Disney Trip Day 4: Mom's Birthday and Flying Home

 Sunday morning we got up, got dressed in our church clothes and headed out to Riverside to go to church with Heather. Mom is still recovering from her Hip surgery so she watched church at home. After sacrament meeting we left to go spend time with my Mom and when we got there we saw that Stephanie and Erin were also there. My Mom's birthday was the next day and when Ashleigh found out we were going to be there we planned to  celebrate mom's birthday with a lunch after church. We brought chips we had bought at the store the previous day and Ashleigh brought sub sandwiches she got from Walmart and everyone else brought sides. Jeremy and JayLynn were also there as well as Ashleigh and her family and MaryBeth and Adam and the previous mentioned family that were there when we got there. I had some fun playing with Atticus and taking pictures on my phone making funny faces.

I wasn't sure what to get my Mom for her birthday and Rylee suggested making her a pillowcase out of the fabric I had printed with images of her and Dad. I loved the idea and was able to make the pillowcase in a couple of hours. I gave her that and a bag of Dove's Dark Chocolate and she seemed to like her gifts. We had lunch and cake with family and after visiting for a bit we had to get going to get back to the airport to fly home. It's good that my family has me because I am the picture taker in my family and I always try to make sure to get a big group picture and this day was no different. I also got pictures with some of us and my Mom which makes me happy.

Adam, Jeremy, Avynlea, Heather, Ashleigh, Abigail, Andrew Brown, Jaylynn, Rylee, Stephanie, Mom, Atticus, Kenedy, MaryBeth, Erin, Elizabeth and Kefford

Grandma Bonnie and Kenedy and Rylee

Heather, Ashleigh, Abigail, Mom, Avynlea and Elizabeth

Everyone had to try to sneak into my picture with Mom so I let them and then had one taken with just me. :)

WE headed back to the airport and dropped off the rental car we picked up Saturday morning. A shuttle took us to the airport and we said goodbye to Kenedy and then met up with Kelseys family to wait for our flight home. 

Some of the group spent time watching a video on Avynlea's phone while a smaller part of the group passed the time reading books. I sat with Brit and visited and talked about our day and about the fun we had on this trip.

It was a really fun trip and the next day after arriving home I was ready to go back. I love Disneyland and it is even more fun going with family who have never been and experiencing the fun and magic through their eyes. Brit had been once before in High School but the others have never been and that was fun. I am also glad that we were able to take a little time to see my family, any chance I have to be with my family I am going to take and it was good to spend half a day with them.

I hope that there are more Magical Disney trips in our future and am game to go back any time!

Disney Trip Day 3: Beach Walk and Downtown Disney

Saturday we didn't have much planned, we got breakfast from McDonalds which we ate in our hotel rooms and then we headed out. We all thought it would be fun to go walk along the beach so we headed to Huntington Beach to walk the Boardwalk and the pier. We passed a souvenir shop on the pier and we went in to explore. Avynlea and Rylee both found some shirts they wanted so it was pretty successful considering they didn't really find anything at the parks they wanted. We walked to the end of the pier and it was fun to look out and see the beautiful blue water and feel the gorgeous sun.  Rylee found some fishing poles that were attached at the end of the pier and had fun posing with them.

Kelseys family didn't linger as long as we did and left the pier before us, we took some pictures and then headed back to find them at the playground that was off the boardwalk. 

Kelseys family wanted to do a Southern California Temple tour and we have already seen all of the Temples so they left at this point to go see the Redlands Temple. We headed walked a couple of blocks over to get some ice cream from Cold Stone and then ate it as we headed back to our car. Heather left us at this point to go back home and we headed over to Walmart to get some groceries for the next day.

Kenedy, Avynlea, Rylee and Kefford

We spotted Chester the Cheeto's cat on our way out so the girls took a picture with him.

We were all pretty pooped so after getting groceries we headed back to our hotel to rest for a while. Kefford and I were tired from all the eating out so we ate some bread we got at Walmart and ate some of the snacks we had brought with us. The only one who was really hungry for food was Kenedy and she was a little upset that we were not going to get food. I had half a sandwich left over from our dinner at Denny's so I gave that to her and it helped ease her hunger.

