in California for Grandma's funeral, my parents also decided that it would only be fitting to go to Disneyland as a family, especially since Ebin and Rhiannon were there and they had never been.  So we took yet another trip to the Magic Kingdom.  What else is new?

Here we are on the back bench in the car on the way to Disneyland.

Here we are at the park entrance.  You can kind of see that Ebin and Rhiannon have buttons on their shirts that say "1st Visit" on them.

As soon as we got in and took that picture, I split off from the group to go get some fast passes for Space Mountain, and then we were going to rendezvous at Mickey's house for a picture with him.  Well, I got the fast passes and texted Mom.  She informed me that they hadn't even gotten on the train yet because of bathroom breaks...really?  We just walked in and they had to go to the bathroom...anyway, I found myself with some spare time so I rushed over to the Mad Hatter and bought myself a Peter Pan hat with my name embroidered on it.  Everyone was surprised when we met back up, wondering how I did it so fast.  I said, "Two words: Pixie Dust!"  We then got a family picture with Mickey.

Ebin got a picture in Mickey's car as we left his house after the picture.

Ebin and Rhiannon with Pluto

Ebin was chosen at the Jedi training to fight Darth Vader.  How awesome is that?  I was a little jealous.  You have to be under 10 years old to participate...I know...I asked.

Rhiannon had a fun time touring Minnie's house, and let's be honest, I did, too.  I never get tired of Disneyland, it is like a superpower that I have.  

Rhiannon also got a picture with Tinkerbell in Pixie Hollow.  Tink was digging my Peter Pan hat if you know what I mean...

They ended up getting hats of their own.  I tried to convince Ebin to get a Captain Hook hat, but he insisted on copying me.  Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.  

Rhiannon also got a picture with Minnie.  Ebin didn't want to be in it. I think I was with him at Goofy's house.

So we ended the day, and the kids had a great time.  I will say that this was one of the better Disney trips I have been on, because it was the first time for Ebin and Rhiannon.  It made it a whole new experience for all of us when they would get really excited about things that we have taken for granted for a long time.  It was a great trip, and helped our family have a happy memory after an emotional week.

We also took a trip to the beach, even though it was January.  Chris and the kids had never seen the ocean, so it was fun to head down and put our toes in the water.  

That hill in the background is where I was born, and also where my grandparents are both buried now.  It was a beautiful sunset, and the water was freezing, but we had a good time anyway.

Here I am with the chillins putting our toes in the water.  Rhiannon accidentally slipped and fell all the way in.  She just started laughing, it was pretty funny.  It was a fun way to end the trip.