As we previously mentioned a couple of posts ago, Adam's parents were good enough to give all of his family a trip to Disneyland for Christmas. We planned and planned, and finally the day came. When we left Wyoming it was cold and snowing, and the roads were terrible...but when we landed in California, it was nice and warm. This is the first day that we were there, and oddly enough, the only picture we have of all three of us together.
Upon our arrival there was an immediate need to eat. We had heard the hand dipped corn dogs were out of this world. Adam had to have one, and so we went straight to the corn dog cart and purchased him a dog. He said it was heaven on a stick and with each bite angels would sing their hallelujahs.
Grady was rarely alone on this trip and always had the best company: COUSINS!! Odd Job (Audrey is her real name, but Adam gave her this nickname) was never far away and was the sweetest girl.
We were interested to see how it would work out going on all of the rides and enjoying the entire Disneyland experience with 20 Phillips's running around; but, it turned out to be the funnest time of our lives. We would joke around as we waited in line, torment the younger nieces and nephews, and generally heckle each other, which is what Phillips's do.
Upon our arrival there was an immediate need to eat. We had heard the hand dipped corn dogs were out of this world. Adam had to have one, and so we went straight to the corn dog cart and purchased him a dog. He said it was heaven on a stick and with each bite angels would sing their hallelujahs.
Grady was rarely alone on this trip and always had the best company: COUSINS!! Odd Job (Audrey is her real name, but Adam gave her this nickname) was never far away and was the sweetest girl.
We were interested to see how it would work out going on all of the rides and enjoying the entire Disneyland experience with 20 Phillips's running around; but, it turned out to be the funnest time of our lives. We would joke around as we waited in line, torment the younger nieces and nephews, and generally heckle each other, which is what Phillips's do.Here we are waiting to go on Indiana Jones, which was definitely a family favorite.
Speaking of family favorites, we probably went on Pirates of the Caribbean 20 or so times. All of us, including Grado, could go on one boat (with all the corn dogs consumed by Adam, the boat was well weighted). After the hills, the pirates would sing Yo Ho! a pirate's life for me. Of course we would clap and sing along...funnest and most memorable experience ever!!
Speaking of family favorites, we probably went on Pirates of the Caribbean 20 or so times. All of us, including Grado, could go on one boat (with all the corn dogs consumed by Adam, the boat was well weighted). After the hills, the pirates would sing Yo Ho! a pirate's life for me. Of course we would clap and sing along...funnest and most memorable experience ever!!Adam and his nephew Dylan were pumped to go on Pirates. Although, many in the family assumed Adam was more excited that Dylan was wearing his BYU shirt.
The first few days we were there we could practically walk on the rides...however, as the weekend got closer and closer, the lines got longer and longer. The last day we were there (Saturday) we waited for close to an hour to get on one ride. However, the family still had a blast as we all waited in line.
As part of our fun times in the Land, we made reservations for everyone to eat at the Blue Bayou, which is the restaurant located on the Pirates ride itself. Grady slept through most of the meal, but everyone else seemed to enjoy it. Camille was very excited to go in. Note: Disregard the Amazon woman standing over Camille's shoulder...she was not with our group.
Our biggest concern was that Grado-tato would be an ornery cuss because naps were hard to come by. However, we were pleasantly surprised. He did very well, and really LOVED all of the rides that he could go on.
Another favorite for everyone was the Pineapple Whips located just outside the Tiki Room. Camille was very focused and would not be deterred from eating her daily whip...that is until the last day we were there...the line for whips was a 45 minute wait.
Once again, waiting to get on the Indiana Jones ride. This picture made us all laugh because Adam's brother, Geoff looks to be in terrible pain, Camille's got the crazy eyes, Dylan is flashing gang signs, and Sis-in-law Jody is a little stoned....a lot stoned.
We cannot tell you how fun it was to run from ride to ride as a giant family. We would practically take up the entire line. This was the fam at Big Thunder Railroad. Almost everyone loved it...but Dylan (in the front) looks as though he is about to hurl.
The Blue Bayou was a great meal...Adam got so into the pirate spirit that he sported a hat and consumed large amounts of rum (well water, but you get the point). Note: Grado-tato is sleeping in the stroller directly in front of us...technically, this would be family picture number 2.
Adam is notorious for choosing poorly at restaurants. He has been his entire life. Camille and others are generally good pickers. Adam got some chicken thing, that was ok, but everyone else got the Monte Cristos...they were to die for!! Adam still is living with the pain and regret of his decision.
Grady was actually awake for some of the trip, and when he was, he was generally strapped to Adam's or Camille's chest. He was a happy boy and loved the cousins' goofy hat.