Later we headed over to Downtown Disney to meet up with Kelseys family and walk around the shops. It was fun to do that for a while but as it got later we got tired and all headed back to the hotel. The girls went up to the pool to swim and watch the fireworks which they said was pretty fun. I was too tired to get out of bed to watch the fireworks but I could hear them. I have seen them plenty of times and while watching fireworks is fun its even more fun in Disneyland because of the music that goes along with them so I was ok missing out on just watching them.

Disney Trip Day 2: Disneyland

Day 2 at the parks! Today we were hitting up Disneyland, for breakfast we went to Dennys because in getting dinner the night before we discovered it was the cheaper option. This time we had Heather and Kenedy with us so every ride we went on instead of saying 12 in our group we said 14. I thought the best course of action would be to head over to Rise of the resistance first thing because that ride is super popular and the line is crazy long. It seemed most everyone had the same idea because once the rope dropped at 8 their was a huge crowd of people heading the same way we were. As we were passing through New Orleans Square I heard an employee saying he didn't know why everyone was heading to Rise since it didn't open until 9. At that point I realized we would have to wait an hour in line just for it to open and judging from the crowds of people in front of us heading the same direction it would be at least another hour or two of waiting in line so I changed our plan of attack. We instead headed to The Haunted Mansion where we were able to walk right on, Pirates, where we walked right on and Indiana Jones where we hd a little wait but not a long one. After that we went to Thunder Mountain Railroad which is my favorite ride and had a little wait in line, maybe about 30 minutes. Basically did all 4 rides before Rise even opened up. It was a good plan.

Kenedy took a picture of all of us on our Pirates boat, we had enough in our group that we filled up our boat with just us.

Kelsey, Xander and Brit

Avynlea, Elizabeth and Heather

Brielle, Tayvia, Qiana and Rylee

Kefford, Hazel, Kenedy and Asher

The last time I rode Pirates was back in November when I went to Disneyland with my sisters. It was one of the first rides we rode and I did not remember how much of a splash happens on the little drops on the ride. It was enough that it got my hair wet and I had crazy bangs for the rest of the day. Heather and I remembered that and so when the drops came we hid under her jacket so our hair would don't get wet. Avynlea who was sitting next to me was shoving her head under the jacket saying "Make room for me!". It was pretty funny and we were very successful in keeping dry this time around. Splash Mountain was closed for renovations so we did not have to worry about getting wet on that ride...success!

It was at this point that I lost my ride buddy, Hazel upgraded to the newer, shinier version of me and latched onto Kenedy and became her ride buddy, it was fun while it lasted. 

The Indiana Jones ride split us into two groups and as our group was leaving Brt managed to get a couple of pictures

Elizabeth, Heather, Tayvia and Brielle

Rylee, Kenedy, Hazel and Qiana

I kept watch throughout the morning on how long the line for Rise was and when it was at its lowest, wait time 70 minutes I said we might as well head over and get in line, I didn't think it was going to get any better. 

Having already experienced Rise of the Resistance Heather and I were pretty excited to watch everyone else experience the ride. It is super interactive and a really cool experience. I got a picture of some of our group looking around at all the cool things.

When we had some wait time while on the ride Hazel used Kenedy as a chair

RYlee, Asher, Qiana and Kelsey were in the car across from ours so I got a picture of them and then I tried to get a selfie of those of us in our car but could not get everyone.

Kenedy, Hazel, Brielle and Tayvia

Avynlea, Kefford, Elizabeth and Heather

That ride was just as fun as I remembered and everyone loved it as well, I am excited to bring Ryker to Disneyland after his mission so he can experience it and all of Star Wars land, he will love it!

Kenedy and her buddy Hazel

We went on Smugglers Run next, another ride in Star Wars land, and my family had fun being inside the Millennium Falcon. This ride requires a little bit of role playing but since I had done it before I knew my part was nothing and so I focused more on watching Kefford and Rylee be the pilots, and Avynlea and Kenedy be the Gunners, Heather and I were the engineers and basically had to push a couple of buttons at some point, it was more fun to watch my family have fun.

