The time had finally come to go to Disneyland with Grandma and Papa Hillins! Trevor was so excited. He was telling everyone he could about the trip! After quite a few pre-packing escapades to make sure everyone and everything fit, we were off! We joked that it was like the Griswold family road trip because it was tight quarters in Grandma and Papa's vehicle! Papa drove on the way there with Brian sitting shot gun, Trevor and Grandma in the middle row and Ashley and Sara in the back row.
Brian got out of work a bit early so we were on the road about 3:45pm and much to our surprise I-10 had no road closures so with one stop to eat and maybe one other stop for potty we made it! We checked in and it was lights out because tomorrow was a big day!
We started with a picture by Sully from Monsters University. Mike Wazowski seemed to be missing!!
We started with a picture by Sully from Monsters University. Mike Wazowski seemed to be missing!!
And we started the day at Carsland since Papa and Grandma hadn't been there. Trevor was excited to show them the Firetruck but didn't want his picture by it because the siren was too loud for his ears.
First ride was Soarin' which we hadn't been on yet either because it was broke or down the past times we were there. What fun! Although Trevor said the fireworks at the end of the ride hurt his ears. His ears, my goodness, how sensitive!
Where were Papa and Ashley during the ride? They waited outside and hung out. Soarin' isn't Papa's favorite kind of ride and Ashley was too little. Sara could hardly believe that Papa would volunteer for the task because no way in heck would you find Papa Steve doing that without severe sweating and making sure Mommy or Nana Jeanne was in eye sight! ;)
Next up...Disney Junior! Trevor didn't mind waiting in line for that one at all! He remembered how much fun it was!
Next up...Disney Junior! Trevor didn't mind waiting in line for that one at all! He remembered how much fun it was!
And Ashley was excited that she could get out of the baby bjorn and crawl around a bit! Ah, freedom!
When the show started both kids watched in amazement from the comforts of Mommy's lap! No rest for the weary!
After lunch Brian discovered that the Cars ride was back up and running so the boys plus Grandma Pauline decided to wait in line since the wait time was estimated to only be 40 minutes. And it was worth the 40 minute wait to see it! Well, 40 minutes turned into an hour, which turned into an hour and a half...at which point Grandma Pauline got out of line and joined Sara for a glass of beer (Sara was so excited to see her and the fact that she had money because Brian had the backpack with all of their money and boy did Sara want a beer!). Two hours later, nope still not on the ride but Trevor had enough waiting!
Poor Daddy's arm was numb for an hour while our sleepy head slept. Well then around 2 hours and 45 minutes after they got in the line the boys finally got to ride. (They let all the fast pass people who held fast passes from all hours of the morning go through at a much faster pace than just the standby people).
Papa wasn't sure why he needed to wear a seat belt at first.
Papa wasn't sure why he needed to wear a seat belt at first.
Ha! For the fast hills (or ups and downs as Trevor calls them)!
Weeeeeeeee!
They are all smiling post-ride but they all said it was not worth the almost 3 hour wait.
One person who didn't mind the wait? Ashley! She got in a great nap during that time!!
We love Cars Land and Radiator Springs!!
Yay for family!
After that long wait, Mommy said it was time for her favorite ride! Mater!!!
How can you not just smile the entire ride? So so so much fun being whipped around!
Once again Papa sat out and watched Ashley because this ride wasn't his cup of tea either. So after one ride with Pauline, the three of us got to go together!
We opted to purchase the photo pass this trip so you'll see quite a few photos of us all together which is nice. Including one in front of this nice scenic waterfall.
And all of us :)
After that we headed over to Disneyland where the first ride was, yep, you guessed it! Buzz!!
Then it was off to wait for a parade! Trevor is partial to parades. He LOVES them!!!!
Daddy look! Ariel!!
Ashley got in on the action too! Ah, princesses for our princess!
Yep, she likes parades just as much as her brother!
Next up? Small world! Trevor still acted like it was the first time seeing it - eyes all big and smiles through out!
Then it was back to California Adventures for the World of Color. But first Trevor and Daddy got a pic together.....
