California Trip {{Part 1}}

Have you been anxiously waiting for this post?  We've been back for five days and I've been writing this post in my head as I gathered pictures from 4 cameras.  May this post not disappoint.

May 19 we left for California. We drove to Hurricane and stayed in my parents' "little house" as Sarah calls it and then arrived in California on Sunday.  This is Henry loving the many ceramic animals that adorn the house.

Sarah was under the impression that we were going to Disneyland that day and was very disappointed at a gas station in the desert when I explained were weren't going until the next day.  "But we are in California," I consoled.  "Hurray!!" she yelled. I've never seen anyone so excited to be in a California gas station.

There was 10 of us in 2 cars so swapping riders helped the drive go faster.  My 15-year-old nephew Peyton rode with us all the way and put up with Henry watching Toy Story 4 times in the Mojave Desert.  Henry affectionately dubbed him "Pete" so he was Pete to all of us the whole trip.  Sarah rode with my brother and his family and was very entertained by my nieces, Jaana and Kyra and my mom.

Monday morning we got to Disneyland.  Sarah had her matte ready for all the characters to sign.  Pluto was my favorite. As long as I was right there with my kids, they did great and weren't scared.

Her matte is all filled up with signatures.  Now I just need her to pick a picture to go in the center and we'll frame it for all to see.

We were there to see the rope drop. I'm surprised at how caught up in the anticipation I got.

Sarah and Kyra. I wonder who loves Minnie the most.

We did the customary Fantasyland first to ease my kids into the whole ride concept.  Matt's family were great sports.  They really wanted my kids to have a good Disneyland experiences and stuck with us the whole time when they could have skipped the kiddie rides altogether (although I know some of these are still their favorites).

For future reference, Henry's eyes and face swells when it comes in contact with spray-on sunscreen. And Henry loooooves carousels.

And who doesn't like Dumbo?

See this weird smile? Get used to it; it's a Disneyland staple.

Hey there good lookin'.

 Crazy cousin Pete.

My brother and sister-in-law Lisa aka our hosts and fast-pass runner.  They are Disneyland veterans and know where everything is, what my kids would like, and all the ins and outs.  They made it a great trip. And my mom with her wheelchair access.  We got spoiled and will never want to wait in a regular line again.

 These girls were inseparable the entire week. I'm pretty sure Sarah is going through withdrawals.

 Henry actually liked the teacups.  What's the ride really called?

 I don't remember anything of this ride. That was the case on a lot of rides. I was too busy watching my kids watch.

Meeting Pooh, Tigger and Eeyore was a highlight too.  Henry kept saying "Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo" quietly to Tigger as he signed Sarah's matte.

Way to mess up the picture by closing your eyes, me. Henry asked for Pooh the rest of the day. But he was scared during the Winnie the Pooh ride, go figure. Neither of them liked any ride in the dark but that didn't stop me from being a mean mom and taking them on the Haunted Mansion.  They didn't cry but they didn't like it either.

Then we went on Splash Mountain.  Sarah even went on it. I was so proud!  She seemed to like it at the time but refused to go again. And we went on the Indian Jones ride which is one of my favorites. Thunder Mountain Railroad was closed (which is my first favorite) so I guess I'll have to come back.

Princess Tiana hangs out in New Orleans Square, conveniently enough. She was the only princess we found.

She was kind of aloof and unfun so I laughed a little when Tiana asked Sarah all important-like if she'd ever seen Princess and the Frog and Sarah said no (she has seen it which made it funnier).

Ahh, It's a Small World.  This ride gets a bad rap. Sure it's annoying but I'll never complain about a long ride in an air-conditioned building

 Especially since it won this little heart.

This is a water thing in Innnoventions. Henry loved it. 

 He may have gone a little crazy.

They tried out the Xbox Kinect thing but couldn't get it to work. I think they were too short. I love Henry's pose.

 Oh silly Pete.

 Oh silly Kyra and poised Jaana.

This is the Nemo ride which I missed as I was on Space Mountain at the time so I have no commentary here.

 Or here...although I hear they liked it.

Lisa bought my kids ice cream while we were in Space Mountain or Star Tours or something.  It was the nicest, messiest thing anyone did for them the whole day.

Since Peyton is only 15, I let him drive our Autopia car to get some experience. Am I the coolest aunt or what?

 Handsome boys.

 Henry and Justin are in the green car, Lisa and Sarah are right behind.

While Justin, Lisa, Jaana, and I went to the Matterhorn, Henry zonked out on Matt. (And the Matterhorn broke down just as our bobsled headed up the mountain so we had to climb out.  I wonder what people in sleds up at the top did.)

Here's my mom and the blessed/cursed wheelchair.

 Sarah was just excited to be there!!! We ended the day with a jungle safari cruise and a stroll down lighted Main Street.

And that was just our first day. And that was me restraining myself on pictures.