Cali Trip 2013 Day 3- Disneyland Poncho Style

We had known all week that today was going to be cold and wet so we headed over early to try and hit some rides before the storm came in.  The kids had never rode Indiana Jones so we started there and basically walked on.  Kensie was just barely tall enough by the hair on her chinny chin chin.  They honestly checked her height 3 times before they would let her get on.  Now me and Casey both agree that our kids need to try things and I don't want them to be scared of everything so we just throw them on everything and let them decide.  I know Indiana can be scary and dark so I was a little nervous putting her on, but after the ride was over she acted shook up for a minute and then seemed fine. By this time Chris & Jakoye had made it over and wanted to go on Indiana before the line got too long so we kept the baby and went on Pirates.  When we headed into the ride it was a little over cast but no sign of rain.  When we got off the ride it was another story and was coming down in buckets!  Linda stayed with Meghan in the exit of the ride while we went to rescue the strollers.  We ran them underneath Tarzan's tree house where there was some cover.  Casey was on top of it and had purchased poncho's so we quickly put them on.  There was so much water coming down it created a river that was running over our shoes.  By this time we were completely drenched including the strollers and everything in it.  When it finally calmed down I remembered my camera was down in one of the bags and had gotten wet.  It wouldn't turn on and I was unable to use it the rest of the day.  That night I took the battery our and let it dry out and luckily it turned on the next day.  Today was also Barbara and Chris birthday so we had made reservations to eat at the Bleu Bayou inside the Pirates of the Caribbean.  We were all so cold and the restaurant had a chilly draft which made it hard to get comfortable.  When we ate here last time I had the chicken and I loved it, but this time I wanted to try the Monte Crisco Sandwich that I had heard so much about.  It ended up being a mistake because I can't handle my food too greasy and it was really rich.  That is why when I find something on the menu I like I never try anything else so this doesn't happen.  I was also disappointed in our waiter who acted put out when we asked to split the check.  Anyway you live and you learn.       

Nikki took this picture of Me, Casey, and Cael rescuing the strollers....Look at that rain!

After the storm we headed back to the room to get some dry clothes and shoes on.  Cael stayed with Nikki and got some pics with the characters.  Our motel had a dryer so we were able to throw all our wet stuff in.  When we headed back over it was still cold so we decided to do some shopping and see some of the exhibits on Disney main street.

I bought this Antenna topper in memory of our wet day.  Our Ponchos we wore all day were also yellow so I thought it fit perfect.  Mickey also has a Mickey mouse on the back of his which is so cute!

Kensie picked out this hat that had lights around the brim.  She loved it and wore it the rest of the trip.  I had bought this sit and stand stroller before our trip and I don't know what we would have done without it especially during the storm.  It was so cold walking back to the room and so both the kids sat in it and we covered them with a blanket and poncho to keep them warm.  It came in so handy and was worth every penny!  Plus it had drink holders and a big compartment underneath to put our stuff.

I thought this was so funny looking so I took a picture....Only in Disney can you wash your hands next to a princess.

We tried some different things this trip and one of them was pin trading.  The Ludlow's had told us some of the tricks and Cael really took to collecting.  Casey had bought all the kids some pins at the motel for them to trade, but we really didn't know how to go about asking.  Becky had told me to trade with the employees so we stopped in a pin shop where Cael had picked out some pins to buy.  He wanted to trade so bad and while we were checking out I noticed the man working the counter had pins on.  I told him Cael was just getting started and was wondering if he would trade with him.  The guy was so nice and explained the rules to us.  Cael was beaming when he picked out what pin he wanted to trade.  From then on he was hooked and kept his eye out for workers to trade with.  We did meet a girl in one of the pin shops that wanted to trade but when she wanted one of Cael's good pins he broke the deal off and decided to stick to trading with Disney workers who wouldn't tell him no.  Kensie only liked to collect pins and was too attached to her pin to trade any.  They were able to bring home a fun souvenir and we plan on taking them back next time and doing it again.  We ended up back over to California Adventure that night and about froze to death having soup bowls on the Pier.  We finally talked Casey into going back where the kids got into a warm bath before bed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cali Trip 2013 Day 2- California Adventure

After a good nights rest we were ready for our first day in California Adventure.  We couldn't wait to get in and check out the new "Carsland" and especially the new Radiator Racers Ride.  We had been told by several people to get our fastpasses as soon as we entered the park.  So after some breakfast at IHOP we headed straight to the fastpass line that was already forming.  They had several employees working this line and it soon started from Bugsland (where the fastpass box was) and went clear down past the tower of terror.  Me and Linda were close to the front of the line so when they opened the gates it didn't take us long to get our passes. 

