Disneyland

I'm finally getting to our Disneyland trip. It's about time! This is going to be one mighty long post. I'm going to include the entire trip and pictures in this post so that it will go in order and hopefully make sense. Here goes...

Day 1 &2: The drive there
We left on Friday, July 24th. The kids had a primary swim party so when that ended we met up with Jason at our house and got on the road. Since we got a late start, we decided to stop at our friends, the Davenports, and spend the night there. The kids were really excited to hang out with their friends and we had a great time visiting and watching a movie. The next morning, we had a very yummy breakfast, visited some more and then headed on our way. We made one more stop. This time it was in Los Angeles at an ice cream place called "Diddy Riece". I've been to this place two other times and it's so good. You pick two big cookies of your choice, a flavor of ice cream and then they put a scoop of it between the cookies for one monster ice cream sandwich. And it's all for $1.50! It's so delicious.

Enjoying our ice cream sandwiches.




After our ice cream stop, we finally made it to the Disneyland Hotel. We got there around 3 p.m. Jason's family wasn't too far behind us. His mom and dad and sister Kari and her family met us there a little later. While we were busy checking in the kids were watching a Disney movie from this kid size couch. What a great idea! It kept the kids entertained.

After check-in and dinner with Jason's friend Cameron and his wife and daughter, we did some swimming in the very fun swimming pool at the hotel. We spent most of the time in the hot tub though. The pool was a little chilly and the hot tub was so very nice.


Day 3: Logan's Birthday Fun
We had one more day before we were actually going to Disneyland, so on Sunday, July 26th, we celebrated Logan's 2nd birthday with some very fun festivities. That morning we went to Balboa Beach and boy was it crowded. I guess everyone else had the same idea as us. It took forever to find a place to park and we lucked out and got one right by the beach.

I was trying to get some pictures of Logan on the way to the beach but he was not cooperating. I told him I was taking his birthday photo and he just covered himself up with his blanket.

Finally, I caught him.


We had a great time at the beach. The kids loved it. Afton was having so much fun in the ocean. She kept getting farther and farther out and making me very nervous. Even Dax got into the water. He loved jumping over the waves when they would come up to the beach. Logan didn't want to get in the water at all. When the water would go back out, he'd run all over and then when he would see the water coming back in he'd run over to me yelling, "mommy, the water is coming!". They had a blast digging in the sand again with Uncle Ben and making castles. We all had a great time at the beach and it was lots of fun to be there with our family.

The water had come up on his feet and he was very upset. He was telling me all about it.

Our family: Jason, Logan, Rickie, Dax and Afton

He didn't like being in the water but he loved the sand.

Dax. Isn't this kid so cute?

Afton giving me her best cheeser.


After the beach, we went to Chuck-e-Cheese for some more of Logan's b-day festivities. He loved the place but kept running off and I couldn't find him. Good thing they have you stamp your hands when you come in. His favorite games were the basketball one, the horse ride and the big monster truck. And he did NOT like Chuck-E. What little kid does? He is kind of scary looking. He came over to our table when we sang Happy Birthday and Logan was trying to get as far away from him as he could.

He was having a blast shooting hoops with his daddy.

No one wanted to smile for the picture or even look at the camera. the little stinkers!


After lunch at Chuck-e-cheese, we went back to our hotel and did some swimming. They had a couple water slides and the kids had lots of fun on those. They also had a smaller more shallow pool that was great for the little ones. They were able to run around more in the water.

Logan hanging out in his inner tube. Jason with the kids.

Later that night he opened his presents.

I'm pretty sure he had a great birthday. What a lucky guy! He got to go to the beach, Chuck-e-cheese, and then go swimming. Now he's stuffing his face with some caramel corn. He was one happy little guy.


Day 4: Disneyland & California Adventures:
The day after Logan's birthday is actually Sharon's birthday. So we decided to surprise her in the morning before we headed off to the park. Me and Kari and the kids made her a cute candy bar poster and ordered her a very yummy breakfast with a birthday cupcake. The kids loved surprising her.




