Who's Ready for a Holiday Vacation?

I just spend a full week away from our home with just the kids and daddy on a 12-hour drive to Anaheim and enjoyed a magical, holiday vacation with all the festive trimmings! The drive to and from was the best. Uncle Phil lent us his GPS and we are convinced it saved our marriage! Daddy was literally like a kid with a new toy the first 12 hours of the drive! Bra was so tired of “Sally” – she earned a name after complaining about us taking Highway 6 and going “off route!”

Our first gas, potty, stretch stop was in Gallup. Daddy got a cup of coffee and the kids purchased their very first souvenir of the journey and were beyond excited!

Our first “pit stop” was Bedrock! In Williams, AZ, we got to see Fred, Wilma and the whole Flintstone gang! Let’s see, Uncle Jack Jack described it as a “hole in the wall” but that we had to stop and that the kids would absolutely love it…and…they did! It was a hit!





Our first stop was Laughlin and we got to stay at the Aquarius Hotel! The kids loved jumping on the bed and thought the view of the Colorado River was the best. Mama arrived famished; only to find out that prime rib on Sat. nights is entirely overpriced! We opted against it. Walking through the casino brought back vivid memories of 20’s and 30’s and I’m not sure how we stomached the smoke-infested casinos during those days? After walking through the mall, the kids purchased souvenir #2 – a bobble head, felt Chihuahua – one was black the other the color of Abby! Bystanders were literally stopping and inquiring if the pups were real…you can see by the way our little princess in holding hers, it looks real!


Sunday arrival in Anaheim was full of energy and excitement that quickly ended once BraBra discovered he very much disliked our special treat of dinner at the Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney! He hated every second while our Disney princess enjoyed every second, every roar, every thunder storm, every rainforest creature that came alive and even enjoyed her dinner! Okay, so mama had a prime rib disappointment, Rainforest was brother's! Sorry Bra...


We greeted Disneyland bright and early Monday morning (8:00 am) and were geared up to greet what came our way. Here's what we didn't expect to greet...a million people! Our friend at Disney shared with us that the holiday season has become a major tourist time (similar to summer months) for Disney during Thanksgiving through New Years! Cheers! At times it became a major struggle to just walk (but crowds lightened up by the 2nd and 3rd day)! The lines were long, but the weather was great. Despite the crowds on the first day, we made the best of it and made it to the Disney Christmas parade and California Adventure Pixar parade. Both were amazing! I left feeling quite envious of Mrs. Incredibles' amazing figure! Guess I need to work out! The highlight for the kids was "It's a Small World." Dad's was the Tiki room and mom's was trying to get up after sitting for almost 1 1/2 hours at each parade on the hard pavement! I'm getting too old for this!




Our three days at Disney was amazing. The time was filled with much laughter, amazing sites, 4 times on It's a Small World, experiencing "live" fireworks at 9:30 pm our final night, hugging on characters (even if there were long waits), character autographs, seeing snow in Disneyland, watching the official holiday lighting of the castle and Small World each night, the rides, the shows, making a wish in Snow White's wishing well and savoring the magical sites of Disneyland! During breaks to/from the room we would order take-out pizza and the kids loved eating pizza on their beds! We took swimming breaks too. The walk to/from was great exercise (even if I don't look like Mrs. Incredible, my legs earned some muscle)! No one was sad to leave. We were ready for the next stop...another night in Laughlin on Thanksgiving Day!



Thanksgiving dinner in Laughlin! Daddy and I just laughed and found it kinda comical, actually! The kids thought nothing of it and loved it all! We felt like the Grizwalds! The kids posed for their Thanksgiving Day Dinner picture, along with chihuahua! Here's the best part...Mama got her prime rib! We all went to bed with tummies full and hearts content.


On the way home Friday, we got to play in the snow in Flagstaff...who could ask for a better way to end the vacation...except for a speeding ticket as we entered Highway 6!!!!!

We all talked about our top favorites from the vacation. Mine was easy. I loved spending time in the Tahoe with my family - I needed the genuine downtime, I was able to read 2 books (thanks to Auntie), and I loved the parades!

...another Blessing!