Let The Memories Begin!

My family has been planning a trip to Disneyland for Christmas for months and months.  I have been so emotional about this trip and I don't know what it is about Disneyland but every video or picture I'd see would make me tear up.  I was just so excited to share in the magic with my kids.  We left super early Sunday morning and headed for Anaheim.  As we pulled into the parking lot there was this sign that said "Let the Memories Begin" and all I could do was cry.  We had finally made it, all the stressing over money and worrying about who was sick meant nothing to me anymore and I was ready to let our family memories start.  It was a little crowded that day and the skies were overcast, but nothing could dampen my mood.

The kids love the Tarzan tree house and this picture was taken up there.

I love the Jungle Cruise!  I love the cheesy jokes and will laugh ridiculously loud just so our "captain" feels good.  Our "captain" that day was hilarious and even had some new material I hadn't heard before.  The piranha scared Soren so bad it was so funny.

 We got to spend a couple hours that day just the five of us and it was great.  All three of my kids walked all three days.  No stroller for us anymore!

 Eating our required Disneyland churros.

 A large group of us in line at Space Mountain.  We kind of forced all of my kids to go on this one, really we just didn't let them chicken out, I think they all willingly went.  Soren LOVED it!  He described it as "Awesome!" and he loved the stars.  Shelby was tolerant of it.  She liked how fast it was but she kept her eyes closed the whole time.  Stryder hated it!  We think he has extreme motion sickness problems.  He did not like how fast it was and he looked pretty green when we got off.

 This is my beautiful princess in her new Minnie hat.  Each of the kids got to pick out a new hat and Shelby's was so dang cute.

 This is the big Christmas tree at the start of Main Street.  We sat and stood around hoping to see the Candlelight Processional, an amazing choir and orchestra production, but see those clouds, the weather had other plans for us.  It started sprinkling off and on just enough that it was not safe for the performers and instruments.  We were all so disappointed especially my dad and I felt so bad we didn't get to see it.

 The rain, however, didn't keep us from enjoying the rest of the park for a few more hours.  This was on Dumbo and notice how wet Shelby's sweatshirt is.

 Soren had a great time on this ride and loved making us go up and down.  Poor Trevor was with Stryder and Trevor let him have control because Stryder's afraid of heights and he kept Dumbo down low most of the time, not too fun for Trevor.  Notice how wet I am...we still stuck it our for a couple more hours after this.  We were hardcore!

 I love the carousel.  There was no line and a bunch of empty horses, if the spinning didn't make me dizzy, we could have rode it over and over again.

The weather canceled all the shows that night except the lighting of the castle.  They had blocked off the front of the castle and this was as close as we could get but there's no people in my picture.  I loved the reflection on the wet ground.  By the end of that first day we were wet, tired, and cold but still smiling, laughing even at how wet we were.  Memories I will never forget!