The Magic Part 4-5-6-7

I would like to say 

that when we told the kids

we got the most perfect reaction ever...

but

that was not the case.

Ellie shrieked (in a fake-ish I saw it on the movies so I am going to copy it reaction)

(although the tears were genuine)

Lucy was like,

"it's not that big of a surprise"

I feel bad for anyone who wishes to surprise her. 

It will be difficult and even upon success you will be met with 

a reaction not worth the planning. 

(BUT I expected this reaction from her...I was just hoping I was wrong)

and Penny had really no clue what was going on.

She knew it was big.

She had heard of this place

but really

no clue.

We stayed a hotel I would totally recommend.

We stayed at the Stovall's Inn best western.

Its like a 2 block walk.

and it's pretty

(the walk).

The hotel is clean and has some heated pools and a good continental brekkie.

First day we took the camera and the last day.

I didn't want to spend the vacation behind a lens. 

I also didn't want to lug around tons of stuff.

Our original plan was to walk all of Disney then let the kids decide what to do.

That plan didn't work.

The kids were dying to do or see something and when we walked past pixie hollow 

I thought they 

were going to die!

I cannot even count how many times we rode the train around and around.

It was the least busy ride.

My feet were tired and the kids feets were sore.

and there is something very relaxing about the train.

We ate lunch at the hotel with the exception of the first day.

We found that the best routine was get up and get to the park

then about 12-1 when the heat and crowds are peaking

we snuck back the hotel

and ate and swam and napped and then came back about 5.

Even though we were there at Easter break

it was busy

but it was always clean

and always friendly

On our way back for a swim.

We spent a good part of the first morning there walking around-

taking everything in.

Meeting a few people.

Lucy got very hungry.

very hot

very tired

and VERY grumpy.

but like I said

after a little breather she came back a new woman and 

we stayed most nights until after midnight.

The first night we came back and rode ALL the rides.

I am serious.

The kids wanted to go on everything!

It was almost dead in fantasy land so it was great.

The next couple of days

we did some of the bigger rides like splash mountain and space mountain.

pirates of the Caribbean was a huge hit

Ellie rode Indiana Jones.

Lucy was a smidge too little.

 (now I guess we will really have to go back)

We went into California Adventure.

We didn't do a ton of park hopping but the 3rd and 4th days

we made an earnest effort to get into cars land.

A HUGE hit with Dusty.

At night when it's all lit up it actually looks like radiator springs.

Super impressive.

The 4th day was the big day.

We had another surprise for the girls.

We had packed princess dresses for them to wear to the park

(not the surprise but it may as well of been)

They were treated like queens.

People (that didn't even work at Disney)

would bow and curtsy to them as the past.

Poor Ellie was mortified at all the attention but

Penny LAPPED it up.

The people at Disney made even a bigger deal of them.

We went and got our cars tickets first thing and then headed back over to 

TOONTOWN

 we hadn't spent much time there and Ellie really wanted 

to see Mickey's car etc.

At Minnie's make-up table

Checking out Minnie's dishwasher

My kids haven't seen much classic Disney cartoons 

BUT

Minnie captured their little hearts.

She made such a fuss over them.

She had been in a different spot taking pictures but drug them

over to her garden house to have

tea with them.

At the end of her little tea party 

Minnie was TRYING to tell Penny that she liked her bow

but Penny THOUGH Minnie was going to take it.

Penny let Minnie have it!

The lady that was Minnie's helper was laughing so hard she couldn't even translate Minnie's very exasperated pleas to appease Penny.

They did eventually make peace and share a little kiss.

After meeting Minnie 

there was NO WAY

we were skipping Mickey

The girls were dying to see THEIR princesses so we set off to find them.

Walking through Sleeping Beauty's castle to find Snow White's garden.

 I could also do an entire post of Penny hugging princesses.
They ADORED her.
and she LOVED it.

Twirling with Snow White.

I was amazed at how much time and effort was spent on each child.

We never felt pushed through.

The girls each got to talk to them and

they answered questions and

there was always lots of hugs.

Meeting Aurora

and Ariel

and Cinderella

Our Cinder "ellie" was thrilled to meet the real deal.