Elizabeth, Avynlea, Kefford, Rylee and Kenedy

Chewy was outside when we got out so my girls got a picture on front of where he was. They thought that was pretty fun. After Star Wars land we headed over to Fantasyland and stopped to get a snack, we all got churros and then I also got a frozen Lemonade and I got Kefford a frozen Apple Juice.

Tea cups were next and Heather and I were left out of the different ride arrangements, who was going with who, and so we were getting out own teacup but then Avynlea said to come in the one with her and Kefford. I didn't want one that would be spinning and I knew Avynlea and Kefford would be non-spinners so we ran over to theirs and literally shoved our way in. It was a tight fit, very tight but it was fun to be together and we were not using the spinner so it didn't matter that we were so shoved in there would not have been any way to use the spinner.

We did Snow Whites Adventure, Mr Toads Wild Ride and Peter Pans Flight in Fantasyland before we headed off to go on Its a Small World. On our way through we saw Aladdin and Jasmine with the Genie so we stopped so we could get a picture of Rylee with her favorite princess and then a picture with all three girls.

We got to go on the same boat for its a small world but first while we were waiting in line we saw Elsa and Ana come out on a float and that was pretty fun for everyone. We took video and cheered and they waved at us poor saps standing in line. So we got on the boat and Kefford spotted a toy car past the fence down one of the soaps while we were in line and he wanted to jump out of the boat while it was in a blind zone from the workers and grab the car. It was a challenge for him but I told him not to do it because he probably wouldn't have been caught with his luck but if he would have been caught we might have been kicked off the ride or he could have gotten in trouble somehow. I did spoil his fun a little bit but I am a rule follower and he likes to be a rule breaker sometimes. So he stayed on the boat and we peacefully rode the ride and no-one got into trouble.

Xander, Kelsey and Brit 

Kefford, Elizabeth and Heather

Brielle, Tayvia and Avynlea

Kenedy, Hazel and Rylee

I am not sure where Asher and Qiana were in the boat, they are off camera somewhere

Lots in our group wanted to ride the Bobsleds next but I knew from past experience that I do not like the jerkiness of the ride so I opted out. Heather, Brielle and Tayvia also opted out with me so we headed over to Tomorrow Land to look in the shops while we waited for them to get through the ride. 

Kenedy, Rylee and Avynlea

Once they found us after their ride we got in line for Space Mountain. My family plus Heather got to ride in the same car and we planned out our poses for the camera. Kefford is an odd duck, he wasn't sure when the camera part happened so he stayed like that for part of the ride. 

Heather and Rylee

Kenedy and Avynlea

Kefford and Elizabeth

Hazel and Kenedy

After Space Mountain it was getting to be dusk and we took a big group picture in Tomorrow Land and then as we were heading over to Jungle Cruise we stopped to take some pictures n front of the pink Castle. 

Elizabeth, Kenedy, Kefford, Avynlea, Kelsey, Tayvia, Brit, Brielle, Xander, Qiana, Hazel, Rylee and Asher

Elizabeth and Heather

After we rode Jungle Cruise Asher really wanted to go on the monorail and so we were talking about it but then Avynlea and RYlee disappeared to go buy a pickle and grapes and while we were waiting for them  Asher just started walking off so Kelsey and Brit left with their kids and we were kind of confused because no one really said anything to us, they just left. After a couple of minutes Kelsey called Kefford and apologized and said when Brit saw Asher a ways off she left to go after him so they all followed. We tried to Cath up to them at the monorail but once we heard that is was a one way trip we opted out and went our own way. We headed over to Frontierland to get dinner and to go on the Winnie the Pooh ride. You can't not go on the Whinnie the Pooh when you are celebrating a birthday because on the ride they celebrate Pooh's birthday so we celebrated Avynlea's birthday on the ride. We ate dinner at the Hungry Bear restaurant and I remember the last time we came to Disneyland with just our family we ate there and I was dissatisfied. But it was a good option so I ordered then spicy chicken sandwich and after my first bite I remembered that that was what I had ordered before and I didn't like it because it was too spicy. Darn it. I ate as much as I could and then really made a mental note so this does not happen again.

