Disneyland, after vacation!

(May 3, 2013)

You read the title correctly...it says, after vacation.  Remember, Disneyland is just a regular happening for us. :)  We wasted no time in getting back to Disneyland after our trip to Oregon.  In fact, only one full day went by before we couldn't take it anymore and had to get our fix!  This was also going to be our last opportunity to go before I went back to work, taking care of 4 kids.  In other words, it was a necessity for us to go.

Rather than write too much, I'm just going to overwhelm you with fabulous Disney pictures, because that's what I'm really good at. :)

Ladybug ride at California Adventure

Bumper bugs....too bad Mommy can't follow the rules - apparently we were supposed to all be driving in the same direction.  Well, we had fun - I don't know about all the people we bumped into! ;)

Our attempt at a family photo failed, so we settled for what we could count on. 

Master of Ceremonies.

Geoffrey's favorite character in the entire parade.  Seriously, the boy gets all giddy!

I just like this picture because it shows that my camera is capable of taking action shots, like this fast-flowing skirt.  Oh, and it reminds me that I would LOVE to be a salsa dancer.

Maddie spotted her best friend, Rapunzel.

And Rapunzel spotted her...and captured her heart.

One more picture for my personal sake...can't you just picture me out there?? Man!  I just want to get up and dance right now!  (I've seen this parade a lot.  I mean, A LOT, and it never gets old.  I am always holding myself back from jumping out in the street and dancing right alongside everyone.)

Maddie finally decided that she was ready to go on Casey Jr. again, after a very long hiatus from the ride (cause, unknown.  She just flat out refused for the longest time, to go on the ride - even though she loves trains and had been on it so many times before).  Regardless, it was a momentous occasion, and so much so, because she hadn't been with Geoffrey on the ride since he was old enough to appreciate it.

Everyone is excited about the ride - this is before the train has left the station.

The train conductor just announced, "All Aboard!"  Geoffrey's smile completely vanished.

This one just cracks me up.  Geoffrey is having to brace himself against the two of them, as the train starts to move.  He enjoyed the ride, in a very cautious and quiet manner, being sure never to let go of Daddy.  (This was not his first time).

Maddie mingled with the princesses.  She was in heaven.

Ariel loved Maddie's hair.

Sweet new friends.

Pose and curtsy, like a princess!  She even has the head tilt down.

Royal hugs.

There was no line, so as soon as we exited the building, Maddie and I ran right back into the entrance.  Each princess was delighted to see her again.

Sorry about the dark picture.  But I had to include this one... Ariel was giving more posing tutorials for Maddie.  She was a fast learner.

Twirling lessons from Aurora. 

As we were walking along, Maddie decided to put her new curtsy skills to work!

Still curtsying. :)

Ready to ride the Toon Town roller coaster.  Its been a long time, and she finally got her courage to do it again!

Up, Up, Up!  (4th car back)

Hard to see, but look for Brant in the blue shirt, and a tiny little girl next to him...she was holding on, that's for sure!

SO proud of herself!

"Mommy!  Mommy!  I did it!!!"

I did not ask her to pose.  She just caught herself on the rock as she had sprinted toward me, and this is the shot I got. :)  We were so proud of her being brave!

While Brant took a ride on the Matterhorn, I tested out our new camera to see what it was capable of capturing at night.  The amazing thing about this picture, is that the blue sky was not that bright in reality.  I thought it was pretty remarkable to depict it this way.

Tea Party at night.

Waterfall on the Matterhorn.

Goodnight, castle.