Lucky for us AWEA (big wind tradeshow) is being held in Anaheim this year and Lee's brother and wife decided to come out a little early and bring their kids.  Lee and I drove down Friday night, stayed with Lani and Kyle and spent all of Saturday at Disneyland with our nieces and nephew (and their parents of course).  We had SO much fun!

The kids had NO idea they were going to spend the day at Disneyland and Kate was pretty much on cloud nine.  We got there early and the kids put in a full six hours before needing to crump back at the hotel for a bit.  Their first ride was Space Mountain.  It was a little too fast and dark for Kate (age 6) but Eli (almost 5) had no problem with it.  Before going on the ride we told them, "If you get scared, just scream and everything will be OK." When we got off the ride Eli said "I didn't scream once, I'm brave." They were troopers.

Buzz Light Year was a hit, so was the Astro Orbiter - but their favorite was Thunder Mountain.  Pirates was a disappointment since we waited in line for 30 minutes and they turned us away at the front because they had to temporarily close the ride.   We saw Tarzan's tree house and then headed over to Fantasy Land so Kate could see her princesses.  We waited a long hour in line, but Kate got to see, hug and have pictures with Belle, Ariel and Pocahontas.  She couldn't have been happier.

When the kids were tuckered out, they returned to the hotel and Lee and I stayed for a little longer before joining them in time for dinner.  It was Hailee's 2nd birthday and so we had dinner out and presents back at the hotel.  We've had pretty good luck with being around on that little girl's birthday and birth the last three years.  We had a great day, we were worn out, but it was a really great day.

We then returned to Lani's and within a mile of her apartment we got sideswiped in a hit and run.  Fortunately only one door truly took the damage, but it will be a bit before we can take care of it.  We stayed up talking way too late with Lani and Kyle and then had a slow morning with them on Sunday before going back south to connect with Elaine and the kids.  We met them in Long Beach and the kids thoroughly enjoyed running from the mini-waves and playing in the sand.  It had to have been the filthiest beach we've ever seen - but the kids didn't know any better and had a blast.  Eli had a great idea of making "snow angels in the sand" and Hailee who does anything Eli does, had to do the same.  It was pretty cute.

We really did have a fantastic weekend and were so glad we got to see so much family and play with those darling kids at Disneyland.  What a treat.  Pictures are on our site.