Sick on Vacation, Blah!

It started first thing this morning, at midnight.

Grant woke up and threw up.

After Daddy cleaned him and his bedding up, he put Grant back to sleep.

At 2am and 4 am it was Joyanne's turn to let it all out.

At least she made it in the bucket.

Hearing Joyanne vomit, made me feel nauseous, and yes, then around 6am, I, too, had to let it all out.

But throwing up is not for me, so it came out the other end.

Yeah, yeah, I know - TMI - too much info.

Suffice it to say, we won't be going to the beach today.

Sad days! :(

Today will hopefully be a day to recover.

I just hope no one else gets this.

Daddy, Hiram, and Jaden be tough!

While Joyanne and I laid in bed watching a movie, the boys enjoyed Aunt Susan's zip line, trampoline, sandbox and dogs all in the nice glorious sunshine.

Last Disneyland Day and Paradise

We arrived last night at my Aunt Susan's home.

She has been so hospitable, giving up her own master bedroom for our whole family.

Orange trees surround her home, and, oh boy, fresh California oranges are heavenly.

Joyanne is having fun picking bright orange, grapefruit sized oranges.

We enjoyed our last day at Disneyland yesterday, but it was extremely crowded.

We didn't go on as many rides as the other days, but we still had lots of fun.

We were able to see Mickey Mouse, after waiting in line walking through his house for an hour. 

 

I have loved seeing 3 of my cousins, who I haven't seen in over 8 years.
My uncle sat with all the kids reading "The Tickle Monster" story.

And boy did they get a tickle!

My Aunt Susan's home and yard are like a little paradise.

Daddy and I don't want to leave the warm sunshine and awesome weather of California.

Laguna Beach Day

Wow!  We all had so much fun at the beach today.

Daddy enjoyed building a big mountain of sand with the kids.

The kids loved playing in the sand, digging and creating all kinds of things.

Daddy and Noah went exploring along the rocks and little pools of water.

Noah found a star fish in the water and LOTS of clam shells.

There were also these circular jelly-like creatures that when you touched them, they closed up around your finger, sucking on it.

It didn't really hurt though.

I LOVED boogie boarding on the waves.

I got pretty good at it, so Daddy said.

I swam quite a ways out to where the boats were.

The water was cool, but not too cold.

The sky was completely clear and the temperatures were in the 80's.

We spent a few hours at the beach just loving it.

It was so nice to have a day of rest before our last day at Disneyland.

We have had a lot of fun, but a lot of sickness too.

This morning both Grant and James had diarrhea.

On our way to the beach, James threw up all over his seat.

We couldn't stop because we were following David and Susan so we opened up the windows and drove the remaining 30 minutes there.

It wasn't too bad to clean up.

James was fine after that and ran around playing in the water.

Daddy came home with a very full congested head and nose.

He went to bed around 8pm with a head cold.

Even though we've been sick, we keep going on and having fun! 

The Magical World of Disney

Merry Christmas!

We had one of the most memorable Christmases yesterday being able to go to Disneyland.

We had a magical time as we rode more amazing rides.

Splash Mountain and Indiana Jones were the favorites of yesterday.

The parade was okay, but there were just way too many people. 

I have been so impressed with Disneyland's staff or as they call themselves, "cast members".

They are very polite, kind and happy.

For the most part, they try and accomodate and help you in any way possible.

I love how they theme their attire with the ride they are on.

The workers are all in costume to fit the ride.

Even the garbage cans are spray painted a color to match the theme of each ride and area.

We spent today at California Adventure Park.

The favorite ride was definitely "Hollywood Tower of Terror", but the "Cars" ride was pretty awesome too.

We also talked with "Crush", the sea turtle from "Finding Nemo".

We ended the night with "Water of Color" - a show on their lake with spouting water and color.

It was amazing, but we did have to get their 1 hour before it even started and just wait.

The waiting for shows and rides haven't been fun, but the kids are learning to be patient.

We have run ourselves ragged the last 3 days.

Grant was up the night before last with a very painful tummy ache.

He threw up just a little bit 2 times.

Daddy stayed up with him the whole night.

So for the last 2 nights are kids have begged to come home from Disneyland just to sleep.

Their legs and feet are sore and their eyes are drooping.

Thankfully tomorrow we get a little break to rest up and enjoy some beach time.

The Night Before Christmas

On the night before Christmas, we have made it a tradition to read "The Night Before Christmas".

My goal is to be like my mom and have it memorized and tell my children each year.

But for now it's nice to listen to Grandma on our CD read it to us.

 

We had a fun, exhausting day in Disneyland.

Joyanne remarked tonight, "I don't know if my legs can handle another day of walking around Disneyland."

Seeing the excited light in my kids eyes and their happy whoops of joy was so thrilling.

Disneyland is truly one of the happiest places on earth.

Our family's favorite ride of the day was Space Mountain.
We retrieved fast passes for Splash Mountain and Indiana Jones, but as we went to each of them, the rides were closed down for "technical difficulties."
We hope to hit those favorites along with the Matterhorn tomorrow. 

They also enjoyed Star Tours and Pirates of the Caribbean.

Now they are anxious to also go to California Adventure Park tomorrow.

Tonight we opened our Christmas Eve present and received some pj's.

Now "the children are snuggled in their beds" and I, too, am ready to "settled down for a long winters nap."

I better go to bed so Santa can bring some good kids sweets for their stockings. :)

Happy Days!