Still Nothing

We must be close to TA because everyone is asking us where it is.  I don't know, sob. 

There has been a huge rush of them announced today so I suspect very strongly that ours likely arrived at the Ministry today.  Fingers crossed for news before the weekend! 

Had someone feeling sorry for us today that our son might have mobility issues.  I'm soooo over that, really, not something that needs rehashing.  He is a little boy that needs a family.  Not being unrealistic, just seeing the boy first and the need second.  It's frustrating not having an update and our medical information is from when he was six weeks old but worst case scenario is manageable.  I don't feel sorry for us.  I feel extremely blessed to be welcoming home a fourth child. 

Back in Canada

Long day yesterday.  12 hours on the road.  Made it to Marysville.  Two hours from the border.   We're on the way to the ferry now and then straight to see Eric's Mom.  I think today is her first day on her own. 

So yesterday, the police shot the tires out on a semi truck.  There was debris on the road.  We ended up with a punctured tire.  Scary.  Eric managed to pull us safely to the side.  Then put our donut on.  The rain stopped while he was out there but everything was still wet and muddy.  Had to empty the van on the side of the road.  Now we're in the mountains not near any towns and the donut is good for 50 miles.  Three o'clock on a Sunday and there is no chance of finding a Canadian Tire ;)  Crazy luck was on our side.  First truck stop we came to was just down the hill and there was a repair shop with a 24/7 number.  We called and the guy showed up in minutes.   He didn't have our size tire but was able to patch it for us.  Eric was doubtful it could be patched.  So far so good.  Oh, and he only charged $25.   Feeling grateful it worked out ok.

Always good to get back in Canada and we're all excited to be almost home :)

Made it to Red Bluff

Kids do so great on road trips.  No complaining. 

Room last night was fabulous.  Jia was unsettled, she doesn't understand where we are going.  I woke at one point and she wasn't in bed.  I panicked and found her in her own little bed ;)

We'll see how far we get today.

Goodbye Disneyland

Last day.  Jia is really mad that we won't take her back.  Finally found the Princesses and none of my girls wanted to see them.  They've moved.  I didn't bother asking because no one was asking to see them.  So, no princess walk and no visit to pixie hollow either.  Joked with Lili that maybe Luk will like Princesses.  When I was disappointed,  Lili kindly offered to go with me but of the three she is the least interested. 

Then to the Pirate Dinner Show.  It was ok.  No major pirate fans in our family.  It was loud and lots of fighting.  The vampire twist for Halloween was interestng.  I think we prefer the Medieval show.

Heading home tomorrow. 

Cars Land

Finally made it to Cars Land.  It's so nicely done in there.  The ride/race is fabulous.  We all wanted to do it again but the wait was an hour. 

Then onto the grizzly river run.  Glad we brought rain ponchos.  Didn't work for me so much but everyone else was mostly dry.  I had a wave wash over and up under the poncho :)  Better me than one of the kids! 

Jia wanted to know when we would start trick-or-treating.

We booked a pirate dinner for tomorrow.  Never been so that should be interesting for our last night here.

Trick-or-Treat

Oh my gosh!  What a wonderful event.  Well done Disney.

We had no idea what we were in for.  They LOAD you with treats.  Seemed to alternate candy and then healthy at the stations.   You can just keep going.  We missed lots of stations and still have a ton.

Meeting Mickey and Minnie at the end was a lot of fun.  Mickey was soooo excited that we were all mice like him and was gesturing to his ears and then mine and was trying to show his character helpers and Minnie who had already figured it out and was fussing over the girls.  We all got hugs and kisses from them both.  So sweet.  So glad we went with mice.  Well actually we were dumbo eared blue russian fancy rats but we conceded that no one would ever know and it suited the event to be mice.   Eric said it was like a family reunion.  Picture isn't that great.  Hoping the photopass ones are better.

Family photos seem weird right now.  Acutely aware that Luk is missing.

