We set off on our 6th trip to Disneyland a couple of weeks ago. And when I say 6th, I mean since Jackson was born, it doesn't count the 2 times Mike and I went before he was born. And yes I'm slightly embarassed to admit to that little fact, but let me explain.
Jackson went on his first trip when he was just over two. He didn't want to ride anything but Dumbo and the carousel. He warmed up to the characters over time. On his second trip we got to create memories with his Grandma. Oh his third trip we watched the snow fall on main street, ventured to the tea cups, and sought out every character we could. On his forth trip we got to experience Halloween, get yelled out on Grizzly River Run because apparently taking your child on that can be a form of torture. On our 5th trip we pulled off the surprise of a lifetime, tried every ride he could for his height, got to know Pirates inside and out and put our hands up on Thunder. And finally our 6th trip we rode EVERY single ride in the park - no leaf was unturned. The characters weren't as spectacular this time, but California Screamin', Tower of Terror - that is where is was at.
So you can see, every time we experienced something different, a different kind of magic each trip, SO MANY memories. For our family, Disney really is one of the happiest places on earth.
Breakfast on main street. I LOVE being able to see so many characters at breakfast, but sadly this may be our last time doing it. The characters just don't have the appeal they used to. It is hard to compete against Space Mountain, Indy and Splash.
We still haven't had a successful experience with Jedi Training academy. My kid talks such good game, he had made a sign ("The Force Brought Me all the Way from Vancouver"), had a great Yoda shirt, but once Jackson got the stare down from Darth Maul the water works started and we couldn't get away from that evil sith quick enough. I hope that guy doesn't sleep well at night after making young children cry.
Jackson rode in the first row on his first flight through Space Mountain, and kept his eyes shut like this the ENTIRE time! We convinced him to ride with them open the next time and he LOVED it. He loved it even with his eyes shut, I'm surprised his stomach didn't end up on the sidewalk, but that's just me.
That's us on the far left. Just Jackson and I - Mike was holding our back-pack outside. He's not the one for these big, fearful rides. It's OK by me, luckily I think it's a kick.
This time Jackson got to do the big slide at the hotel. He had to "prove" he could swim by making it all the way across the pool by himself, and he did, so off to the slide he went...again, and again!!
Our friends Nancy and Glenn traveled with us this trip, we had a great time together. I think Glenn was glad to have Jackson to ride the slide with, Glenn had to make sure Jackson was OK (wink, wink).
One of the fun things about Disney at holiday time is the extra little treats, this mickey bat looked so delicious the boys couldn't resist.
Another holiday treat, the Haunted Mansion. Jackson finally tried the mansion in May, 2009 and learned it was much more fun than scary so having him see it decked out with Nightmare before Christmas was special.
And who can resist the tea cups? Well, I should have with these three boys!! I was a little wobbly walking to the exit when we were done.
Watching the fireworks in DIsney is a MUST, every trip. This time we were near Tom Sawyer's island, I like it better near main street where we can see Tinkerbell fly from the Matterhorn - true magic indeed! But they are special from anywhere in the park!
Jackson thought riding the Matterhorn with dad would be more fun than riding Dumbo or the carousel (see how things change over the years), but Glenn, Nancy and I had to take them for a spin. Every one is a kid at the happiest place.
One trip Jackson and I walked out of Muppets 3D because he thought it was too scary. This time, we did them ALL! muppets, first time in It's Tough to be a Bug, and even Captain Eo (although Jackson said he started to nod off in that one).
And then there was Grizzly River Run. We hit it Monday morning and there was no wait. Let me tell you, this experience was so much better than October, 2008 when we rode with Mary and Dale. On that trip, when we just left the loading area Jackson quickly became possessed by the devil (you think I jest, ask Mary) and looked me square in the face and said "I HATE YOU"! I'm sure the other people in our car got off the ride and called child services to report me for trying to help my kid have fun at Disneyland - I know can you believe the torture!
This trip we got SOAKED, I mean ring my pants out wet, but we were so wet we just got right back on, I mean you are already wet what's a little more. After, we headed for California Screamin' - Jackson was ready and couldn't wait.
This was our second go at CS...the first time Jackson rode in the front car with Glenn, and loved every minute of it! But riding this coaster when it's raining brings it to a new kind of thrill, rain pelting in on you. So Grizzly plus 45 miles an hour in the rain makes for very wet people, we had to go back to the hotel to dry off.
But Jackson and I were right back at it that afternoon, of course we had to stop for an ice cream mickey.
We tried rides we had never done before...Peter Pan's flight, Snow White and Pinocchio. Fun to experience them again (it's been since I was young that I rode those!).
Each trip is commemorated with a new set of ears - each one a different memory. His first set were the child size and were about $10 - I thought that was the best memento bargain at the park! His big head causes us to get the adult size, not the best price these days, but worth the tradition.
Two silly girls having fun on Autopia.
We were being chased by these crazy drivers!
And of course there is Buzz Lightyear!!
And the fun part about Halloween at the park is the Trick or Treat Party. Jackson was of course a star wars guy. We got TONS of candy and got super wet on Splash Mountain.
These guys were super funny (I like when the characters talk).
Please tell me you have had the pineapple whip?! Oh my goodness!! It is heaven!
And of course no trip is complete without a visit with the big guy!
Jackson making friends on the go-go gadget coaster. 
And Mike paying up on taking Nancy on Space Mountain by going on Small World.
Splash Mountain was so fun! But if you want to decrease your chances of getting soaking, DON'T go after a rain storm...the water is higher and kept splashing in our log. There was no line for the ride, so when our log returned to the beginning the cast member asked if we wanted to just stay on....so like I said, we were already wet why not?!
Another memorable trip in the books. So many memories added. One night on our trip Jackson and I were getting ready for bed and he wanted me to tell him a story. I told him the story of my first trip to Disney, and how I rode in the first car of Space Mountain on my first ride (just like he did on this trip), and then we wondered when he was older and brought his kids would they ride in the first car? That's what these trips are about to me, having fun as a family, experiencing new things together, creating these memories to cherish forever.
