DISNEYLAND FUN!!!

We left San Diego late Sunday afternoon and headed North to Orange County. The whole family couldn't wait to visit the Jacklin's and spend some time in Huntington Beach. Dad hadn't been back since we moved over 3 years ago, and both him and Mom agreed that their trip back to where we used to live was met with mixed emotions...(we do miss living in HB)!

After a late night of catching up, the family went to bed to rest up for our big day at Disneyland. Mom woke up early to the sound of rain pounding on the roof and knew it would be a LONG, WET day. Thanks to a warning from Jeff that rain was in the forecast, we had all the gear we needed to make our day as comfortable as possible. Dressed in warm coats and boots we snuggled into our stroller where we stayed cozy and dry.

The tram ride to the park started our day with smiles!

Macie and I were SO thrilled to be at the park with Dad, that we could hardly contain ourselves; there were so many things we wanted to do and see! Insistent that we go to It's a Small World, the family made our way through the torrential downpour as quickly as possible. As we were nearing Fantasy Land we passed the Matterhorn, and since there was NO LINE decided to go for a ride. Macie and I were a little hesitant as we sat in the bobsleds, but once the ride began our fears were overcome by cheers of joy! Mom and Dad were so proud of Macie and I for riding such a big kid roller coaster!!!

With feelings of exhalation, we made our way to It's a Small World and tried to stay dry while waiting in line. Poor Mom lost all her dignity when she had to put a trash bag over her herself to keep dry. The line wasn't too long, so before we knew it we were boarding the boat.

Inside the ride Macie and I sung along with all the characters, and marveled at all the amazing decorations that had been put up for the Christmas season.

In Storybook land we walked around and road a ton of rides- Mr.Toads, Peter Pan, Snow White, etc. Despite the rain, we were having an amazing time.

We took a break from rides and the outdoors to meet Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, boy did I spend time telling her how much I LOVED her hair.

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By noon we were exhausted and it didn't take long for both of us to fall asleep in our comfy cocoon. While we slept Mom took Dad around the park so that he could take advantage of the short lines. After two hours, Mom purposefully parked our stroller next to a marching band so that we would wake up. Her plan worked, and both Riley and I jumped up to see the toy soldiers playing their instruments.

Once we were awake enough to move, we walked though Sleeping Beauty's castle.

Throughout the day there were small periods of time when the rain would subside- though the park was still wet, it was nice being out of the pouring down rain. Macie and I got to walk around, but Mom insisted that we were bundled up AT ALL TIMES!

Mom wasn't the only one making demands- Macie insisted upon riding Casey's Train a few times (one of her favorites)!

Despite the cold, we all enjoyed the ride-

some of us more than others. Macie is such a ham!

Though the rain started up again, Dad took us on the Dumbo ride, and boy was it worth getting wet.

After all the rides it was time to take a break and re fuel, so the family grabbed some food while staying dry in a cafe.

Dad laughed as he watched the 3 of us scarf down cookies and fries without breathing. I guess a big day at Disneyland works up quite an appetite!

While we were indoors the sun began to set, and Mom and Dad knew it was only going to get colder. Before going back outdoors we were bundled up to prepare for our trek across the park to the Tiki Room. We had promised Pa that we would say hi to the birds for him, so both Macie and I made sure to give them our best!

After the show Mom bundled us back up in the stroller and rushed us over to main street so we could watch as the Christmas lights lit up the castle. It was so beautiful that we could hardly take our eyes off it.

We gazed, in awe, as the music played and the snow fell (yes, snow! Snow machines filled the sky with snow).


By the end of the night we were all cold, wet, and pooped. Macie and I took long baths at Jeff and Susan's to warm up, and then ate a hot dinner and crashed as soon as our heads hit the pillow. Mom and Dad couldn't get over how cute we looked as we slept soundly in our beds.

When our alarm went off early the next morning, the whole family looked at one another and decided an extra hour of sleep would do us some good. When we finally got up, we were well rested and ready for another day of fun.

We arrived at the park around 9am that morning and had an hour to spend at Disneyland before California Adventure opened at 10. The weather was much nicer than the previous day, and it was nice to be able to run around without all the rain gear.

