Happiest Place on Earth 2009

We escaped to California for a quick trip to the happiest place on earth last week. We took a long weekend and crammed in as much as we possibly could! Even 4 days in the park was just not enough time to get to everything. It was go, go, go the entire time and we are exhausted, but we had a blast...you know we love all things Disney! One of the best parts of the trip was having Grandma and Grandpa Dalley, Aunt Erin, and Bryce & Becca with us!! G&G stayed in the same hotel with us and B&B were just a block away. The kids had such a fun time together and my mom and dad were such a huge help with Rylan (and all the kids) in the park. I definitely think we wore them out...but hopefully we haven't ruined our chances for a return trip with them! It is so fun to do all the rides together! Plus, we'd get to the front of the line and say 'party of 12' and get the whole ride to ourselves! Here is a picture of the whole gang (minus Bryce....he was hooking us all up with fast passes...since it was his birthday he could get 10 passes to most of the fast pass rides in the park...but he was at the ticket booth working that out during the group photo...sorry Bryce, but happy birthday!)

All the kids with their mouse ears! You can't tell in the photo, but Caden is holding his Buzz Lightyear toy...he got that on day #2, and I don't think he put it down the entire time!

Carson's favorite things: Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Thunder Mountain Railroad, and Buzz Lightyear, and getting his Pirate sword.

Addy's favorite things: Minnie Mouse, all the princesses, Soarin' over California, and the Dumbo ride.

Ry's favorite things: Tiki Room, It's a Small World (kind of torturous for the rest of us), and Winnie the Pooh. This picture (below) was the look on his face most of the time...just in awe of the colors, lights, and action going on all the time. I was worried about taking a baby, but Disney makes it so easy to take along little ones and the added support of Grandma was a huge help!

Lot's of walking! Trevor was working on both of my parents at night (Dad for his back/hip and Mom for her foot)....Erin was teasing them hard core. We are so glad they came with us!!

Bryce worked out LA Galaxy tickets for the group (professional soccer). It was an amazing facility...but we were not prepared for the wind and cold...the rest of the time in California was great, but the night of this game we were freezing!!

It was a fantastic trip. I keep worrying my kids will 'grow out' of Disneyland some day so we better go while they still love it. There is definitely something special about going while they are young and get so excited about the characters (even if we do have to manage a few meltdowns along the way!) My favorite things: The Aladdin musical, the Pixar parade, California Screamin', new Toy Story ride, and the Disney Character Breakfast (definitely worth the extra $$), and the fact that no one was sick (no swine flu here). Trev's favorite things: Indiana Jones, California Screamin', Space Mountain, and the fresh sour dough bread from CA adventure. Trev is already planning our return trip...wanna come?