When You Wish Upon a Star...

...Makes no difference who you are. Anything your heart desires...will come to you.
Even if it's just a photo of the family with Goofy...not many characters out for taking pictures with this time, but that's okay. Our family is 'character' enough for some fine photo ops...Browse on!

Autopia...only 45 minutes in line and you become a licensed driver. Sunglasses complete the look and fulfill the need...the need for speed!

Girls, get your eyes on the road! Stop looking at all the good-looking drivers behind you! Notice how Phillip is flashing the peace sign? We find that drivers are safer when they keep BOTH hands on the wheel, so maybe he should stop playing around and start driving!

In case you haven't guessed by now, we took a few days of spring break for a quick family vacation to the "Happiest" (and most crowded) place on earth...DISNEYLAND! Whitney skipped class for two days and we headed down to LA, courtesy of Jet Blue Airways and Phillip's checking account. It was nice to be together, out of the Idaho/Utah weather. It was 78 degrees every day we were there. I could really get used to that.
There were a lot of people there, but even so, the longest line was for the new NEMO submarines, and even then it was only about 55 minutes. It felt like the ride took longer than actually standing in line! (Obviously, not my favorite!)
Here are just a few highlights of the trip...there really were too many to document until I make my movie.

I love the parades at Disneyland and this year was no exception. While we were in California Adventure they had a High School Musical 3 Parade. Guess who was chosen out of the crowd to be a guest dancer? It's like a "Where's Waldo" game. Look for the hottie in the white boa and dark glasses doing her best Beyonce' moves and you will have found...MISS JOY! My girls were probably embarassed, but I doubt it. The crowd loved me, and I would do it again in a heartbeat! ( I wonder if they are looking for an over-45 woman to join their cast?)


(Side note: I'm sad to hear Zac Efron has dropped out of the FOOTLOOSE re-make. He must be suffering from a head injury or something to remove himself from the biggest summer movie revival in 2010. However, that being said, check out the boy in red pants and hat...We decided he could EASILY become what Zac Efron decided not to be...Kevin Bacon's predecessor. Don't forget I made this prediction when it happens!)

Eli was quite the brave boy on the trip. Last time we went he was only 3 and too small for most of the rides. This time he went on almost everything, even though he was a bit apprehensive while waiting in line. The only way we got him on the Indiana Jones ride was because the boy in the front seat of our car was wearing a creepy YODA backpack. We all reminded Eli that 'the force would be with us' and he hopped right in. After it was over, we took their picture. Two words to describe Eli's end-of-the-ride-reaction. ADrenaLinE. RuSH!

The obligatory photo in front of the Sleeping Beauty's Castle. This was day 3. We had an early morning and did ALL of Fantasyland in less than one hour! That is what we call a MIRacLE!
I'm not a fan of spinning rides, but you can always drag me on the teacups at least once! Cassidy and I are going a little crazy waiting for those cups to start spinning. After riding them I have decided that maybe what makes me dizzy on this ride is not the spinning, but that organ music playing "A Very Merry Un-Birthday" over and over and over!

No one can resist the "Flying Dumbos" and we are no exception. When the girls were little, we actually stood in line for an hour and a half waiting to get on, and right before it was our turn, Cassidy needed to use the bathroom. BAD. I told her she would have to wait. Then I spent the entire ride praying that it wouldn't be the day she didn't make it. End of story. All went well. This year while waiting in line for the "Storybook Boats" another little girl needed to go. BAD. The nice lady operating the ride sweetly pulled the family members aside, sent the mom and the daughter on their way to the nearest restroom and promised to let them back on again without having to start standing in line again. One more reason why I love Disneyland. They are always thinking of new and innovative ways to remain "The Happiest Place on Earth"!" Notice Cassidy's live action shot from the "Flying Dumbos". Her hair is flying everywhere, but I'm sure she is thinking, "Dang, sure glad I don't have to go to the bathroom while I am flying over Disneyland!"


Every photographer has that perfect moment when they want to capture the perfect photo. For me, this was it. I am in a Dumbo ahead of Whitney and Eli, holding my camera backwards and clicking it without looking through the view finder. I was pretty sure most of the pictures would not turn out, but this one captures the feeling of the ride. Whitney is screaming, "Fly, Dumbo, Fly", and Eli is laughing so hard he needed to go to the bathroom as soon as we got off! BAD!

I really did go on vacation with my family. I just took most of the pictures from one end of the camera while they all stood on the other end. Here is our farewell shot from the park. They are standing in front of the Celebration Balloons...I am standing in front of them, photographing the family in front of the Celebration Balloons. Celebrate good times, come on! It's a celebration!


That night, we had a pre-birthday dinner celebration for Phillip at Joe's Crab Shack. He was turning 49 the next day. (Count our fingers!) Even though it was Phillip's party, we all had a blast!Cassidy got to be a guest "Cotton Eye Joe" dancer, Whitney enjoyed "London Style" fish and chips, I had the deluxe bucket of crab, shrimp, sausage, red potatoes, and corn on the cob, Eli ate NOTHING but spent his time doing crossword puzzles, and everyone in the restaurant sang "Happy Birthday" to Phillip while he wore a sombrero! Feliz Cumpleanos, Senor Philipe'. 49--Not such a bad place to be! After all, "When you wish upon a star, your dreams come true!"