Aug. 19

Our plane touched down in Los Angeles at 5 a.m. -- right on schedule. It took a while to get all of our belongings together. Then we collected our bags and got on the hotel shuttle for the Westin LAX.

All six of us are sharing a room. We aren't actually spending the night here. The girls just had a bath and may take a short nap. Brian had his nap in the lobby while Mark slept on the other bed. I took a few moments to go to the hot tub. Meanwhile, walked next door to rent a mini-van at Thrifty next to our hotel to drive us to Anaheim to go to the Disneyland Resort.

When Peter came back with the rental paperwork, we all walked over to Thrifty to get the van. We had only our cameras and a diaper bag to take with us. Peter got us to Anaheim without making any wrong turns. The first stop was Company D to do some quick shopping for the girls. Then we ate at El Pollo Loco (The Crazy Chicken). The girls had mashed potatoes with corn.

Our next stop was the Disneyland Resort. We decided to go to Disney's California Adventure because Brian had never been there and all of the adults wanted to ride California Screamin' (an awesome rollercoaster). However, our first stop was the new Monsters, Inc. ride. It frightened Sienna a bit because she thought it was real. Scarlett was fine though.

Then the boys went off to ride the Tower of Terror and California Screamin' (twice) while we went to ride the attractions in A Bug's Life children's section and to see Muppet*Vision 3D. About an hour later we met the boys outside of California Screamin' and I went on with them (using FastPasses). Peter took the girls on the King Triton's carousel which they enjoyed. Peter decided that he would like to go on the rollercoaster to see what all of the fuss was about. So Mark and Brian watched the girls so we could go on the single rider line (as we wanted to be quick). Peter said this was his favorite rollercoaster ride ever!

We all rode the Sun Wheel (in a non-swining gondola) and had a great time. Then Mark, Brian and I rode the Maliboomer and the Orange Stinger. Mark and Brian went off to ride Mulholland Madness while Peter, the twins and I sat down and had a rest and had a snack. Mark and Brian later joined us for milkshakes, a salad, tea and water.

At this point we realized that our time and energy were limited. So we went to see Golden Dreams, a long movie in a dark, air-conditioned theater. All six of us napped. Then Mark went off by himself to ride Grizzy River Rampage. Brian asked him why he would want to get wet prior to a long airplane ride, so Mark decided to wear my red Minnie Mouse/Disneyland sweatshirt that he had been chiding me for wear on hot days. The sweatshirt kept him nice and dry, and the splashes evaporated quickly in the warm California sun.

On the way out we watched the Block Party Bash. It featured performers who jumped and flipped on trampolines. All of the adults enjoyed it, but the girls never really woke up from falling asleep in Golden Dreams. Then we left the park. We were there about five hours. It was definitely worth it!

We drove back and stopped for gas at a station next to the airport. I asked for directions to the closest Jack-in-the-Box because none of us had ever gotten to eat there on our trip. Fortunately, there was a location just a few blocks away. Then we went back to Thrifty to drop off the van and walk back to the room.

We were a bit rushed in our packing, but we managed. We took the hotel shuttle and disembarked at the USAirways counter. It took a little time for six people with 11 suitcases (and nine carry-ons) to check in. Our flight to Pittsburgh was on time and we all a slept for most of the time.