Monday, Day 2 of Disneyland Vacation

Monday we went to Disney's California Adventure. Our family had never been there before as the last time we went we only did Disneyland for one day. So this time, we had to see California Adventure and all the fun Pixar characters there. After sucking down a few Dramamine (I hate getting old!!), we jetted off to some rides. Then over to the playland for the kids.

Cute little guy

Unfortunately the older 3 went missing for about 3 minutes in the playland, so we didn't get may pics of them in there.

Then we took in a couple of more rides.....Bummer-the Dramamine didn't work quite as well as I'd hoped on the California Screamin' or as I call it, the Mickey Mouse ears ride. So we headed over to the Ferris Wheel for some leg rest and mental relaxation. Well, we were in for quite a surprise.

Before pictures- see the smiles??

More before pictures. Check out the "too cool kid".

Another before picture......

Well, I didn't get any after pictures, but a brief synopsis of the event goes a little like this. On this particular ferris wheel the individual carts are enclosed in a cage and we sit across from each other. As the ferris wheel moves around, the individual carts slide on a track and sway freely, while still being held "securely" to the track. We viewed this prior to stepping into the cart & also chose a cart that would sway freely. Some are just stationary and don't slide around. Well, as we began our ascent and to go around... Our cart took a little zoom down it's track..... we all just kind of laughed the first time. But as the ferris wheel was loaded with other passengers and we went higher and higher the little zoom became a huge zoom and a couple times even I wondered if we may just detach from the ferris wheel. Eventually the real side of Braxton emerged and he yelled "We're all gonna die!!!" and on came the tears....Every kid was bawling and screaming for their lives: "We're gonna die...We're gonna die!!!" Aside from laughing almost hysterically, the adults maintained their composure. I finally reminded Braxton to get control of his brain & that he was not going to die!!! Once he calmed down, Laini & Xanna realized that it probably wasn't that serious and eventually the tears ceased... Unfortunately we didn't get any after pictures while trying to maintain control of the seemingly doomed passengers in our cart. But oh they are stuck in my mind!!! One thing I was reminded of is how much the kids look to each other for strength. And in this situation one of them totally lost it & therefore the others followed close behind...
We also saw the fabulous characters in the parade:

Lightneen Akeen (as he is known in our house)

Sulley

Mr. Ebble (sort of sounds like apple...)

Buzz Ligghhcckkyear (he throws in some throaty sound with this one)

Woody, Jessie & Rex

And lastly, Mater.
There were tons of others, but these were the ones we came for the most.
I think Atticus' finger was stuck in one position the entire parade:

Pointing

A little kinked, but still pointing

And still kinked

I totally love that last one. The pure delight on his face just brings tears to my eyes!! The kids loved this place! And the older 3 thoroughly enjoyed watching Atticus' excitement over every little thing! Not that I'm biased, but we totally have the best kids in the world!!!

Sunday, Day 1 of Disneyland Vacation

Because Sunday is a day of rest & relaxation we decided to go to the beach on that day. I didn't take tons of pictures there.......Not a big fan of a bathing suit......But, boy it was fun to watch those around us!!

So after about being run over by probably 4 bikes trying to get down to the beach, we finally got setup.

Just as the guys decide to go out into the water, we dared Tyler to run out in just his Speedo. Well, he totally did it!! Just dropped his shorts & took off into the water!! My camera was not ready so I missed it, but I was definitely there to see it. Needless to say he stayed in the water for a VERY long time after that. It's one thing to run into the water with everyone watching your backside.....But, clearly another to come in with everyone watching your frontside!! Has anyone seen a certain episode of Seinfeld??? Sorry Ty, you'll never live it down!!!

Brandon in the middle holding Xanna in the water. Braxton & Tyler behind him & Laini just walking out there.

The girls loved playing in the water & collecting seashells!!! After a while they got tired of the salt & came in to play in the sand.

Finally coming in from the water!!

After playing on the beach & in the water we walked up to where the shops were and walked around. We went to Venice beach which is apparently called muscle beach, too. They have an outdoor weightroom right on the beach. One guy was wearing a speedo and looked to be at least 60 and carried his "boombox" down the beach with just the speedo & tennis shoes on. Apparently he's a regular there... There were lots of entertainer type people set up wanting your money & they were fun to watch. There was also a group of boys playing the marching band type drums. They were really good!!

Then we went back to the hotel & swam in the pool some more & sat in the hot tub some more & watched the fireworks again. Then off to bed!!

Earlier this year (much earlier, I might add) in May, we had the pleasure of going to Southern California with my Dad, Mom, brother Tyler & his wife Carrie. We had so much fun and then came home and next thing I knew it was summer!! I totally lost myself and had very little time to think. So my blog has totally been neglected. Anyhow, I am going to do my best at getting the summer festivities on this blog & try again to get in the groove!!!

Brandon purchased a larger memory stick for his camera so we had the opportunity to take thousands of pictures of this memorous occasion.....No I won't bore you with all of them (I think that's part of why it's taken me so long to complete the post for the week).

When we left our house on Friday afternoon driving in our mini van, I had my camera out & taking pictures the whole while planning my posts.......Well, at least I had good intentions!! I know, I know blah, blah, blah is paved with good intentions..... whatever, I'll try harder!

Happy smiling faces!! Oh so excited to finally be going to Disneyland. The last time we went Braxton was 4 1/2, Laini was 1 1/2 & Xanna was 3 months & Atticus.....well, wasn't even a thought!!

Well, they didn't last long.

Before long they were all checked out!!! I love road trips!!!

I, of course, stayed up to keep Brandon company while he drove. I think he was maybe a little sick of me. I tend to get a bit obnoxious after midnight.....

We saw lots of

these.

(nice photography I know, Brandon wouldn't stop for the sake of my blog.....Can you even believe it!!!)

We saw even more of

this.

And plenty of

these. Poor little stupid bugs!!! Honestly.....get out of the way!!!! We're on our way to DISNEYLAND!!!

We stopped in Las Vegas and stayed Friday night with Brandon's sister Tiffany. Sadly we didn't get there until 1:00 am (Vegas time) or so if I remember, so we just zonked right out. We hung out a bit the next morning before taking off again. We met up with my parents in Barstow and continued on to Anaheim-Woohoo!! Tyler & Carrie were waiting-they flew down the day before to have some ALONE time with their Ford Mustang!!

At last our new home for the next 8 days!!!

Saturday night we just got settled in our room & went swimming & sat in the hot tub! We could see the end of day fireworks at Disneyland from the balcony so we watched them and, like a dummy...I had tears in my eyes in anticipation of watching my kids fall in love with DISNEYLAND!!!!