Our first stop was toon town. Well, first dumbo then toon town. When you stay in the Disneyland hotel, you get to enter Toon Town early. So we took advantage of the early entry and saw Minnie, Mickey and Goofy.

Then we moved onto the Matterhorn. Afton and Dax were both able to ride this one.

Logan was hanging out in his stroller where is was nice and shady. Did I mention that it was very very hot that day? Well it was. I think it was in the upper 90's. Not the best weather when you're at Disneyland. We were all really gross and sweaty! Afton had to show off how wiggly her teeth were. I say "were" because she's lost them since then.

I think we were on Pirates of the Caribbean here.

Dax climbing Tarzan's rope. And Dax and Kya on the jungle ride.

Afton was so tired she fell asleep in the stroller. Jason and Ben waiting in line for Indiana Jones. We were right at the front of the line and then the ride shut down, so we had to wait another 15 minutes or so to get on the ride.

Getting ready to go into Small World.

Dax on Small World. He kept asking about all of the different little people in the ride.

Waiting to get on a ride. Don't remember which one.

The only family picture I managed to get.

Ben, Jason, Me and Afton after riding the Grizzly River Run at California adventures. It actually felt really good. We were all very soaked.

Afton being her silly self. If you didn't notice, she's wearing Daxon's shirt in the picture. I'm just glad that I packed an extra shirt. He other shirt was totally soaked and she was starting to get cold.

Waiting to get on Tower of Terror. This was Afton's absolute least favorite ride. I've never seen her so terrified in her life. She was hanging onto mine and Jason's arms for dear life. I explained to her what the ride was like before we got on so she'd be a little prepared, but it didn't help. I don't think she'll be going back on that ride anytime soon.

Getting ready to do California Screamin. Jason and I both really like this roller coaster ride.

Yes, it was a very long day.

Afton and Sharon getting ready to ride Space Mountain. I think they're both a little scared for the ride. Afton said that Space Mountain was her favorite.



Day 5: 2nd day at Disneyland & California Adventures
We started the day off at the new Finding Nemo ride and then to Autotopia for some crazy car driving. The kids really liked Autotopia. They had lots of fun steering the cars and giving Jason and I whiplash. I also have to say that the weather was much better this day. It was still a little hot, but not as bad as the day before.

We did another run on Autotopia with the kids. And then went to Peter Pan where Afton and Dax got to ride with their Grandma.



For lunch that day, the girls were spoiled and got to have lunch with the princesses. Me, Kari, Sharon, Kya and Afton went to Ariel's grotto. Afton and Kya got to dress up in their prettiest princess dresses and during lunch they were able to meet some princesses. They were both very happy girls and had lots of fun. I have to say that it was lots of fun to hang out with the girls and the food was really good!

They met Ariel before lunch and during lunch they met Cinderella......

and Snow White...

and Sleeping Beauty...

and Belle.

As you can probably tell, Belle is Afton's favorite and she gave her a great big hug. The princesses were all really nice and sweet to the girls.

Enjoying our yummy lunch.

My princess, Afton.

Afton and Kya after lunch. I think they were both still really excited about meeting the princesses. It really was lots of fun!



Well, that's the end of our Disneyland trip. We spent some more time at both the parks, then did some more swimming, then headed back to the park for the firework show, then back to the hotel for bed. Lots and lots of walking, but it was a good workout. On Wednesday, July 29th, we packed everything up and headed back home. We had a great time with Jason's family. They are always so much fun to hang out with. Afton and Dax and Logan love to see their cousin Kya and had so much fun with her. Thanks again to my wonderful in-laws for such a fun trip. Can't wait until Yellowstone next year. Yes, we've already decided that we're going to Yellowstone for our next family vacation. I'm so excited because I've never been there.