...and we got to ride Ariel! Look who is so excited!
We watched World of Color for about 5 minutes before the kids reached the point where they were ready to go back. It was pretty cool but as it turns out we could see it from our balcony anyway!
On Friday we started at the California Adventure at Russell's Wilderness Adventure. Trevor loved this...it was right up his alley! All boy here...
Mommy had fun watching her boys climb around. Plus it was nice seeing green trees and some fresh air!
Happy boy!
Slides to race. Trevor won every time!
Trevor got his picture with Dug :)
Photo op!
You....join us next time :)
After a yummy lunch at the sourdough bread place (by the way, California Adventures has way better food than Disneyland) we caught the Phineas and Ferb dance party which is always a hit with Trevor!
More beer for Sara! Cheers!
Trevor wanted to go on Soarin' again so that is what we did. If you can't tell, he kinda runs the show! He really is such a good traveler. He even does well waiting in lines that always lie about how long the wait is. He and Grandma had their own little games going to help pass the time!
Weeeee.....and wait....Papa even went this time!!!
Sara held down the fort with Ashley while they went....which mainly consisted of people coming up to them saying how cute Ashley was and answering the question of where we got the tiara! She was the hit of everywhere we went. Brian even said that Sara didn't even know the half of it...for every comment we got, there was another someone who said it after the fact to the person they were with. She was pretty cute in her Cinderella outfit!
The theme from last trip continued....Small World....again....
...well at least it kept Ashley entertained too!
She loved the music! We think we may have even heard a snort come out!
Had to see the 'hi ya' guys again. Trevor had no interest in participating again (which is good because you have to be 4 years old) but he sure loves watching!
Pirates of the Caribbean...not too scary for our two kiddos (or the adults!)
Small world again...no joke...just no Papa this time!
Off to Toon Town to see Mickey! Trevor enjoyed knocking on Mickey's house and other fun things there.
Like breaking out of jail with his Daddy!
Toon town is probably one of our favorite little areas because there is so much for the kids to see and do. There is even a little park with slides for the kids to play on! Ashley thought her first slide was pretty neato!
Off to Mickey's house where you go on a little tour and can sit in his chair!
And then we got to see the man himself!
One without A smiling...
...and one without T smiling (unless you count this creepy look!)
The whole gang plus Mickey!! Yay for family vacations at Mickey's house!
Best part of seeing Mickey? Wait was less than 10 minutes! Unlike the Roger Rabbit ride which was a long 60+ minute ride but it was kinda fun and crazy!
Uh oh...looks like we should start saving for Ashley's car! She looks pretty good behind the wheel!
Uh oh...looks like we should start saving for Ashley's car! She looks pretty good behind the wheel!
We checked out the Beauty and the Beast show. Trevor thought it was great so maybe there will be some children's plays in our future!
We got the 'in' that Cinderella would be in the Princess Fantasy Faire at 7:15 so while Papa John, Grandma Pauline, Sara and Ashley waited in line, Brian and Trevor checked out the fabulous Disney band that is comprised of the top marching students at colleges throughout the United States. They also acted like they were vacationing by themselves and got a picture outside the castle!
Funny boys!
And after just a short time it was time for our princess Cinderella to meet the 'real' Cinderella!
She thought it was pretty neat!
The gang!
Ashley passes as a pretty cute Cinderella! Even Cinderella thought so!
Next in line was Aurora (mind you that we passed by Ariel to get to Cinderella). Ashley seems to think 'wow another princess'
Striking resemblance :)
And a quick family pic before a big 'fubar' on Sara's behalf happened. We were wondering if we should do a big family pic with Grandma and Grandpa when Sara says 'nah, we already got the one that mattered' - oops...even in front of princess Aurora. Double oops! Luckily she understood we meant our little Cinderella with the real Cinderella. Whew...
After getting out of the princess pictures Brian took some good pics of a spot he found! Ashley and Papa John. Now we know where she got her cute dimples!!!
The four amigos!
And we quick got in line for the Photo Pass photographer shot just in time....we were the last ones before they stopped for the parade.
Got some great ones with hardly anyone behind us!
