The Happiest Place on Earth

Our big adventure started with a BIG surprise.  The kids had NO IDEA that we had planned a trip (once we told them we would go when they were 7 and that was pretty much the end of it) so when they came downstairs on what was supposed to be just a normal day, they were a little bit confused to see this... 

 One of them asked, "Is it Christmas or something?"  And then Abby found her note.

 After a quick breakfast (of Mickey Mouse pancakes, of course)

 We were off.

 Once we got there, the first stop was the pool.  No, it wasn't hot.  Not even really warm.  But the pool was there and my little fishies couldn't pass it up.

 That night, after dinner with friends, we were lucky enough to catch the Disneyland fireworks from our hotel.

 Then it was off to bed.  (We are working on the smiling situation...I am usually so glad to have a picture where they are  both looking at the camera at the same time that I completely forget to check their smiles).

 The next morning, we were up bright and early and at the gates before they opened.  And boy did we have a great day.  That place really is the 8th wonder of the world, I tell ya.  It is clean, and organized (right up my alley) and no detail is spared.  Somehow, they make it fun and interesting to wait in line for 25 minutes!  It was not my first trip to Disneyland but I was continually amazed by absolutely EVERYTHING!

While we were there, we did all of the important Disney things like ride Mr. Toad's Wild Ride over and over.  And take pictures with all of the characters (which I'm pretty sure they think are real).  And wear our mouse ears proudly.

 And buy souvenirs.  (Side note:  I am soooo not a stuffed animal person and somehow we acquired more on this trip than we have the entire six years they have been alive!)

 Sometimes, things didn't go they way we wanted...

 But Daddy was always there to buy cotton candy for anyone who would stop crying and smile for a picture.

 We watched the shows

 And ended the night with a hug from Minnie...

 Which made Abby so very happy.

 The next day, we headed over to California Adventure where we waited in line for the new Cars ride that my kids hated because it was too hilly (but that we made them go on again because we had a fast pass).  While we were there, Robbie showed off his incredible skills and won the kids each a Dumbo.  Because we needed more stuffed animals...

 We waited in more lines for more rides

 And watched the coolest night show on the water.

 On day three we were back at Disneyland and who needs breakfast when you have a sucker the size of your head?!?

 We finally made it to Toon Town

 and spent the day riding all of our favorite rides.

 We met Wreck It Ralph

 and watched the parade.  Which, of course, was awesome!

And then we called it an early night, for obvious reasons

 and it wasn't long before they were fast asleep.

 The next morning, we headed south for Sea World.  And let me tell you that place is AWESOME!  The animal shows were unreal.  Do you see that guy?  He is 6000 pounds!!!  And 40 feet in the air!!!!  I could watch that all day long. 

 We also got to go sledding...?!?!?

 But the best part was we got to train the dolphins!!!  We go to pet them, feed them, teach them tricks, play with them and even dance with them.  So. awesome.

 

 These are the faces of kids who had a GREAT day.

Our last (but certainly not least) theme park was Legoland.  For someone like Ben (who lives and breathes Legos) this was the happiest place on Earth.

 And I'm not gonna lie, I was kind of impressed too.  (Keep in mind that I struggle building a two block tower out of those things, but still...) The things they make out of Legos are incredible.  Check out the kids in front of New York...

 And here's the White House, complete with a Christmas marching band...

 Ben's favorite part was building and racing his own cars.

 On our way to the airport the last day, we found a little beach (thanks to the kind mailman who showed us where to go). 

It was the perfect end to the perfect vacation. Sure, it rained a little (I've never seen so many umbrellas in what I would consider a light mist), but other than that, we couldn't have asked for anything better. The lines were manageable, the shows were amazing, the food was good, the kids were kind. It was everything I had hoped for our first real family vacay.

P.S.  I'm sure to you, this post seems long.  But you should know that I took 2,562 pictures (love love love my new camera!) so even if you read to the end, you really got off easy!