Disneyland during Christmas

Our tradition of going to Disneyland on Christmas Eve started when Yosh and I were dating…way back in 2002.  Its a special place, that helped me with deal the holiday season when I was still trying to grieve the loss of my brother….and its also a special place since its where Yosh proposed to me 9 years ago today…
 
Last year we decided to change our “traditional trip” to the 23rd of December…since with kids we really need the 24th to prep for Santa, clean house for visitors and go out to the cemetery to visit Uncle Paul.  The holidays can be a tough time of year for people who are missing someone dear…thankfully my littles help us deal in our family. I don’t know how life would be without them…well actually I can imagine how boring and lonely it would be…doesn’t sound fun!

So yesterday we headed to the Happiest Place on Earth…first time as a family of four! I was kinda dreading it since Ella is at the annoying age of just wanting down to crawl everywhere we go. I didn’t think she would enjoy being held or strapped in a stroller. But she was ok.

It was a warm day…you know…gotta love So Cal and the 80 degree weather 2 days before Xmas. So the heat didn’t help with the CRAZY crowds. Oh MY GOD…I thought the place was crowded on Christmas Eve…OH NO…the day before Xmas eve the place is JAMMED PACKED!  But I put that smile on my face, while Yosh pushed the double stroller like he was mad-man…kinda funny to watch! (I have never seen him walk with some much “intention” in all his life! haha He kept telling me that people at Disneyland are annoying because they walk with no intent…just wandering around haha)

Thankfully Mickey Mouse was posing for pictures at the entrance of Main Street…saved us having to walk to Toon Town, (another thing Yosh was thrilled to do…stand in the sun and wait for 20 minutes for a pic with Mickey!)  hehehe All for the kids…right?!?

 

We were NOT very efficient in Disneyland…we’d walk to an attraction and realize the wait was over an hour…so we’d walk to another attraction. Yes I know thats not the thing to do BUT the thought of standing in line with 2 little kids was out of the question. haha BUT we managed to get on a few rides (all which Owen freaking loved), also watched Aladdin over in California Adventure and had a GREAT time.

  

Daddy usually did all the ride partnering while I stayed and watched with Ella (unless they were baby friendly rides and she’d come along). She was a trooper!!! We utilized the Baby Care Center to warm her bottle and her Gerber ravioli's…and during the Aladdin show I stood at the VERY top and let her crawl around the dirty ass carpet during the show (oh to be the second child…Owen would have NEVER been let to crawl there).   Was the first day that I think we both enjoyed the ERGO! Or maybe she’s just finally big enough for it?!? 
  

  

and OF COURSE we HAD to get our churros. BEST ones we’ve had in a LONG time. They were FRESH and oh so delicious! Even Ella LOVED her very first churro ever! (Mom Of The Year…I know but I couldn’t NOT give her some of the sugary goodness)

We didn’t stay long enough for fireworks or snow BUT man 8 hours with 2 kids is HARD WORK! How do all you people do it?

Yosh is a trooper…I made him walk all the way from California Adventure to the castle before the sun set JUST to get this picture…just HAD to!

Christmas Time at the Castle….


…And Non-Christmas Time…at the castle! haha 
 
I like castle pictures, can you tell?!?

So our Ella has now been introduced to the Magical Place of Disneyland. I hope she loves it like we all do (Owen didn’t want to go at first BUT ended up seriously not wanting to go home!)

Such a great day…blessed to have friends able to get us in during such a busy time of year too! Thanks again Arnesons!!! Disneyland any time of year is just amazing!!!

Now…must get going…its freaking Christmas Eve everybody!! Whoohooo!