My DL TP-12/26-12/27/08 About This Page:

[TNTWheels]

Ok I finally figured this out again to post my tiny vacation.

Day one the 26 of December of 08' Train to California Adventure in cold southern CA.

I got up a 5:30 to get ready to head to my parents house. Lift about 7:20am. Pick up my Mother so she could drive the van back to their house. I got on the train about 8:10AM. I didn't get to Anaheim until close to 10:08am. I called the Taxi like two min out from the station so I could get right to the hotel and they were there. I got to the hotel about 10:20am Got my key at check in and drop of my back and took out my Disney stuff like the Mickey's Santa Hat, my Passporter Holder pouch and my pin necklace. Then Zoom off to meet up with my cousin at Ariel Grotto. This was at 10:30 when we all meet up. My cousin introduce to her two daughter Katarina and Mariska, she had her Sister with her too Annie. While we check in and waited Katarina Came right up to me and gave my a hugg and a kiss then when over to her mom and my other where we were waiting for our turn. I ask Katarina if she like to sit on my lap and she did and her mother help her on and that was her ride for most of the time I was with them. Any ways We were called to our table but the girls had to get a picture with Ariel then we to our table. Katarina sat by me and we talked up a storm with the princess in between. After we ate and used the restroom we head out with one kid in a stroller Mariska and one kid on my lap Katarina. We all headed to bug land the guys took the kids on that caterpillar ride while I took pictures and use the restroom, then head towards the bumper cars, be fore Katarina left my lap to get on these rides she keep asking how come you can't ride these in her soft little voice and I explained why even though she won't understand yet. Any way after the bumper cars we headed to the movie again with her on my lap and she stayed there the hole time. We got to Hollywood back lot and tried to see turtle talk just us together but I thought she said she had to go potty so we head out and look for her mom. But when I found her mom she said she didn't I think she kinda got up set and went in to her stroller and I tried to say sorry to her. But she fell asleep in the stroller. After that we head towards Soarin Over CA, since the two kids had fell asleep. So my cousin Annie and I went on it while my cousin Christina stayed back with her girls. We had a great time even though it was tough getting back into my chair. After that both cousin wanted to ride Tower of Terror so I volunteer to stayed with the girl while the they were asleep. We took them to the animated building again so if one woke up they could just watch the screens But When Mariska woke up she started to cry, because she does like a lot of people around when she wakes up so I had to call her mom and it happened my two cousin were stuck on the ride, I'm like oh boy, then Katarina woke she a bit like Mariska but not much after she know it was just me, So when her mom came Katarina jump on my lap again and off to Monster INC. At this ride Katarina couldn't stay on my lap since in close down almost to your belly, so once we got to the car she had to get off and sit with her mom (I don't think she liked that very much) any ways we rode it twice then we got off. After that she jump up on my lap and off we went. After getting the strollers. We all head over to Toy story but after a few minutes in line the ride broke down and at this time Katarina wanted to learn how to drive my chair. I kept telling her it too crowed for that and I'll teach her another time when there is no crowed. This is when I found out she was stubborn like me and love able like me. So we left the line got in line for the merry-go-round. Katarina wanted to ride the fish and ask me if I would go on it I said I don't normally go on these but I ask the CM and they said a wheelchair can have a spot, so I did (I did for Katarina to give it a try I really don't like going around and around if I'm not in control), I rode it once and that was it for me so I waited out side to give them a chance to go again. I took pictures of them waiting for the thing to start but to much lighting . Any ways after I change my batteries in my camera they all came out and Katarina jump aboard. Then headed to the winery restaurant to eat dinner. But we had time lift before dinner and visit the place where they were showing CA A new models and stuff. Then we we to get our table and eat by the wall so we could see the parade. After that we decided to call it for the day. My cousin Christina and Annie had to take the stroller back I told them if they don't mind I'll take Katarina with me and meet me at the Grand Ca fire place. So we speed off pass everything and got on the runway to take off. I went really fast on the runway by Soarin. And Katarina laugh out load going "WOW you going really fast!!!" Then I had to slow down telling oh well no wing but when I saw that plane on the other end I said I think we better get of the runway that plane may want to use it. So we turn toward the Grand and went by the fire place. While we both were there Katarina go off and sat in a little rocking chair and we sat next to each other, we told each other storyies and talk to other people. This is another I found out about Katarina she love people like I do not shy at all. As we did this I started to notice that my cousin were taking a long time so I called on my cell to her. They missed understood me they thought at our hotel lobby fire place. So I gather Katarina on my lap and headed out in the cold down towards Ketalla Ave. We had a good time speeding down the walk way. Then Got to her hotel room with the guys watch and kicking back. Then visit for a while then said good night and headed toward my room.