While we were eating Heather was telling a funny story that was making her and I laugh so hard, it was the hysterical we are so tired laughter and Kenedy took some video of us. I took a screenshot of the video and compared it to a picture I had of us when we were little. Some things never change and the love between sisters is forever:).

After eating and riding Winnie the Pooh we went into some of the shops and Heather found a Mermaid hat for me that I immediately knew I needed to have. It is so cute and perfect for cold Idaho winters.

Our last picture at Disneyland

Avynlea, Kenedy, Kefford, Rylee and Elizabeth

We headed over to Main Street next so we could watch the fireworks at 9 but right before they made an announcement that it was too windy and so instead they projected clips of movies onto the castle and on the shops down Main Street and we had a dance party. It was so fun and I loved every minute of it. Towards the end they had the fake snow coming down and it was perfect. Disney does it right with entertaining and making everything magical.

After the super fun dance party we shopped down Main Street a little bit and then we went into an area that had stories and artwork related to the Haunted Mansion, it was pretty interesting. After that we met back up with Kelsey's family and we headed back to our hotel. It was such a fun day and I was a little sad to see it end. I love Disneyland!

Disney Trip Day 1: California Adventure

At the beginning of January Kelsey and Brit told us they were wanting to plan a Disney trip with their kids and asked if we would want to go with them. Of course that was a huge yes but the problem was they wanted to go the end of January and Avynlea had a cheer competition so that would not work for us. We through out a couple dates that could work with us but their time was not too open just like ours. I finally figured out that we could do the first weekend of February because that was the only weekend that Avynlea did not have a cheer competition and Brit and Kelsey could do that weekend as well because he didn't;t have ward conferences starting up that weekend, so we set the date! 

We left after school on February 2, Avynlea's birthday. I knew it could be a bummer that we couldn't celebrate her birthday like we normally do and we had to rush things but she was getting to go on a Disney trip so I figured she wouldn't be too upset about it. We met Kelseys family at the airport and we took a direct flight to LAX, that was nice to have a one and done flight. Normally when I go to California I have to fly with a layover because Boise does not fly direct to Ontario which is the airport closest to my Moms.

We told our flight attendant that it was Avynlea's birthday and it seemed every time he came by with snacks and drinks that he was asking me her name again. At the end of the flight as we were landing he asked her name one last time and then asked if it would be ok if he announced it was her birthday. I said of course and after all of his landing speech he announced that it was her birthday and we all cheered for her. it was a lot of fun and Avynlea loved it.

We all packed only carry on so when we landed we were able to grab our stuff and head outside to wait for the shuttle we had ordered. We had too many people for one shuttle so we had two, Kelseys got to the airport and they left first but we were not too far behind and we actually got to our hotel first because our driver took a better route. We stayed at the Camelot hotel which was right across the street from Disneyland which was awesome. By the time we got to the hotel it was past dinner time and everyone was pretty hungry. McDonalds was right next to our hotel so Kelsey and Kefford went over to get us all some food and we hung out with Brit and her kids in their room. They were watching Harry Potter which was pretty funny because that is what was on TV while we were in Hawaii eating out dinner in the condo. After we ate we made a plan for breakfast and when to meet up and then we left to settle in for the night.

The next morning was Thursday Feb 3 and we met at about 6:30am to walk over to ihop for breakfast. It was super convenient having restaurant options in walking distance to our hotel. Because we had so many people we had a kids table and an adult table, Avynlea took a selfie with her kids table and then Brit got one with all of them in it.

Avynlea, Tayvia and Qiana take a bathroom selfie

When we were making our reservations for this trip I wanted Kenedy to be able to come with us but she wouldn't be bale to leave until Thursday night so she was going to miss a day. I asked her she could only go with us to one park so which one did she want to go to and she said Disneyland. When I booked the tickets I bought California Adventure for Thursday and Disneyland for Friday so first up for us was California Adventure. I wanted to get there early enough so that when the park officially opened we could get in line for Soarin, its my favorite ride and it must be most peoples favorite ride becuas eat Eline is always crazy long. The park opened at 8 and we got there at about 7:30, I thought they would do the rope drop that Disneyland does but we were able to walk in and head straight over to get in line for Soarin. By the time the park opened we walked right in and on the ride.

