Disneyland

Last year Cory and I planned on taking a family trip to Disneyland for the kids' birthday this year. We went small on their birthday parties so we could save up for a super fun "vacation". We left Phoenix Monday afternoon and got to California for dinner. We enjoyed dinner at our hotel with Cory's mom, sisters and nieces and nephews, who had already been in California since the weekend. The next 3 days were filled with intense park adventures, little drama, lots of fun and sun! It was great to have Cory's side of the family there. They definitely helped watch and entertain our kids. Christopher still talks about Disneyland everyday and we've been back for a few weeks now.

We decided we wanted to do 1 park per day, so day 1 was Disneyland. By far the most crowded of the parks, but still magical, although I have promised myself to NEVER go back in July! My highlights were the Indiana Jones ride (our very first ride of the trip) and watching the fireworks at night. Clarissa loved seeing Cinderella's castle although we never got to see her. We only saw Aurora, Tiana, and Sofia the 1st (who we saw on our 2nd day), but the lined were so big that we didn't get pictures with the princesses. I know, I'm a mean mom. I'll stand in line for a ride, but not to meet characters.

 

Drew had a constant smile on his face!

 

Love seeing Christopher's excited face!

 

 First ride I took Clarissa on.

  

This was a long day, and the kids were troopers.

Day 2 was spent at California Adventure. This day was hotter, but the park was not as crowded, which meant more rides and shorter lines. My now Clarissa had caught on to the idea of going on rides so anytime the big kids went to a ride she couldn't go (which was most of the time) she would start saying "rides, rides, rides..." over and over again until we found something she could do. I love the Bug's Life 3D movie and the boys really enjoyed it too. Clarissa freaked out and screamed the minute "bugs" starter flying her way. Christopher's favorite was California Screaming (their biggest rollercoaster) and Drew was pretty bummed he wasn't tall enough for that. He didn't complain much once we found Goofy's rollercoaster for him and Gabi to go on while the taller kids went to California Screaming.

 Christopher on California Screaming for the 3rd time!

 Bugs' Life Theater

Day 3 was spent a Knott's Berry Farm. My this day we were all exhausted and tired of standing in the sun. They had good rides at this park and an awesome kiddy section with a Charlie Brown theme, we just lacked energy and enthusiasm to really take full advantage of it. Cory and I have decided that we won't do 3 parks in a row again. I would like to try 2 park days that are actually split up with a break day because even 2 days in a row is exhausting.

We had great plans for Friday that included stopping at the outlets on the way home, but we were all so tired that we just drove straight through in a hurry to get home. This was definitely a vacation you need a vacation from!

 

The kids were so exhausted the last day, that going to sleep came easily!