California Adventure and Huntington Beach!

Day 2 was our first day at California Adventure. This wasn't around when I was little so this was my first time being there. Got the kids up bright and early each day so we could get down there and be ready right when the gates opened. Funny how much faster your kids jump out of bed for a day of fun as compared to a day of school. They were usually awake before they even had to be. I would get them showered and dressed and then while I finished up, they would run back and forth between our room and my inlaws and Ash and Souli's. Just jabbering the whole time.

Thiago accidently put our ticket things in his pocket and then I washed his shorts from the day before and the tickets didn't hold up so well. He had to go redo them this morning, while he did that we had some time to kill. Carson was messing around with my camera and took these lovely shots!

Thiago and Souli went to go stand in line for our fast passes for Radiator Races. While they did that we wandered around to see what we could find. Started with the Monsters Inc ride and Monsters University.

We knew we wanted to see the "Crush" show, ya know the talking turtle on Nemo. We had heard that was pretty cute. So we headed over there but still had about 45 minutes til that show started. So we wandered through the Beast's castle. They had the funnest little thing where you sit down at a touch screen computer and answer all these personality questions. Then at the end it matches you with a Disney princess. Ashley got Elle, my mom got Tangled, my sister in law Rosemary got Lilo. Guess who I was....the mom off Incredibles. Um, lame. I mean she's nice and all but not really all that princess like. But I guess it fits. Thiago got Nemo...hahaha! Not much better!

The "Crush" show was hilarious. Me and Thiago and Linc and Drake saw that, while Souli took Brev and Carson to a Disney drawing animation class. Taught them how to draw Mickey Mouse. Carson LOVED it!! He is my art loving kid!! We then ran into Jake from the Neverland Pirates. Then me and Thiago and Rosemary took Carson over to the Tower of Terror. Oh man!! I loved that ride. I had no idea what it was about. I kinda thought you would wander from room to room with some scary props and all. Oh no! All that dropping. And the doors opening at the top and looking out over everything. Ha! My heart beats faster just thinking about it. I sat by my Carsey boy. His screams were hilarious. Love that kid. Nothing scares him, loved riding rides with him.

Then we went over to Bugs Land.

Nice, quiet little area where we got ride on every ride. Tuesday was a great day. Hardly no lines. Even the big rides we only waited about 15 minutes at the most.

Finally, made it to Cars Land. Oh my cuteness! I loved it there. Funny I thought my boys would love it and they liked it but didn't go as crazy as I kinda thought they would. Then again they have never been that into "Cars". They are more superhero kinda kids. So I guess maybe that's why.

We got the kids some lunch and then it was time for our fast pass. And of course as luck would have it, we got separated from the Cano's right as we were needing to get in line. Drake obviously was too small for that ride, plus he was ornery and tired so I had to stay back with him. Usually my mother in law stayed with him on the bigger rides but since we couldn't find her, I stayed back with my mom and baby Boston while Thiago and Souli and Ash took the bigger kids. Bummer. I heard it was a blast. Oh well.

After Cars Land we headed over to Paradise Pier....hands down my favorite part of California Adventure. I loved it over there. Loved the colors and the atmosphere and the music and all the activity. It was just fun.

We did the big Roller Coaster with Carson. Who still claims that to be his favorite ride ever. That was one intense roller coaster. I actually don't like Roller Coasters that much. In my mind I can't enjoy them cause all I think about is the cart flying off the coaster. Especially with my 8 year old on it. I spend the entire time gripping poor Carson's wrist. Like I could even keep him from flying off, just makes me feel better holding on to him. I was glad it was over, and all he wanted to do was go again. Thiago took him. No more for me. We also went on Toy Story Mania which was a blast, all the kids loved that. And Mickey's Ferris Wheel and the swings.

Then stopped for a treat at the Ghiradelli shop. Wandered around for a bit, hit some of our favorite rides again including "Soarin over California". Oh my goodness, that one was amazing. I was smiling like the biggest idiot throughout that ride. It was just cool. My boys loved it too. Then it was time for the "World of Color". Call me a nerd but probably my very favorite out of everything we did. They put on a water show off Paradise Pier to all of the Disney classics. Screen shots and music and lights and color and fire. It was AMAZING!! Amazing! Again I started to cry. Just all the characters and all those memories that you grow up loving, and then passing it on to my kids. To think they know and love the same movies. And then seeing it all come to life like that. It was the perfect end to seriously a perfect day. I tell ya Disneyland and California Adventure know how to do it right. Every little item is just perfect, from the rides, to the shows, to the cleanliness, to the food, to the souveniers, to the detail...it just amazed me. Worth every penny you spend. Such a great day.

