The "Poor" People's Trip

This is such a late post, but I was finally able to edit my photos (well, at least the few that were taken). We went to Disney land again this year, but this time we drove and enjoyed the trip with my brother-in-law, Jethro, and his family. The timing could not have been better. The longest we ever stood in a line was 20 minutes and that was for Space Mountain and Hotel Tower of Terror. It was so much more fun to go with another family. Kalena loved it more this time around because she was with her cousin, Anatoniga. Lavea'i did great once again. This time around we actually did quite a few rides for the little kiddies. My favorite little kid ride was Buzz Lightyear. The boys really liked it too because of the gun shooting. What can I say, they love their guns!

The first day we ended up staying in California Adventure. Our very first ride was "Soaring over California." It was amazing to feel like we were actually flying. Then off to "A Bug's Life" 3D show. Ana was crying before it was halfway through... poor girl. Then we went up to get "Bear River Run," which is one of the funnest rides because you get wet. What better way to have fun in the heat than to get all wet? Just remember not to wear a white shirt. Our day ended watching the Pixar parade. Maika loved it, but Kalena had knocked out as soon as she sat down in the stroller. We were all tired due to the driving the previous night and getting a little bit of a snoozer in St. George at Cliff's cousin's house. Thanks Dustin and Sue!

The second day we headed to Disneyland side and took in most of what we wanted. We never stopped to get pictures of us in front of the Disneyland flower bed of Mickey. Didn't want to wait for the line to die down, but we did get one in front of "Cinderella's castle," as Kalena put it.



There we went on the carousel and a bunch of other rides that Lavea'i could go on. He wasn't too impressed though.

By the time we were done with all of the kids rides we were starving. So, off for lunch. Cliff bought him and the boys turkey legs to eat. He should have bought one because they were so GINORMOUS! I ate a supposed to be chimichanga...YUCK! Don't ever buy one, it isn't worth the money. I repeat DON'T EVER GET ONE OF THOSE!!! The kids were getting worn out by this time, but we still had to go, go, go! Gotta get that $$$$ worth.



After lunch, we went back to California Adventure to ride the "Hotel Tower of Terror." Amazingly fun and gut wrenching ride! We got both Kalena and Maika on the ride along with "Space Mountain" earlier that morning. As you can see, they were quite scared. Maika, I am surprised, went on it again the next morning and this was his reaction.



Man, what kind of parents are we to take our kids on these rides? I loved being able to take them though and always see them hold on for life.



This was our last ride for day 2, because now it was time to eat again.

We went to Ariel's Grotto to eat dinner with the princesses. It cost a bit of money, but definitely worth it for the girls and not having to stand in line to get every princess's autograph. Kalena wanted a book to get all there signatures, but we didn't have one. I tried to get her to let them sign her shirt, but she wouldn't hear of it. She had to have paper, so luckily Auntie Traci had an extra pad of paper. But, I did get Tula'i to let Ariel sign his sneaker.







Along with dinner, they give all the kids crowns to decorate with a page of stickers, but where do they all end up. Just ask Dad.



Dinner was yummy of course, but a bit much for me to eat this time around. I ended up giving some of my tri-tip to Cliff. I think it is because I ate all the salad in the appetizer dish.

After dinner, off we went back to the hotel. Later that night, Jethro and Traci watched the kids so Cliff and I could go on a ride...Space Mountain. First time Cliff had been on this one. Now, just imagine a 6'2", Samoan guy in those mini roller coaster carts. He could barely get the bar over his knees. Poor guy! I felt bad, but we still had fun on it. By the time we got back up to the room, only Lavea'i was sleeping. I was surprised that he wasn't the only one still up like usual.

Anyway, Day 2 was over and the next day was it. We hit a couple more rides and called it quits!!! It's a Small World was the winner for that day.





What an exhausting, but fun trip. Cliff did point out how we as parents say we are going on vacation to Disneyland, but it really is A TON of more work than just being at home.

Of course, we can't leave without getting a picture of the kids with Mickey Mouse! And this is definitely one of my favorites of the kids. Too bad Maika had to go with Dad again on the Hotel ride.



By the way, the reason for it being called the "poor people's trip" is because we had planned on this for over a month, but in the mean time Cliff lost his job. We had already paid for the hotel and had a few bucks saved up to go. But when I told my mom we had gone, she came back with "Oh, is that where the poor people go on vacation now?" And I say, "Yes, YES it is," as I chuckle.