M-I-C....See ya real soon

We went down south (again) recently and made a trip to the big D. Disneyland, that is.

We can't thank Jilly Bean enough for the special, special day. You see, she's an old friend who brought along her friend, Patrick....the two of them walked us in for free. Yep, what would have cost us $97.00 each was absolutely free. $97.00!!!??? Good golly.

The two of them work for the mouse himself and just happened to be available to make our day.

Here we sit, on the big "C" in front of California Adventure, waiting for them.

These guys were so excited they must have asked me 12 times "when O' when is she coming mom". This was between the minutes of 9:01 and 9:04 a.m.

I should say that Dylan and Karly were super excited. Dawson didn't really have a clue what he was getting into. It was his first time visiting Mr. Mouse.

Awww Main Street is so awesome. It reminds me of the days I worked there. The many times I walked this street while I was 'working'. Thee best job ever. Cut much too short.

How precious is this? I'm not sure what caused him to sit on his knees before the castle, but I think it's so cute.

We asked someone to take our picture. We had to wait in line, for everyone wants their picture in this very spot. It's only 9:43 a.m. and Dawson is already yawning. Oh boy are we in trouble.

I'm sure glad the lady took TWO shots, maybe this one will be better....

Nope, the horses that pull the tourists down and around Main Street? They totally stole the attention of my two younger ones. Dylan, bless his heart, did awesome. Both times.

One of the first rides Karly wanted to go on was the carousel. It's always been a favorite of hers....

See? Just look at that smile. She still rides with the same glee spread about her face.

This guy? Not so much. He was not diggin' the carousel. I mean, really, those horses are just way too scary. And the ever so slow spinning? Too, too much.

It didn't take long though, and he was loving the pony ride. "Poor pitiful me" turned into "WEE, LOOK AT ME" real fast.

He was enthralled with the workings of the ride and didn't want to get off. It was his first time after all.

Dylan was riding dangerously. I'm surprised the button pusher lady didn't escort him off. Or lock him in that center part with the scary mirrors. Yikes.

You know, not everyone who works at Disneyland has a permanent smile affixed to their face with tons of patience just boiling over.

Jill and Patrick (remember them?) explained to us before leaving, that if you're ever visiting a Disney theme park and find yourself in a disappointing situation, just simply say to an employee.... "This is a very unpleasant Disney experience" and just see what happens. Keith and I never got up the nerve to actually do it....even though he totally could have. He waited in line for a Dole Whip (pineapple whipped ice cream) for over THIRTY MINUTES. Longer than we waited for ANY line for a ride. Apparently they were short staffed and the one gentleman who was working the stand wished he would have been working It's a Small World.

Anywho, back to the carousel. This might be one of his favorites too. Just look at him.

I can't say the same for Dawson here. Thunder Mountain? His favorite? Ummm, no.

He was crying really really hard. I tried to hold him super tight and soothe his terrified self, but it didn't do a whole lot of good.

This smile was before the "fast part". For very soon was his world turned upside down.

Disneyland wasn't so fun afterall.

This one LOVES Thunder Mountain. It wasn't long ago that his ride ended in tears too. Keifer says he takes after him. He was twelve before he enjoyed the crazy rides.

Tarzan's house

How cute is this? Oh my, how it made his day to actually MEET Woody! Yipee!! He said "he felt like he was in the movie"

A Bug's Life 4D show. Priceless. Especially the last part where the hornets sting your booty. Dylan and I have learned our lesson though. We won't let our fannies even come close to those benches at that time. Uh uh.

But this guy? He had no idea what was in store for him. Mwa ha ha ha.

I love the fact that you only have to wait a minute or two before the show. Just long enough to get some precious pictures of a girl and her momma.

And another one....

Yep, we had to do the carousel again at California Adventure. We HAD to....Karly said if we didn't she would throw herself down right there in the street screaming and kicking her arms while flailing her arms.

So...we said "O.k. okay, simmer down".

Dylan actually wanted to go on California Screamin'! You know, the super fast roller coaster with the loop?! Loop, meaning you go UPSIDE DOWN? That one. Here we are just before it took off. Upon take off, you go 0-60 in approximately 3 seconds. I'm pretty sure it was right about the three second mark that he was second guessing his decision.

While we did that, Keifer had to ride the carousel five or twelve more times. Poor guy. He got to go on Screamin' when we got off. He was high as a kite for an hour or so afterward.

Here we are. Braving the haw-ra-ble drops. Although I wasn't doing it here. I screamed. I screamed a lot.

We got to go on the newest ride, Toy Story and boy, was it a blast. We ALL wanted to go again. REAL bad. But when we got off, the line had lengthened to 45 minutes. We didn't want it that bad.

It was a hoot though. A 4D game/ride. You MUST try it if you ever find yourself in Paradise Pier.

Dylan tried the Autopia cars by himself! Granted, he only got a quarter of the way before he needed help, but he tried. Those gas pedals are extremely hard to push! I had a hard enough time myself.

Karly looked forward to Space Mountain the entire day. She had gone on it before when she was four (FOUR!!!) and loved it. It seems the Ghost Galaxy part? wasn't so much fun anymore. Hence the squeezed-shut-eyes and the hands-over-the-ears pose. It was way scarier due to the Halloween theme, I have to say.

I also have to say...

I H-A-T-E that ride. Always have, always will.

Dylan wasn't to crazy about it either. He SAYS that he liked it and wasn't that scared, but this picture certainly tells a different story. What do ya'll think?

This is a must have picture. I'm not sure why, I just like it....

Maybe it's because I like to compare them to one another. See how the kidlets have grown and how us, ahem, adults have changed.

Dawson is brewing in me tummy, just in case you thought I looked fat.

I also love how the flowers always look different. So purdy and vibrant at times.

An awesome Halloween firework show to end the night.

Another wunnerful day at the dirtiest happiest place on earth.

Thank you again Jill and Patrick!!! *We love you more'n our luggage.

*Any guesses on where that came from?