Day At Disneyland

Going on this trip to California we told the kids that we for sure would not be going to Disneyland. They all knew the rule. We would not be going again until next year. Wellllllll, we didn't follow the rule. We left Bakersfield to go to L.A. for a couple of days at the beach. When we got there though it was cloudy and cool. Too cold for the beach, but just right for Disneyland. Scott had also checked the website that predicted crowds and they called it a "ghost town".

So, when they woke up in the morning we got them dressed and started driving without telling them at all where we were going. We drove onto Disneyland Dr. and they started guessing and were very excited. Scott and I might have been even more excited.

I know I always say things like this, but this was honestly the most perfect day at Disneyland. It was a "ghost town" so we literally walked on to every ride. A few times. It was cloudy all day so it was cool and there was no sun beating down on us. Our kids were good ages to be super excited and be able to go all day from opening to closing of the park. We brought a back pack full of food, so didn't purchase a thing (except a turkey leg for Scott) and just ate as we walked from ride to ride. We didn't stop all day. We rode every single ride, some a few times (passing Kate off) and spent some time playing in Toon Town. Perfect, I tell you.

Morning arrival.

 First ride of the day - Rocket Ships!

 

Zachy is still trying to figure all of this out. Not so sure of Pooh Bear's dream. He like it so much though that he went on this ride three times in a row while we took Brie on Splash Mountain for her first time.

 Snack and nursing break and a climb up the Swiss Family Robinson tree.

Jungle Cruise. I love this one.

Toon Towne.

 

Flying on Dumbo.

Zachy's favorite . . . Buzz Lightyear and "shooting the bad guys".

"I'm a little Tea Pot . . ."

Riding on Casey Jr., going down the track. We were in the wild animal cage.

Kate had a cushy day at Disneyland. This is how she spent most of the day.

The parade, right up close. Zachy was very excited to see Peter Pan coming and the girls were in awe of all the princesses.

Finally . . . all of Scott's Disneyland dreams came true . . . with a Turkey Leg. As I said before, we don't buy anything in the park. We bring our own food and drinks, but Scott has hoped and dreamed of a Turkey Leg every time and this time made it happen. And it fed our whole family.

Last ride of the day was "It's A Small World". The kids loved that one even for the second time. They were getting tired, but so happy. What a good day. Ba bye.

Celebrate Good Times, Come On

There was a lot to celebrate in Bakersfield this April - my Dad's one year anniversary of his heart transplant, my Mom and Dad's 60th birthdays and my Dad's performance in the stake musical, "The Music Man". Sooooo, it was just the right time for us to all make our way home to celebrate with them. All the girls, plus Landon's girl, were able to make it. It was such a fun few days in Bakersfield with the family.

We kicked things off on Friday by going to a Peruvian restaurant with Dad for lunch. Mmmmm . . . Lomo Saltado! That night was a girls night out to see "The Lucky One" and then Dewars for ice cream. Yes, my second time to Dewars that day. Loved being with these "girls" and totally love a Black and White.

Saturday we tried to keep up with the Skinners' booked sporting event schedule and get ready for the birthday party the next day. Teresa and I hit Costco (another place we always go while in B-town) and then we all headed out to Blakey's baseball game.

All the cousins cheering on Blake as he runs home.

A friendly game of "Cousins Sliding Down the Sewer Grate".

Auntie Laura bought all the kids a treat at the game. Zachy was lovin' his until he conked out.

Then, of course, there was swimming!

Even Kate got to hang out by the pool.

Dinner time.

 And that night was the big performance of my Dad in "The Music Man". It was a good show. It really looked like Dad was having a great time and really enjoying himself. It was fun to see and fun to be with all the family cheering him on. He even surprised us all when he stepped out for his applause at the end holding his red construction paper heart. A teary moment.

The next day was another celebration - the 60th birthday party for Mom and Dad. We had it at Laura's house which worked really well for all of our family and Grandma, Tracy and all the Russ Allred family. It was so nice to be with all of them.

The hostesses with the mostest.

The old folks.

Happy Birthday to You! We love you.

The party ended with some cousin collisions that resulted in a number of tears, a time out for Brie and a possible fractured arm for Brandon.

 We absolutely loved being in B-town to celebrate with everyone. So much fun!