Disneyland Dreaming with the van Ormers

Sometimes life requires some spontaneity. Thanksgiving break was one of those times where plans changed quickly; all because of a crazy idea that grew from a seed of insanity in a hotel room, to the fruit of getting in the van and heading on a family adventure of thrill and excitement. It was very... well, thrilling! 

I took my boys and drove from Spokane to Boise, where we picked up Sammi, and dropped off Johnathan to stay with his dad. (Another story, for another time.) The night we spent in Boise, we stayed at a hotel. Sammi came over to the hotel and we got Daniel on the phone (he lives in Utah), and before I knew it, the kids were all begging for a family trip to Disneyland. It is a rare opportunity for just our van Ormer 5 to be together like we used to be, and so after some incredible persuasion by my children, we came up with a plan that would work for us to make it happen. 

Our original plan involved going to Utah and spending Thanksgiving with my brother John's family. Sammi hopped in the car with me and the 2 boys, and she drove us to Lehi, Utah. Daniel joined us there too, and we had SO much fun with good company, singing, deep conversation, laughter, and laughter, and gut pain from laughter, yummy food, and more gut pain. My parents were there too, so it was just a beautiful time with family. 

We decided to extend our family time a little longer, and so we drove the extra 9 hours to Anaheim, California. One of the conditions was that I would not have to drive those extra miles to get there and back. So, my adult children, Sammi and Daniel, took turns maneuvering the freeways. I was the navigator along with GPS, and we got there and back again without trouble or delay, it was kind of amazing how smoothly it all went. The kids did awesome driving for so long and in new exciting environments. It was a great family experience talking through all of the freeway driving, and learning new California driving together. 

Our family has been through a lot these last few years, and one day, I will write more about it. But for now, I will just say that being together with my van Ormer babies, and our tight-knit, silly, loving, joyful family, was INCREDIBLY healing and wonderful. We laughed SO hard together, we all still had sore abs for many days after the trip. We stayed in a hotel room in Disneyland that had only two double beds and so it was TIGHT, and crazy, but it was fabulous to add to the closeness of our family. We once all lived together for many, many, years with our family in a two bedroom home with one bathroom. We know how to make it work. And that closeness in space requires closeness in family to make it work. And it worked! 

Let's get on to the pictures and the good stuff... 

But wait...  before the pictures, I want to answer a question. My brother asked me why Disneyland is so special for my family. And why we love it so much. It is expensive, there are long lines, and people everywhere...

Well, I wish I had a few pictures of some of the things we saw while we were there this time. We saw a very old man in a wheelchair, dressed up in a suit and bowtie, with the biggest grin on his face that was lit up with joy from the Christmas lights on main street. Another very old lady was in a wheelchair, wearing a Yoda hat, while dancing and clapping to music. I saw mothers holding their teenagers hands. I had my own teenage boy want to hold my hand. I saw really hardcore rough looking men holding the hands of their precious daughters, who were sparkled up in dresses to look like their favorite princess. I saw families together having fun, laughing, smiling, being silly, enjoying each others company. I saw brothers helping their little sisters, and sisters helping their little brothers. I saw incredible amounts of humanity, from every walk of life, in every shape, size, and diversity, and for the most part, everyone is respectful and decent as they maneuver the park. 

As one man put it at rope drop, when we were all smashed tightly together, "Well, this is our family for the day!" And that is what it feels like to me... like being together as one big family, in one big land, having magical experiences together. It makes me have hope in humanity, and our ability to get along and be brothers and sisters, all while screaming with adrenaline and smelling like churros. 

And along with that... I love that it all began with a mouse. A Mickey Mouse. And it reminds me that it is by small and simple things, that great things are brought to pass. And that is truly inspiring! And it reminds me to NEVER STOP DREAMING!!! No matter what! Disneyland can only give you back, what you bring to it. And our family has learned how to bring our family love to the land, and we have SO much fun! 

So now... onto the trip pics! 

Here we are at the hotel in Boise. We had baby Johnathan with us for a little while before going to Utah. He is such a pleasant child. We all love him so much. 

Here we are at my brother's house in Utah. My mom has a lot of grandsons. And a cute Sammi, and a cute Joy who is hiding in the picture. 

