Disneyland!

We capped off our Thanksgiving vacation with a visit to the happiest place on Earth! We took Monday off (my Dad met us there in the late morning) and had a wonderful time from opening to close. Chase is now tall enough for the big roller coasters, so we took turns taking him on Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain, and the Matterhorn. He had a blast! We tried to take Ben on Thunder Mountain too, but after waiting in line, we were rejected at the ride. He was a good 2 inches too short and we couldn't sweet-talk him on. Oh well, maybe next time.

I can't believe how well all 3 boys did all day and how quickly the time flew!  We managed to ride most of the rides we were hoping to go on, meet a couple of Disney characters, explore Toon Town, watch the parade and buy a couple of souvenirs before we had to head home as the fireworks went off above us. 

Disneyland was all decorated for Christmas and it's amazing how much work they put into transforming certain rides like "It's a Small World" and just how specatacular the park looks at night with all of the lights.  It was a trip we will always remember.

Someone was excited on the bus to the park!

Disneyland 2012

Chase and Ben anxious to get inside

Jim and Ben walking down Main Street

Brady and Chase watching some Disney characters perform

Perfect timing - we saw a ton of characters right as we came into the park!

Our first ride of the day - Astro Orbitor

Jim and Ben, Craig and Chase, Lori and Brady

Ben high above the park

Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters

Ben and I waiting at Autopia

Ready to ride!

Craig and Chase, Jim, Me and Ben

The boys burning some energy

Outside It's a Small World

The Hoelting's

Ben waiting in line

On our boat

Ben checking out all of the lights

All decorated for Christmas

My Mom and Ben looking at the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage ride

Ben "driving" in Toon Town

Chase meeting Goofy

Ben's turn (he wouldn't look at him or the camera!)

And Brady's turn too!

Finally meeting Mickey (Ben was so excited!!!)

Getting Mickey to sign his book

The Hoelting's with Mickey

More fun outside Mickey's House

Getting ready to ride Gadget's Go Coaster

Ben loved it!

And even went on again with Craig and Chase

Lori and I on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride

Ben and I on Dumbo!

Me, Ben, Chase, Lori, and Brady waiting for the parade to start

Christmas Parade!

Ben looking at the soldiers

Daisy, Donald, and Pluto

Winnie the Pooh and Tigger

Mickey and Minnie

Goofy and his son

The Princesses

Woody

Toy Factory

Buzz

The reindeer...

...and Santa!

It's a Small World at night

The castle at night

The giant Christmas tree

One tired little boy at home

Make that 3 tired little boys at home! :)