Lots of Disney staff loved our costumes.  There were hundreds and hundreds of fairies, princesses, pirates and assorted Disney characters.   We were original :) 

For anyone who might go one year, start in Toontown, they still close early. 

Kids all crashed within seconds of going to bed. 

Eric's Photos

Here are a few photos from Eric's phone.  Love Fei's photo bomb! 

Nice relaxing morning here.  I slept through the night!  Can't remember the last time I did that.  Certainly not since my surgury in 2005 ;)

We did a laundry run, picked up some groceries and ate a pizza and salad buffet for lunch.  Back in the room now, hoping Jia will sleep before we head in for trick or treating.

Back to Disney

We're all exhausted.  Long days, hot and tons of walking.  Jia is asking to be carried so we need to take the stroller in tomorrow.  Plus we've been told several times now we won't be able to carry our loot tomorrow for the trick or treating.  Supposed to be quieter during the week but we sure didn't notice that today. 

Jia is sooo brave.  Not afraid of the dark.  She did Star Tours, Space Mountain,  Haunted Mansion,  Splash Mountain and Pirates again.  She announces when things are scary and tells us what she doesn't like but no crying or fussing and she is willing to do all of them again except Space Mountain,  can't blame her, its been spooked up for Halloween and it was pretty scary.

I took Jia to visit Merida while Eric and the big girls went to see Innovations, first time seeing it and they thought it was ok.  Then Eric joined Jia and I in our line up and Lili and Fei rode the Matterhorn a couple times on their own.  Sob.  Proud they are mature enough to start being on their own but so sad they are growing up so fast.

Big girls have no interest in the characters and Jia is too shy.  When we finally got to Merida today Jia hid her face in my shoulder.  So Merida hid her face too ;)  Another Magical Disney moment.

Jia's face paint was like a dream moment.  She sat so still and was completely delighted afterwards.  She was so excited to show Daddy and the girls.

I've been using just my phone camera and posting here and it is pretty easy to blog.

Eric has been taking pictures too but to load them here they have to be emailed to me.  I'll add them later.  Too tired.

Still no word on Luk.

Day two.

Went to California Adventure today.  It wasn't busy so nice easy lines.  We saw all the shows, did a few rides.  Jia actually did Tower of Terror!!  She didn't like it but there was no fuss about that.  Lili wasn't totally thrilled about the little kid stuff.  Disney live on stage was awesome for the rest of us.  Doc McStuffins, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Sophia the First and Jake and the Neverland Pirates.  Jia was soooo excited.  We also saw The Muppets 3D show for the first time and it was hilarious.   Caught the Alladin Spectacular and it was really spectacular.  Same show but all different actors and props.  We only got through half the park.  Will need another day.  Jia slept after our late lunch, so Eric and the big girls did Cars Land while Jia and I napped on a bench in the shade.  Line ups were long in there.  Planning to head there first next time we go.

We're exhausted.  Certainly not a relaxing holiday.

Lots of reminiscing about Vic. 

We're adjusting to the room here.  Finally found some redemption, the bed is lovely :)

Made it.

Walked in and the parade was on.  Wahoo!

Had a great first day. It's busy but the ride lines are short.  We stuck to the plan and went straight to Small World.  Jia loved it, we went on twice ;)  Decorations are great.  Not as done up as Christmas or Easter.  Lili is  feeling nostalgic,  is she old enough?!  Fei is much braver and Jia is very excited.  She fell asleep on Eric and we had to carry her back to the hotel.  Well...Eric carried her mostly.  

Our hotel is awful.  Seriously awful.  Not at all as advertised.  I complained bitterly and they offered a full refund if we wanted to leave.  None of us wanted to waste valuable Disney time looking for a new room.  So we've stayed.  There isn't any redeeming qualities.   We went through three rooms before a maid with no english took us and showed us one that was slightly better.  We have lots of room.  Little apartment from long long ago with no upgrades.  I think it's clean enough just ratty, tatty and old.

California Adventure Park tomorrow.