Sunnin' In the City: Disneyland Surprise!

I know you are surprised to hear from me aren't you? You probably gave up on me (or almost did if you are reading this now. I mean you ARE checking the blog right now :)). Maybe you clicked on my blog JUST to see, and then POOF! A new entry. And you were shocked and amazed (I know...I really should be a bit more dramatic right?)

I guess this would be the part where I list my excuses, but frankly I will just say I have been lazy. Well, not lazy in the fact that I am sitting around on the couch eating bon bons (do they still have those?) because I have been exercising, but I did go back to work and life has gotten in the way of me taking the time to blog. Crap...I did it. I started to offer excuses, so I will just stop and start with this next entry.

Gigi (my mom) surprised Dave, and the kids and I and took us to Disneyland!! It was so much fun, although I took more of a spectator role as I was too fearful to go on any rides that would aggravate my back. I mean, I didn't have that surgery just for kicks :)

Disney decorated for Christmas

Huge Disney Christmas tree

Disneyland was decorated for Christmas time, so that was beautiful and very festive, especially with the smell of freshly baked goods pumping out onto Main Street. We took advantage of the decorations and got a few pictures, then moved on to the rides.

Dave and I and the kids

Caiden trying on a Christmas mouse hat :)

Since I was unable to go on the rides and Kiya was too young and short we decided to try on hats with Gigi, and spend time in the shops while Dave and Caiden rode the rides.

This was the first time Dave got to ride the "big" rides with Caiden
Kiya and I tried on hats...the wizard one she is wearing was her favorite
She chose the hats she tried on
This is like a a bunny mouse hat :p
Miss "Minnie" Kiya

My daughter IS my daughter and has a touch of tomboy in her. She kept gravitating to the boys toys and such
Kiya throwing the football :) She's got quite an arm

We went on a few rides that Kiya and I could go on (Buzz Lightyear and Small World). She loved looking at the decorations and signing the song.

Buzz lightyear game with Caiden and David

This is the girls on the Buzz Lightyear ride

Small World decorated for Christmas

Kiya looking wistful as the boats passed

Gigi and Caiden on Small World

Kiya, David and myself on Small world

Can you guess what year we are about to ring in?

And the crew was off again

We decided to watch the Jedi show and then we found out that kids are chosen from the crowd to train to be a Jedi in training. Of course Caiden thought that would be really cool. We met a parent in the crowd who stated that the kids that get chosen are the ones that are really enthusiastic and have parents that are the same way. Riiight. I'm too shy, so that was all up to Dave and he did a great job (as did Caiden) cuz Caiden got chosen!!!

Kiya and Gigi entertaining themselves before the show

Darth Vader and the storm troopers...

Ominous aren't they?

Caiden getting the Jedi in training digs

and the light saber

Now it's time to FIGHT!!! He had to fight the Sith

He did GREAT!

See he even ducked :)

And he received his certificate :)

We had a bit of a mishap (see next entry) that made us take a detour. When we came back to Disneyland, Dave and Caiden went off to do more rides while Kiya, Gigi and I went to see Santa Claus. Just as it was our turn, Caiden showed up for the picture. As you can tell Kiya was not a fan of Santa. The cast members thought it would be helpful if I sat down with the kids. Santa was kind enough to suggest I sit on his lap, however I chose to sit beside him. As you can tell with Mama there or not, Kiya STILL was not a fan of the Claus.

Caiden not bothered at all...Kiya...wellllllll

She's losing it..Caiden still unfazed

Calmed down a bit but still not happy

This was RIGHT after we walked away from Santa....I mean RIGHT after

After we visited Santa, we took some pictures and looked at the reindeers :) As you can tell, Kiya's recovery was quite immediate. Without Santa in the mix, she was a happy girl again :)