Tired little boys each night. Long days. They just crashed when we got back to the hotel.

Next morning was Wednesday. Started off with the boys playing with the first Souveniers we bought them. Told them they could each pick out 2. Just not the first day, wanted them to see it all first and then decide what they wanted. Well hello, once they saw that Lego store in Downtown Disney. Well, decision was made. My Lego loving boys. So we came all the way to Disneyland to drop almost $200 in the Lego store. Way to be original boys. Oh well. They were happy. At least Drake's was Disney related.

We split our Disney hopper up that day, 2 days in the park, then a free day, then back to the park on Thursday and Friday. Started out our free day with a big ol' breakfast.

If I can pick any meal to eat out, its always breakfast. I love it. This place was delicious. Best omelette ever!

We then drove down to Huntington Beach. This was the coldest day we were there. Only hit 77 with a breeze the entire time. We originally wanted to swim and bring our suits and all but when we saw it was going to be chilly. We thought well we will just wander the shops, stick our feet in the water and then get dinner at the fresh Seafood restaurant right there on the water.

That was the plan anyways....

Things did not go according to plan...

Yes, you are seeing this correctly. My freshly bathed little boys, in brand new clean white shirts, are running through the ocean, drenched, covered in sand. Gulp! I had to remind myself to just breathe. This was clearly not my idea. Now don't get me wrong, I think I'm a dang good mom. I pride myself in it. Its my passion, I pour my whole heart and soul into these little boys. And for the most part I think I do a really good job. I have some great qualities...spontaneity is not one of them. I like things how I like them. I like plans and outlines. I like cleanliness and order. I about died when everyone started telling the kids to just go for it. My mom, Ashley, my inlaws, my own husband...I was completely outvoted. I can tell ya one thing, I stood there with my arms crossed and a grump face for about a half hour. Until I decided I had been beat, nothing I could do about it. Might as well smile at their pure joy and let them have at it. Never have I seen my kids so happy. Highlight of their trip. And guess what the sand washed right off, shirts came clean as soon as I threw them in the washer later that day. No real damage. So in the end it was a great memory, sorry I ruined part of it with my shocked attitude. Like I say, I'm not spontaneous.

So the kids were wet and had no other clothes, we wandered the shops for a minute. Bought them some new T-shirts, ate a snack and then headed back to the hotel to shower the kids again.

Once we were all cleaned up we headed down to Newport Beach to a fresh Seafood Restaurant we had heard was amazing.

And it was, best seafood I have ever had. I had the fish and chips. Cause I love fish and chips. Everyone else got fresh salmon and clam chowder and mussels and clams and all that fun stuff. I was pretty dang happy with my fish and chips though. It was a great night, everyone was happy and relaxed and smiling. We were full of laughs and with all our loved ones eating the most delicious food in the most beautiful environment. A night I'll never forget. A day I'll never forget. I'm telling you this trip is going down in my memory book as one of the greatest weeks of my life.

2 days to go...

The Drive and Day 1 of Disney

Disneyland!!! Has come and gone. I seriously can't look at these pictures without feeling super sad. Happy, cause of the memories, but so sad cause its over. We had seriously anticipated this vacation for SOOOO long! We have been talking about it for the past couple of years, things kept coming up though....first we moved, then had Drake then had car trouble and had to use our money on that, finally at the first of this year we said no matter what it takes we are taking our boys to Disneyland. This year. We saved and saved, then about everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. We had our water pressure regulator go out, 2 weeks later our hot water heater, then the brakes in Thiago's car, and a month later our washer and dryer both died. I kid you not, all within 6 weeks of each other. It was a very expensive 6 weeks. Luckily we still had enough for Disneyland. Barely. But we made it work. And oh my heck, was it worth it. Truly the most magical week of my life. One I will never forget. The memories we made our engraved in my heart forever and ever. First time for my boys, first time for me in over 20 years. It met and exceeded every expectation. It was worth every penny and then some. Truly, it was a week I will never forget.

So lets blog about it...

Packed up and ready to go. We went for a week. Saturday-Saturday. On the way there we split the drive between 2 days. Left Saturday morning and drove to Vegas. Then drove from Vegas to Anaheim the next day. The best part about this trip was the company. Our little family, as well as Ash, Souli and kids, my sweet mom and my inlaws and Rosemary. We missed Jen and her family like crazy but being as she is 3 weeks out from having a baby she opted to stay a little closer to home. Haha.

