Disneyland 2011

For Christmas, Kelly's parents gave us a gift certificate for a day pass to Disneyland. Kelly's brother and his family were planning a trip to California in March so we decided to go with them when they came down. We went on Tuesday, March 15th. If you read our previous post, yes, we spent 2 days at Disneyland. Couldn't ask for a better vacation. Here are a few pictures of our Disneyland adventures. This was actually the first year that 2 of our children were tall enough to go on most of the rides. There are only 2 rides now that the kids aren't tall enough for...Indiana Jones and California Screamer, but Kelly and I had done those the day before so we were here for the kids on this trip.

Since Kelly and I had gone to Disneyland that day, when we got home we gave the kids our Disneyland maps and they proceeded to plan out the day at Disneyland for "tomorrow". Showing each other what rides they were going to go on and where they were going to go...so fun.

Kora is truly our only brave child. She was the only child that was brave enough to go on Tower of Terror with Kelly, Bryan and I. The only thing she had to say after she was done was that her bum-bum hurt from falling down so much. I think she liked it. This next picture is of her and Kelly waiting in the Tower of Terror line.

Did you know that Bryan is also a chair and a backrest? Well, here is the proof....Uncle Bubba the chair and Daddy the backrest. Those long lines are really brutal on the kids legs. What a nice Daddy and Uncle to sacrifice his body so the kids could get a small break.

You can't ride on the Toy Story ride without getting the classic 3D glasses picture.

After Kelly's Dad got off of work he met us at Disneyland. So fun to spend time with him and Susie both. The kids had a great time with them.

The next picture is us sitting on Big Thunder Mountain. We actually got seated on the last 3 rows. Bryan called it "Baptism by Fire". This was the first time Hunter, Kora AND Bryson had ever been on this ride. Amazing that we got seated in the very back for their first time. I really wanted a picture of not just us, but all 3 kids. When I asked the ride operator to take a picture for us he said one minute, walked to the front and never came back. What a bum! It's not like it would have taken more than 3 seconds to snap a picture and hand the camera back. Oh well.

Kelly's family has a joke that Nani Susie is a part of the Big Thunder Mountain attraction. It was Grandpa's job to ride on the ride so he could point out Nani to the kids when he saw her on the ride. Here is a picture of "Nani Goat" or as Hunter kept referring to her as "Nani Goose".

This was the only picture I got of the boys on the ride. Looks like both boys needed cuddling. When Hunter got off of the ride he called it "weird". Funny because he said the same thing after riding Space Mountain too. Don't know what it means. I think he liked Big Thunder Mountain....Space Mountain...well, didn't like it as much.

Kids waiting for the Casey Jr. train to show up.

I don't know why this is the only picture of Kelci that I got. Luckily however, it is a really cute one of her. She is so adorable.

I didn't get a picture of the kids in the line for Space Mountain. We had to trick Hunter by telling him we were going on Star Tours to get him to go on it. Star Tours happened to be closed. Unfortunately, Hunter can read and kept seeing the words Space Mountain everywhere. Oh well, we got him on it. Just to let all of you know, we also found the BEST place in Disneyland to watch fireworks. On top of the roof while waiting in line for Space Mountain. There are NO crowds at all and you get a front row seat to the amazing fireworks and could still hear the music. Kora and I got to sit down in the middle of the roof while Kelly, Hunter, Gene and Bryan stood in line. I don't think I ever got to thank them for that...thank you guys! I really wish we had gotten the picture from the ride. Hunter's face was incredible. There was NO emotion on his face. There was no fear or excitement, it looked like he was sitting in math class bored out of his mind....amazing!

We had a perfect, fun, amazing day. Thanks for the day pass Grandpa and Nani, such a fun present. Thank You!