Rylee and Avynlea

I am not familiar with California Adventure like I am with Disneyland so I made sure to get a map so I could see where we needed to go throughout the day. Turns out I didn't really need it because I had a mad on the Disney App on my phone. Xander got himself a map was well which was fun for him to have and keep.

While we were waiting for 8:00 Avynlea took some pictures of her cousins with my phone. Not the most flattering but they all got a kick out of them.

Qiana and Brielle

Hazel

I mentioned to Brit that I was bummed after we got back from Hawaii and I realized we didn't get any pictures of our families together so we set out on this trip to make sure we do. Avynlea took a fun selfie of some of us while we were waiting in line.

Kefford, Elizabeth and Brit

Asher, Brielle, Qiana, Avynlea, Tayvia and Rylee

 

Once we got on the ride I got a picture with Kefford and then Brit was sitting on the other side of me so I got a picture with her as well. Soarin uses scents as part of the ride and because of Corona virus we have to wear masks while inside the buildings at the theme park but I told everyone to take theirs off so they could enjoy the smells. I smelled the cherry blossoms and the dirt of the wild Wild West the most.

Kelsey, Avynlea, Brielle and Rylee

After the ride which everyone loved we headed to go find some more fun rides. First though our first group picture was taken and then a picture was taken in front of the prop plane outside the Soarin ride.

Asher, Xander, Qiana, Brielle, Rylee, Hazel, Tayvia and Rylee

As we were heading out of the area we passed by the Grizzly Bear Run ride which is a water ride but it was closed for renovations. Rylee wanted a picture in front of the bear that was in front of the ride and Kefford got in the picture with her.

The next ride we went on was The little Mermaid Ride, there was o wait for this ride so we were able to walk right on and enjoy the fun. I got to ride it with Kefford and Rylee, thank heavens we could fit three because t was fun to be with them.

After I had Avynlea take a couple of pictures of me in front of the ride. I wore my California Adventure Ariel shirt that Heather bought me a couple of years ago and also had one of my Ariel bows in my hair. I really don't like taking pictures solo because I feel so awkward and tend to look pretty awkward. This one looks ok but the better one is the one where I am facing the other way, no awkwardness there!

Avynlea and I took some pictures in front of the classic California Adventure scenery and she definitely won for cutest picture, I look super awkward

We went on Goofy's flight school and because the line was so short a bunch of them went on it again. I watched and took some pictures of those who went around the second time.

                        Elizabeth and Avynlea                                            Qiana and Rylee

                           Brielle and Qiana                                                Asher and Kefford

Avynlea, Qiana, Rylee and Asher      Kefford and Xander

We went on the Jumping Jellyfish and that ride is pretty tame and fun for everyone.        

Hazel and Avynlea

Rylee and Qiana

As we were walking through the Park we passed the Inside out ride which was closed for renovations. This was a bummer because the previous time our family came to California Adventure this ride was being built so we have not been able to try it out yet. As we were passing by Rylee and I wanted to take some pictures with Disgust and Fear, they were the only ones we could see, and I think we did a good job impersonating them.

As we walked more we found Anger at the Hot Dog stand! Rylee and Asher posed with him and then Kefford found his hero Duke Kaboom at a Popcorn stand.

The next ride we went on was the IncediCoaster, some of the younger kids did not want to go on this ride so Brit stayed back with them while the rest of us rode. I am good to only go once, it goes upside down and I think judging from previous experiences with roller coaster that once is my limit. After we were done I said I would stay with the littles so that Brit could ride and everyone else who wanted to ride it again could go again. We were lucky that the wait was not too long.

Avynlea, Rylee

Kefford and Elizabeth

While the rest of our group was riding the roller coaster I went on the merry-go-round with the little kids. I got an animal right next to Xander.