When did my babies get SO big! I love having older kids, it is perhaps one of my favorite experiences with motherhood. I love seeing them become adult humans that I love and would choose to be friends with if they weren't my children. :) 

So many boys... and men. And weird angle distortions. 

Daniel and Scooter having a stare down. 

We enjoyed so much music and singing, it was wonderful. I miss the music that my older children bring with them wherever they go. My younger boys are not as interested in music. 

Gathering for music time. 

Daniel is a voice teacher now, and so he was giving us all vocal lessons (per our request). It was amazing to observe and try some of the techniques he has learned! It was SO hard to try and change my bad singing habits. My jaw hurt for a few days after trying to do it right. 

Sammi played the piano for EVERYONE. It is amazing how she can sight read like a crazy woman. Her skills are so appreciated and loved! I especially loved hearing her randomly playing beautiful music in the background at different times of the day. I miss having her around to just fill the house with song. 

My kids in a cuddle puddle. I love that they are tight enough to be together like that. And Mindy just chilling. :) 

Grandma frosting cream puffs. And Sammi waiting for them to be ready to inhale. They are SO yummy! 

Sammi and I worked out together each morning, while we were in Utah. It was so fun to work out with her again, it is just what we do. I am horribly out of shape after baby 5, and other stressful events, but I am starting to feel ready to work it consistently again. I miss having my older kids around and all the fun we would have together doing workouts, hiking, running, biking, etc. Sammi had a heart scare about a year ago, that landed her in the hospital. It was apparently due to the Covid vaccine, and so she has to be a little more aware and careful with her body, too. But she is a rockstar and she is doing great. This world has been rough on people, can the world just be nice? Please? 

Sammi and baby Yoda... and Daniel poking at baby Yoda... and Johnny's head. :) 

My mom made a pan of Crunchies... they were a treat from my childhood that was made for all sorts of gatherings, mostly for the Youth who seemed to love them. They were yummies. Chocolate and peanut butter. So good. 

Not sure what is happening here?

We worked out in my brother's theater room. Working out with a life-sized Billy Blanks doing TaeBo was a next level experience, in fact, it made me kind of dizzy because he was larger than life. In all my years, TaeBo is still my favorite workout video. 

Sammi showing off. 

Sammi sitting and coloring with Henry. They both love art. 

We went to Lumanaria, at Thanksgiving Point. It was SO fun! It was a very magical and beautiful experience, it really helped me feel all Christmasy and joyful. 

Hooray for family time! And Christmas lights! 

Cousins! 

So pretty! 

It is a really beautiful place, with such fun things. 

Lazer lights. 

They have a beautiful area with statues of Jesus. It was my favorite part. You could feel the reverence there, with all of the hundreds of candles throughout the area. It was gorgeous. 

Such amazing artistry and craftsmanship! 

I love Jesus, and Heavenly Father! 

I love my family! 

They are so wonderful! 

We enjoyed watching some old family videos on the massive screen. 

Good memories. 

Off we went to Disneyland... once we saw this sign, we all were pretty excited! 

We arrived in Anaheim on Thursday, Thanksgiving day. So we decided to ride the tram from our hotel and spend some time in Downtown Disney district for the evening. 

We were tired from the LONG drive, but hey we are crazy, so off we went. 

Sammi was just a little excited to be there. She was not with us on our last trip. And it felt so wrong without her! 

I mean... how cute is her excitement? 

We could not go in that night... but it definitely built the excitement. 

We got some dinner at a random restaurant, and some really yummy ice cream for Thanksgiving day. 

Then we went back to the hotel to sleep well, before the real fun would begin! 

We got to Disneyland for the rope drop. It was a gorgeous day, the weather was amazing. 

Main Street... 

Brothers. 

Are you excited? I am excited. :) 

It is a tradition to run straight over to "it's a small world" and begin Disneyland by walking straight on to the ride that often has a long line. It is also just a great way to soak in the Spirit of Disneyland, and all of the MANY people from all over the world, that you get to be family with while you are there. 

It is such an engrained childhood memory to ride small world. 

The kids wanted to do teacups... 

We rode on the Casey Junior train. 

We rode in the Monkey cage. Seemed right for us. 

Peekaboo! I see you! 

CHURROS. 

Winnie the Pooh ride. 

I think Sammi almost exploded. I mean, when on earth do you get to scream your eyes out like this? How fabulous. :) 

Winnie the Pooh ride, classic. 

