Christmas Part 3 -- The Happiest Place on Earth (allegedly)

We finished up our Christmas travels with three nights at Disneyland.  I call this photo "The Happiest Place on Earth" (version 1).

(She actually was happy, I swear, she just didn't want her picture taken (shocker).  And although nobody took my picture, this expression captures how I felt a few weeks later after learning that Disneyland over Christmas and New Years was the epicenter of the largest measles outbreak in recent history.  But I digress ...)

Hello, Tinkerbell.  Don't mind my children who are cowering in fear from a benevolent fairy.  *Sigh* Even Hattie is turning away.

Watching the evening parade from Daddy's shoulders.

Testing out Minnie Mouse's sofa.

It's a small world all lit up at night.

Acting goofy on Main Street.

Awesome view of the fireworks from our hotel room.

Mickey Mouse pancakes on our balcony.

A Bug's Life ride in California Adventure.  (Note Max clinging to me for dear life in anticipation of what turned out to be a ridiculously tame ride.)

Scarlett was not nearly as concerned.  It's unclear what Chris thought of the whole thing.

Cutie.

"The Happiest Place on Earth" (version 2).

Once Emma, Maya, and their entourage joined us, there were smiles all around.

Well, mostly smiles.  Except for photo ops with characters or princesses, in which case there were zero smiles from Scarlett, who preferred to keep a safe distance.  You never know what those princesses might be up to.  God only knows what Ariel could be hiding in those giant puffy sleeves.

Our princess lunch went as follows:  Princess comes by table to chat and pose for photos.  Maya chats and poses for photos.  Scarlett, Emma, and Max stare silently and refuse to pose for photos.  Rinse and repeat.  Here's a few samples:

Maya and Mulan:  Smiles!  Side hugs!

The rest of the crew:  Skepticism.  Suspicion.

Tiana and Maya:  Posing!  Warm embrace!

The others:  Awkward silence.  Avoiding eye contact at all costs.

These two little Minnies were inseparable.

How cute is this?

Having fun with the stroller.

Maya was very patient with the little kids, and Uncle Chris decided she deserved some "big kid" riding time, so he took her back out late one night after dinner to ride roller coasters.  Note Maya's signauture "I'm being photographed while riding a fast ride" move.  (By the way, in case it isn't abundantly clear, this is a photo that Chris was supposed to buy and not just take a picture of on his cell phone.)

Another pirated photo, another double-handed peace sign by Maya.  (Don't tell Disney's legal department.)

One last go on It's a Small World -- Scarlett's favorite ride.

And that's a wrap!