Disneyland 2010

Last year we purchased Disneyland passes. Of course they were the cheap passes but I don't mind so much. Since our passes are going to expire this month we decided to make a trip. Yes, this is our first trip since August. I bet Disneyland LOVES pass holders like us. The reason why I didn't go was because 3 children at Disneyland by myself is a less than pleasant thought. I asked Kelly's Mom if she would go with me and it made for a very fun time. I really wish I had asked her to go with me months before so we could have enjoyed our passes. Nevertheless, we had a great time. On this trip I had my nephew Luke with us for the first half of the day. He is such an amazingly easy, happy baby. He only cried once and that was when we were on the ride Small World and I was singing to him. I guess I was ruining the ride for him and he really wanted to just listen to the ride music and not me. I guess he can't appreciate a good voice when he hears one, ha ha ha.

I believe that Mylie's favorite ride was small world. She pointed out every little doll. I tried to get a good picture but it was so dark in there that this was the best one I took...and still not that great.

Hunter's favorite ride was Star Tours. This was the very first time he ever got to ride it. Last year he was too small and actually afraid of going on it. I was worried he was going to get scared but throughout the ride he was "woo hoo'ing" as we rode. He couldn't wait to tell his Dad how much he loved the ride. Because of this alone I was very glad Susie came with me because had she not and I were with my kids alone, we wouldn't have been able to ride the ride because Kora and Mylie are still too small to ride it. I'm glad he got the experience to ride it.

In this picture Kora was in the Celebration Parade. Actually, all that she did in the parade was joined a group of kids in a konga line around a float. They asked that an adult go with her because she looked a little scared. She did fine though. I can't really say what Kora's favorite ride was. If you were to ask her she would say the Hook ride....A.K.A. the Peter Pan ride. We didn't get to go on the Peter Pan ride because by the time we were headed that way it was closed down so they could prepare for the fireworks show. I guess she remembers it from last time and it's still her favorite. The next time we go to Disneyland we will make sure to get on that ride first.
I understand that this last picture is a little blurry. It's because the ride is in motion and the ability to get a picture on a spinning ride is near impossible, at least for me. This is the ladybug ride in Downtown Disney. I actually really liked this picture despite it being blurry. It shows the girls and Susie having a really good time. We had a great time at Disneyland and can't wait to go again. I'm contimplating getting passes again but still have to talk to Kelly about that. We would have to go more often in order for them to be worth it. There is nothing like taking your children somewhere and watch them marvel at everything that they see. Disney sure takes advantage of that but as a parent it really does make it worth it to see their bright smiles.

Disneyland

Kelly's parents and sister gave Hunter a Disneyland ticket that still had 2 days left on it so we decided to buy myself a 3 day pass and take the kids. Kelly was unable to come with me so I took Hunter and Kora and left Mylie with family. Let's say that it was no simple task but I quickly realized what great kids we have. Don't get me wrong, there were moments they wouldn't listen but overall, it was a great experience. I still doubt that I would have ever been able to make it if Mylie had been with me but who knows...maybe in a few months. I was grateful at how well Hunter and Kora behaved. The only time I was pulling my hair out was when we decided to stand in line to see the Disney Princesses. We waited in line for an hour. Hunter didn't want to see the princesses so it made waiting in line that much more miserable but after we were done he did well. Of course, once we got to see the princesses Kora acted shy and almost made it not worth that hour wait. She got to see her favorite princess, Cinderella. After we walked away she was so excited that she got to meet her that it made it all worth it. She kept saying, "Mommy, I so essited"...too cute!

Hunter's favorite rides were Pirates of the Caribbean...which we rode on twice...both days we went and the Buzz Lightyear Ride which we also rode on twice...both days we went. Kora seemed to panic every time we got in line for the Pirates ride. She didn't like the dark too well or the drops. I can see how a talking skull could be quite terrifying as well. I just held her close and once we got to the fleshy characters and music she would be singing "yo ho, yo ho a pirates life for me" along with the ride.

Kora's favorite ride was Small World. She loved the dancing and singing dolls. I was amazed to find that they changed the ride to add a bunch of Disney Characters like Alice in Wonderland, Jasmine and Aladdin, Ariel, Cinderella, Dori and Nemo and a few more. It was really cute.