The kids waited for WAY too long to get on the Cars ride in California Adventure... I did not go with them and I was able to do all sorts of fun things. I am weird and like to be alone at Disneyland for a little bit, that way I can take it all in, in my own introverted soak-it-in-my-soul kind of way. 

Sammi's first time seeing the new Star Wars land. 

Pretty cool place. 

We got food from a place we love, but for some reason this time they put so much lime juice on the tostada that is tasted kinda wonky. We were all SO hungry though, so we still ate it. 

It was very busy the day after Thanksgiving. But we managed just fine. 

Super beautiful window. 

We went to the Tiki room and got Dole Whip ice cream, of course. 

I love the Tiki room. It feels like going back in time, to a better world. And I love that feeling. 

Jungle Cruise

Waiting for the train. 

California land at night. 

The classic Christmas soldiers during the parade. 

Nemo... 

Castle all lit up for Christmas. 

Haunted Mansion. I love just sitting by it at night. 

Fantasmic is BACK! Hooray! 

Fireworks over Star Wars land 

It is just so fun, and filled with memories that sing to our souls!

Catching up with Sammi and Dan, they went early one morning to get on Rise of the Resistance. 

Funnel cakes... Hidden Mickey. I was COVERED in powdered sugar after this. 

LOVE my kiddos! 

The Corridor of Goons 

Henry by Nemo ride 

Turkey legs the day after Thanksgiving. 

Is it just me, or does Sammi make the pictures of the kids look more sparkly. ;) 

These two, such buddies! 

Yeah, pirate Mickey! 

Waiting for Luigi's car ride... 

SO cute and fun! 

I went with Henry. 

Sammi and Will

Dan went with himself and his invisible friend

Haunted mansion display

The bench Walt Disney sat on when he had the vision for Disneyland. 

Main Street. 

After all these years, I FINALLY took the time and went to see Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. I went by myself while the kids did other things. It was kind of amazing, and possibly one of my favorite moments there. It was a very spiritual feeling, I loved the history, and they still talked about believing in God in Disneyland! Very powerful! 

These statues represent the Spirit of different things, like the Spirit of Adventure, or the Spirit of Courage, etc. I loved them and want them in my home! 

Inside the Mr. Lincoln theater area. 

There is something special about a stage, and the red curtain. I also want this in my home. ;) 

Keep on DREAMING!!!! 

LOVE! 

Love my babies! 

We did some crazy last minute riding like The Grizzly Bear rapids at 11:00 at night... super cold, dark, wet, crazy and FUN! We laughed SO hard. Also, Thunder Mountain at midnight, on the last train... AMAZING! Screamed so hard, had such fun! The kids went on Splash Mountain at the last minute and got soaked... they LOVED it. I think we rode Pirates of the Caribbean 4 times? It is a favorite... it is kind of the heart and soul of Disneyland in my opinion. We ran ALL over the place. I think we logged somewhere around 30 miles of walking in 2 days. 

Seriously... these kids. How lucky am I?! 

Our disaster of a hotel room. Two double beds for all of us... and we were there for three nights. 

There's something special about being so tight and cozy. Everyone got a special stuffed animal that will help them remember the magical trip. They can snuggle their stuffed animal and remember the happy times. 

We went back to the hotel to sleep well! :)  And the next day we drove right back to Utah, then Boise, then all the way back to Spokane. Whew! It was a fabulous time though, totally worth it! I sure LOVE being with my family! It was SO wonderful! 

Such MAGICAL MEMORIES!!! And memories MATTER! Make sure and make some! :) 

Here are some pictures of Disneyland Days of the Past.... it has just been such a fun part of our family fun! 

I used to build Disneyland at home with the kids when they were little... 

Including Mickey Ears... :) 

And long lines of people... 

One of our many trips... 

Charles was unsure the first time he went, and then he LOVED it too. 

Good times... 

It was a place we were able to go after Charles died and we could still feel alive and happy. 

We went back a lot! 

We have always had so much fun together there! 

SO precious... 

Awwww... I love this man in the pink backpack. 

One of my favorite memories... when we helped Daniel become a Jedi by making signs. 

I miss Charles. I want to go to Disneyland with him again someday. 

Someday... but I am grateful for all the memories that we have had, that are trapped in the time capsule of Disneyland! :) Yay!