UNDER CONSTRUCTION
The Trip to Southern California
This turned out to be a fun trip for all of the family. We started the trip on Friday and before we got started we realized we had problems with the car. So instead of actually traveling on Friday like we had planned, we ended up waiting for our car to get repaired. It was not a simple repair either, and it ended up costing almost $800.00. After getting back the car that Friday afternoon, we packed and planned on setting out early Saturday morning. On our way down through southern Utah and began to snow heavily . And we found ourselves hoping to get out of Utah as quickly as possible so that we can avoid the snow. The girls were very good during the whole trip. We got up and left around 4:30 AM, and we found ourselves in Las Vegas before noon. Since we were there so early, we decided to take the opportunity to see the Las Vegas Temple (Coordinates: 36º 10.473' N, 115º 01.148' W), and to keep with our family tradition of trying to stop at temples during our family vacations. (Visit our Family Temple Visit Log) After arriving at the Las Vegas Temple we were impressed by how big it was, and being that it was Saturday morning the parking lot was full. We took the girls around the building and noticed the wonderful construction and felt the reverence of the site on which it was constructed . After leaving the temple we went to Costco to get gas and to get lunch. After that point we made our way back to the freeway (I-15) again . We arrived in Anaheim around 4:00 pm which gave us time to get settled in the hotel, visit with Pam, and then go out to eat dinner with her and Dave. We went to a Mexican restaurants, and afterwards went to Pam's house. The girls decided they wanted to spend the night with Pam in her apartment, so mom and dad let them. The following morning was Sunday and we decided to go to church with Pam it was the state conference in Pam's ward and all across southern California. We got the opportunity to hear President Monson in a closed circuit television transmission. (See quote page for 2 Pres. Monson quotes) Afterwards we went to eat lunch and decided that we would like to go see the Newport Beach Temple (Coordinates: 33º 37.786' N, 117º 50.979' W). We found that the temple was very close to where Pamela lives. (Coordinates: 33º 40.651' N, 117º 53.019' W) And when we got there the temple grounds were closed. However a brother from the state presidency in the chapel that was next door to the temple had opened the template gates to allow someone to remove their car and when he did so he also allowed us to take a picture with the gates open. The temple was of an unusual construction looking more like a mosque. After spending time in the temple grounds, we spent the evening with Pam enjoying time with her, eating dinner and preparing for our visit to Disneyland the following day. The first 2 nights we stayed in a Holliday Inn next to Pam's house. Since she has room mates, it made it hard to stay with her. The second night we all slept in the hotel so that we could get up and go to Disney Land for our first day. In the morning we packed and left. That night and the rest of our stay, we had made reservations in a hotel across the street from Disney Land. When we got there, we left our car in the hotel parking lot and went to the park for the day.
1st Day at Disney Land
We enjoyed our first day in Disney Land. The girls had to go on the rocket ride first (a ride that simply goes around in circles). I got fast passes to the newly improved and open Space Mountain, roller coaster ride. Nannette, did not want to go but we coaxed her into going anyway and Katie was tall enough to go on the ride as well. Kelsey was not happy that she could not go, but she stayed with Mom and the went to see things in a store nearby. Katie loved it and said, "it was only a little scary". Because of her disappointment, we promised Kelsey that we would find a roller coaster that she could ride later in the day. Of course everyone wanted to go on the Dumbo ride, and since it was the 50th anniversary at Disney Land one of the Dumbo's was gold in celebration. Of course they all wanted to ride in the Gold Dumbo. Finally we got a chance to go to Thunder Mountain, and Kelsey was just tall enough to go on the ride. She was very excited. As we were riding some of the more intense parts of the ride, I was concerned that she might be scared. I looked over to her (she was sitting in the seat next to mine) and I asked "How is it going". Without saying a word, she looked back at me and gave me an emphatic thumbs up. Clearly Dad was worried about nothing. Afterwards she said "It was not very scary". Katie loved it and wanted to go again right away. We told them that we would come back later. We also went to Indiana Jones, where once again Kelsey was too small. However, Katie, Nannette, and Mom went. As our visit to Disney Land the chat of "When are we going to thunder mountain" became almost annoying to Lupe and I. As our vacation continued, It got to be that Katie and Kelsey just wanted to go on the next roller coaster. On Monday, it rained on and off all day. It was a slight drizzle so that we had to use our disposable rain coats. Nevertheless, a fun time was had by all. Aunt Pam came to spend the afternoon with us. We ended the day with a ride on the Cars in Autotopia. The park opened at 10:00 am and we were there all day until 8:00 pm. Despite the limited winter hours, we really enjoyed the fact that since we went off season hardly anyone was there, and we were able to ride rides often without having to wait long in lines.
Loop and I really enjoyed watching the girls and Disneyland . See their faces, and the smiles of having a good time made it all worthwhile to us as parents. by the time we got back to the hotel , we were exhausted . Dad still had to go and get the luggage from Pam's apartment before we were done for the evening. I think by the time we had everyone settled down all the luggage and the hotel and mom and dad were able to go to bed it was about 11:00 at night.
2nd Day at Disney Land
The next morning came quickly, and we found that we're going to go to California adventure to spend the day. We got up around 7:30 am. California venture didn't open until 11:00 and Disneyland had given us an early in tree pass so that we can go to the Disneyland park as early as 9:00. so we went to Disneyland for a couple hours on our early entry passes and enjoyed that side of the park. Right before 11:00 we went across to the California adventure park. When we got there it seemed like there was nobody the park . It was virtually deserted. This made it very easy for us to get on any ride we wanted as many times as we wanted. Katie and I (Dad) went on the biggest roller-coaster in the park. The name of the roller-coaster was the screamer. And Katie and I were the only ones that went, everyone else in the family was too chicken. it was a pretty formidable roller-coaster with some very large drops and one upside down loop. but Katie as the trooper she was went with her dad, and we had a blast. When we got done with the first ride we got right back on without even waiting in line. She loved it and so did I. But I find that I can only go on a ride that flips you upside down a couple of times. Next we took the family on the Ferris Wheel, again we did not have to wait in line, the park was virtually deserted. We rode it several times. Alex and Mom where in one car and Dad and Kelsey where in another. We waved at Mom and the rest of the kids in the other car.
3rd Day at Disney Land
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Revised: 03/09/07