California | Disney California Adventure

I think I've held off on posting this because it's the of my Disneyland/California recap.  :(  This trip was such an unexpected blessing for us.  There is excitement in carefully planning a trip and picking out each detail months and months in advance, but there is just as much excitement booking a surprise trip a couple of weeks in advance.  This trip wasn't even on our radar for the distant future, but when our plans to RV to the Grand Canyon fell through at the last minute it just popped into our heads.  Sometimes God has the best plans because the kids were right in the Disney sweet spot if you will.  This trip will forever hold a special spot in our hearts.  If you're waiting to take your kids to _____ {insert almost anywhere there}, DON'T!  Take the trip & make the memories.  If your kids won't remember it, you will!

Disney California may have been our favorite part of the trip!  {even if I did make us all show up an hour early -- oops!} Disneyland is special just because it's Disneyland, but Disney California was more exiting for the kids because it's so much more relevant to them. We rode almost all of the rides here, too, but they actually knew the characters.  Jordyn loved the Monsters Inc. ride because Sully talked to her about her glasses at the end {they must have someone looking at a camera so they know what you look like-haha!}  Cullyn got to meet Captain America which was definitely a highlight for a 5 year old boy!  My favorite was the Guardians of the Galaxy {maybe a bit much for 5 & 6 year olds, but they loved it!  It's basically like the Tower of Terror at Disney World if you've done that}.  We all loved Cars {we could have done that ride 20 more times -- make sure you FastPass that ride, it was a 2.5 hour wait} and Soarin' {so, so good!  Takes you all around the world!}

California | Disneyland

Everyone's first trip to Disneyland! I've been to Disneyworld several times, and all of us went together as a family in 2014, but none of us had been to Disneyland.  It's always fun experiencing firsts for everyone!  The kids were at the perfect age for Disney.  Cullyn was exactly 42 inches, which is the minimum height for many rides.  This wasn't planned, but by the grace of God both kids made the cutoff.  So if you're thinking of making the trip, that would be my only real suggestion -- make sure your youngest is at least 42 inches if they want to ride the rides with everyone else.  

We spent 2 days at Disneyland and rode almost every single ride they have.  Space Mountain was closed for remodeling during our trip, so we obviously didn't go on it.  The first day we were all excited and just powered through, but the second day we left for a bit in the early evening and then came back for the fireworks.  Almost every night we watched the fireworks from our pool or the balcony of our hotel after the kids' were asleep.  The night we went back to Disneyland to watch them, the kids both asked if we could go home and sleep instead of wait the 30 minutes for them to start.  We distracted them, but in the back of my mind I was debating if that was the best choice.  Before we knew it the music started and the fireworks show was started.  When it ended both kids said they loved it and Jordyn said it was the best show ever.  She was so glad she got to stay up for it.  It made my day for sure!

I'm so glad we took this vacation.  I knew I would be, but when I overheard Adam tell my parents he's so glad we went I knew it was worth every cent!  I pray my kids remember this trip, but even if they don't, I know I will always treasure these memories!

Cullyn couldn't have loved the characters more!  Jordyn? Not so much! ha!  She stood by the princesses {didn't want to touch them} and hugged Minnie Mouse, but that was it for her.  Cullyn took photos with nearly every character in the park! ;)  I love how different their personalities are!!

We got the best seats for the Pixar Parade!  We were sitting in a spot that apparently the parade doesn't got to {like we were around the corner that wrong way} and a Disney member came up and told us and walked us right over to a different area and blocked it off.  There were several times I wasn't feeling the Disney Magic throughout the trip {so hot, waiting in a line, just normal stuff but annoying} but this was definitely not one of those times!  

California | LA & Santa Monia Pier

We spent August 15th in Los Angeles.  I know this because it was also my 32nd birthday.  My family were troopers all day.  They didn't complain about the time spent in the car {what was supposed to be an hour drive turned into over 3 just like that!} or that LA didn't interest them.  

We went to the Hollywood Stars first.  It was fun to see, I didn't know there were so many blocks of them!  However, I didn't read about this area ahead of time and kind of wish my kids weren't there to experience it.  The whole area was dirty and smelled of urine and there was a lot of questionable outfits, actions, and speaking going on in front of them.  Lesson learned. 

From there we had lunch at Golden State and drove to the Hollywood sign.  I underestimated how difficult it is to get to the sign, if you've been there before you may understand this.  Its quite an ordeal and we nearly hiked up to see it before some experienced hikers pointed out the difficulty of the hike given the temperatures that day.  Add to it we didn't have water and Jordyn was wearing flip flops and we almost gave up.  On our way back up the mountain parking became available at the conservatory and we got to see the sign from Griffith Observatory.  It's crazy how big the letters are, yet the look so little!

After the Hollywood sign, we drove down Rodeo Drive and headed to the Santa Monica Pier.  I would have loved to have been able to wonder around the shops on Rodeo Drive, but I thought I was already pushing my luck with the family -- haha!  Mainly two hot, tired, & bored kids.  Rodeo drive was clean & nice, but surprisingly short!  The kids loved the pier, and the Dippin' Dots. ;)

After we got home Adam put candles in some gas station cupcakes and the kids sang Happy Birthday to me.  And then we had to run to open the doors because we feared the hotel fire alarm was going to go off -- haha!  This is 32.