Three Years and Running

As tradition dictates, the Martin Luther King, Junior holiday weekend is to be spent in California. The Saturday of the weekend must be spent at Disneyland, and the Sunday must be spent visiting beaches and temples. Admission to Disneyland must be free and it had better be the best weekend of the year.

The first year I went, there were 11 people.





Last year, the count dropped to nine.





This year, there were only three die-hards who could make the trek.





Planning was a little late this year, too. I realized sometime last week that the holiday was coming up and no one had planned the trip. After making some calls, it was apparent that nothing was going down unless I made it happen. With only a few days to plan, I secured a place to stay (thanks, Susie) and a friend to sign us in (for free) to the Happiest Place on Earth.

We left Provo at 2:00 PM on Friday. We got to Susie's around 11:00 PM that night. I was tired, but the 10 year-old that lives inside me wouldn't let me sleep past 7:00 AM the next day. I'm sure Dede and Anne were surprised/shocked/appalled when I jumped on their bed at 7:01 AM. Disneyland was waiting, and we didn't have any time to waste.

We were in the park by 9:30 AM, ready for a day of magic.

This picture probably best describes what it was like for Dede and Anne as I chauffeured them around this weekend.





I try every time I go, and still nothing!





The honey pots.





As the girls trained with Mulan...








I cut in with the crocodile from Fantasia.





After a great day at Disneyland, we watched the world's best firework show and were on our way.

The next day we went to my old ward for Sacrament meeting and then on to Santa Monica to taste the salty sea air and see some weirdos.





Apparently, I fit in with the weirdos better than I thought.





We also visited the LA Temple, but didn't get any pictures 'til we were driving away.





Our next stop was Newport Beach. We hopped on the freeway in Santa Monica and were in Newport in 20 minutes. I joked with Dede and Anne that everything in LA is 20 minutes away (traffic pending).

In Newport, we walked around the temple, visited some banana stands on Balboa Island, and went into Laguna Beach. We were hoping for an LC sighting, but she's obviously moved on to bigger and better things.











Another year, another great trip. If you want in next year, just let me know, because I will be going again. After three years, it really is a tradition.

See you then!