Disneyland Vacation- Day 4

Sunday was our 3rd day spent at the parks. They had changed the parks over to a holiday theme on Friday so we were lucky enough to get to see regular Disneyland and Christmas Disneyland. And they changed all of It's a Small World and had a different parade. Even though it was in teh 80's it was still fun to feel so festive!

That day we went on more rides that we had not yet gotten to like the Jungle Cruise and It's a Small World (Daddy's favorite).

There were fun festive additions to most of the rides but It's a Small World had to be closed down a whole day so they could change it almost completely for the holiday special. It was pretty amazing!

The kids were very excited for another parade. This one was the Christmas Fantasy Parade. Here are the girls all excited because they hear it starting. The parade was at Jake's nap time so he slept through most of it, but he woke up in a pretty funny way to Buzz Lightyear and his friends! Reagan thought it was the funniest thing.... he was sleeping peacefully in his stroller and then in a millisecond he sprang up, with bed head and groggy eyes, and instantly started dancing waving and pointing like he had been awake the entire time!!!

The kids really loved seeing all the characters and floats especially Santa! Taryn kept yelling to him that she wants an American Girl Doll.

After some more fun we headed back to the house for pizza, bed for the kiddos and hanging out for the adults!

Disneyland Vacation- Day 3

On Saturday morning we got to California Adventure (Disney's other theme park right next to Disneyland) early to meet up with the Wallings for a princess breakfast. Here is our group arriving at "Ariel's Grotto" for the breakfast. Taryn was very excited to see her friends Dylan and Autumn again and her and Autumn held hands right away.

Mommy and Daddy were not sure how Taryn was going to like it since she wasn't all that into princesses, but she loved it!!! It was soooo exciting to see her face light up when she heard the princesses get announced and saw them come out of the door one by one and over to our table. She realy liked asking them for their autographs in her new autograph book and even liked getting her picture taken for once :)

Cinderella

Snow White with Taryn and Autumn.

Belle with the girls... and Aaron.

Sleeping Beauty with the girls. Look at that smile on Taryn!

Although it was a princess breakfast Jake enjoyed himself too... I mean there was tons of food! And he liked hamming it up for the camera and showing Dylan his teeth. Dylan really liked Jake. :)

Once we were done the breakfast it was still early and we waited outside the restaurant for Jessica and Dave to find us!! Here is how Taryn and Aubrey waited.
Once we met up with Jess and Dave they were the BEST tour guides for our families EVER!!! they took the kids to all the rides they could imagine and knew all about the parks. They really were so great with all the kids and Taryn even said... "Mommy are those your friends. I really like them." It was so sweet. Here they are holding Joel so everyone else (except Mommy, Jake, and Mike) could go on the bumper cars.And the Lady Bug Tea Cup Ride

At lunch we met up with more friends... the Dastrups! And after a lot more rides, shows and tons more laughs Jake had had it! He needed a rest!

It really was such a great day and night... pretty much the perfect day in Disneyland shared with great friends!

Disneyland Vacation- Day 2

Friday we took the morning to relax and take advantage of the great house we had rented. The kids were happy to have some time to play in the backyard, on the swing-set, and with the toys that were there. The adults liked just relaxing in the great 80 degree weather and taking nice long showers in the CRAZY cool bathroom with the overhead waterfall.

Then in the afternoon we headed to Downtown Disney and had lunch at the Rainforest Cafe. The kids loved all the moving animals and cool decor. At first t he kids were all a little scared of the gorilla by our table, especially when the thunder and lightening started. Halfway through the meal the kids barely noticed it was happening.

Aaron taught the girls they could eat their ice cream with a straw.... Thanks Aaron :)

Jake started to get tired at the end of the meal... so we left to take a quick walk through Downtown Disney...

Which is when Jake got a second wind and walked all around waving at everyone and anyone who would acknowledge him. :) Then he saw the balloons!!!
The girls, who were full of energy during dinner, did not feel as energetic as Jake. Guess they were still tired from their day at the park the day before.
Even Joel liked Downtown Disney... and the girls had a change of heart once we went into the giant Disney store!!!
While Mommy made the purchases in the store the kids enjoyed some dancing while they waited.



Later that night we grilled up some chicken for dinner and watched the cool outdoor fireplace.