After we had our fastpasses secured the kids were dying to go check out "Radiator Springs".  As usually Disney didn't disappoint and I could have spent hours just looking at all the detail they have put into this place.  It was amazing and truly felt like you were walking through the movie.  I had heard about the cute Cozy Cone cups that the drinks came in so Casey hurried and got one before the line got too long.  My only complaint about Disney is they don't serve Dr.Pepper in the park so I got my share of Rootbeer for the days we were there.  While we were waiting for our time to hit Racers we jumped on the Junkyard Jamboree tractors and I was surprised at how much I liked it.  The kids loved it too and we only had to wait about 5 minutes to get on.

Isn't he Cute?  I'm so lucky to have a husband that loves Disneyland!

We LOVED the new Racers ride!!!  I now understand why people will wait over 3 hours to go on it.  It of coarse was packed and even with our fastpasses we probably waited 5-10 minutes to get on.

After some fun in Carsland is was time to attend the Princess Lunch with the girls.  We did this last time and the girls loved it.  It can be expensive but hey how often are you in Disneyland?  We like to live it up and experience as much as we can.  Lucky for us our good friends Jen and Maddie were also in Disney at the same time and so we were able to have lunch with them too!  The girls brought their princess dresses and I couldn't believe how many people commented on Kensie's Pocahontas costume.  I had people stopping me and asking where we got it and they all looked surprised when I told them the Disney store.  For lunch I chose the chicken and Kensie wanted Mac & Cheese of coarse.  (She pretty much ate Mac & Cheese three meals a day the whole vacation).   

This picture is priceless!  Libby loved all the characters!

The Dessert tray was Yummy!

While we were being treated like a princess the boys did something manly and rode Screamin with the Taylor boys.  This was Gavyn and Cael's favorite ride and they must have rode it a dozen times.

They even got Grandma Linda to go on it....Once.  She was like me and said she rode it once and that was enough.

ToyStory Mania is always a favorite.

We had heard about the store Ride Makerz in the Downtown Disney shopping area.  This store lets the kids customize their own remote control car.  The kids couldn't wait any longer to build their car so we left California Adventure early and headed to the shopping district.  They had so many things to chose from but the girls all decided on Sally from "Cars".  Kensie picked out green rims for hers and also a decal sheet.  That night she loaded her car full of stickers and managed to break one of the headlights out.  She is so hard on stuff.  Cael decided on a blue mustang with blue track skull tires and also added a engine that came out of the hood.  The kids actually got to put their cars together and I think the Dad's had just as much fun.

This was our first time in Downtown Disney and we had fun seeing all shops!  The Lego store was one of their favorites and they even had an area you could play.  Cael bought a Boba Fet Star wars Key chain to go on his four-wheeler. 

After some shopping the others headed back to the room, but Casey wasn't going back until they kicked him out so we headed back over to Carsland to check the wait time on Racers.  Lucky for us the crowds had died down and it only had a 45 min wait compared to the 3 hours 20 min it had been all day.  We ended up only having to wait about 35 minutes and it was so worth it!  If it wouldn't have been for this ride our trip would have been pretty dull considering Splash, Thunder mountain, and Grizzly was all down so we took every chance to get on it! 

Cael and Grandma Linda at Fillmore's taste-in.  Peace Man!

Cali Trip 2013 Day 1-Disneyland!

After months of planning, preparing and stalking the Disney website the day finally came for us to leave on a jet plane.  We left Nephi around 7:30am grabbed some breakfast at Arby's, stopped at Walmart for a few last minute things and then headed for the airport.  We made it to the terminal in plenty of time to watch the planes and grab a bite to eat. 

The kids did great on the plane except we had some rowdy people in front of us....you may recognize them!

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After a short plane ride and a quick trip in a shuttle van to our motel, we dropped our stuff off at our room and headed right over to the park.  It was around 2 pm when we walked into the park and headed to Fantasyland to break the kids into all the fun.  We ate at Village Haus which is themed around Pinocchio and had murals from the movie all over the restaurant.  We then made our way around to all the fantasy ride and enjoyed a few churro's before settling into a spot to watch the parade.  It was amazing and the kids loved it.

give it a try....

keep going...

almost there....

Ummm.....you could probably give up now!  Maybe next time boys!

Yep.....It's the happiest place on earth!