To Disney...and BEYOND

After years of procrastination, we finally took the girls to Disneyland. While Disneyland/California Adventure was the ultimate reason for the trip, we decided to throw in a few other stops. We went over harvest vacation, which is the PERFECT time to visit Cali because there are no lines and few crowds. We debated for awhile about whether we should drive or fly. With gas prices the way they have been, flying turned out to be more economical (the family car is an SUV ~ loves to drink the gas). I have to admit that 12 to 14 hours in the car was not appealing to me on any level, so finding a sweet deal on plane tickets made my week!

It was the girls first trip on a plane and they were pumped!! The flight was under two hours and then we got in the rental car and took off for LA! We were NOT impressed with the smog...but we did find the American Girl store at The Grove, and it was every little girl's dream! We ate a delightful lunch at the American Girl Cafe and the girls bought dolls (with their own $$ I may add:). The dolls pictures are not the ones they bought, but are the dolls that greeted them and ate lunch with them at the cafe. (Yes, around every turn is a ploy to ensure you do not leave the place without one of the dolls.)

It was quite the experience for Olivia. She has been reading all of the American Girl books and Jolly Ole' St. Nick was kind enough to honor her request and bring her the entire set of mini dolls last Christmas. Needless to say, she was in her own personal heaven. She has a job cleaning the office where her dad works, so she had saved her paychecks so that she could purchase Ruthie. We were proud of her for having a goal and working to achieve it. (Michael really just thought that the dolls were insanely expensive...but he was proud ~ and relieved ~ that she saved up.)

Abby loves dolls of any kind. Her Aunt Sarah had passed down her Molly and Bitty Baby to Abby, so she has a couple to love. However, she was NOT leaving that store without a doll. We tried to calmly explain that one doll like the one Olivia had saved for would take ALL of the money Abby had saved. She finally settled on one half of a twin bitty baby set...an adorable little baby boy that she named Cooper (after her cousin Ike Cooper).

It was fun, but I think Michael was ready to leave! He was a wonderful sport!





That night we went to Newport Beach so that the girls could see the ocean. It was a beautiful night, so the girls put on their suits because they hoped to hop in the water when we arrived. We left the hotel without jackets and drove the 8 miles to the coast. It was so COLD! However, we were not about to let that ruin our experience.

The next day we hit Universal Studios. Michael liked this much better than American Girl, I'm not sure why ;). There we met the Simpson's, SpongeBob and Friends, Curious George, Jaws, Shrek, The MUMMY, and much more! We also got to take a ride down Wisteria Lane (I don't watch Desperate Housewives, but hey, I've now seen where they "live"), we saw the real Mystery Machine, and drove through the plane crash from The War of the Worlds among other things. It was a fun filled day! When Michael and Livvy ditched us to ride The MUMMY,

Abby found something fun to do...

Day Three was Day One of DISNEYLAND!!!

Olivia was this happy...funny huh?

Of course the first character we HAD to meet was Liv's all time FAVORITE...Minnie Mouse! Minnie and all of her friends were all decked out for HALLOWEEN TIME at Disneyland. We met a lot of characters, princesses,and heroes. The girls loved getting their autographs and pics.

Our next stop was at THE MAD HATTER...

I LOVE Alice in Wonderland! I LOVE hats!

Obviously, Michael LOVED the Tea Cups :)

We had a TON of fun at Disneyland. It wasn't too busy, it was hot, but not HOT, and all of the food and drinks were cheap (not). It was so fun to watch the girls experience everything. They got soooooooo excited about everything. I took a ton of pictures. Of course, we couldn't go on EVERY ride, but we hit all of the major ones and all of the ones that the girls longed to ride, but our favorite was Splash Mountain. It was the only one we hit twice.

This was the second time...just before we left to get on the plane. The two tall, German men in front and our family (you can see Abby's leg...) ensured a DRENCH factor! Abby thought it was very funny to get wet and hear us all scream. she LOVES this picture because she says we look like a real family with the same mouths. She was a bit upset that her matching mouth was not visible, but assures me that it looked the same because she got, "a biiiigggg drink."

The next day we went to California Adventure. But first, we hit Club Libby Lu for make overs in Downtown Disney. Liv and Abby choose to be rock stars. They got Rockin' hairstyles (I can't believe I PAID someone to do this), make-up and nails done, accessories, a dog in a purse, AND a ton of glitter!

I thought it would be fun to get pictures of the girls in front of the first letters in their names outside of California Adventure.

O for Olivia...

and O for Abby? We could NOT convince our headstrong child that candy corn was a substitute A.

Then we were off! roller coasters, The Tower of Terror, It's a Bug's Life, Monster's Inc., a thrilling white water rafting ride, and Olivia got to talk to Crush! It was fun FuN, FUN! We stayed until it closed at 6 and then headed back to Disneyland for more FUN! We hit the Indiana Jones ride, Pirates, a few others, and saw the parade on our way to It's a Small World. However, when we arrived at the gates of It's a Small World, it was closed for repair. Apparently we Americans have gotten so chubby that the poor little boats can't hold us anymore! It will now have bigger boats and deeper water to ensure safe passage for heavy tourists. Abby was crushed; we were relieved! That song would play in my head for days if I'd been forced to ride in the little boats, plus...we'd had a lot of fast food that week!

The fifth day was our last. We went back to Disneyland to buy souvenirs. We'd made the girls wait to make sure they would know exactly what they'd want to buy. Abby chose a baby Minnie Mouse and Livvy chose a Nightmare Before Christmas bag.

After a quick trip to Endor (Star Tours Ride), Space Mountain, and Splash Mountain again...the last minute purchases were made, Mom took a few more pictures, and Dad promised he'd bring the girls back someday.

I feel so blessed to have two adorable, sweet daughters. I thank God each day for trusting me to raise them. I am also the luckiest girl on earth to have Michael as my husband. He loves to spoil his girls...and that especially includes me. He is a wonderful husband and father. Spending time as a family reminds me just how blessed I am.

I love you guys!!!