Overall, we had a great time. It was a bit hot but bearable. The only time I thought we were going to melt was when we were waiting for the parade. Unfortunately all the shade seats were taken so we sat directly in the sun. The kids enjoyed it but boy was it hot. Thanks to sun block and an ice chest filled with waters and capri suns we made it through! I have one more day left on my pass so I will be taking Kora for her Birthday. I upgraded Hunter's pass to a season pass so that he can come along with us. The kids are anxiously awaiting our next trip. I missed my little Mylie and my Handsome Hubby but we had a great time so I'm excited for our next trip as well.

Much Needed Vacation

This past week has been quite a busy one for us. We started the week like any other but on Tuesday night we left our home and headed to the Jolly Roger Hotel which is walking distance to Disneyland. When we arrived, not only did it look like we had the entire hotel to ourselves but it also looked like it was closed down and being renovated. Slightly panicked Kelly headed to the closest hotel which we later found out owned the Jolly Roger Hotel and thankfully had our reservation.
In the morning it was off to Disneyland. We picked a perfect week to go but boy was it HOT! As usual, Disney went all out and decorated for Halloween. Even the characters were dressed in Halloween costumes. At California Adventure Minnie Mouse was out and Kora got to take some pictures with her. She loved Minnie Mouse. She ran right up to her and gave her a huge hug.

Mylie wasn't fond of the rides. This picture doesn't really do any justice for the way Mylie reacted to ALL of the rides. Sadly, with each ride she started to freak out more and more. She would claw at us and try to crawl up Kelly or My shoulder, bury her head then look around panicked. Poor thing.

These are my bugs at the Bugs Life Show. Hunter appears to be all smiles in the picture but before this picture he was freaked out. At one point he said he was going home. Kelly told him we would see him later and he actually walked halfway out of the tunnel. Kelly had to chase after him. He hates bugs. He watched the show and did just fine, actually, so did Mylie. I think it was just the movement of the rides she didn't like.

After spending 2 days at Disneyland, which Kelly and I have concluded is perfect. Neither of us could handle much more than 2 days. We were able to ride everything we wanted on Wednesday with little wait but Thursday it seemed like the whole state of California decided to go to Disneyland. It was packed with extremely long lines. We stayed to watch the parade (which the kids loved) but made the mistake of trying to leave when it ended, everyone else had the same idea. I think next time we'll ride a few rides after the parade ends and then try to leave.

The second part of our vacation we drove down to San Diego and visited the Midway. The Midway is a retired aircraft carrier for those of you who don't know (I was one of them before this trip). It was a great visit. There wasn't much for the kids to do but the little there was (like pretending to pilot a plane) they enjoyed.

Here Hunter and Kora were manning the controls in the Engineering room. I have to say that I actually enjoyed the Midway a lot more than I thought I would. They had headsets that explained the different rooms of the aircraft carrier. We didn't get to see everything so I can't wait to go back and finish the tour.

After the Midway we headed to the home of some very old friends of mine, Derek and Lupita. Instead of Day Care I used to stay at their home from Junior High to High School until my Mom got off of work. They had become like second parents to me. The last time I saw them was 2 years ago at my brother, Jeremy's wedding. Since they moved down to San Diego more than 7 years ago I haven't seen or talked to them much. It was great to see them and catch up. Hopefully the next time I see them will be a lot sooner than 2 years.

The main reason we were going down to San Diego was to visit the Midway and to go to the Zoo. When Derek and Lupita found out we were going to the Zoo they gave us free passes. Derek and Lupita have season passes to the San Diego Zoo and I guess when you have a pass you are allotted free tickets you can give to friends and family to use throughout the year. Thank You Guys! We had a great time.

I loved all the animals but I think I loved the monkeys the best. The San Diego Zoo has tons of Monkeys all throughout the park. They are so smart. While we were watching the monkeys one of them walked up to the window then turned around and sat right in front of the glass.

Hunter's favorite animals were the Tigers and Lions.

Here is our little Diva, "No Pictures Mom". Kora's favorite animals were the Giraffes and Elephants.
Sadly, like all good times they end way too quickly. It's great to look back at our pictures remembering the fun times we had. We are so glad we were able to take this little vacation. These are memories we will always have. The older we get the more we realize how important it is to spend good quality time with our children and get to know them better. This has been a wonderful trip that we will always remember.