by kenny

While in Phoenix, Erica gave us a City Pass booklet that included a free 3-day park hopper ticket for Disneyland and California Adventure. We bought a second ticket and went to both parks 3 different times in January for only $120! Went we by ourselves once and spent all day at both parks. We brought the moho, and were able to eat lunch and take a nap in the afternoon. If you are going to Disneyland, and have a motorhome, I highly recommend doing this. It only costs a few dollars more to park, but you get to park right near the tram station, and it's awesome to have your own little home to go to when you want a break. The parks were still decorated for Christmas while we were there. As we went home that night at midnight, Laura got super tired and had a sore throat. She ended up with step throat and spent 4 days in bed.

A couple weeks later, Erica, Shawn, Elisa and some friends from Phoenix took the kids to Disneyland for my niece Ava's 3rd birthday. My parents came from Scotland, and we all went together (both parks, 2 days). Another great time. Most of the Christmas stuff was done. The Haunted Mansion was back to normal (no Jack Skellington) which was great because it had been over 8 years since I have been on the ride without the Christmas decorations. Cinderella's castle which was covered with snow when we went two weeks ago, and now it was beginning to thaw. Disney magic! Another Disneyland tip-if you buy coffee or cocoa at the Main Street Market, keep your receipt. You can bring it back for free refills all day long.

We had a fun birthday party for Ava at Ratface's, that turned into a bit of a family reunion. Aunt Debbie, Aaron & Christine, Madisyn and McKenzie came from Texas and my great uncle Richard and his extended family all came. We had a good visit with my parents and Elisa before they headed back to the UK.