Meeting Santa at Disneyland

 It's Christmastime and we need to get our picture with Santa!

We like Disneyland. Disneyland has Santa. Let's go there!

After a morning of running around, we finally headed to the park around 10:30am. Ian likes sitting on the bench of the tram like a big boy. 

Alli peeking out and making an appearance. 

You might have heard that Disneyland recently installed metal detectors. As we walked up, there were more bag checkers working than I've ever seen before. Because of that, we didn't have to wait too long and were quickly to the front gate. Lines here stretched almost to the monorail beam, but thankfully they moved quickly. Ian's ready to go in!

What's better than going to Disneyland? Going to Disneyland with friends!
Alli was ready to eat, so T took her to the baby center on Main Street. Ian and I met Catherine and her son and went off in search of Santa Claus.

Even though T wasn't with us, we still hopped in line. It's Pooh and Piglet. 

After only 10 minutes of waiting, it was time to meet Santa! Ian wasn't too sure about him. 

Come here little elf. 

Ian wasn't too thrilled and didn't want to sit on his lap at first. But as long as his daddy was holding him, he was okay. 

After Catherine's son went, Ian was a little more brave and sat long enough to take a picture. 

Oh I get a candy cane for meeting Santa? Yum!

Whew, they're quite messy. 

Catherine and I jumped back in line, and a short time later were joined by Theresa and Alli. Alli, it's time to meet Santa! 

Hey, she's not screaming! Nice work! Probably had something to do with just getting fed and being in a milk coma. 

During this Christmas season, we've been telling Ian all the fun things we're going to be doing. He knows that on Christmas Eve we're going to leave cookies out for Santa. 
Earlier this morning over breakfast, Ian and I were talking about what we were going to do today. We talked about how we're going to Disneyland and going to meet Santa. Ian said, "Make Santa cookies?" Sure buddy! I love how his mind works. Ian helped me make cookies and we packed them up for Santa.

In line, I pulled out the cookies we made earlier and gave them to Ian.

Now that he has a task (and it probably helped that we saw him just a few minutes earlier) Ian was much more comfortable with Santa. Here you go Santa. I made you cookies.

Look at that big smile. I'd say that's a successful Santa visit. 

Family picture with Santa. 

He wasn't sure what he wanted for Christmas when Santa asked him. Eventually he said Mickey Mouse. 

Next it's time to see one of the things we'll be sad to see go. The goats will be packing up and leaving in January to make room for the new Star Wars land. 

 Keeping their distance at the beginning.

But you're always a little bit more brave when you've got a buddy to go along with you. 

You touch it. No, you touch it. 

Too cute. 

 

Before we go, you know we have to ride the carrousel. 

 

I love the random Christmas carolers singing around the park.

On the way out, we stopped by the World of Disney store. One of the movies on rotation at our house has been Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas, and Ian now loves Huey, Dewey, and Louie. When we got to the entrance of World of Disney I told him to look up. His face was priceless. 

It's Huey, Dewey, and Louie!

Inside we were attacked by a 3' Mickey! I was really hoping to find more Shellie May stuff for Alli, since Ian is so into Duffy. 

Back on the tram and headed back to the car. 

There's me! Alli fell asleep in the Ergo. 

Disneyland tomorrow?

Now before, the lines were really good to get in the park, now they're back up quite a bit.

By the time we got home, both kids were passed out. I actually sat out in the driveway with them for another 30 minutes after getting home before Ian woke up. He was tired. 

A good day!