Disneyland Nov 2011

Well it's about time I update my blog again.  I've actually received multiple phone calls from concerned friends and family wondering what's happened to me since I've stopped contributing to my blog!  The truth is we got a new computer for Christmas.  And since we never transferred our old data and photos to our new computer, I couldn't bring myself to continue my blog having skipped a huge chunk of time. That, and I've been insanely busy.

So without further delay, here's a snapshot of our trip to Disneyland last November...


We totally and completely surprised the kids with this trip!  We gave them a week to do specific chores so they could earn a "special secret surprise".  Then at 5am the morning of our trip, we scooped them out of their beds and put them in the car.  By the time we got to the gas station, they all noticed our luggage and snacks bags and blankets and pillows.  There was no keeping it secret any longer... Needless to say, they were way too excited to go back to sleep.  :)

Brian, Branson (5), Irelynn (3), Natalya (7), Krystal, Annika (9 mo.)

This was our first trip to Disneyland during the winter.  We timed it so we could see the Christmas decorations!  It was so worth it.

 They weren't excited at all.

It's a Small World decorated for Christmas!  It lights up at night and looks awesome during the fireworks show.

 I think this was Annika's favorite ride :)

 Love that hat!

The Reeve Family LOVES the Matterhorn!

Our friends, Ben and Monika Meyers, met us at Disneyland and spent half the day with us!  This is Annika with their son, Kayden, at the White Rabbit's house waiting for us to get off the Tea Cups.  They were born only 6 weeks apart.

We're very serious Tea Cup riders.  We make a plan beforehand - who sits where, which direction to turn and how our hands will be spaced on the wheel.  We try to spin so fast that the centrifugal force tips us over!  Haha!  
  

We almost never get a chance to watch a parade at Disneyland.  Luckily, we caught a front row view of this one!

Irelynn was impressed that so many Disney characters were able to make the parade.  She waved at all of them. :)

The parade even featured all her favorite princesses with their princes.  Snow White, Cinderella, Ariel, Belle, and Aurora.

(I think Annika was relieved that we stopped walking for a moment so she could get some shut-eye.)  

No better way to end a parade than with Santa!  It made our trip to Disneyland even more magical.

Me and my childhood BFF, Monika Meyers. 

Branson LOVES the Toon Town roller coaster.  
(Brian is waving at the camera!  Branson and Natalya are seated right in front of him.)

 Brian giving me his "blue steel" look while riding the carousel.

The Winnie-the-Pooh ride!  One of Irelynn's favorites.

The Tiki Room was one of my childhood favorites.  We rarely left the park without visiting the Tiki Room.  (It was my dad's favorite, too!)

 Sleeping Beauty's castle decorated with icicles!

 It's a Small World looking unusually bright!

The kids stayed awake to see fireworks... and loved every minute.

His face says it all! 

After the fireworks display it magically began snowing in the street! Our kids still talk about it.


DAY 2

Our second day was just as exciting as the first!

Alice in Wonderland... finally!  We stood in line three times when the ride shut down.  It was very disappointing for Natalya as it's her favorite sit-and-watch ride.  :) 

Brian took the kids on the Finding Nemo submarine ride while I bought lunch.  During that time the Jedi Training show began!  I knew Branson would be sad to hear he missed it, so I took lots of pictures and video.  

Last time we were at Disneyland Big Thunder was closed.  I was bummed because it's my very favorite ride and I wanted to share it with my kiddos.  It was SO super exciting to be able to take them on Big Thunder for their first time!  
Above, they're anticipating the ride.

Ready to board the train...

Their reenactment afterward.  

Natalya, Branson, and Irelynn all LOVED Big Thunder.  They each claim it's their new favorite ride.


California Adventure

We spent the better part of our second day at the California Adventure theme park.  And we were lucky to find Sully outside the Monster's Inc. ride!  

Natalya was excited to see a Disney Channel show. 

They thoroughly enjoyed just running and playing at the Redwood playground.

Here's Brian riding with the girls on the Little Mermaid ride.  It quickly became Irelynn's new favorite.  So we went on it twice.

Thank you, Magic Kingdom!  

It was a perfect trip.  

You know it was a good day when the kids fall asleep while eating Taco Bell.  :)