They even compared footwear tips.

We surprised the girls with Lunch at 

Ariel's Grotto.

The food was so good

(not that they cared about that)

Meeting Belle

and Jasmine

and Mulan

After lunch I checked my Disney app to see who else was hanging around and discovered

COWBOY

We hustled over to frontier land.

Earlier in the week Penny met

Jessie

but

we had not seen Woody.

I wish that you could bottle emotions

I would of bottled this.

We had to make one more stop before we headed back to the hotel.

Penny got to meet Snow White

Ellie met Cinderella

but Lucy 

needed to meet...

She put on Lucy's hat. 

Lucy was enamoured.

That afternoon we went back to the hotel.

I was amazed at how the Disney experience panned out.

I thought we would meet a few characters and mostly focus on the rides

but we met all the princess or at least spotted them

with the exception of Pocahontas.

That night we went back to soak in the last bit of magic.

We caught Fantasmic again.

Ate churros on the the train.

Enjoyed seeing tinker fly over the castle.

and as the clock struck 12 

we found ourselves in the warm California breeze eating corn dogs

by the glowing castle.

There were so very many splendid moments spent there.

I was worried that the crowds or the kids or my up-tightness 

might change the magic

I had felt there before

but

it truly is the most magical place on Earth.

Day 3- Once in a life time

In the morning we thought we would try our hand at a famous Las Vegas Buffet.

BUT

it was just a buffet.

The food was fine.

No one was starving.

So after our one plate of breakfast we thought we would check out what was under the tent.

A huge amusement park for kids.

The kids walked around and they found a few rides they wanted to go on

but 

we were itching to get on the road 

so we promised rides later in the trip.

They didn't believe us.

Next stop was the Las Vegas Temple.

I am taking this opportunity to side note. 

Some

may not understand why we stopped at all the temples

so

We stopped there because they are special to us.

The symbolize the gift of eternal life

and more importantly

that our family

has

forever 

to spend with one another.

There is a joy found  there that can only be compared

to

a moment

when you feel your children's sticky kisses

or chubby fingers grab for your hand.

There is peace.

It is happy.

It is a place to center yourself.

There is an expression I like,

"Be in the world, but not of the world"

I liked that expression before I got to Vegas

but 

now it will forever hold a place.

There are things we cannot control around us

but 

we always have a choice.

This temple is a sanctuary from the world.

The noise

the gluttony

the filth

Beautiful Penny was so happy to get out of her seat after only 20 minutes across town.

The ground are stunning.

I have seen this temple in pictures and it wasn't my fav

BUT

in person 

it is AMAZING.

The grass is lush and there are little gardens and fountains everywhere.

small little nooks to read and sit

The girls just layed

and stomped

and enjoyed

the 

lovely

green

grass

This was Ellie's favorite temple on the trip.

She LOVED it.

I am posting this while she is at school

but in this spot

I am going to get her to type

why she loved this temple.

So come back later tonight and read it

The window go from the ground all the way up.

I imagine the light just floods into the building.

I could have an entire lengthy post about the water features...

This fountain Penny almost went swimming in.

relaxing before getting into the car

There were some rock gardens on the grounds too.

I found some pockets full of rocks when we got to the hotel that night!

I could say an exasperated "kids!"

but

Dusty's pocket was full too!

We loaded up and hit the road.

Again.

I was glad to be getting out of the city.

I think so was Dusty.

When we were parked at a red light, the girls looked out their windows and on the curb was newspaper boxes full of porn.

The girls asked him why there was naked ladies in the newspaper?

BAHAHA

I thought he was going to die.

After composing myself I had to explain the premise of porn to a very confused 5 and 7 year old.

About a block later

there was a big flashy building 

with the sign

"Gentleman's Club" 

Ellie can read.

But just in case you couldn't

there are pictures on the billboard...

I think Dusty could of kissed  the 

"leaving Las Vegas" sign.

It was seriously only moments before we were back out of the city and back into some beautiful country.

The desert mountains are stunning.

I was itching to get a picture with a cactus or a Joshua tree 

or SOMETHING.

But

Dusty was not stopping.

Finally the girls and I pleaded with him to stop when we drove past this

little "old west" town.

