Surprise Trip to Disneyland!!

So Jared and I last minute decided to head down to Disneyland! It was spring break, some friends were going, I'd been dying to go, we had joked about going while J was going to be on government shut down (oh yeah, good idea, go spend money while not making any) and we had just gotten our tax refund. All those together and we decided to go. So I ran around Sunday like a chicken with her head cut off and with the help of Jared we were off!!! So, here it is! Our first family vacation, T's first time experiencing Disneyland that he'll remember and Benjamin's first trip!

I'm starting with the last picture we took (you can tell by t's face and b's reaction) because it's the most memorable. If you look really close you can see that we're sitting by a brick that Jared bought for me 9 years ago (just a few days short of exactly!)! It's amazing what all can happen in just 9 years. We went from dating for a year, to married with 2 kids. God is so good to us and time goes so quickly!

So, now for the first day. We left the house at 6am Monday morning and made it down by 1:15. Our boys are amazing travelers. We went from Suisun City 30 mins into the trip and made it to Santa Clarita at 12 for gas and lunch! They either napped (well, just B) or watched movies (only 1) or played the whole time. They were great!

We figured when we got there we'd stretch our legs, unload the car in to the hotel room and get going. Well, the hotel wouldn't be ready for almost another 2 hours, so we changed really quick in the bathroom, loaded up the stroller and took our long walk across the street and headed straight for California Adventure. Thomas couldn't wait to see Disneyland. Are we there now? was all he could ask as we walked closer and closer!

Our first day was great! Thomas got to see the Playhouse Junior Show, ride a few little rides and then see Aladdin. He loved it all! Benjamin got to do it all to, but his favorite thing was to play with the wheels of his stroller. Good thing he's free!

Thomas thought it was so cool that he got to drive his own car.

Here we are waiting to get into see Aladdin at the end of the day. We took a family photo with Pluto, our first character to meet in Ca. Adventure. Notice how out of it Thomas is! He slept so hard. Also, notice his pirate sword and hook. We bought those Monday night and one was with him and in his hand for most of the rest of the trip.

I recently bought Thomas a few of the Chip and Dale Rescue Ranger Videos, which he immediately fell in love with. He was so excited when we got to meet Chip when we walked into Disneyland. It was a great way to start Tuesday morning!!

ok, so now i'm not sure what blogger did with the pictures, they wont let me type next to the pictures anymore... so i'll just do my best...

We met up with our friends, the Kile Family, at 12 for lunch. It was such fun seeing them there. John's parents went with them and last time we were at Disneyland, it was with all of them as well. We had a lot of fun hanging out for awhile with them. The girls took our boys on the carosal, which was a favorite. While all the big kids went on a big ride, I took Thomas took look at the Pirate Ship and the other big boat. We were right next to the Cotton Candy lady and so I couldn't resist! Thomas loved it!! When looking back through the pictures later, he just started at that picture and announced that it was his favorite so he just wanted to look at it. So funny!! (too bad he wasn't free!!) Then there's the sad picture of Thomas on the Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster ride. Thomas did actually like the ride, but at this point the ride had stopped. We were just past the big Zerg and T was freaking out. He had to defeat Zerg so that he wouldn't get us. He was slightly freaked out. What made it so funny though was the look of determination and that he wouldn't stop shooting him!

We went back to the room late afternoon for some rest so that the boys would last the whole day. Rest turned into a pirate sword fight between the 3 boys on our big bed. Oh yes, Benjamin was totally into it as well!!

We went back into the park ready to go! We had to get our picture in front of the castle and then rode Nemo. What I haven't told you yet is by this point, Thomas really wasn't a fan of the rides at Disneyland. His first ride, before the Astro Blaster ride, was the spiny space ship one. Too hid and too fast. So much so he wouldn't even go on Dumbo!! We also took him on Pirates of the Carribean (or caravan if you ask Thomas) which we thought would be a big hit because of his new fascination of them. Nope, pretty much hated it.

Then in the afternoon I took him on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, which he will tell you was too fast and he didn't like going upside down. I can't convince him that he didn't. So, I kinda ruined him for the rides. We worked so hard to get him on Nemo and thankfully he enjoyed it. We learned that everything there has a scary part... After Nemo we met back up with the Kiles to see the water/light show at Ca Adventure. Well, sort of. We kinda ditched them when a really nice employee let us into the roped of section for the show. They were on the back side. Sorry guys!! It was a neat show and both boys loved seeing it. We were trying to convince Benjamin to go to sleep during it, but he'd cry if he couldn't see it! He really amazed us at how aware he was and how much he enjoyed everything. So much fun seeing both boys enjoy things in different ways.

ok, now the pictures are back to where I understand them....

So, here the guys are taking a picture again with the pirate ship. He loved watching it, but afraid to go on it with the bad pirates.

We finally found something Thomas really enjoyed, Toon Town!! He loved it! We're at the musical fountain, which he still talks about.

Thomas enjoyed it so much he wanted his picture taken with the sign.

Thankfully we got to see Mickey just before we left. We waited in a long line to see this guy!

The trip wouldn't be complete with out this big scoop of ice cream. Yes, I know you can get mint chip anywhere, but you sure can't eat it on Main Street when ever you want! Thomas loved sitting there sharing the cone with us and listening to the piano guy! Such a good memory!

It was a great trip and I can't wait to go again!! Surprisingly, the park wasn't crazy busy. Monday and Tuesday were pretty crowded, but Wednesday was awesome!! Wish we could have stayed that whole day. We left the park just after noon and were home by 7:30. The trip was two weeks ago and I think we are still recovering!! but so worth it!!

A few things I didn't get in, was Thomas' picture with the ducks. Another one of his favorite parts. while we were waiting for the group on the big roller coasters, Thomas spent his time watching and chasing ducks. The next day he feed one and saw some baby ducklings. Could have found a much less expensive way to do that, but it's a good memory!!

Can't wait to go again!!