Stealthy Visit to Gung & Mas

We left our house at 5:00AM to get to Dulles Airport in time for our 8AM flight to LAX. The flight was unremarkable and arrived on time. We picked up our car and by noon, West Coast time, we were on our way up to visit GungGung & MaMa. The 405 was remarkably uncongested so we made the trip within an hour & a half.

Was there ever a grandparent who wasn't thrilled to see their grandchildren? Josie went to work checking out all the toys that are on hand and playing with MaMa. After a bit, GungGung took Josie for a ride around the backyard in a red wagon. She had a ball! Maddie and Leah checked out other things around the house, but managed to stay out of trouble. Ma made us a delicious lunch of stir fried noodles, shrimp and chicken. One great thing about visiting the in-laws is that we always get authentic and yummy Chinese food!

After lunch, we kissed everyone goodbye and headed back the way we came and headed for Disneyland. Traffic was not as cooperative and Interstate 5 was a parking lot. We're used to rush hour traffic. What I personally detest about driving in CA is the narrowness of the lanes. Holy Shamoly!! I ducked or cringed for most of the trip! (I am a horrible passenger!) Anyway, we arrived safely.

We are staying at Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel. The photo shows the view from our room. It overlooks the
California Adventure park. This is our 5th or 6th visit here, but it's Josie & Leah's first. So, at check-in they received buttons that note it is their first visit - and this is supposed to bring "special magic" their way in the parks...we'll see...

We also got a big surprise at check-in. Apparently, each day the hotel selects one family at random to be 'Big Kahunas'. Thursday, it was us! We got a balloon bouquet, special treats delivered to our room, a Paradise Pier desk clock, a phone call from Goofy, and a special frame for the photo they took of our family with (plastic) Goofy in the lobby! Very cool! We are most thankful to the hotel staff for being so wonderful to the girls.

Everyone is excited to get going today - Josie was up at 4AM. So, now it's 6:30AM and we are headed out for the opening of Toontown at 7AM! Here's a photo of Josie at tubby time last night - showing off her Mickey Mouse soap. She has no idea what an exciting day she is going to have!