Family Vacation 2011!!!

After saving up for a few years, it was finally time to take a trip to Disneyland! The last time we went was 5 years ago, so we were definitely due for a visit. Besides that, Drew and Kallie had never been, and neither had either of Megan's girls. So, our family and my sister Megan's family took a wonderful and very memorable trip together to "The Happiest Place on Earth" over Thanksgiving break!!!

We left Friday November 18th (Jeremy's birthday) as soon as Jeremy got home from work. We drove to his parents house in Arizona that night, slept for a few hours, then got up super early Saturday morning to make the rest of the trek. We got to California early afternoon, and as soon as we checked into our hotel, we hopped on the bus and headed to Disneyland. We stayed until the kids couldn't keep their eyes open any longer. On the 5 minute bus ride home, 3 out of our 4 kids fell asleep, and the remaining awake kid could barely put one foot in front of the other........they were a tired bunch.

The next day was Sunday. That morning we headed to a local chapel and attended Sacrament Meeting. After that, we drove up to L.A. to see the Los Angeles Temple. It was a very rainy and dreary day, so we didn't get out and walk around the temple at all. Instead we headed into the Visitors Center to look around for a while. The kids loved every minute of, and it was a great way to spend the Sabbath Day.

Monday, we headed back to the park and spent the day in California Adventure. We got there first thing in the morning, and closed the park down. Once again, the kids were exhausted on the bus ride home.

Tuesday was our last full day in California, and we spent the entire day in Disneyland again.

Wednesday, we headed to Arizona. We spent Thanksgiving with Jeremy's family and stayed with his brother Blake in Mesa. Saturday evening, we headed back home so that we could be home for church on Sunday. But before we left town, we got some In-N-Out and headed to the park for a nice game of kickball!

Then, on Sunday November 27th, after 4 1/2 years of serving as the First Counselor in the Bishopric, Jeremy was released. It was a very bitter sweet day for our family. Jeremy has loved serving the Lord in this capacity, and working with some very fine men over the past several years. He has learned so much and we have been blessed beyond measure! However, our family is making some big changes, and so it was time for this release to happen.

So, that is our trip in a nutshell!!!

I didn't take a ton of pictures on the actual rides, and since my camera is so big and bulky, I didn't break it out all too often. I would have taken more pictures with my cell phone, but it fell in the water the first day of vacation so I was without a working phone the whole time.

Overall, it was amazing!!! The kids were all soooooo good! No major meltdowns or temper tantrums, and they were so happy the entire time. It definitely went by way too fast. The park was very busy, but that was expected since it was the week of Thanksgiving. Next time we go, I think we need 5 days instead of 3, and to make sure we don't go at a holiday. But, this was the only time we could all go, so it was worth dealing with the crowds and lines.

Here are lots and lots of pictures from our week of fun:

Disneyland {Part One}
LA Temple
California Adventure
Disneyland {Part Two}
Kickball at the Park