Disneyland 2011

We just got back from a week long trip to Disneyland and Legoland. It was a great time, and I want to get it down in writing before I forget!

We went to CA with my parents and somehow we crammed all 7 of us and all our stuff in my parents' mini-van. We pulled Ryan out of school Friday morning, and drove to "Lost" Vegas, as Nathan called it! It think it is a perfect name, because it sure is lost! We stayed with some of my really good friends, while my parents stayed at a hotel (my mom is severely allergic to cat dander and my friends used to have cats). We went to dinner, where my dad left his credit card, got the kids ready for bed, while my dad went back to get his card, drove to my friends house and put the kids into bed. The adults stayed up for a little while and chatted. Saturday morning, I got up and went to Bountiful Baskets where my friends live. Melissa, is one of the cite coordinators. It was fun to help out, but I don't think my family will do it, for the simple fact my family wouldn't eat 90% of the fruits and veggies. If I could pick the ones I wanted, then maybe! We got back to the house at 8:20am and fed the kids, go them dressed, made sandwiches on yummy bread from Bountiful Baskets, picked up my parents and drove to Newport Beach!

The kids were so excited to be there and out of the car. We got settled a bit and then mom & I went to find a Walmart to buy food. After driving around and getting lost we gave up and went to the local grocery store in Newport Beach. One word describes our experience, STICKER SHOCK!!!!! We decided to just buy pizza for dinner and milk, since Ian was out of his milk, go back to the condo, eat and then find good directions to a Walmart. Needless to say, the prices were much much much better!

Sunday, we had planned to go to church at 11am, but Ian was up at 6:30, so we decided to go at 9am. After church we planned to spend a quiet day at the condo. On Saturday I started to get a cough and it wouldn't go away and it kept getting worse. So after a treasure hunt at condo we were staying at, Matt & I went to and Urgent Care. The Doctor listened to my lungs and didn't hear anything, but then she heard me cough. It was the start of Bronchitis, so she gave me a double dose of a breathing nebulizer treatment and some cough medicine. Thank goodness for modern medicine or my week would have been miserable. My parents, Matt & the boys all walked down to the beach while I tried to rest. I didn't want to miss out on all the fun at Disneyland and Legoland.

All weekend the boys kept asking when we were going to Disneyland, and Monday was the day. Ryan & Nathan were so excited. Nathan kept running around, and jumping, while Ryan kept asking about this that and the other. As it turned out we picked the wrong week to go. A lot of the school districts in the state of CA have a "ski" week, in addition to spring break. Just as our luck would have it the ski week was last week, so it was really busy. We went on most of the rides at least once. Ian's favorite ride of the week was "It's a Small World", Nathan's he says is the "Mickey Wheel", but he loved the tea cups too. We discovered that he loves roller coasters, while Ryan is "freaked out" by them, as Ryan put it". Ryan said his favorite ride was Monster's Inc. California Adventure has a really neat water show called "World of Color". Monday night we were asked if we wanted to watch it from the preferred seats by an employee, but the boys didn't want to sit and wait for 10-15 minutes, so we walked around. Of course the minute the lights went off and the show started they loved it. As a result we decided to try to get tickets for the preferred seating on Wed. or Thurs. On Wed. we got to California Adventure about an hour late, so on Thurs. my parents went to get the Fast Pass as soon as we got there at 10:15 and about 10 people in front of them the passes were all gone! So we didn't see the show from the front, but got to see most of it.

Tuesday was the day for Legoland. It was not busy at all, which was really nice. We got on most of the rides in one day, so we decided not to go back for second day. The boys loved seeing all of the things made out of legos. We took their picture with Hagrid, Harry Potter, and Indiana Jones. We missed the new Star Wars attraction but just a few weeks. We were all a bit sad. I think the boys' favorite ride, was the Driving Lesson. They both were great drivers, and earned their Legoland Drivers Licenses. Ryan ran a stop sign, but stayed in his lane the whole time. Nathan was one of the best driver's in his age group!

Papa, Matt, Ryan & Nathan, went on a water ride and they got soaked!!!!! We had to change Nathan's shirt because he was so wet. Legoland, is where Nathan found his love for roller coasters. GranDee, Nathan & I went a pirate ship, that went up/down and all around and Nathan loved it and laughed through the whole thing.
After our long day at Legoland, we met up with my mom's sister and had a great dinner. It was fun to meet up with them and catch up.

Wednesday & Thursday, we spent the days at Disneyland. One of the things Ryan really wanted to do was the Jedi Training. On Monday, he tried to get picked, but all the kids around him, got picked. He even had his Lego Star Wars shirt on. He was disappointed but knew we would try again. On Thursday, we went to the Jedi Training with Ryan in his Lego Star Wars shirt, a red hat, and a lanyard with pins on it. He was the third kid picked! He was soooo excited. He got to fight Darth Vader and took the Jedi oath! It was so fun to watch.

Ryan & Nathan loved Autopia! They were both great drivers, but loved to run into things. That was one of the favorite rides of the week. We were able to meet a few characters. The funniest character meeting, was with Goofy in California Adventure in front of his plane. Goofy took pictures with Ryan & Nathan and signed Ian's autograph book. He then poked his big nose into Ian's stroller, who had just woke up, and played with him for a bit. He then shooed Matt, Ryan, Nathan & I away and tried to walk off with Ian in his stroller. It was really really cute!

We had a great week. I think it is safe to say that the kids, Matt & I all want to go back and spend more time there. Can't wait to go back!

Maybe I'll post more and pictures too!!!!