Our California Adventure

We are home and trying to get back in the swing of things, but really we are just daydreaming about The Little Mermaid, Lightning McQueen and 80 degree weather.

Branson keeping himself entertained on the flight down

Quinn was napping when we got to our hotel, but B was so excited to tell her that they had presents waiting for them that he woke her up.

Pools at hotels are always a hit with our kids, being able to swim outside in January was a hit with me!

The first amusement park we hit up was Knott's Berry Farm, the kids were so happy to be there.

Quinn's first ride! Love this face!

Getting ready to crash into Papa on the bumper cars

Our group on the Log Ride

The kids shared some cotton candy and loved every minute of it.

B is my roller coaster junky, when asked his favorite part of the trip he replies "The roller coasters." If I ask which one he tells me "All of them!"

The next day we went to Legoland. My boy in a Lego fanatic, so we decided to check out Legoland since we were so close.

Digging for fossils.

 

They had a section called "Miniland" where there were large displays of things built out of legos. Miniland was a big hit with my kids, my husband too.

B got his drivers license and he has has told us many times since "You know,  I have my drivers license!"

Papa won a Minion for the kids, then of course had to go back and win another so that both kids could have one. Yes, that is right. These minions now reside at my house :)

This is Quinnie saying "I go on that ride, I am BIG!" She wasn't a fan of big brother going on rides that she couldn't.

Lunch at Legoland. The kids don't always eat well when they are out of their comfort zone, Josh got creative in getting Quinn to eat.

On our way to Disney for the first time.

Cars Land is the newest land, so our group went running that direction as soon as the gates opened,  Quinn and I stayed back to explore.

I love my kiddos

Quinn found a hat that she liked.

Papa snuggles

Dave and I waited in line to go on Radiator Springs Racers, just to have it break down when we got close. The upside of that is they gave us passes to come back and ride and B and Kathy got to come with us. Here I am with my Cars lover.

And here we are after visiting Mater

This is my competition on the Toy Story Ride

The next day was Disneyland.

Quinn's gift from the hotel was an autograph book and she made good use of it.

The first character we saw was Daisy Duck, Quinn waited patiently then handed Daisy her book to sign. Then I asked if I could take a picture with her and Daisy and she walked right up and gave her a hug. My heart melted.

I had been told that ages 2-5 was the perfect time for a first trip to Disneyland because the kids are really into the characters and that was so true in our case. It was magical for me to watch my little girl.

It was so funny to get to watch our kids personalities show. Quinn loved the characters and would hug them for days if allowed. Branson was content to wave from a distance, and when they tried to approach him he would hide on my leg.

 

Prior to this trip B did not like dark rides, we weren't even sure if we'd be able to talk him in to It's a Small World or Pirates of the Carribean.

He got enough exposure to rides that after half a day at Disneyland he told me he wanted to go on Space Mountain. He claims it was "TERRIFIC!" but I couldn't stop laughing at this picture that was snapped during the ride. 

The crew heading into "It's a Small World"

My little girl soaking it all in

We ended the day with a visit to Mickey's house and meeting him. 

The next day Dave and Josh went to "work" which may or may not have included a trip to the Fender Guitar factory.

The kids, Kathy and I enjoyed some time by the pool and a little down time. 

That night we went to Goofy's kitchen for dinner. My parents have taken us a couple times to dining with the characters experiences and I knew my kids would enjoy it.

We were greeted by goofy

 

and got to visit with many characters during dinner

Our last day we split our time between the two Disney Parks. Dave and I split from the group to go get World of Color tickets and I made it back to the group just in time to see Quinn waiting for Donald Duck. Pen and autograph book in hand. Love. Love. Love. 

With Branson's dislike of dark rides, Josh and I had decided that we wouldn't pressure him for the Tower of Terror, but once he had gone on every other ride that he could, we decided a little persuading to get him not he final one would be ok.

We headed over to Disneyland at lunch time for the kids to see Toon Town again and let Quinn ride the roller coaster. Remember the picture of Quinn saying she was big enough to go on the rides, she REALLY wanted to ride a roller coaster, she is 35 inches tall and most of the ride cutoffs are 36". I saw Josh measuring Quinn on our first trip to Toon Town and was feeling discouraged for her when he signaled to me that its height requirement was 35 inches, score! Our little thrill seeker rode it three times in a row and was still wanting more.

Daddy and Quinn in front of her first roller coaster.

Here we go of the fourth time, she climbed in like a pro.

Branson loved exploring Tom Sawyer Island. 

Parade watching on Papa's shoulders.

There is a show at California Adventure that is called "World of Color" It started out by having showing a scene front the Little Mermaid in the spray off the fountains. It won my little girl over.

 

Here is Quinn picking out her souvenir, yes, she fell in love with Ariel. she picked out a Little Mermaid  jewelry set and a wand.

It was a great first trip, today B informed me that it would be really fun to go back to Disneyland. I agree buddy, in a few more years.

This was the scene in the airport on the way home. I am pretty sure everyone in the airport was hoping that they were not going to be on the same flight as us.