Penny must of been the winning plea

with her use of, 

"I am going to PEEEEEE my pants"

and even luckier for me this place had 

Cacti!!

Dusty was so excited to go to 

DEATH VALLEY national park.

It was very desert-y.

The scenes were stunning.

This is lowest place in the world.

and apparently

the hottest.

Lucy complained the whole time she was here.

and after

8 hours

of detour.

I am confidant that I can say this was a 

ONCE in a lifetime trip.

because

I am glad 

i went

am

glad i 

saw

Even more thankful I took pictures.

Knock it off the bucket list

because 

I am not going back!

haha.

When we got out of Death Valley National Park

it was dark

and the girls were exhausted.

So they missed all the Disneyland signs....

Day 2 (don't worry I won't post 11 days in 11 separate posts... I am not that crazy... sorta)

Day 2 started in Salt Lake City (with no continental breakfast).

We stayed at the the hotel right on temple square.

It would of been super awesome if we had a temple view

but

we got to look at the parking lot.

but

that isn't a complaint

I was just glad we had less than a half a block walk.

Did I mention that on day one of road trips with kids that you try to pace yourself...

you pace yourself because you don't want to kids to revolt so close to home

you will be apt to turn the car around and not even attempt.

We save crazy for day 2

this is your warning.

We started off the day with lovely strawberry smoothies via my magic bullet that I packed.

they were cheap

(but I think I only used it one other time... good intentions I suppose)

Then it was off to the FREE museum.

There was oodles of cool things to see

BUT

the very helpful elderly couple at the info desk

totally told are kids about the awesome kids part upstairs

so we didn't get to see other awesome stuff.

Just awesome kid stuff.

 Like this pretty cool ship (Nephi's ship)

Ellie and Lucy fished for magnetic fish.

Meanwhile, Penny found her new career. Ship-builder.

 Lucy translated some ancient writings on some brass plates.

 Penny found some chickens.

We could hear them clucking and couldn't figure out what was going on.

They needed their eggs collected.

Penny was the only one brave enough.

Seriously

Stuffed chickens 

and the other two bolted like

chickens...

They did some fancy dancing.

Ellie practising her tortilla toss! 

She thought this should be a school sport.

 

A family picture in front of the the Salt Lake Temple.

I printed out these travelling books.

They were filled with facts.

So they got to read tid bits of temple trivia before arriving at each temple.

The seagull monument

(the Utah state bird)

They thought it was so funny that they made a statue of a sea gull.

There is a massive wall that was sandblasted with all these people on the top of the conference center.

The garden was enormous.

and there was lots of water features.

After our little tour of Temple Square (about 4 hours BUT that included Lunch at the Lion House- which was amazing. Dusty and I found ourselves fighting over the kids rolls) we hoped in the car and hit the road.

We still had a lot of stuff to see that day. We took my parents car. It has navigation. Dusty prefers maps.

At  this point in the trip he yelled at the car.

She didn't tell him soon enough to turn so he missed the first exit to the interstate.

Insert yelling.

Then me laughing.

and crying

(because I was laughing at him)

and then insert

children then mocking the car the ENTIRE rest of the trip.

(she re-routed us.... and we made it to the interstate and weren't lost in SLC the rest of our lives...)

The first stop was the Draper temple.

It was not far away.

like 45 minutes. Maybe.

Ellie at the Draper Temple.

She wants a gold door.

Flowers. A big deal to penny.

We spent more time on this holiday looking at

flowers for penny

and water features with Lucy.

 Then it was off to the Mount Timpanogos temple.

It has lovely bright blue windows.

Pretty backdrop.

and this is where we started running into a little warmer weather.

the coats came off.

The kids burned some energy running from the flag to the temple

(a few times)

Dusty didn't really want to stay on the interstate. 

He wanted to see more of Utah so we took back roads from this point.

We stopped off to see the Manti Temple.

It's been my favorite in pictures.

It did not disappoint.

It was stunning.

Even the hinges on the doors are amazing.

This is a staircase to the back of the temple. 

Lucy said it was the longest staircase ever.

It gave her a blister.

Not her favorite temple.

In Manti we stopped for fuel.

