Disneyland - Day 1

Well, we are officially on Fall Break!! We collected our As and headed for Disneyland. We were, originally, going to hit Disney World in order to check out the new Star Wars land, but when they didn't get the second ride open, we decided to bail on Florida and head west to California (a much cheaper flight, hotel, etc.). Disney is now saying that the new ride will be open in January, so, we'll have to plan another trip to see that. Maybe next Fall Break?????

We took a 6:45am flight to LAX and then caught an Uber to the Marriott Courtyard Theme Park Entrance. We checked in (although our room wasn't actually ready yet), picked up our tickets, lanyards, buttons and pins and we walked over to McDonalds for some breakfast. We ended up being in the park by 10:30 - not bad considering we had to get up at 3.

It was busy.... as we expected. We got in the park and paid for our Max Passes. These are new and they are basically Fast Passes that you can get from your phone (rather than walking over to the Fast Pass Distribution Center - right by the ride that you are trying to get the Fast Pass for). Plus, we can get another one 90 minutes later (the regular Fast Passes only let you have 2 at a time and you can't get another until you go on that right or cancel the Fast Pass. At one point during the day, we had night show tickets as well as 4 sets of Fast Passes for various rides. The Max Pass wasn't cheap, but was a game changer - we were able to get on so many more rides than we would have without it.

While we waited for our Fast Pass times, the kiddos hit Autopia. Steve is so funny - he doesn't get why they want to go on that ride when they can just drive our golf cart at home. Whatever - if they want to go, they can go. Plus, they are old enough to go themselves. Steve and I shared a package of trial mix and a Diet Coke. 

When they came back from Autopia, Cole stopped at a gift kiosk and found his trip gift. His Mickey ear hat that was R2D2 was getting small for his head (truth be told, Steve and I were just talking about how we bought that for him in Disney World before our Disney Cruise - 2014 ..... 5 years ago!!!!!!). So, Cole wanted a new hat. He was looking at a Goofy one with a bright, green hat and floppy ears hanging down, but then he saw a blue, wizard hat with Mickey ears. I liked that one MUCH better and so did he. So, with a quick swipe of the Apple Watch, it was ours and the R2D2 was retired :)

When it was time for our Fast Passes, we went on Hyperspace Mountain. We LOVE this ride. It may be our favorite. We tend to be here at Halloween time and so, the ride has been changed in the past to be ghosts and ghouls, but now it is a Star Wars theme.

It was so great just to be here. We LOVE Disneyland and being able to be here when most schools are still in session is awesome!!! Fall Break for most Utah schools is Thursday and Friday. We know it will get busier then, so, we need to make the most of it early in the week.

Next, we hit Buzz Lightyear and his blasters. The kiddos and I really like this ride, but Steve isn't really a fan of it. Lucky for us, he will always go for his family. Love him!

Then, the kiddos wanted to go to the Launch Bay and check out the Star Wars memorabilia. They didn't see any characters this time, but they have in the past.

After that, we headed over to Frontierland and Reagan and Cole wanted to climb Tarzan's Treehouse. We sat on a bench and let them go up a couple of times. It's nice that they are old enough to do this together (without us) now.

Then, we took one of the rafts over to Tom Sawyer's Island. Once again, Reagan and Cole just ran and ran and played and explored. We walked part of the way with them through caves and on trails. Then, they wanted to just run, play tag and explore. The island has always been one of their favorite places to run and explore (as opposed to all of the waiting and designated lines around this place). Steve and I waited in a common area and the kiddos came back just in time for us to return back from the island.

Next, we hit our Fast Pass time for the Matterhorn. This is such an old ride, but definitely a good one.

Then, we took a break to get some churros. Steve's daughter Shannon loves churros. We always make sure to get one "in her honor". We take a pic and let her know we are thinking of her. 

Next, we hit the Jungle Cruise.

After that, Reagan and Cole wanted to go back up to Tarzan's Treehouse. 

Finally, it was time for our Fast Passes on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. It was dark and sort of cool to be riding the coaster in the dark. We loved it - that is definitely one of our favorites.

After that, we were exhausted. Having woken up before 4, we were all SO TIRED. 

I love the way Disneyland decorates for Halloween. Some things are spooky and some things are just fun, but everything!!!! is decorated. Main Street was totally lit up and there were pumpkins everywhere.

 We walked back to our hotel and Reagan and Cole talked about going in the pool, but decided they were too tired for that. We picked up some dinner to go and we ate in our room.

The Marriott Courtyard was awesome. We had a huge room with 2 queen beds, 2 bunk beds, a little breakfast table nook and a big bathroom with 2 showers. Add the water park to that and it doesn't get much better than this. We are here for 2 nights.

We showered up and hit the sack. Tomorrow's early entry is in Disneyland and is at 7. They recommend that you get there no later than 6:45. Ugh! Well, it will be another early morning for us. It's all good - we're on vacation!!!!! Let's Go!!!!!!

