Disney Land!!!

The Mathis family loaded up for the short journey north to Anaheim on Saturday. We met up with Carey, Gray, Gabriella and Bella, along with Gray's mom, dad, and sister. Gabe immediately fell in love with Gabbi and was quietly interested in little Bella. Carey and Gray have done an amazing job with these kids. Gabbi is just the sweetest and well mannered little girl, always please and thank you, and Bella smiles constantly.We all hung out at the hotel and had pizza and chicken wings on Saturday night. Gabbi and Gabe ran around the room - bouncing off the walls until it was finally time for bed. Gabe didn't know what to make of the new surroundings and kept sitting up in bed and pointing around the room asking his normal, "ehhh? ehhh?" He finally went to sleep around 10:30pm (normal bedtime is 8pm).

After a nice breakfast on Sunday morning, we gathered up the kids and headed to Disney Land! First stop, Dumbo. Then Carey and I rode Peter Pan (I want to see it with the lights on) and the Carousel - minus Gabe. Gabe hated Dumbo. He was much more interested in the ducks at a nearby garden.

We had a nice lunch, and rode a few more rides: the circus train, a river boat cruise (which the adults really liked), and then we all headed over to Toon Town. Kevin, Gabe, and I had a traumatic experience on the Roger Rabbit ride (picture tea cups, in the dark, with a lot of jerking and bright lights with scarey objects coming at you). Not fun. Gabe cried the entire ride, while I screamed, "Weeee! See Gabe this is fun!" and Kevin encouraged him with, "good job big man, its almost over." He was snug between us and it took everything I had in me not to throw myself on top of him, like a mom in a war zone. But that probably would have just freaked him out even more. Nevertheless, we survived the Roger Rabbit hell ride (two and a half thumbs down) and moved on to Goofy's play house where oddly we met... PLUTO!!! Gabe kept screaming, "pup, pup - rrrruufff, rrrrufff!" So we had to meet him.

After Pluto, Minnie's house, and another river boat ride through fairy tale land, the parents were tuckered out. We had a great time and were so happy to spend time with our dear friends. We'd love to do it again soon so if any friends or family would like to come out for a visit, we'll be happy to go back!