They have an app for that

As we drove from LA to Phx today I watched the blue moon rise over the mountains in all its beauty. We watched Aladdin the Musical in the Hyperion Theatre this year and the Genie, who is always updating his slapstick comments, told Aladdin that he could not raise the dead, but hear that Apple had an app for that.

Thankfully, there is only one application that raises the dead, faith in Christ, and I say good by to 2009 and Hello to 2010 with a continue joy in serving our good and beautiful God.

The Garmin is an amazing travel tool, she piped up and said severe traffic ahead, and she was right, 5.2 miles of creeping along, but she had no solutions. I like the trip summary that even shows you how many minutes you stopped for food and necessities. JTs Iphone was a wizard. He had an app where users are uploading the wait times and problems in the park from moment to moment. Our phones kept us connected and reconnecting everywhere. It really is a whole new world of communication.

McDonalds really has healthy food choices if you choose them.

The Kia Sedona was a true driving pleasure, decent mileage, comfort and safety, and plenty of room for baggage and a family of six.

Disney does a lovely job of handling way too many people, and when it rained those six dollar parkas showed up instantly and saved the day. They add serendipity's all day, like the moment when a light show began on the wall of Its a Small World, and then snow.

The Toy Story Soldiers drive around in an army jeep and put on a drum show.

The Characters are so sweet and kind and loving to the little kids.

The Abraham Lincoln Audio Animation is very inspiring, as are the themes that Disney practices in his recognition of achievement.

Disney in the rain

Well now that was an experience. A steady misty drizzle pretty much all day. It thinned the crowds a bit, but those of us who parted with a chuck of change for a three day pass are not about to let the weather dampen the fun. Lots of slipping and looking for dry places to sit, but our Disney Christmas 2009 was a great family time together. We made lots of memories. Rode lots of rides. Saw lots of beautiful thematic touches to the park, and the ever present spirit of Walt, who believed in hard work and America to make your dreams come true. We heard lots of great Christmas hymns woven into the music, and felt the kindness, goodwill, consideration and friendliness of most all those working for and attending the park, and oh, America desperately needs to go on a diet. No offense, but its a real problem for many many folks. Now to get back to the gym.

Maxed Out Disney Day 2

I am so glad we came to see another seasons decorations at Disneyland. We will never ever do it again. Tonight every muscle in my body aches from 12 plus more hours of dodging bodies in massive crowds. We had a major Mickey River show break down, but the things they have added like snow are enchanting. I tasted it and hoped it was not toxic, kind of soapy actually.

Hour long waits for the Matterhorn and Soaring Over California, it was, in spite of it all, a great vacation experience.

Today's pics show the snowy soap all over Miss Laura, and an idea of the crowd from my Riverboat Ride.

No More Room

Well, that about says it all as to the tone and tenor of Disney Day 1. People everywhere, long waits for everything, including the wee wee place. But the decorations are done with such pizzaz and a so beautiful. Lights everywhere. We just took it all in stride and enjoyed everything. The kids actually had to walk back during the Car ride because some teens caused a mishap, but they got fastpasses into Indian Jones. More later.

Back at Disney

Six of us drove 432 miles today after church to arrive safely with the help of my Garmin Nuvi GPS. Amazing and helpful, she told us where to turn and how to get back after rest stops, and how far we had left and estimated arrival time and a trip summary at the end.

We were trying to come up with names, since we heard that many begin to speak back at this lady. Our favorites were Roada, Sacajatripa, and my personal, Streetitute, you pay for it and she takes you where you want to go.

We arrived in time to walk and shop in the Disney Village and see the Christmas lights, and hear some wonderful street musicians playing to the walking crowds. Three marathon days of Disney fun ahead. Opens at 8, closes at 12. Whoopee.

One generation shall follow another

The bottom picture was taken of Eddie M and his two and our two oldest kids, 1984
This is Eddie, Jill, Christy and her three kids today 2009. We all began college together and became even closer when Eddie taught in the same town I pastored, and when we moved back to Jackson, our kids were playmates. So sweet to renew this friendship in Arizona as Christys husband is an AZ/Mexico border guard living in Tucson.

Tommorrow we are off to California for three days of Winter Mickey Mouse. I will keep in touch while at the park.

From Open House to Doghouse

What an interesting Christmas day. No piles of wrapping paper, no kids playing with toys, and the one kid playing with the one toy got himself in a pickle. Like a thoughtless child he went Wii Bowling with a beverage in his hand, and put a serious stain on Laurs's brand new chair. I feel really bad.

We enjoyed having folks from church drop by, and today we look forward to Eddie and Jill and Christie's kids stopping by.