By the way Mariska is 4 so she not as poeple going as Katarina and she need more than two days to warm up to me, but she started to some on the second day and really started to just before I left the next day. To those who wonder why I haven't mention Mariska since the beginning if my TR. Oh can someone help me get pictures on this part of the post.
Next: Part two Disneyland the 27.

[chezp]

Great start! x

[Colexis Mom]

Great start!! More please!!

[TNTWheels]

I'll do the next half when I can.

[Two4Disney]

Great start. Sounds like you're having quite the time with your little cousins - how fun!

[TNTWheels]

and two days wasn't enough, so there an excuse to go up to San Fransico in the summer maybe, or next year when I don't having any trips plan. But I', praying that they could move to San Diego so I could take care of her and her sister for my cousin.

[shellybelly72]

Great start!

[Two4Disney]

Originally Posted by TNTWheels

and two days wasn't enough, so there an excuse to go up to San Fransico in the summer maybe, or next year when I don't having any trips plan. But I', praying that they could move to San Diego so I could take care of her and her sister for my cousin.

That would be great!

[HeatherD]

Great start! Looking forward to reading more.

[DyanKJ130]

Great start, Todd! Sounds like you're having a wonderful time. how you and Katarina were having a blast soarin around in your chair! Looking forward to more

[TNTWheels]

Ok thanks everybody for your input, yes my wheelchair can be good for alot of things but boy there other thing that stops me from doing certain things. Any way on with my second day TR.

