Days at Disneyland...

So I'm still catching up from about 3 weeks ago...

When Grandpatty, Grandpappy, and Uncle Lafe were here for a few days, we hit Disneyland and California Adventure for a couple.


We had a blast with them. October is such a fun time at Disneyland with all the Halloween themes/decorations. They really know how to do the holidays in such a fun way.




Michael loved being with Uncle Lafe, riding all (mostly) of the big cool kid rides. His favorite was "definitely Space Mountain." I think he rode it with them 3-4 times... right??

Paul and Dad F did some father/son bonding, Space Mountain Style.


Lafe decided he wanted to do every major ride in both parks during the two days he was there. He was successful, and came away thinking Space Mountain was the best, too.

Here are some highlights (some with pictures, some without...):

Creating a little anxious anticipation in Lafe before the Tower of Terror.

Realizing what a good baby I have in Ella.

(This is how Ella does Disneyland right now...

mostly awake and happy, and occasionally dozing off with her fingers in her mouth...)

Being at Disneyland with 1/2 of Utah (it was UEA weekend) on a BYU gameday (many "Quest" and Y shirts dotted the crowds with cheers of "Go Cougs" and threats of spilling the beans about the score...).

The Disneyland parade, where Abby and Bekah were enamored once again with the magic of the Disney Princess float.

(If you didn't crack a smile the first time, watch again and pay attention to the row of princess-crazed tweens behind Bekah and Abby.)

Mom F and me staying late with Lafe and Michael (really fun!) while Paul and Dad F took the little girls home to watch the BYU's game.

Carrying Michael on my back through the park and to the car after the fireworks.

Seeing grandparents adore their grandchildren. Seeing Michael adore Uncle Lafe. Seeing Abby and Bekah adore their Grandpatty.


Letting the girls wear their Minnie Mouse costumes to Disneyland. They loved it! And they were the cause of many smiles at the Happiest Place on Earth...




Depending on my amazing Mr. Paul as he herded/maintained/controlled/enjoyed/entertained our kiddos.


Witnessing the further budding of a dancing talent in our little Abby (... modern expressive dance seems to be her style of choice...)







Michael's selection for the Jedi Training Acadamy. He loved it, loved it. They stage a training acadamy for the Jedi, and select kids from the audience.



They get light sabers and capes, and learn Jedi moves. Their training gets interrupted by a "disturbance in the force"... Darth Vader and Darth Mahl show up and the Jedi Trainees must fight them.


I love this picture of anticipation as he is next in line...


He went up against Darth Mahl... definitely the scarrier of the two with his yellow eyes and gruesome brown fang-teeth. Eew.



He got a diploma at the end. So official! I'm so proud of my Padawon.

Trying and trying and trying to get a family picture of some sort... and failing and failing and failing. Thanks for trying, Grandpatty!

The melt-down right before Paul and I left with the girlies and left the others to enjoy a more efficient afternoon/evening/night of Disneyland...

Bekah was the first to break down while brave Grandpappy tried hard
to help us get some kind of picture...

...but the Minnies were ready to go...

At least my boys were smiling...

And this is all the stuff that memories are made of. Thanks for making more memories with us Grandpappy, Grandpatty, and Uncle Lafe. You have been missed ever since you left.