Each Day Unfolds...: Magical World of Disney- Day 4

Monday was our last day and we decided to spend most of it at California Adventure. Jon and I had fun riding rides, even the scary ones like the Mickey Mouse Ferris Fun Wheel (yes it was scary with the swinging gondolas that is only 160 feet up in the air). Note: Regardless of my slight fear of heights, I did go on the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (13-Story rickety drop) and Maliboomer (200 foot drop). Jon was a sweetheart and made sure I was all "buckled-in" and I didn't fly out of my seat. Later on that day we had a chance to meet up with Jon's brother Josh and his wife Jess and their son Jaxten to ride the Ferris Wheel. We had tons of laughs and afterwards headed to the Disney shops and see if we could find a souvenir. First thing that was in order was some comfy flip flops and off to the Fireworks/ Fantasmic Show.

I have to say that the last night we watched the fireworks was "fantastic" sort to speak. Who ever was in charge of the fireworks that night was spot-on with the music (not that it was terrible the other nights). I tried so hard not to get all choked up, particularly when you're surrounded by your family and you have music to enduce the tears and joy. Needless to say, my inner 5 yrs self was ecstatic. I think that Disneyland was always Magic for kids as well as for grown ups/big kids. There's something charming about bringing out your inner childlike self where you forgot about all of your responsibilities and obligations. By the way, Disneyland is way different as an adult than it is when you're a child, especially when you remember things as being a lot larger in scale than they really are.

In the end we had a smashing evening and made the most of our last night. Jon ended up finding the perfect memento of our adventure with his adorable Yoda backpack, we ended up finally getting to ride the Matter Horn, and had a sound night's sleep.

Cody, Matt, and Grandma Zola heading into California Adventure Monday morning.

This reminded me of my dad.

One of the giftshops at the entrance

At the Grizzly River Run

Had a mini Yosemite moment at Redwood Creek Challenge Trail (mainly for chil'en)

Our exceptionally marvelous reaction to the Twilight Zone's Tower of Terror ride.

Jon looking cute while waiting to get onto the intense Ferris Wheel (no exaggeration)

At the Pier

Heading back to Disneyland we took some pictures of the gathering at the California Pier before their lights show.

Sebastian!

Disney Gift Shop- Which the entrance completely smelled of Caramel Corn

Found a Chipmunk hat

Jon trying on the chewbaca Backpack but it wasn't "the" backpack he wanted.

Just the right fit! He was elated the rest of the night with his new scripture case/Carry on!

Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse

Jon and Yoda heading back to the bus

Family Picture from left to right: Me, Jon, Matt (Jon's dad), Hyrum (Jon's sister's husband), and McKenzi (Jon's sister)

Cody and Matt for picture before heading back to hotel.

Jon took a picture of view of Disneyland and California Adventure from the roof of the hotel.

As a friendly welcome the Midwest lovingly greeted us with a severe storm with Tornado warnings and all. It was Jon's first time with hearing the alarms and seeing the trees wave back and forth from the neighbor's yard. Luck was on our side and we were mostly out of the path and didn't have any trees fall down on our house like most of our neighbors. As we were just coming back from California, my dad left the very next morning around 3 a.m. for L.A. and we drove him to Chicago to the airport (As repayment for my parents driving us the hour and half to O'Hare). Two trips to Chicago was a lot but we were armed with Monster and made a stop to IHOP to be served hot food from our overly energetic waiter (he had way too much coffee at 4 a.m.). We are glad to be back home and in our own bed.