Disneyland

The weekend before Thanksgiving we took a very quick trip with my parents and sister to Disneyland - and I mean we booked it out of town Friday after work so Wendi and I would not have to take sub days and drove back after attending church at a ward near Disneyland....I know it looks like we go alot, but we got in free. John and I have been four times together now and have only paid park admission once - and even that was a discounted price (Pretty sure most of those trips would not have happened otherwise). Plus, I think it was a very needed get-a-way for my little family.

We split a room with my parents and sister - so there was plenty of help with Abigail. When we awoke in the morning, it was a little misty - which was fine for me because I knew it most likely meant lower crowds. However, it didn't help me trying to do my hair in an attempt to get pictures for our Christmas card. I tried, but was not very successful. Oh well!!

Abigail got a birthday call from her favorite characters. She also got a birthday button - as part of the parks' "Celebrate" theme for the year.

It didn't take Abigail long to realize this place was full of Mickey Mouse. She was in love - and my heart was melting. I really had no desire to do much but watch Abigail. In fact, I only rode one ride without her - Splash Mountain - and even that took convincing.... I love watching the magic through children's eyes.

With Grandma Amy and Grandpa Kyle

Abigail was a little unsure of getting on Dumbo, but then didn't want to get off when she remembered how much fun it had been at Jeepers Creepers making the airplane go up and down.

After stopping for Dumbo we continued heading straight for Toon Town. One of my goals for the trip was to get a picture with Mickey - and we figured trying earlier the better.... We went in when the gate was only still cracked and really no one was there.

Abigail soon recognized that there were Mickey items all over his house. She was in heaven...

...then we got a VERY pleasant surprise.... While walking through his house to go "outback" and meet him, we happened to find him walking up to the front of the house. Abigail was startled and then quite excited when she realized who was standing in front of her. He knelt down to greet her and then motioned for her to take his hand.... and together they finished walking to the front of his house.

Unfortunately, we didn't get the best pictures and video because it happened so randomly and fast and the workers kept stepping in front of the cameras...but we adults were just in heaven watching Abigail.... I mean, come on - when is something like this ever going to happen again?

Can you just see her cheek-to-cheek smile as she sucks her thumb? I love it!!!

The picture person in me was not very thrilled that I couldn't get my child to look at the camera in almost any picture. However, the mommy in me couldn't be more thrilled that it was because my daughter was too focused on the characters we came to see.

The crowds were still few so we took another turn to see Mickey (I was hoping for a better picture). However, Abigail was confused that she had to wait for a couple other people to take a turn - unlike her other encounter.

Abigail was quite focused as we rode "It's a Small World". It was all decorated for Christmas.

I didn't realize Santa would be in place for visiting and pictures. (I thought just in parades.) We found him and his reindeer in a place kind of hidden between, I think, Frontier Land and Fantasy Land.

Enjoying a walk in the rain with Grandpa Kyle. It rained ALOT in the middle of the day.... We eventually went to the hotel room to change and get warm - didn't want Abigail in cold clothes all day. We tried to keep her dry and warm, but it was close to impossible. Most of us were squishing in our shoes.

We enjoyed the Live! Playhouse Disney show. (I had never been before - go figure.) Abigail loved seeing her TV favorites on the stage.

Riding the carousel at both parks was one of Abigail's favorites. She even got to just stay on for a second turn at California Adventure. We rode it at night waiting for everyone else on California Screamin'.

Enjoying the falling "snow" on Main Street. Due to the weather the fireworks were cancelled (We were very disappointed), but they still lit up the castle and did the snow.

Enjoying my traditional churro.

Playing with our new "Birthday" Mickey ears and waiting to be seated for "World of Color". I thought they would be fun to start using as a birthday tradition in our little family.

She was quite intrigued by their new show, "World of Color". Then the villain music came on -- and she wanted Mommy and Daddy.

And - judging from this picture -- we think it was a great day!