Realizing that the weather was changing (and more importantly, that babysitter, Jody was going back to work) the McClellands planned a last minute vacation to Southern California including Disneyland and California Adventure. (We have a photo album you can view.) Patrick stayed behind with Aunt Jody and Uncle Mike since he was under the height requirement (42″ on most rides,) and probably wouldn’t remember much anyway.

The family flew to L.A. and got to the Laguna Beach area hotel at about 9 p.m., but that didn’t stop an excited Emily from taking a nighttime dip in the ocean. The full moon and unseasonably warm weather helped.

Balboa Island
Spending the following day driving around the Laguna Beach area, the trio made stops at Newport Beach—a favorite vacation spot for Steve as a kid— and Balboa Island which was fun for Emily. She was excited about the ferry boat which actually carried our car and the rides on the midway. Little did she know what was to come.

Disneyland’s Changed
It’s been nearly 15 years since the McClellands visited the happiest place on Earth, and Emily was but a tinkerbell in her father’s eye. The park has changed quite a bit, mostly with the addition of a new park, Disney’s California Adventure. The family enjoyed both parks at a leisurely pace with a “park hopper” ticket. They timed the vacation perfectly and found lines to be minimal on most rides and attractions. Emily found herself waiting in line for photos with the characters more than anything else.

L.A. Vacation #2 is planned for March of 2007 when young Patrick will be 5 and tall enough for the “E-ticket” rides.

Click the photo(s) here to see a larger version.