The Happiest Place on Earth?

Hi Everyone,
Well, we embarked on our first official road trip in the BBV (Big Blue Van) on Thursday, February 24th. We set Jake up with many a movie and even more snacks and set out to San Diego to meet with the owners of Brian's company to talk about the much anticipated "buy in". The trip down was uneventful until LA at which point TJ started screaming bloody murder, Jake was overtired and overhungry and there was no food or rest stop to be found. We traveled at approx. 2 mph for several hours until we reached Orange County. I tell ya... that little Tanner is one smart guy: He already has an aversion to Los Angeles! We spent Friday and Saturday at John and Liz' house discussing the financials/particulars of us buying in to the company and interspersed our serious conversations with playtime with the four boys. Jake loved swimming with Nick and Joey and really enjoyed playing in their gigantic backyard. On Sunday, with business concluded early, we went to Legoland. It was gorgeous and sunny and perfect for a three year old. I don't know who had more fun: Jake or Brian. We decided to spend the night in OC to get part of the drive out of the way and upon waking in the morning couldn't resist the lure of Disneyland. Despite having been told by numerous people that Jake was really too young to enjoy it, Brian and I decided to give it a go. Hmmmm. Let's just say that at one point Brian turned to me and said, "This is the happiest place on earth, damn it!" At which point we both burst out laughing. Jake was scared of many of the rides, the lines were way too long for a Monday in February, and the weather was "iffy". It started to rain about noon and began a torential downpour at 2- hence, we made the disney folk a bit richer by rushing into the nearest souvenier store and purchasing mickey mouse ponchos. Jake was a tropper, Tanner was blissfully unaware as he was sleeping under my poncho (see picture above), and we quickly ran for the nearest exit ( a good ten minute walk through the pouring rain!). All in all it was quite funny and we are glad we had the adventure and now have learned from experience. I will surely pass my two cents worth on to any other families with children under the age of 6 and say, "Don't do it!" but many will probably not heed the advice and have to learn for themselves that Disneyland is HIGHLY overrated! We drove home that evening. Being highly intelligent people, Brian and I came up with a great plan... we left Anaheim at 5:00 on Monday night, heading through LA. Yes, it took us many, many hours to get over the grapevine and we arrived home at 2:00 in the morning. Luckily both boys slept almost the entire way and we had the IPOD to keep us entertained. I know, it sounds like a nightmare, but in an odd way it was a great time.