Tired 10 for Tuesday--The rest of the trip

As we left the first day, we saw Mickey and Minnie Mouse.  

A perfect end to a perfect day.  This Minnie had been hitting the 

egg nog a little hard if you know what I mean though.  She seemed a little tipsy!

1- Our trip "across the whole world" is still in full swing although we are on the downward slope. Tonight we are in SLC staying at my brothers house. We have looked forward to this stay since day one when we missed it on the way down. The girls were having a dance party, the boys were running around all over the house. Rach cooked a yummy dinner. It was a good day. Now the kids are asleep, Ryan is asleep, and I am close.

2- We stayed in St. George again last night with the Adams. We went to the park near the temple so we could see the temple, play with friends and spend some time with them. We did not see them last night since we did not get in until after midnight. More on that in a minute. The park we ate in had pecan trees everywhere. The pecans were still on the branches and a lot were on the ground that had recently fallen off.
We took advantage of the "gold for free" and picked up a whole grocery sack worth. I hate to say it, but I am cheap and free pecans just laying around is not something I will pass up.

3- We left Tucson yesterday around noon. Later than we would have liked. The drive was never ending; combine a meal at In-N-Out, multiple potty breaks, traffic, construction, and poor sense of direction and we rolled into St. George way later than anticipated. We got to drive through the beautiful scenic area of Zions National Park in the black of night. We hit some icy spots on the twisty, turny hill and even came to a full stop waiting for a deer to cross the road. Only when Ryan GENTLY nudged it with the bumper did it finally move. Apparently 2 people are not enough to listen too when taking directions. Next time we'll ask 4 or 5 so it will sink in better.

The Hansen Brothers  

Ryan, Trent, Nick and Adam

4- Sunday Nick and Rebecca blessed baby Cason and the entire Hansen family was in attendance. A very rare occasion indeed. Saved usually only for weddings. 

It is our fault. We are the ones who have to live so far away and ruin the getting togetherness. We have decided we need to visit more often though. We had a great time with Ryan's brothers and their families. Our girls got along with their "twin cousins" so well we can't keep them apart. It wouldn't be fair.

Ally and Kalee are only 6 weeks apart in age

Tyler, Alana and Emma all born within 2 months

5- We spent the night in Yuma at Papa and Mimi's house on the way to Tucson. We love getting to visit them and Clark got to meet them for the first time.

Mimi, Clark and Papa Hansen

Clark and Papa Hansen

Ryan found more of his "old stuff" in his dad's office. Every time we visit we come home with a treasure box or two. This time was especially productive. We found lots of old pictures and a much loved and long since thought to be ruined comic book collection.

6-  We spent the day Friday with Ryan's Aunt Cindy and Uncle Kelly.  They loved the kids and played with them all afternoon.  We had fun catching up and getting to know them better. 

Kelly and Cindy

 She is Ryan's mothers sister.  For those of you who know, that is a tie we hold dear because Chris died so young.  Cindy fills in for Chris by sending the kids holiday cards and fun little packages throughout the year.  It was fun for Ally and Emma to finally put a face to all the great stuff from "Aunt Cindy".  

7- Disneyland and California Adventure were a hit!  The children loved it and the magic was more than we could ever have hoped for.  When they came off of Star Tours, Emma eagerly came to tell me how they had flown into space!  

Luke, Tyler, Ally and Emma waiting for Toy Story Mania

Christmas Eve was not super busy and it was the perfect temperature outside.  Overcast with a little chill, but perfect fall weather in my opinion. Fantasyland was not very crowded and we walked on to almost every ride with minimal wait time. Ryan's brother Trent and his family joined us in the parks that day. They are pros when it comes to Disneyland and it was fun to spend the day with them. Clark even loved the bright colors and fun rides.  He slept most of the time we were there and didn't even cry when it rained.  

Clark waiting for Mr. Toads Wild Ride

Christmas morning we went to Ariel's Grotto and had breakfast with the Princesses.  It was spendy but worth every dime!  The princesses took time to visit with the kids, take pictures, sign their autograph books and answer any and all questions they had.  We met Ariel, Snow White, Aurora, Jasmine and Belle.  No lines and quality time with them one on one.  You can't put a price tag on that for 2 little girls who have loved them their whole life.  Emma and Ariel are now best friends, just in case you were wondering.

The 2nd time we got to see Ariel.  

We had to go back after breakfast because we forgot to get her autograph. 

 Emma was a little shy the first time, but she didn't hesitate to

 hug her tight knowing this would be her last time seeing her.

8- At the Fantasy Faire we did wait in line hoping to catch the only Princess we didn't meet at breakfast, Cinderella, who happens to be Ally's favorite.  There is a line there and no warning as to who may or may not be there when your turn comes up.  Normally there are 3 princesses waiting for you to meet, but we were lucky and there just happened to be 4.  Pocahontas, Aurora, Princess Minnie and Cinderella!  Hooray!  She was so excited she was speechless.  Ally.   I know, pick up your jaw.

 Ally's dream comes true!  She has loved Cinderella since she was 2 years old.

9- Luke is officially a Jedi.  Yes it is true!  He went to training, got picked last to come up on stage, fought Darth Vader and won over the entire crowd.  All while I watched some stupid parade and waited for Tinkerbell to show up.  She did and the girls got a picture and autograph to add to their books, but I missed the best part of Luke's experience at the park.  No video either.  I am sad.  I have heard Ryan tell the story so many times I felt like I was there, but I still would have loved to see it live.  He was the last one picked out of 15 kids.  He was head and shoulders the smallest of all the younglings being trained.  He got to stand up on the stage right next to the Jedi while the others were down below in front.  He almost peed his pants while he was up there.  Ryan had to race to the bathroom so he could go, hoping they would make it back in time to fight.  He used the force to topple a couple storm troopers.

Luke learning to fight from the Jedi Master

Going after Darth Vader with a vengeance!

 When it came time to fight Darth Vader, he forgot the "choreographed" training they had taught him and just went to town on Vader causing him to have to defend himself and getting great feedback from the crowd.  Then when he finished the Jedi asked him, "what is your name young Jedi?"  Well you can imagine.  "Luke" and the crowd went CRAZY.  Yes we are nerds.  Ryan has never been so proud.  I feel like I missed something important in his life.  I will never forgive myself.  : )

10-  We got caught in a torrential down pour right in the middle of Pixie Hollow.  It was find the nearest awning kind of rain.  The baby barely stirred.  We got soaked.  It was awesome.  

The picture does not begin to explain how wet we were

Most people gave up and went home.  We decided it would be a good time to go shopping for souvenirs.  I found the Baby Center and fed Clark in a super warm, dry spot made just for such an occasion.  Who knew it even existed?  I almost fell asleep while I was feeding him.  The kids all got "credit cards" to spend on whatever they wanted to take home.  It was a fun few hours trying to decide the best thing to take home from Disneyland. Emma bought 2 dolls, both on sale, but only made it out of the park with one.  She set the bag down one too many times and forgot to pick it up.  Luckily she only lost one.   Luke got a cool sword for only $4.50.  If they charged more, no one would buy them.  They are just THAT annoying.  They do look cool though.

 

Not since the Hulk hands have I despised a toy more.   

I am sure I will have more to say about Disney later, but for now I am done.  Feel free to ask questions.  I am sure I left out a ton of stuff.