Avynlea rode the first time with Rylee and the second time with Kefford. 

Rylee, Qiana

Avynlea and Kefford 

As we were heading off to find the next great ride we saw Mr Incredible, Avynlea and Rylee stopped for a picture with him.

We stopped along the boardwalk to take some pictures

I love Coco!

Avynlea and Rylee with Ben from Finding Dory

We made it to Cars land and we all wanted to ride Radiator Springs Racers, it was a longer line so we had to wait a bit. I was really impressed with how well Kelseys younger kids did through all of the walking and waiting. They might have been whining to their parents but I never saw it, I just saw them waiting patiently with the rest of us.

Avynlea and Rylee made sure to get pictures with all of the Maters they saw.

Kefford thought the bottles in the wall were pretty cool and I guess Rylee and Brielle like to look at each other, lol.

Once we finally got to get in our cars, Kefford and I were in the red car with Brit Asher, Kelsey and Xander while Avynlea, Rylee, Brielle, Qiana, Tayvia and Hazel were in the yellow car. At the end of the ride our two cars raced and we were the winners!

A sign just for me!

Next it was on to the Guardians of the Galaxy ride, my second favorite ride in this park. Rylee got her picture with the Statue of one of the characters form the movies, I can't remember who he is. But she wanted a picture so she got her picture.

We managed to get everyone to ride the ride and we were in the back row and half of the middle row. I was in the middle row on the left with Kefford, Avynlea and Rylee. I think everyone but the littles really enjoyed this ride.

I think this next ride we went on was the Monsters Inc ride. It was at this point that Hazel became my little ride buddy. I was standing in line when Hazel slide over to me, grabbed my hand and pulled me back up to where she was standing, I asked her if she wanted me to ride with her and she said yes. It made me super happy and I loved having the time to bond with her. Kelsey and Brit as well as Kefford and Xander rode in the car with us.

Rylee was with Tayvia and Avynlea was next to Qiana

Some of ht kids wanted to ride the swings so we headed over there, I was the only adult to ride and I thought it was pretty fun.

Next up was Pixar Pal-Around also known as a Ferris wheel. You could ride swinging or non-swinging and I opted to go with the non-swinging group which included Kefford, Avynlea and Hazel. I got pictures of Rylee who rode the swinging car and got in before us non swingers. 

We did Toy Story Midway Mania next and I got pictures of Kefford and Kelsey who went on together. 

Hazel was once again my ride buddy and she had a lot of fun with this ride, she did pretty good with the shooting but I had the top score out of our entire group. Ok actually I think Asher had the top score but I had the second best score which I was pretty proud of. 

I got a picture of Brielle and Rylee who rode together. and Avynlea took a picture of her and Brielle who rode together.

I was player 2 and Hazel was Player 1

Those who didn't go on the merry-go-round wanted to go so I went along with all of them.  I rode the bench this time behind Hazel and Tayvia and it was pretty relaxing. 

At some point we stopped and got pretzels for a snack and we waited in a long line to ride the new Spiderman ride which was not worth the time we waited. We went into the animators studio as we were looking around at the shops and Avynlea got a couple of pictures in front of the Beasts fireplace.

Some of us took the Princess/Prince personality test  and Avynlea got Merida, Kefford took it but I couldn't get a picture fast enough of who he got and I took it but I didn't get a picture of my results and I don't remember who I got.

Rylee found another state to take a picture with and it was Walt Disney with Mickey Mouse. 

We left the park pretty close to closing time and we went over to Dennys for dinner. We ate a good dinner and had fun talking about our day, we made plans for meet up the next morning and then we went back to our hotel rooms for the night. Kenedy flew in this night and Heather was gracious enough to drive to LAX to pick her up and bring her to our hotel where she stayed the night with us. It was pretty crowded with 6 people in our room so Rylee stayed in with Kelseys family who had a suite, Avynlea took the chair bed and Heather shared the bed with Kenedy while Kefford and I were in the other bed. I was pretty much almost asleep when Heather and Kenedy arrived so I talked a couple of minutes with them before falling completely asleep.