Disneyland!

I've literally been counting down the days till our Disneyland vacation - the kids and I made a countdown chain a few weeks before we would leave.  :)  We spent 3 great days there - and I was so sad when it was over.  My mom told me that there just is never enough Disneyland for me- that is probably true.  Ben's parents and his sister's family were with us for the entire Disneyland extravaganza.  It was so great to have their company and help in trading off with the babies (and Jake).  I thought Jake was going to be tall enough for the big rides, but it turned out he was a half inch or less too short - I tried multiple times on different rides having the employees measure him, but each time they said "he's so close, just not quite tall enough".  I thought I'd get someone who would give him the go ahead since he was so close, but to no avail.  It was probably for the best though... because I'm sure he would have freaked out riding the bigger rides anyway.  It was a challenge just to convince him that Peter Pan would be fun and not scary.  But over the course of the 3 days he got more and more brave.  It was a great Disneyland trip!

Day 1

One of the highlights of the trip was seeing Jake's interactions with all the characters.  He absolutely loved seeing Mickey, Donald, Goofy, etc.  It was so cute...

He wanted to hug all the characters...

AND kiss them...

Jake was especially pleased to meet Woody...

Jake on Dumbo...

The kids loved riding the tea cups with daddy/"Uncle Ben".  He made it spin really fast!

Emma attempting a "pirate challenge" - placing the trinket in the dish wearing 2 hooks...

The Lee's...

Jake gearing up for the Pirate ride...

Ben and Jake on the rocket ride...

Day 2

Our second day we spent entirely in California Adventure.  I loved all the new rides and we even got to see the World of Color show, which was amazing.  

The girls at the Redwood Challenge Trail...

In line for Soarin' Over California... it's safe to say these kids are excited  :)

Our group on the back row of Tower of Terror - Becca was silent during the ride but said she liked it afterwards.  Emma was a complete mess.  She was freaking out and SO scared.  So, ya, she hated that ride.  

Me and my sweet Claire in line for Toy Story...

This was probably Jake's favorite ride - He loves Toy Story and he loves shooting things - so this was the perfect ride for him :)

Becca dancing with Phineas and Ferb...

We ate delicious food during our Disneyland trip - on the first day we ate lunch at the Blue Bayou next to the Pirates ride - the atmosphere was really fun with the hanging lanterns and crickets chirping (too bad Claire was SO cranky during our lunch, though!).  On the second day we ate at a yummy Italian restaurant in California Adventure.  The kids especially loved all the kids meals and chocolate milk...

Once again, Jake hugging everyone - this time, Handy Manny...

We ate lots of ice cream and churros...

We were a big group, so keeping us all together was sometimes tricky - but we fit right in with all the strollers and babies!

Cars Land was impressive.  The Radiator Springs Racer ride was very cool - just look how pretty it is!

Ben with the kids at the finish line - Becca looks windblown...

Day 3

While part of our group was riding Splash Mountain, Grandma and Grandpa were standing in the long line to see Pooh and his friends...

At the very beginning of this video, Jake gives Rabbit a leaf.  He was THRILLED  when Rabbit kept his leaf in his garden.  :)  I also love how Clyde tries to slowly sneak by the video...

You can't really hear what Emma's saying in the video, but it was really cute - Pooh was signing the autograph book and wrote "P", then "O", then was "thinking" about what would be next - Emma says "O!" and then "H!" - it was so funny... Pooh seemed pleased with the help.  haha.  :)

Jake telling about meeting Winnie the Pooh and his friends...
Becca telling about her Splash Mountain experience while in line for the Winnie the Pooh ride... Ben and I took Jake to Toon Town while everyone else was on the Pirate Island.  Jake was really excited to meet Mickey Mouse.  Ben got this picture of Jake in Mickey's house....

And look!  Here's Jake 2 1/2 years ago in the same Mickey chair...  Wow!  He's grown!

Jake was so cute seeing Mickey - if you can't hear it in the video - after he gets his picture with him, he asks "Can I give you a kiss Mickey?"  So sweet...

While Ben was with Jake in Mickey's house, Claire was entertained in Goofy's house...

 Ben and Caroline...

Claire was a little nervous on the carousel...

The highlight of the day for everyone was the Jedi Training in Tomorrowland.  Emma, Jake, and Adam all got picked at the beginning to be in the show (Becca was rather heartbroken that she didn't get picked though).  

Jake learning how to use his light saber... with much difficulty...

Jake got picked first to battle Darth Vader.  Jake quickly got overwhelmed and scared and started crying.  It was actually rather funny... I think the best part of this video is Ben's very boisterous laughing... haha...

Emma's turn!  She not only got to fight Darth Vader but got a "stab" at some storm troopers as well.  It was hillarious...

Here's a few videos of the kids sharing some of their favorite Disneyland moments...

Oh Disneyland... so sad I had to leave you.  I'll be back again!!