Reagan's Ambassador Activity at the Park!

On Cole's actual birthday, Reagan's grade had another Ambassador Activity and this one was at a local park. I've not been to any Ambassador Activity that was off-campus, so, I was sure to sign up to help. I was given a group of about 16 students and we boarded the busses for the park. There was a western theme for this activity.

Our group's first rotation was outside and it was COLD!!!!! The leaders at that rotation talked to the students about teamwork and how they need to be good team members. Then, they had some relay races that used teams - sack races, three legged races (Reagan and her partner came in last - their team hadn't done them any favors) and a relay where you had to dress up as a cowboy and ride a stick horse down to the end of the row and then come back.

At our next rotation, we were able to be inside - which was such a nice break as it was warm. The leaders of this rotation taught the students about table manners and how to escort a lady to the buffet table and how to serve yourself at the buffet table. They had a "meal" of barbecue chicken, beans, a roll and salad.

 

Our next station was back outside and was an instruction on how to write a proper Thank You Note. This is one of my pet peeves and I'm so glad that the school addresses this. I get bugged when someone doesn't acknowledge a wedding gift sent or a shower given for them or a favor done. I try to always have Reagan and Cole write thank you notes. We don't always get it done in a timely manner, but I hope that we are - eventually - getting them done. Each of the students wrote a thank you note to a teacher or faculty member at the school.

As I mentioned earlier, it was COLD today. I had worn a sweater turtleneck, a duster sweater over that and a belted jacket over that AND I brought leather gloves. I was warm, but several of the students hadn't brought more than a light sweater. I made sure that Reagan brought her parka, but not many other students brought warm clothing (despite being told that it was outside), so, she ended up "sharing". Her friend Owen put on her parka and promptly "zipped up". Silly Owen.

Once again, we had a bit of a respite in that we were still outside but our next station was to make and have some hot cocoa. It was much needed by our group. This station also had a couple of blankets, so, the students tried to wrap up together. The leader at this group talked with the students about qualities that they would want to have such as self-restraint, gratitude, respect, compassion, etc.

Our next rotation was outside still (at least we were a bit warmer from the hot cocoa). The Junior High Director spoke to the students about goals and objectives. Next, they were able to hear from one of Reagan's classmate's dad. He carves things out of wood and enters into competitions to do this. He took a block of wood and while he spoke with the students, he carved a bear head out of the piece of wood - crazy! He talked to the students about making something of themselves and how something unexpected could come from them if they just planned and started down the path and then cut away the unnecessary parts. He also talked about trials - such as when he is in a competition and he has a bad piece of wood or something goes wrong with his tools and ruins his carving. He talked about dealing with adversity and then just continuing on the best you can to find something amazing inside of you. It was really cool!

Our last rotation was inside (thank goodness!!!) and was a dancing rotation. The leaders here taught the students some line dancing and had them practice. They had cowboy hats for the students. Once again, Reagan's friend Owen had to be a funny guy. I think he put on every single hat. The students enjoyed listening to the music and dancing together. Fun!

By the time we were done dancing, the busses were there to drive us back to school. I think all of the students had a great time and were able to learn some etiquette and some new skills. I love that our school puts on these activities and helps the students to learn social skills. It is so important. I'm also glad that I get to participate in most of these - they are awesome!!!

Cole's Family Birthday Party

We had a family birthday party for Cole on Saturday. Rachel and her family gave him some laser tag guns. Shannon and Benton gave him a distortion pedal for his new guitar and amp. We had treats and played and chatted. It was nice to get together.

You'll remember that Cole's new guitar had a knick in the wood. Well, we had to take it back (we leave town on Monday morning) so that they could order a new one. Unbeknownst to Cole, Steve actually upgraded and got a better guitar from the same manufacturer and the same style. This one is made in America, not Mexico and has wood that has been treated for some crazy long time, etc. Anyway, it was double the price, but a much nicer guitar and - he'll have it for the weekend before we go on our trip, rather than waiting two or three weeks to get it in. We switched the case to be one that he could check on an airplane or something. It has locks and is much more sturdy. He knew about that, but didn't know that the new guitar was inside. We faked him out again!!!!! 

He was so surprised. I'm glad he has the guitar and could play. Although, for the rest of the party, he played laser tag with the kiddos and Benton played around with the guitar :) It's all good. It's his and it's here. We love it!!!!

Happy Happy Birthday Cole!!!!! We hope all of your dreams come true this year! We love you!!!!

A Fall Drive

We decided to take a little drive. We went up Big Cottonwood Canyon, over Guardsman's Pass and dropped down into Midway. The fall leaves have almost gone and yet, the air was crisp and the beauty was stunning.

We live in such a beautiful place. We love it in the summer when we can hike and play. We love it in the fall when the colors change and it starts to get cold. We love it in the winter when we can ski. We love it in the spring when flowers adorn the mountains.

What a lovely way to spend an afternoon together.