Its funny, I got so many comments about people telling us we were crazy to drive with little kids. Could not have gone better. My kids were angels throughout the entire trip. As well as Ashley's kids. I was so proud of them. Definitely had their moments, but you go into it expecting a few meltdowns, a few tears, a little whining..its a given, their kids. And that all definitely happened but for the most part they were so sweet. So grateful and so happy to be there. I seriously was so proud.

Arrived in Vegas about 5:00 pm. Those kids were just wired. You know the novelty of a hotel when you are a kid. We could have stayed there and done nothing and they would have been thrilled. Doing all the things kids do at hotels. Filling the ice bucket, taking rides on the elevator and luggage racks, checking out the pool, jumping on the beds, running from our room to their cousins room. It was a party. Their smiles were contagious. Just so very happy. Hard to be anything but.

We rested for a bit, let the kids play and then got freshened up and then headed out for dinnner. We went to the most delicious Mexican place. One of the best Mexican restaurants I have ever been to. By the time we got out of there the kids were a little tired, I still would have liked to head down to the strip and see the Belagio water show or go to the M and M and coke factory. However, I was outvoted. So we just headed back to the hotel and let the kids play.

Next morning we woke up bright and early and headed down to the Continental breakfast. It was quite the breakfast. Tons to choose from and super good. Then we hit the road again.

Arrived in Anaheim about the same time as the night before. 5ish.

Oh Californ-IA!! Felt so good to be there. Most perfect weather. Low 80's the entire time. Even dipped into the 70's a few days.

Went to a yummy little Italian place that night. I swear eating out is my favorite part of vacation. I made sure to get up and workout each morning that way I could eat all this yumminess with a little less guilt.

Bright and early to the park we went. We did a 4 day hopper. Some friends said they worried we would get bored by the 4th day, run out of things to do. Big fat no. I could have stayed a full week and been totally fine. My goodness there is so much to see and do between Disneyland and California Adventure.

Took a little while to get our vouchers turned into actual tickets. The kids busied themselves with maps of both parks. Planning out their activities.

Hello!!! Great moments with Mr Lincoln. Freaking had to get a picture of that. Lincoln. My Lincoln.

You guys, I am such a nerd. As we were walking through the gates and taking it all in for the first time, I seriously started to cry. First time for my boys. First time in the happiest place on earth. Knowing that we were here and the magic that was about to unfold, and seeing it through their little eyes. And really it was the first time for me. I hadn't been since I was 9 years old. Basically Carson's age. I remembered bits and pieces but nothing real certain. It was just amazing walking through those gates.

Charachters all over the place, right off the bat. Right in town square they were everywhere. Hardly any lines. We waited for just a few minutes for each one. Drake's little voice shouting out all their names, Lincoln and Cars dancing around for their attention. Loved it. Drake loved to admire from a far. Didn't want to get close though, not unless his dad was holding him.

Loved that these little cousins who at home are inseperable, we are always with the Phongsavath family. Wouldn't have felt right to be there without them. Loved that they go to see it all together for the first time.

Fantasyland was up first. We even witnessed a marriage proposal in front of the castle. Pretty dang cute. Peter Pan was my fav!! Loved that ride. Also loved my stupid husband yelling "I love Neverland" as loud as he could all through the ride. Kids were laughing their heads off, I just shook mine.

We went on the little Mark Twain boat, my other boys were a little bored. Not Drake bug. Stood right at those cannons making all the sound effects. My funny boy.

Halloween. Best time to go. Decorations were to die for.

Toon Town was alot of fun. My boys loved walking through the little houses, also saw Daisy and Goofy again. Not too many rides except for that little roller coaster, but they didn't care. Loved that atmosphere.

"It's a Small World" Lincolns fav!! So funny. My mom loves that ride, I love that ride. Wasn't really expecting my kids too. Lincoln boy was practically hanging out of that little boat, his head bobbing to the music, biggest, goofiest smile on his face. Singing his little heart out. He was so dang cute.

Lots more that day. Snow White, Pirates, Matterhorn, Dumbo....on an on. It was a beautiful first day.

Maria my sweet mother in law, volunteered to go wait out and get us fabulous seats for the parade. Once again it almost made me cry. Just the expressions on the faces of my kids and the charachters I have grown up loving and now they are. Just was the greatest.

We ended every night in Downtown Disney. Getting last minute treats. The beignets. Oh my gosh. Ate a bag every night. Fried doughnuts in powdered sugar. Hot, fresh out of the oil. Oh so yum!!! And of course the Lego store...more on that later.

I'll be back with more....