cAlifOrNia dAy foUr: diSnEylaNd & caliFoRniA aDveNtuRe

Today we went to Disneyland and California Adventures. None of us had ever been to C.A. before so we very excited. First stop today was Tomorrow land. We felt bad for JJ because he really wanted to go on the submarine ride and we never made it the first day so that is where we headed. We noticed that Star Tours didn't have a long wait so we stopped there. Then we ran on Buzz and finally made it to the subs. The kids had a fun day and today is the day that the girls get to have a date with the princesses.

Right when we walked in we spotted Alice and the Mad Hatter. And boy was he MAD! He asked Emma her name and he said "it is "M" "ah" If you say the "M" first and the "ah" last you will never get it wrong." And then Alice said "Oh, Yes." I think Emma was a little unsure of the Mad Hatter.

Ellie was in heaven. I think she thought Alice was the prettiest girl ever. Ellie had a cute little conversation with the two of them. It really was cute.

They won't hold your baby so Elsie just got her pic with Daddy and from the look on her face I think she is happy about that rule.

In case you are wondering JJ didn't want his picture with a girl. YUCK!

Daddy and Elsie on Buzz

We really had a fun time on this ride. Daddy beat everyone. JJ loved it.

Alice in Wonderland with the little ladies

Before Carl got to Disneyland Graydon nominated him to go on the Tea Cups with the kids. See how we all get sick on them. I was more then happy to second his nomination. Carl wanted nothing of this plan once we told him. Funny thing is I think Jeron was more than happy to take the kids that wanted a thrill ride.

Jeron said "If you want to get sick go with me."

Emma's face makes me smile. Pure Joy!

Grand Uncle Carl and Ellie

Little Boo

Oh my, look it is Mater and Lightning McQueen

Thank you Jana for making the reservations for the Grotto. Even though Jana and I had sticker shock, and we were not impressed with the food at all. I mean Ellie got seashell noodles and gold fish crackers for $20. Elsie cried the whole time, and I got peed on. In the end all that mattered was that the girls had a wonderful time and they really did.

First you get to meet Ariel. She is the hostest of the party. Then you are seated and the Royal Court guy announces the other four princesses after he sings the celebration song. Then the Princesses come out and great your table. The girls just ate it up.
I think Emma is so amazed she doesn't know what to do with herself.

Ariel with the girls.

Belle with the girls.

Cinderella with the girls.

Cinderella with Emma

Sleeping Beauty with the girls

Snow White with the girls. She was by far the sweetest one. I really liked her a lot. She got down and made eye contact with each girl. She even had the voice. After all she is Snow White.

After the Grotto. Emma and Ellie loved it.

JJ was so proud of himself for going on California screaming.

This is what the fellas did while we were at the Grotto

Our last ride of the night at California Adventure thanks to the Johns for watching our little ones while we went. Yes this is a picture from the ride.

I am sure glad I took a pic with my camera. This is the only pic that proves I was there. That is Emma's head you can barley see. Yes she also went on California Screamin

After that we headed back to Disneyland and we went on Pirates where poor Uncle Carl got peed on by Ellie. I guess it was the night of pee. We went on the Haunted Mansion and this was the last ride for Carl, Ellie, Elsie, and Me. Daddy, JJ, and Emma had their last ride at Disneyland on Indiana Jones.

It was so nice to have Carl there with us. I always love spending time with him and when I would let things get to me he would simply remind me that "Megan, this is the happiest place on earth." That was all I needed to pick up my spirits. Our kids had so much fun with him. He was the best Manny a family could ask for. I hope we didn't over step cause we just treated him like one of the pack. Thanks for helping with potty trips, chasing kids, and just being the best Grand Uncle the kids could ask for.

This was the night that I decided to take a different route home. Jeron can't see worth a lick at night and so lets just say he was not to happy with me that we were lost in Cali without any directions or anyone we could call. We finally made it home after a stop at Carl's Jr. drive up window to ask directions to PCH. It only took us an hour longer. Hey you live and you learn right? No more detours for me. I just think our marriage probably can't handle me getting us lost again. Glad thats over.

cAlifOrNia dAy thRee: diSnEylaNd

We finally did it. We took our kids to DISNEYLAND! It has been something they have wanted to do for the longest time and it finally happened. We got three day park hopper passes. This seemed a little much to me at first but we ended up not even hitting all the rides in California Adventure. I think that this is due more to lack of knowledge about the parks than anything. Anyway enough of that. When we arrived we met one of Jeron's family friends who had our tickets. This took a while so the kids were getting a little frustrated. Once we got in I think that they were totally overwhelmed. We headed straight for Fantasy Land because the Johns were there already. The first ride our kids took was Dumbo.

