Wednesday, May 20, 2009

DISNEYLAND

Yes, we are the Disneyland family. We had the opportunity to go again for Mother's Day week with the Wilson's. It was a crazy, fun filled adventure with everything involved that you would expect with taking 2 two year olds, an infant and a 6 year old. It was so much fun. I love Disneyland. We always start with Pirates and then the Haunted Mansion. I have to see the Tiki Room. Mostly because I love the pineapple ice cream. And the regular ice cream! I basically can eat my way through Disneyland. I love seeing Staley excited to ride Autopia, his favorite ride. One night we were the last ones to ride the ride before the park closed. Staley was talking to the girl who worked there telling her how much he loved the ride and Lightning. He had on his Cars outfit, right down to the flip flops. He was so excited to tell her about it he could hardly get it out. It was very precious and worth every penny just to experience that.
We had our moments. Like the time while standing in line for Toy Story Mania, Staley was wild. When I asked him to stop, he turned to me and said with some serious conviction, "No mom, I'm TIRED!" I had to hide my face so he couldn't see my smile. Then there was Vance who told me his favorite character was Mario. Cute little Liv never made a peep, while Staley and Ari fight like brother and sister. They also had fun riding rides sitting next to each other.
These are great moments and there were so many. I hope that when I take Staley on vacation, he only remembers the good parts. I love having a full week to spend with Staley and Jimmy. They are my whole life. Jimmy is such a great husband and father and I am grateful that he takes those roles seriously. Staley is growing up so fast and I don't want to miss a single minute of it. I will cherish all of these memories from family trips...the good parts right down to the fiascos!



Jimmy with his dream girl, Jessica Rabbit

Me and Staley waiting for the Monorail. The Matterhorn, Staley's favorite ride is in the background

Staley and Vance were beyond THRILLED to meet Lightning and Mader. Staley kept putting his head in their mouths trying to figure them out. We couldn't get them out of there. We had to be URGED out of there by the park staff due to the long line.

This is how we found Wendy and Levi after a wild night of clubbing at Disneyland. Just kidding, this is how we found them coming out of seeing Crush, the turtle. As I was walking up to them, people were stopping and having a chuckle at the two of them. They look like drunks passed out on the side of the road. After 4 days of Staley, what can you expect?

We love Bug's Land at California Adventure. The kids love the rides and to run through the water.




It is tradition for us to ride this annoying ride at Bug's Land in California Adventure. It's the burping, caterpillar, named Heimlich from Bug's Life. The kids seem to really enjoy it:) Wendy got out of riding it this year, but Jim wasn't so lucky. And I love how the two proud papas are video taping the kids




MOTHERS DAY
I love Mothers Day at Disneyland. They give the moms a carnation at the park and they just treat you good. This year we went to the Princess Buffet at the Disneyland Hotel. It was incredible. The food and decorations were amazing! I highly recommend going to this. We got to eat amazingly decadent food and to meet Belle, Cinderella, Snow White and Aurora. It was fun to get pictures with all of them. We all got a little dressed up for the occasion and just had a really good time.





Staley and Ari waiting for Belle to come out. While they waited, Staley managed to break a part of the prop that was attached to the tea tray. Wild Man!!












Rachel and Brody and the girls on the Teacups. Staley wasn't impressed until Jimmy spun us as fast as he could. Only then did he laugh his head off. He is such a wild man! Should I be worried??!!


We went to Woody's Barbecue. The kids had a dance off with each other after they ate the huge cupcakes. They were so entertaining that the actual entertainers and the people attending came over to watch them boogie. They were going to town for about 15 minutes.







Waiting in line for Pirates of the Caribean







Staley enjoying the sucker that Rachel bought him


Jimmy says there are rumors that this is the carriage that carried Brigham Young's body. It is outside of the Haunted Mansion


This was on the Pirates island. It has lots of caves and buried treasure the kids can find, and it is just a fun, safe place for them to run around in.


Ari with her ears, leash and sucker...so cute!


Staley fell asleep on Grandpa while Jimmy and I rode Thunder Mountain.



This was a wild dinner. People were staring at us like our children were the spawn of satan. They were noicy, wild, and excited. Well, we were at Disneyland for heaven's sake! Of course they were crazy! Isn't that the fun of it?


The 3 of us on "Small World". They redid the ride. It was soo cute, relaxing and cool. It's about a 15 minute ride and yes, you do hear the song over and over and over again, but it is really cute. I could have done that ride again for sure


Staley and Uncle Levi


Goofy's Kitchen. We kicked off the trip with going to a character breakfast. It was fun to have the kids meet the characters and get their autographs


Liv loved Goofy. She actualy go a hold of him eventually


Staley, and his cousins and Aunt Rachel with chip. Staly is plugged in at this point.



Vance and Pluto and my Father-in-Law and Staley having way too much fun with the hole in the booth of where we were eating


Staley is funny. Everytime we eat, whether it is at home or a restaurant, he feels the need to get up and start dancing for awhile. He has a hard time staying focused on eating. No wonder he's so skinny! Here he is just being a happy little 2 year old!


Staley and Goofy. Grandpa is in the picture as well


Staley wasn't too sure about Genie. Look how he's clinging to me!


My two favorite guys, (who look exactly alike) enjoying their yummy buffet


Jimmy and Staley with Jasmine. They look happy, don't they?


Staley on the leash. This is the best thing to take to Disneyland. He didn't love it, but I sure felt safer having him wear it.