We learned an important lesson.

or two.

1) don't let children pick their own snack

2) never let children have sticky candy in a car that is not yours.

I have already learned this lessons.

I was busy getting medicine out so I was unaware of Dusty's upcoming lesson.

It has been learned.

Luckily

 I packed enough wet wipes to clean an army of

8 year old boys.

Next stop.

St. George.

Future home of

ME.

for real.

It was so lovely and warm. 

The air was fragrant with flowers.

The children were giddy 

(mostly because of the sugar)

Couples and families were everywhere walking around the temple and sitting on the benches.

The visitors centre was packed with activities for the kids.

I was in visiting with the sister missionaries and when I came out Dusty and our girls were laying on the grass right out front of the temple watching the bats swoop down in and out of the trees in front of the stark white temple. It was so beautiful.

Lucy is obsessed with bats.

This temple won her heart.

They laid there for a little while just enjoying the warm grass.

We had a picnic of strawberries on the grass by the car and loaded up for our final destination of the evening.

LAS VEGAS.

 I did tons of research on hotels best for kids etc.

We drove into the strip and lights and glitz.

The hotel had a Circus and an amusement park.

I thought the kids would love it.

They didn't.

They HATED it.

It cured all of us of ever wanting to go back.

We found the strip in Las Vegas to be the polar opposite of what we had seen earlier that day. 

It was dirty, noisy, glitzy, and smelt of smoke. It was obnoxious and in your face.

Maybe mine and Dusty's experience would of been different if we had gone with out kids but after spending a lovely day of picnics and fresh air and beautiful buildings and then dealing with the kids outright disgust... I don't think we would ever go back either.

We spent little time downstairs and retired to our beds because we had some busy days ahead of us.

Family Holiday. Post 1 of many...

Penny got a bad case of bronchitis right before we left. 

(well like two weeks) 

and so the day before departure I decided that maybe I should take her in. 

The doctor gave her an inhaler and some anti-biotics to ward off pneumonia....

she was fine. 

The medicine was a pain. 

but the moral is.... 

traveling with a kid with bronchitis and sleeping with a baby with bronchitis.... 

leads to YOU getting bronchitis.

I am grateful it hit me the last day on the way home. 

Longest 8 hours in a car of my life!!!

With that being said. I am surrounded by mess and I really don't care.

I plan on sitting in my chair and doing nothing all day.

because I can.

Day 1

People thought we were crazy for driving but it was so easy peasy. 

I don't think we would consider flying. 

The girls did great. 

We broke the car ride up and the first stop was Helena Mt. 

Penny was THRILLED (for real) 

when we pulled into Costco.

 We bought some fruit and veggies for the road and another case of water and we were set. 

Except I am pretty sure you can't not eat at the cheapest place ever. 

So we did that too.

 (FYI their pizza is ridiculous.... in fact all other Costco's should go there just to take notes)

I also made car books.

It had state maps, state birds, flowers, and other fun info about each place we were stopping.

Ellie loved it. So did dusty. Penny liked drawing on herself.

Next stop- Idaho falls

I sorta expected the temple to be small and not as grand as some of the other temples we were going to see 

but I was so very wrong.

It was so pretty.

It is right across from a very pretty park

with the falls.

A very nice back drop.

Everyone was glad to get out and stretch.

The girls took advantage of the park with Dusty while I made some sandwiches.

We were trying to get to Salt Lake that night and we had two more temples we wanted to see but we only managed to make it to the Brigham City Temple.

It was so so cold so it was a quick stop then back into the car.

This temple is where an old school was.

The history of it was kind of interesting and 

directly across the street in the 

Box Elder tabernacle.

and even if it was FREEZING the girls still thought the green grass was a novelty and took whatever opportunity they had to roll in it!

Happy places

We are actually staying in a hotel with wireless that works!!! Hurray!

We are on our way home today. We just spent four magical fun filled days at Disneyland. It felt like time stopped most days.

You know when you are a kid and time seems to just last forever..... It happened again.
It was awesome.

The girls have some good stories to tell and I will post some very happy moments from the trip but for now we are all snuggly tucked in awaiting the next leg of the adventure.

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