Day 2, 12/27/08 Disneyland park

It was about 7 when I woke up and got clean up and dress, I could only do a sponge bath and watch my hair in the sink since the disable shower didn't have a shower certain(sp) or a rubber mat. Then once I was all dress I packed up and call my cousin. She came and help me with my suite cast and went over to her room. I was greeted with open arm from Katarina and some lap sitting so I could hug her for morning hug. While they continue to get ready I went back to my room with my camera and took some picture of it so I could post on my web site when I finally have it running. We all finally all were ready. Katarina got on me and told my cousin we will catch up once I return my key card at the lobby and pay the one night stay. So Katarina and I rolled on over to the lobby and did all that. I felt that she understand that I'll be gone tonight, so she started to ask me question if I was going to be here tomorrow and I told her I was going home tonight she keep say why I want you here lol That when I knew she like me being around. Anyway we drove off to meet up with my cousin and I really went fast down the sidewalk she loved that. When we meet up with the rest of the gang we were in front of the Grand Californian Hotel. Once we were in the lobby we talk about were we could eat so we decided the storyteller cafe. That didn't take long at all we were at our table within 10-15 min. As we were going to the table one of my ex student and mom from last year were in line for the buffet and were surprise to see me and yelling hi lol matter of fact we sat right next to their table. So that was special my little katarina was in awe on how people knew me lol. Any ways we had a good breakfast. This was about 10ish when we had this meal. Once we were finish we took off to DTD to get somethings We start to look at things and we last the gang so we went through the whole store before I had to call my cousin, while we did that we bump into another ex student I like wow I'm hitting a jack pot or something and my little Katarina like how all these people know you I explain that I'm a teacher. So when we found the gang Katarina went to pick out something and got off of me and I started to take pictures of the architecture in side, while they do some shopping. I think Katarina didn't want to get off of me when it was require to do so ether by her mom and aunt or me so I guess she got comfortable with me.lol Any way we were off to DL and the fist thing we did is go to Toontown. But while getting there my cousin had to keep me moving because I was in awe with all the Decorations on Main St. and the castle. I was fine with that since I'm going to WDW in November. So we got to Toontown and Katarina got off to play around with the hands on stuff and walk over to Donal duck boat. She didn't go on me until we were in line to meet Mickey. After that we went to see a Sleeping Beauty story telling time. WE stayed on top while the rest o them went down on the stage to listen. We could sorta hear from where we were but Katarina after while wanted to go join her mom down below but there were no ramp so I wave down my cousin to let her know she walking towards her and than sat on the ground besides them. Then after that she got on my lap again and we headed off to Tomorrowland it was like driving at five o'clock traffic so many people around. We had to get ahead of my cousin and gang so I could help them do a short cut and there was a parade starting so we cut across into Tomorrowland. My other little feel asleep while heading over. They want to ride space mountain but the fast pass were out and after a potty break. I decide that Katarina and I could go on Buzzlight Year. So my cousin said "We will wait over here while my other little one sleeps." So we went to want in line while we were in we had a good talk about things and I ask here would she like to keep calling me cousin Todd or Uncle Todd she picked Uncle. Then when we got to where we had to go through the wheelchair area (they should of let us go ahead of every since I had to do that) and waited for the car that could accommodate us. When it was our turn we got in a car she got to stay on my lap and we had a blast, we did it twice. To bad I couldn't send a email of us home since it was to crowded and she wanted me to drive out of there. I even gave her a choice on going through the shop or straight out and she pick straight out. We meet up with the rest of the gang and head off to the paddle wheel boat. Again with all these people I got lost getting out of Tomorrowland (I never get lost at a Disney park) and we finally did get out and hit the traffic again gees wezz. Katarina found a friend in line and start talking to him as we move slowly. Once we go out and again meet up with everyone. We headed toward the boat and got on that. My cousin took Katarina upstairs to see what it look like then came down and sat on my lap and close her eye a bit I felt that she knew it was the last ride together and had me rap my arm around her. I close my eyes too and did a prayer. After we got off we head toward the front and my cousin had to do some and I told her we will meet you in our hotel lobby to make sure we were both clear on that. So Katarina and I Drove off cutting through the Grand and down the side walk again. This time I really gave her a ride going side to side spending around and around and sort went fast and stopping fast. While this was happening she was laughing so hard as I was too. We had a great time. Once in the lobby she got off and went by the fire place and started to talk to a boy and other people as I was too, I told you she was just like me. After while when my cousin came and we went back to the room then I had to start calling for a taxi. This was about 6ish pm when I went to look for my train ticket and it wasn't there in my bag I look everywhere. So I decide I get a new one when I get to the station. I told everyone and my cousin went to the lobby to see if they could fine my ticket, so I called a taxi and they told me they didn't have any disable van since they broken down. I'm like now what, so I went to the lobby to use the restroom and to see if they could help me call the taxi, they we out of their way to call a taxi that would get me there plus I had to change my ticket time and to buy another one. So while I wait I went back to my cousin room and wait until they come and get me. So I had a few min to cuddle with Katarina with the other little one started warm up with me by getting on the back of me (this is the second time she did this since breakfast) and eat some pizza with them. At 7ish someone finally came and I sad my good byes and off to the train station. I got there about 8ish and brought another ticket and wait for my 9:11pm train. I didn't get home in San Diego until 11ish pm. My folk pick me up in my van and I toke over the driving. I got home at 12.

End of tiny trip. A trip that I will never forget. The love I got back from Katarina was even more powerful then the love I give to others. She one special kid.

[chezp]

Sounds like a wonderful trip - thanks for sharing it with us.

[Colexis Mom]

great trip!! Thanks for sharing your adventures with us!!

[DyanKJ130]

Great finish, Todd!! Sounds like you are a super cousin to the girls! Too funny how you kept running into people you knew; I can understand why Katarina would be in awe! for sharing your TR with us! I have enjoyed reading it and look forward to the next one

[TNTWheels]

Thank you I like making people happy loving for who they and having them see who they are in them self. That the gift that God gave me.
Yes the Next TR won't be until December and I already starting to plan things out. So stay tune!! I already got my room at the Shades Of Green.