On our last day at the Land we had reservations to Goofy's Kitchen. We didn't know much about it, but Adam's brother and family had been before and said it was great. They did not let us down!! The food was fantastic, and there were a ton of characters there to entertain us as we ate. It was also Camille's Birthday, so they gave her special treatment. Note: As Adam was taking this picture he was wondering if Baloo was getting a bit too friendly with Camille. However, after checking the bear's size, decided to let it go.
Of course we wouldn't be a cheezy family on vacation at Disneyland if we didn't get matching sweatshirts. They actually turned out very cool and we dominated the family themed t-shirt/sweatshirt scene. This picture is of the adult boys. Note: Adam is a little too ambitious with his smile, Eric (first, left) was tolerant of having to take this picture, Chuck (middle, red) was flashing a confident bro-in-law smile, Bryan (next to Chuck) was giving a judgmental bro-in-law stare down of Chuck for stealing his thunder, Dad was giving a half-hearted ready to eat smile, while Geoff (last) was sleeping. 
The adult women: We actually had a much better picture, but it is hard to not put a picture up of Adam's sister, Annie making that Jurassic Park Dinosaur face while everyone else was smiling. Annie truly is a Phillips.
The entire family together for one big picture at Goofy's Kitchen. Well, Grady missed this pic. He was about two feet from Adam, asleep in his stroller. This was possibly one of the best and funnest vacations ever taken as a family. The magic Kingdom truly was magical for us.
The first few days we were there we could practically walk on the rides...however, as the weekend got closer and closer, the lines got longer and longer. The last day we were there (Saturday) we waited for close to an hour to get on one ride. However, the family still had a blast as we all waited in line.
As part of our fun times in the Land, we made reservations for everyone to eat at the Blue Bayou, which is the restaurant located on the Pirates ride itself. Grady slept through most of the meal, but everyone else seemed to enjoy it. Camille was very excited to go in. Note: Disregard the Amazon woman standing over Camille's shoulder...she was not with our group.
Our biggest concern was that Grado-tato would be an ornery cuss because naps were hard to come by. However, we were pleasantly surprised. He did very well, and really LOVED all of the rides that he could go on.
Another favorite for everyone was the Pineapple Whips located just outside the Tiki Room. Camille was very focused and would not be deterred from eating her daily whip...that is until the last day we were there...the line for whips was a 45 minute wait.
Once again, waiting to get on the Indiana Jones ride. This picture made us all laugh because Adam's brother, Geoff looks to be in terrible pain, Camille's got the crazy eyes, Dylan is flashing gang signs, and Sis-in-law Jody is a little stoned....a lot stoned.
We cannot tell you how fun it was to run from ride to ride as a giant family. We would practically take up the entire line. This was the fam at Big Thunder Railroad. Almost everyone loved it...but Dylan (in the front) looks as though he is about to hurl.
The Blue Bayou was a great meal...Adam got so into the pirate spirit that he sported a hat and consumed large amounts of rum (well water, but you get the point). Note: Grado-tato is sleeping in the stroller directly in front of us...technically, this would be family picture number 2.
Adam is notorious for choosing poorly at restaurants. He has been his entire life. Camille and others are generally good pickers. Adam got some chicken thing, that was ok, but everyone else got the Monte Cristos...they were to die for!! Adam still is living with the pain and regret of his decision.
Grady was actually awake for some of the trip, and when he was, he was generally strapped to Adam's or Camille's chest. He was a happy boy and loved the cousins' goofy hat.
On our last day at the Land we had reservations to Goofy's Kitchen. We didn't know much about it, but Adam's brother and family had been before and said it was great. They did not let us down!! The food was fantastic, and there were a ton of characters there to entertain us as we ate. It was also Camille's Birthday, so they gave her special treatment. Note: As Adam was taking this picture he was wondering if Baloo was getting a bit too friendly with Camille. However, after checking the bear's size, decided to let it go.Of course we wouldn't be a cheezy family on vacation at Disneyland if we didn't get matching sweatshirts. They actually turned out very cool and we dominated the family themed t-shirt/sweatshirt scene. This picture is of the adult boys. Note: Adam is a little too ambitious with his smile, Eric (first, left) was tolerant of having to take this picture, Chuck (middle, red) was flashing a confident bro-in-law smile, Bryan (next to Chuck) was giving a judgmental bro-in-law stare down of Chuck for stealing his thunder, Dad was giving a half-hearted ready to eat smile, while Geoff (last) was sleeping. 
The adult women: We actually had a much better picture, but it is hard to not put a picture up of Adam's sister, Annie making that Jurassic Park Dinosaur face while everyone else was smiling. Annie truly is a Phillips.
The entire family together for one big picture at Goofy's Kitchen. Well, Grady missed this pic. He was about two feet from Adam, asleep in his stroller. This was possibly one of the best and funnest vacations ever taken as a family. The magic Kingdom truly was magical for us.
