Our Family Visit to Disneyland and California Adventure

Our first day in Disneyland was fantastic. We went on Sunday and there were very few lines so we were able to ride all the main rides a few times and hit up a couple of smaller ones too. We actually went to both Disneyland and California Adventure each day we were there. I know I have posted a ton of pictures, but the trip was so great I couldn't decide which ones to post. At least I didn't put all 400 pics I took on here:). Please enjoy a picture journal of our trip...

Here we all are waiting at the gates while Scott and Jim run to lock up our lunches.

Here is Kylee and Nathan waiting for the gates to open for the day. Little did we know then that we had the magical morning pass and would be walking right it. This allowed us to ride a Space Mountain a few times and Buzz. The boys set off right at 8am to get fast passes, oh and sneak a ride on Indiana Jones. Walking into the park. This scene was so different the next day when the entire street was crowded with people.

While everyone else rode Space Mountain Nathan, Grandma and I went on Buzz. He loved it!

In front of Cinderella's Castle.

Jace and Kylee while we waited for Soaring over California.

I liked this picture of the three of us, we wish Tiffy was there to share it.

In California Adventure, Hollywood.

Our first character picture was with Sully.

Goofy was up next and we got his autograph as the first one in our books.

Off to Bugs Life. Of course Kylee had to stick her finger in the things nose...We really liked "It's Tough To Be A Bug" especially the bugs crawling on our backs.

We climbed through Tarzan's Tree house and Nathan was swinging on the rope swing.

The Fairy Godmother.

Uncle Jim took one for the team and went on the teacups with all the kiddos. Nathan was leaned back with his head bobbing most of the time, I was sure he was sick. Nope he just loved it.

Oh my gosh, this was probably the character we liked the most. The Queen of Hearts have Jace such a hard time. She was cracking us up. She wouldn't sign his autograph book until he kissed her hand, which he of course didn't want to do. Finally he kissed his hand and touched her hand. So cute.

Lilo and Stitch.Scott and the kids waiting in line for It's a Small World.

Aunt Angie and Uncle Jim, such a great picture of them!

Kylee heading into It's a Small World.

Scott and I enjoying a relaxing ride.

After a long day and running back to the hotel for a great dinner prepared by Angie and Jim we waited for the World of Color show to begin. The kids kept getting lower and lower to the ground. Nathan was toast and this point but hung in there. The show was truly incredible.

Catie and Nathan were buddies. She would give him piggy back rides and her and Sarah really helped out with him. Thank you Sarah and Catie!!

While the family was riding big kid rides Grandma and I took Nathan to Toon Town and locked him up int he Dog Pound.

We got to visit Toon Town City Hall.

Nathan driving Goofy's boat.

A nice couple took a picture of all of us in Goofy's house.

Grandma and Nathan heading up to Chip and Dale's tree house.

Alice from Alice in Wonderland

Getting ready to let Kylee take my life in her hands. We went on Autopia and Kylee got to drive.

Daddy taking video of us driving.

Daddy was driven around by Nathan, he did pretty good!

We brought our lunch in each day and went to the picnic area right outside Disneyland. It was so nice because it was quiet and garden like. This is a great picture of the kiddos having a blast.

Chip and Dale

Challenge Trail. There were a ton of these rope trails. I was impressed with Nathan he wasn't too scared of the heights.

I had to include this picture because of Nathan. Each child put their hand on this thing from Brother Bear and were told what kind of animal they were. Well Nathan always says he is a monkey and then this thing says he is a bear, so now he goes around saying he is now a bear. It is really cute.

Green Army Men by Toy Story Mania

At 12am on the second night there we were on Indiana Jones and it broke down as we were right under the stone rolling toward us. We were tuck for about 15 minutes. It was actually pretty fun seeing the behind the scenes stuff. Mom had a different adventure waiting for all of us with Nathan, poor thing.

The third day there we all got our pictures taken in front of the mouse, classic.

The last day there we went on Thundermountain while Nathan and Grandma went to the Tiki Room. Here are a few of the kiddos goofing off.

Arr matey...

Our final picture of a great trip had by all. The best part is we convinced Scott that we need to do this again!! Two year and we are all going back, I cannot wait!!!

Donuts and Bike Riding - great combo

It is important to note that the donuts came before the bike ride therefor the bike ride worked off the donuts thus making them of no consequence to our hind ends...at least that is what I tell myself.

Here is a picture of mom dunking the homemade donuts in glaze. This picture cracks me up because it looks like a little face and we did not intend for it to. So Tiffany made the dough for the donuts and didn't have enough time to make them so she wrapped them in saran wrap and put them in the fridge. Well while we were gone at the Jelly Belly Factory the dough took on a life of its own. When we got home mom tried to open the fridge and it wouldn't open. Once she yanked it open she found out why...the dough had grown little dough arms and attached itself to the fridge door. Unfortunately during the door opening process the pumpkin pie took a nose dive to the ground...audible gasps heard by Scott as "his" pie fell. The donut making process was quit fun for the first 10 but the last 26 kind of sucked. I am definitely not going into business as a donut maker any time soon!

Following the donut sugar high it was time for bed. Kona thought that if she snuck into the bed and hid under the covers no one would know she was there and that she could sleep in the nice warm bed with Kylee, Nathan and Jace and not in her kennel. Too bad we found her.

Now for the bike ride. We went from moms house about 5 miles to the American River and stopped at the park and had lunch that mom made for everyone. Of course when we all get together it gets a little camera happy by all of us ladies...it must run in the family.

Here are Nathan, Kylee, Jace, Sarah and Catie striking a pose.

We had to all take this picture because we have a similar one that we took in Tahoe two years ago of all of us on wooden stumps. Everyone is doing a ballet pose except Jim who I think is either passing gas (I don't do that - Ang) or peeing on a fire hydrant.

Rock star!

Here comes Nathan he is going to knock you out.

Oh loves to daddy

This picture cracks me up. If you look close enough you can actually see Kona's tongue still out as she gives Kylee a big old kiss.

Here is the picture we were going for. So cute.

After the 5 mile bike ride to get here Jace needed to get centered. Begin the meditation...

Nathan's turn

Kylee's turn

Don't forget Kona's turn. Now that is a good doggy lets her dad do whatever he wants. I think she thinks she is human.

Jace Nathan and Sarah just hanging out.

Here is a picture of all the riders. Tiffany couldn't go because of the three little girls. We sure missed you guys on the ride. Notice Kona is included as a rider although she was more of a jogger as she went with Scott using the Walkie Dog

Nathan was sitting by himself watching this duck swim by and I thought it was so cute.

This is how Nathan got to ride...in style if you ask me. He had the best rider on the lake giving him a tour. This is one the way back to moms, by then a storm was rolling in and we were all freezing. Kylee, Nathan, Jace and Angie all got to see deer cross the trail in front of them on the ride back. I wish we would have seen it.

Tiffany and the girls met us at the park for lunch. Here is Myla dressed in Tiffany's windbreaker, which drowned her. Doesn't she look like a little doll.

This is how Jim rides around the river, or I should say drives around it. Actually poor guys, is tire burst as we were leaving moms house so he couldn't ride with us. At least we were really close to home when it happened. I think he was pretty bummed.

THE AFTERMATH

Pete came over to moms house to visit with his buddy Kona, unfortunately Kona was toast after our long bike ride. Here is a picture of Pete kissing Kona on the mouth just loving on her. Kylee got a kick out of it.

Daddy and Kona passed out on the coach after our ride. Kona stayed there all night.