That evening we grabbed dinner at the hotel food court and ate on our large balcony after the kids were asleep! Great view of the Disney fireworks!
And the funniest thing happened....when Sara was going to check and see if Ashley was still asleep, Sara hit her head on the glass doors. Did we mention we had wine with dinner? Whoops! In any case, Sara couldn't stop laughing!
Saturday was our beach day since it was a blockout date at Disney with our annual pass. That worked out just fine. All of our feet could use a break from walking around the Disney parks. Plus we love watching Trevor in all his glory in the water!
He just loves going Baywatch style into the waves. Usually he runs away from them but sometimes he goes all in!
Trevor found a boy a little older than him to build sandcastles with. Or should we say build sandcastles with Brian :)
The boy brought a skim board to the beach and was a pretty good rider. Trevor seemed in awe!
Ashley took a little cat nap at the beach but then woke up to discover she is not a big fan of the sand!
She did try to eat it though!
Waaaaa! Doesn't she have the cutest sad face??
We also tried the water without much success. She has Buddha feet :) Doesn't want to put them down when you pick her up!
No joke, they won't go down!
Okay, then the butt is going in! In her defense, the water was pretty cold!
At least she looks cute in her beach gear ;)
Oh wait, one smile :)
Saturday evening we went over to Franky and Tammy's house where Aunt Nancy spoiled us with a fabulous steak meal! It was so good seeing them all again and getting to see their beautiful house! Trevor and Sienna hit it right off again and spent a lot of time playing! When it was time to leave Sienna didn't want any kisses but Trevor told her to 'just get the kiss then wipe it off' :)
On Sunday we discovered that Mike Wazowski was back (bet the hotel found it in one of the convention people's rooms) so we got a pic of our guy with his two current heroes!
And of course, we all needed in!
After that, we headed back to California Adventures where we were met with hardly any lines! How nice!! We went on a few rides before checking out the parade again!
Back to Ariel (remember Trevor runs the show people, these are all his current favorites!)
Back to Buzz!
The jungle ride. And great....we had the same 'tour guide' that we had last time. Not.so.funny (although she thought she was)!!
Then Grandma watched both kiddos while Sara, Brian and Papa John went on Indiana Jones. So not Sara's type of ride. Her eyes were shut the whole time and she clutched the lap bar for dear life. But, we survived!
We finished off over at California Adventure (yes, walking shoes are a requirement at Disney) where Mommy got to ride her favorite Mater ride one last time!
And we got a family pic minus Ashley in Cars Land!
Trevor got to show Lightening McQueen his shirt!
And we all got to say hello!
Ah, a vineyard...at Disney. Brings back memories to 2003 when we went to Napa with the Hillins. Our first vacation together. All went well so fast forward 10 years and we're still vacationing together (plus 2 kids!) :)
Trevor wanted his last 'ride' to be Disney Junior but we missed it by 2 minutes and they don't open the doors for anyone. So while Daddy and Trevor waited to see if they could go and just get some of the ribbons that fall from the ceiling (all Trevor really wanted), Pauline, Sara and Ashley met Disney's fortune teller character. She LOVED Ashley. Loved.
So did the photo pass person sidekick that took like 20 pictures of Ashley.
We told her of Trevor's excitement around the 'ribbons' and how he hoped to get some after the show let out, well she wanted to help so she went over to make sure he could get some. Here they are racing back to the bench.
Mission complete!!
And back to Ashley.....
Papa went back to get the car at the hotel during all that so we met him at the pick up area and off we went. Same seating arrangements as before except Brian drove home. Trevor was content with his new Bat cave he picked out at Target for his Disney toy and Ashley cuddled her first Cinderella doll courtesy of Grandma and Papa John.
What a wonderful time we all had! Trevor thought it was pretty cool that we all got to go to Disney together. And that is what it is all about...memories that will last. Although we didn't take pictures of every single thing we did, we lived in the moment. And with Trevor, his memory is so good, he'll be talking about this for years to come. Thankful for such wonderful parents and in-laws who we can travel with without any issue and who don't mind going on the same rides over and over and over! :) XOXO