Emma on Dumbo, her and Anneka had to get the pink one.

JJ and Corbin on Dumbo

All the kids on Dumbo. So do you wonder why none of them are looking at the camera? Well it is because just off the there right is Peter Pan!

Peter Pan told Emma she looked like Tiger Lily and told all the boys that they must be lost boys. He also loved JJ's red hair.

Mommy and the littlest girls on the train.

Daddy and Emma on the train

Jana and Megs

I love this picture. I have one of me at 19.
JJ and Mr. Toad

Oh Mr. Toad and Emma

Little Smooch for Mr. Toad

Elsie wanted nothing to do with that freaky Mr. Toad.

Ellie went on the Madorhorn and loved it!

Daddy and Ellie

Daddy and Boo

Boo snuggled with Jana

It's a small world but a long line. Picture time

Small World with the oldest three

Ellie loving everything

Elsie was fascinated by everything.

Here is where we met up with Uncle Carl, we were on small world when I took this pic.

Daddy, JJ and Uncle Carl

Ellie trying to climb the rope at Tarzans Tree house

Emma and JJ at Pirate Cove

Disneyland was intense but fun. The kids loved it. I will have to say though that I am totally disappointed in the lack of pictures I took on the first day. What is up with this. We needed much cooler pics than this.

cAlifOrNia dAy tWo Part tWo: lAgOoNa beAcH

We were told by this woman at the Crab Cooker that we should go to Lagoona Beach. She told us there were tide pool, playgrounds and a candy shop. So we thought that would be fun to do. We found everything except the Candy shop. I love tourist towns. All the shops were fun to look in. Also the architecture is always fun for me to see. Once we got to the beach the kids played on the play ground but it was extremely crowded so they lost interest quickly. Graydon found this "bird man" as we called him so we went over to see what the fuss was about. He let you take pictures with his birds. He was a big guy and kind of gruff so I was worried the kids would be affraid but they did just fine. Emma had to be pushed out but once she was there she did well with the birds. What you can't see is all the people watching them. There was a good size crowd watching. This also made her a little aprehensive.

Check this one out.

The "Bird Man" reall y liked JJ. He kept having him come help him. He also would tease him or make fun of him. It was cute. JJ seemed ot really enjoy it.

"Hey, is there something on my head?"

The "Bird Man" told her to hold still or the bird would want to eat her earring. YIKES!

This made me laugh. The "Bird Man" told JJ to hold his arms up. He had them in a V shape. He said not to move his arms. He then told JJ that the bird weighed a lot but he knew JJ could do it. He placed the birds on JJ's arms and that is when JJ's arms started to droop. They just kept going further and further down. It was pretty funny. The crowd thought so as well.

Those are seagulls on that rock. I wish it was seals but nothing that exciting.

Not so much loving the Tide Pools. I think she got nervous.

Loving Daddy for picking her up.

Daddy and his Littlest ladies.

I should tell you that those are clams all over the rocks. THe kids loved these tide pools. There was hermit crabs everywhere as well.

Warming up to the rock ides.

Too cute for words.

Ahhh, the ladies.

Mommy and Boo

JJ loved it here. It was hard to get pictures because he just wanted to explore.

Daddy and all his little ladies

BFF's! I love this picture.

Daddy and his angel

We told JJ that he had to do the Dolphin noise if he wanted to stand there.

As you know I am always looking for a great spot to take pictures. Well just right there on PCH there is this gate. It was the best gate. I wish that Ellie and Elsie had been in the mood for pictures but oh well. Seriously I could go back to Cali just to take more pics at this spot. It was P-E-R-F-E-C-T.

The colors were just to great to pass up. I love these pictures. I think Jeron was mortified that I was doing this while crowds of people were walking past. I seem to be able to just melt into my own little world and I didn't notice a soul except those I love. We had a really fun time at Lagoona beach. Well that is until we mentioned the word spaghetti. Inside joke that is going to stay inside. Let's just say In and Out at 11 pm really hit the spot.