magical

we are lucky.

we get to go to disneyland quite often.

we've been going since jordan was a baby.  well i think he was 15 months?

my lovely mother-in-law works for disney so we get in for free (well, most of us do).

i don't know how a family can afford it.

we always bring our own food, lunch and snacks.  we've been doing this since i was a little kid.  my mom would pack egg and chorizo burritos and hide them in her purse.  it's ok, you don't have to sneak it in anymore.

it sounds good now, but back then i just wanted to get hamburgers like everyone else.  but we were a family of 6.

seriously, i don't know how a family can afford it.

this time we went with bobby's dad and step mom, sister and brother in law.

we had the best time.

even though we are here a lot there is always something new to do, or discover, or taste.  and going with someone that hasn't been there in a while makes it all new again.

watching them take pictures.

taking them on pirates because that's traditionally the first ride of the day.  it kind of sets the mood and gets you singing the song for the rest of the day.

riding on big thunder railroad, all nine of us.

having lunch at the golden horseshoe and watching billy hill and the hillbillies.  if you haven't seen this show, i highly recommend it.  it's entertaining and funny and just a good place to rest your toesies.  these guys are talented.

taking them to pooh's corner for the traditional "pooh pig out".  they have chocolate covered pretzels, big glorious cookies, the largest rice krispies you have ever seen and tigger tail marshmallows.

riding the train around the park.

daring the rapids.  it was sofia's first time and she was sooo excited and drenched.  i missed taking their picture as they came down "the big drop" but they look like they had fun.

a friendly competition at toy story mania.  i'm not telling who got more points here, but better luck next time angela.  

eating dinner at the golden vine winery.  we had never eaten there before and it was really good.  i had shrimp and linguini, the kids had spaghetti and meatballs.  it's a pretty restaurant in california adventure and i've always wanted to eat there.

celebrating my birthday one more time.  who can pass up tiramasu?  not me.

and sharing it with everyone at the table.

waiting for fireworks in front of the castle.  i don't know why it is, but it always makes me cry.  all of the songs, the audio from the haunted mansion, the sounds of walt on the day the park opened.  it brings me back to being a kid. (not that i was there when it opened but i can imagine what that was like.)

riding space mountain.  andrew's first time.  he was nervous but really wanted to do it.  i wasn't sure how he would do.  this kid throws up if you take a turn too quick in the car.  but i think it was too fast for him to react. yes, i have my arm around him, making sure he doesn't slip out.  it was a blast!

and then it's goodbye and goodnight.  a fun and memory filled day in the magic kingdom.