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  Anaheim, California, United States
Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Merry Christmas everyone.
We are limited here with internet access, $10/day and most hotels around are the same, as is McDonalds. Logged onto the Best Westerns this morning so hope it doesn't drop out! First time I've had the option and not a strong connection. Will post below what I've drafted up over the last couple of days.

23rd December, 2007
Las Vegas/Hoover Dam/Anaheim
Well it has been another long day and it's almost midnight. We went out on the strip again last night which may not have been a good idea as it was literally bumper to bumper and lots more stopping than starting. One of our Deuce bus drivers said that the Las Vegas Bowl was played yesterday and so it was one of their busiest nights in the year. We did get off though and saw the Volcano erupt at the Mirage which was pretty spectacular. Today we had to get up and pack and leave our lovely Hilton. We didn't head straight to LA but went for a drive out to Hoover Dam. We stopped there and walked across both sides of the dam so can say that we've walked from Nervada into Arizona and back! Took a few shots of the new bridge that's under construction to show the boys back home. We arrived at Anaheim after 7 and Jayne decided to take us left of the motorway and told us our destination was a shopping complex. We double checked her and she was adamant. We put in Disneyland next knowing that we were staying opposite that and she was off on another wild goose chase. In the end we decided to turn around and head back toward where we came from and then just kept going, found where we were staying. It will be interesting to see how we all go here as it is a room of about the same size as the one we had in San Francisco but also includes a kitchen so the living space is smaller. The hotel though is directly opposite Disneyland so that is a big plus. From the front and even the car park the place looks fairly modern but would say that this is the oldest place we have stayed in. Place is packed though and they say that it will be very busy here over the next 2 weeks (their school holidays). Rick and I went shopping while the younger two hit the pool with Alisha supervising. We forgot to take Jayne so relied on the Hertz Ho Ho Ho What Is She Good For. Ho took us to a supermarket that no longer exists then we found one ourselves and had to leave as it was a Hispanic one, all the announcements were in Spanish and most of the groceries were not labeled in English. They had some funny food too in the fresh food section. Eventually found another supermarket but really struggling to find gluten free food. Ended up in a Target store and found some cereal there although it doesn't look too good. They are also limited with their chocolate here, don't have near the selection that we have back home so don't have that to fall back on. We did find a health store that was closed though but saw the workers leave and they say that they have heaps of gluten stuff so may try and get out there tomorrow morning. Anyway, I can't get an internet connection tonight although we are meant to have one here and it's getting late so will leave this 'til tomorrow and then contact the front desk and find out how to organize it. Guess it's already Christmas Eve in Australia, doesn't feel like Christmas when you are so far away from home. USA Woolfes xxx  

24th December, 2007.
Disneyland, Anaheim
It's been another day on the go but we have slowed the pace down. We went out this morning to Henry's where they sell a lot of natural foods and had a decent range of gluten free items, all clearly labeled on the shelves too. Once we picked up the gluten free tag it was easy going for us. Was able to pick up some frozen pizza, frozen chicken nuggets, frozen enchiladas, pasta, tuna, a pasta and sauce mix, biscuits, cereal and mayonnaise all for around $40.00 and the pizza was a decent sized one too, not like the things we get back home. Also didn't have to pay any tax on any of that food. After that we went to Target to get more memory cards and Nicole wanted a prepaid top up for her cell phone. Then we stopped off at a bank to  get the girls more money. Phoned my Mum while we were out as knew she was working and would be up early. Was nice to chat to home but made me home sick. Later got a text message from Dawn (who also called later in the evening) and that got me going at Disneyland, I was like a Hallmark card, greeting! Yes, we did go to Disneyland. Was actually warm there initially and I had to strip off. Disneyland is just magical. It's all decorated for Christmas and the street parade was all Christmassy too, even saw Santa. The castle going into Fantasyland was all lit up too at night as was It's a Small World and all had Christmas lights. It's A Small World was also done up inside for Christmas and had a bagpiper as well as an area for Australia. When we were at It's A Small World they were playing the a medley of "It's A Small World After All, It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas, something else and Jingle Bells". Found that Alisha and I were getting a bit hoarse as don't know how many times we sung Jingle Bells and for some reason we couldn't remember the words so may have taught a few yanks our version!!! We met a few people today. Someone saw Rick in his Crows t-shirt and pulled him over. This person had visited Adelaide in July and loved it (he was a yank). During the street parade we found a little lost girl so got the park attendants to take care of her and then later saw her mum with a security guard so ended up being able to help reunite them. Also sat and chatted to a lady from San Jose while Alisha had a little Indian girl on her lap while I explained some of the cartoon characters to her. Later we were queued for a ride and there was a little african/american girl riding my herself. She was there with her Dad and he was waiting for her to come of the ride. She was 6 and took to Alisha. We told her about Australia and taught her how to say "G'day Mate" which she later said to her Dad. They were from San Francisco. Didn't get around all of Disneyland but loved what we did see. I think our favourite ride was the Buzz Lightyear one although Josh liked the Star Tour ride best. We went on the Buzz Lightyear ride twice. Must admit that we did get quite competitive (surprise, surprise!!!). Heard from Sheryl too, they are going to Dreamworld tomorrow, they will love that. We also went to the Honey I Shrunk The Audience show. It was a 3D movie with some other effects, like you feel like mice are running over your legs etc. Would have to be the best 3D movie I've seen, I actually screamed at one bit as did many others and most people were moving in their seats. The fireworks that ended the night were fabulous and they did it to Christmas music, repeating "I'll Be Home For Christmas" quite a few times. Anyway, won't write much more, got to get ready for bed. If I can't get an internet connection in the next few days then I may pay the fee and update the blog. Bit of a pain in the butt but most of the hotels around here and the McDonalds all have the same provider and it's one that charges, even to use it in McDonalds! Hope you all had a great Christmas, USA Woolfes xxx

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