Vacation!!

With final grades submitted bright and early Monday morning, I am officially on vacation for two weeks! I feel like I haven't had a proper vacation in years, what with the dissertation and exam study eating away my free time. It's good to feel like I can actually have a week off to relax.

And vacation has been in full swing . . .

Sunday morning was Christmas morning at GG's house, and Santa left this little rubber alligator in LB's stocking. She was very pleased with him.

She found her pressie-opening spot.
Thanks, Santa!

GG's pressie from Annie and Ted.
LB got this "baby" toy from Uncle Frank. Push a button and something pops out. I think she's a little old for it, but I also think it was her favorite gift.
John displays a classic gift from GG: quick scratchers! I won two dollars (but I have to give John half for actually scratching off my scratchers and doing the hard labor).
Tom in his gift from moi: a new winter coat.
LB checks out her gift from Mama and Papa: a doll house! We wanted to get something for her to play with indoors during the long gray PA days.
And my gift from Tom. I'm always a sucker for an awesome pair of shoes. Check out these winter boots!
Thanks, Babe!

Monday was a travel day to SoCal (and also me trying to get my grades in!), and on Tuesday, G, Donald, LB, and I headed to Disneyland. Here are three merry-makers in front of the Disneyland Xmas tree. Donald sees something suspicious.
Meeting Goofy.
And LB, G, and I waited in line for 45 minutes (!!) to meet Tinkerbell. Donald was wise and went off to ride a roller coaster. Here, LB takes a break from the line waiting to sit on a giant flower.
Meeting Tinkerbell's friend, Fairy Dawn.
Tink! LB was a bit bewildered.

Next up, a ride on Small World, which was nicely decorated for the holiday season.


And the Xmas Parade, which LB absolutely loved. We actually saw it twice. Here she is waving at her favorite friends.
The Toy Mobil drives past.
Dancing and singing.

These reindeer walking around on two legs were sort of creepy.
Very creepy . . .

Her favorite ride, The Dumbo Ride!

LB did not want to get off when her go was over. Here she is trying to buckle herself back in and looking grumpy.
But getting her very first ice cream cone made up for the short duration of the Dumbo Ride. She made a gargantuan mess.
The King Arthur Carousel.
And one last go on Small World: