DiSnEyLaNd Day 1

There is a point on the freeway where you can see the Matterhorn and the Ferris Wheel.  It really makes you start to get butterflies in your stomach.  We were so excited.  We must have gone a different way this time because we would park and then get shuttled into the park.  It takes about 45 minutes just to do all of that. Once we got inside the magical feeling is there and you can't wait to see it all.  First stop ALWAYS has to be our picture in front of the Mickey lawn.  

 We walked into the park and a worker came up to us immediately and told us that we need to head to City Hall and get a disability pass.  We tried last time and they said no, but whatever we will go.  Sure enough they gave us one this year.  Let me tell you that thing was a huge lifesaver.  We didn't have to stand in long lines ever.  It was faster than a fast pass.   We headed straight over to Fantasy Land right after that.  Our first stop was Sleeping beauty and then we went on Alice in Wonderland.  Ellie and Elsie were in heaven.

 Next was Peter Pan.  It was amazing how fast we got on rides.  We really waited about 5-10 minutes at the longest.  It was awesome.  

 I realized about this time that Emry needed to eat and I hadn't a clue where I was going to feed her at. While Jeron took the kids on Mr. Toads wild ride and Snow White I went in search of somewhere to nurse.

 As I was searching I saw a lady that looked like she might need to nurse as well.  I asked her where she was headed and she told me the best trick ever!!  She said to nurse on Small World and Pirates of the Caribbean.  She said they are long air conditioned rides and dark inside.  Perfect.  So as soon as I found Jeron we headed over to Small World.  Personally this is one of my favorite rides anyway.  

 We then went on teh Storybook boat and then the kids hit up the Matterhorn.  Ellie was terrified on the boat but not so much the Matterhorn.  Haha

 Thank heavens we have older kids that can take the younger kids on the Teacups for us.  They make me so sick.  Just watching them makes me sick.  Elsie was in heaven in Fantasy Land.  She loved every ride.

 I am a dork but I love Dumbo and so do my kiddos.  

 the Disneyland band happened to hop on this ride right after we got on.  They sat right behind us and played for us.  It was a lot of fun.

We ate lunch after this and took a minute to regroup.  Then we headed over to Tomorrow land.  It was a total bummer because Space Mountain was closed.  That is one of JJ's favorite rides.  The kids went on Star Wars and Buzz Lightyear a few times.  Then we headed out of there.   

 While I waited for the kids to do these rides one of those funny tourist moments happened.  You can always spot the "Mormon" families because sure enough there will be a lot of kids and a BYU shirt in the mix.  I saw this man wearing a BYU shirt go on the Buzz ride.  Not to long after I see him again, going on the ride again.  He did this like five times while I waited.  I then see him meet up with his wife and kids that are no where near where he was.  He then tells his wife that he beat his high score.  WHAT a DORK!  Haha, of course he was a BYU fan.

 After we headed out of Tomorrow land we got another one of my favorite trip pictures.  

 This is the part where JJ became the best big brother.  He waited patiently while the girls met all the princesses.  He was such a good sport.  The girls were extremely excited to meet all these beautiful princesses.  First up...Cinderella.

 Ariel

 Sleeping Beauty

 Elsie has been talking about meeting Aurora since she found out we were going to Disneyland.  She was so star struck.  It was darling.  Then in a very cute little voice she says "I like you the mostest."  It was the sweetest thing.

 The kids went on some rides(Indiana Jones) while I waited in line at Tinker Bell.  It was about a 45 minute wait and they don't honor the disability pass.  (rude)  I will tell you though that it was totally worth the wait.  

 It was cute to see the girls with the fairies.  They got to meet Tinker Bell and Rosetta.  The fairies were sweet with them.  

 But that is not why it was worth the wait.  Once the girls had gotten all their pictures and books signed I knew this would be the perfect opportunity to embarrass the crap out of my son.  Lucky for Jeron and me it worked like a charm.  I also think he might have enjoyed this moment more than he thought he would.

 This too is one of my most favorite trip pictures, and a fabulous memory.

 Just outside of Tinkerbell we met Burt from Mary Poppins flirting with Tinkerbell.

 We never did see Tangled but we did find a Flynn Ryder poster.  

 We headed over to Adventure land and went on Pirates of the Caribbean.  Perfect timing to feed Ms Emry.  I really do enjoy this ride too.

 We found Pooh's honey but no Pooh.  So we ate it instead.

 This is such a great picture.  I wish I had gotten more with ride operators.  Apparently they do a great job of looking the part for pics.

 BEST Splash Mountain pic of all time.

 The night was over and it was time to head out.  Good bye Disneyland, we will see you tomorrow.  

California {Fun} in the Sun

 Elsie woke up pretty early so her and I headed out for a nice walk around the hotel.  We discovered so much that we didn't see the last time we were here.  There was this huge park area with a basketball court, playground, tether ball spots, putting greens, and sandboxes.  It was so nice.  Plus there was a beautiful balcony and water fountain.  We couldn't wait to show the others what we had found.  Elsie even saw three bunnies hopping around.

Ellie loved the tether ball.

 After the walk we headed over to the pool which was also something we didn't see last time.  It was huge with two more pools by it and hot tubs all around.  You could almost have your own hot tub.  The weather was a bit chilly so we did spend a lot of time at the hot tub.

 Emry was so good.  She played for a bit and then she took a nap by the pool.  The kids were able to play for a while here.  

 Chilling with daddy

The hotel offers a shuttle service to the beach so after we ate lunch we packed up and headed down to Crystal Cove.  We had never been here before.  It was such a pretty beach.  Because the weather was so crummy we basically had the beach to ourselves.  I could get use to that.

Elsie and Emry were the only two that got buried this year.  Elsie thought it was a lot of fun but Emry thought we were the meanest people in the world.

She doesn't look to upset but once her arms were all the way covered she freaked. (can't say I blame her)

This has to be one of my favorite pictures from the trip.

 It was an adventure having a crawling baby on the beach.  She loved the seaweed and if I took it away from her she would scream at me.  She loved the sand and ate more than she should have.  

I could live at the beach.  The kids really enjoy themselves and get along so well.  

 These people make my heart happy.

We had such a fun day.  We headed back to the hotel and cleaned up.  I had put sunscreen on this little bambino but apparently not enough. Poor little lady was fried.  She didn't seem to mind though.  She was having to much fun in the big bath playing with the water.

We need to hurry and get to bed because tomorrow is a big day...DISNEYLAND here we come.

The beach just can't wait.

We got our stuff unpacked and headed to the beach.  We went over to Laguna to see if there was a good spot.   We found the best spot to park with stairs that walked right to the beach.  It was a bit chilly out so we didn't think the kids would get in.  We were so wrong.  Needless to say we looked like major white trash beach goers.  

 I sure love this pack

 The sweatpants were a bit annoying

 At least JJ had shorts on

 And to think this is what Emma had to wear to bed.

 This was her first time seeing the ocean...that she remembers.

 Yes, Emry and Mommy were here. 

 I think she likes it.

 Who cares if we are all wet, look at that smile.

 She was just glad to be with mommy

 She wrote her own name.

 It was great to see the kids jump right in and enjoy the ocean.  I wondered if they would be to nervous, but they all loved it.

 This is going to be fun when we go to get in the van. 

 Snowman

Man, he is HOT

 Chilling out watching the kids.

 We would hear this line every time we went to the beach

"Look at this one, it is so cool."

 It is so wonderful to be back.  We loved our first trip to the beach.  Afterwards we went to the car and I had the kids strip down out of the van and wrapped them up in towels.  JJ and Emma were a bit more difficult but we got her done.