Because it was still early, the park was fairly empty so Macie and I were able to meet characters without waiting in big lines.

After a few rides we walked over to California adventure and couldn't wait to show Dad the park (it was his first time)!!!

Inside we stopped for some photo ops with the Cars characters,

and Mickey.

Macie enjoyed meandering through the park, taking it all in...

After riding some rides in Bugs Land, we made our way to the Toy Story ride where we shot some targets.

Before we knew it, noon had arrived at it was time to EAT LUNCH WITH THE PRINCESSES!!!!!!!!

At the restaurant we met up with Jeff and Susan, and impatiently waited for our name to be called. When it was finally our turn we ran down the stairs right into the arms of Ariel!!!

After posing for pictures, and talking her ear off, Mom ushered us to the table where we snacked on some crudites and waited for the other princesses to arrive.

Macie and I entertained the table with our silly antics, and Dad couldn't believe all the action going on around him (Dad was the only novice at the table, as all the rest of us had eaten with the princesses before).

When the princesses made our rounds, Macie and I jumped up from the table and tried to spend as much time with each princess as possible.

After the princesses went home to get ready for the big ball we all dug into our meals and cleared our plates to make room at the table for the dessert.

I don't remember what the topic of conversation was, but something sure made her give that funny look...

It was just as yummy as we all remembered it, and Mom could hardly breathe as she shoveled it in quickly between breaths.

After lunch Mom tried to force us to take naps so that we could recharge our little bodies.

After an hour of tireless effort, Macie fell asleep under the cover of the stroller and me on a bench...

Aparantley I was the big joke of the afternoon as I looked like one of the bums on the boardwalk at Grandma's house.

When it started to get late, Dad scooped me up into a burrito,

and we all walked down to Playhouse Disney to meet up with Miss Nathalie and my friend Lyla.

It took a while for the both of us to wake up, but when the music came on, I perked up a tad.

By the end of the show I was alive with excitement.

That night we enjoyed repeat rides on the Little Mermaid,

and ate cotton candy thanks to Miss Nathalie!!!

To burn off that candy high we were on, the family spent lots of time running around through the obstacle course in Bear Country.

By 8pm our family was all wiped out and ready to catch up on some much needed sleep. Back at Jeff and Susan's we cleaned up and Macie and I went straight to bed. Both Macie and I were so glad that we finally got to share our Disney experience with Dad, and know that despite the cold, wet weather, we shared some family memories that will last a lifetime.

The following Morning Mom brought Dad to the airport so that he could fly back to Arizona. We spent the morning hanging out at home with Jeff and Susan. We are so INCREDIBLY fortunate to have such amazing people in our lives.

That afternoon, Mom took Macie and I back to Disneyland to meet up with Miss Nathalie, Lyla, and baby Riley. We spent lots of time playing throughout all the character houses in Toon Town,

and Macie showed off some of her stunts for the crowd.

After Toon Town we toured the castle and met up with some of our favorite princesses.

Susan joined us at the park that afternoon, and since crowds were swarming the streets in anticipation of the holiday parade, nicely set up and held a front row spot for us so that we could enjoy some rides before the parade began- talk about being lucky!!!

Miss Nathalie sat with baby Riley and sleeping Macie while the rest of us rode the Jungle Ride and then met Jasmine and Aladdin.

After getting hot dogs and chips we joined Susan at our VIP spot and ate a picnic dinner. After a short time, the parade began and it was even more amazing than I could have imagined. Music, lights, characters, and dancing reindeer- WOW!!!

Afterwards we took some pictures with Mickey and then watched the princess castle light up.

The park was packed, and lines were LONG, so we all called it a night and headed over to the cars. Susan walked us back and helped Mom get us ready for our drive back to San Diego. Mom marveled at how incredibly lucky she was to have Susan there to help.

As we started the car and drove away, Macie and I talked about all the amazing things we did while in Orange County. Though we did TONS of stuff, the best part was the time we spent with our Dad, friends, and family.

Mom claims that we both fell asleep before the car hit the 5 south. Already so much excitement, and the holiday season was just getting started...