Disneyland claims to be "The Happiest Place On Earth." That's a very bold statement...but it is such an interesting phenomenon! It really is a happy place! But what makes it such a happy place to me is that it helps families make some pretty fantastic memories as they spend that time together. We were invited to join Terri & her family on their recent trip to Disneyland, so we met them for a few days of magic...
Of course, we couldn't drive by Gina's without stopping - so we got some Chinese food for dinner & took it to them as we stopped to eat & play for a bit. We took these fuzzy pictures with my phone to capture their cute smiles & a little bit of nonsense with G'pa...
It was late when we got into the hotel, but so fun to wake up to some pretty excited little critters! And we were off on our happy little magical Disney adventure...
DAY 1
It just so happened to be our 22nd Anniversary - a happy day in a happy place - so I stopped by Main Street City Hall & picked up a couple of complimentary "Happy Anniversary" pins along with a "1st Visit" pin for Memphis, too.
We saw Mickey right there on Main Street...Jude & Olivia were pretty happy about that!
We made our way to Fantasyland...the smiles just kept coming!
At lunch time, Paul & I ran over to California Adventure to Disney's Performing Arts Stage to see my cousin Kim & her kids who were performing. Several of the kids performing are in our ward & stake & since Paul is the Bishop, it was great to show some support for our youth. It took us back to the good old days of when our kids went to Castillero & the many trips we took with them to Disney's Magic Music Days...only Castillero is soooooo much better! I hope our children will remember & can appreciate their Show Choir days with Mrs. Earl - she ran such a great program!
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| Cousin Kim |
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| Kim's kids, front & center of both pix...Jillian & Isaac |
We were on a mission to the Buzz Lightyear ride - this is one of everyone's favorites, especially Jude's!
In fact, he did NOT want to leave (as you can see here)...
He pitched an all out 20 minute tantrum right there on Main Street, USA! Terri got a great video that she can use to bribe him with when he's older...
But in Jude's defense, he was one tired little boy! Might have had an overdose of happy as he took a good little nap on his daddy's shoulder!
After this little power nap, he was good to go - all smiles again! It's funny how excited they get when they see these characters, then they get all bashful & shy when they get up close & personal!
I stood in line for 45 minutes (while everyone else rode some rides) to meet Princess Ana from the movie, Frozen. Olaf was entertaining me while I waited...such a cute movie, but so many little girls were disappointed that Princess Ana was there instead of Princess Elsa (made me feel bad for Ana because everyone in front of us asked where Elsa was). Olivia was polite & seemed genuinely excited to meet Ana.
After dinner, we took the kids back to the hotel to bathe & go to bed while Ben had a fun evening planned for Terri...
Ben made arrangements for Terri's longtime friends, Sara & Sarina (who live in San Diego), to meet them in Downtown Disney for dessert. It was a nice surprise & they had a great time catching up & visiting...
DAY 2
Our hotel was right across the street so we can walk easily to & from the park...today we were headed straight to Radiator Springs Racers in Cars Land!
G'pa waited with Memphis & Jude while we rode the cars first, then I waited with the littles later on while he rode with Terri & Ben...this is such a cute ride & Olivia was so excited because our car won!
We saw Tow Mater & Lightening McQueen. Jude was fascinated that they were talking to him!
We did a little tracter-tipping in Mater's Junkyard Jamboree...Jude is so little you can barely see him sitting between T & Ben!
The boys headed to Paradise Pier for lunch while we had a lunch date at Ariel's Grotto to eat with the Princesses...I loved sitting outside in the gazebo! The weather was perfect & it felt less crowded...
Not to be outdone by the Princesses, Jude hit it off well with Donald!
There's a carousel on this side of the park that is equally as popular with sea creatures to ride...little ones do love the carousels!
The Toy Story Ride is super cute, too...
These smiles are what makes Disneyland a happy place for me...pure magic!
Memphis spent a lot of time in his stoller & he was a trooper the entire time...
More smiles...
I caved & bought this bubble gun to keep the kids entertained while waiting for the Pixar Parade...money well spent! (I brought a bottle of bubbles from home, but used it to refill this gun.)
After dinner we headed back to the hotel with the kids so Ben & Terri could ride some big kids rides on their own.
DAY 3
Today was all about our favorites! We made sure we went on all our favorites again - Terri is a Pirates fan...
Liv love's Dumbo...
More characters...
Tink had a thing for Memphis & I'm pretty sure the feeling was mutual...he was all smiles!
Back to California Adventure to find Woody & Buzz (Jude's favorites)...
Success!
Memphis was still smiling, too!
Ben finally talked me & Olivia into riding the Grizzly River Run...I loved this sign we saw while we waited in a crazy long line...notice "Trouble Maker" on the paddle & the "river" column on the sign? "Upper Fork, Old Scary, Chili Bar"...these are names associated with the American River that is in my back yard!
Here we go! Liv looks nervous...
She got soaked, but she came out smiling!
More happy smiles (my favorites)...
Thanks T & Ben, for including us in your family vacation. We had a great time & loved sharing a happy place in your collection of family memories.
1 comment:
How fun to see Terri's family. Memphis is a doll and the picture of Jude with Donald Duck is priceless. I think Olivia looks like Dakota Fanning. You and Paul just look so happy.
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