What a glorious gift it was to escape our FRIGID DC Winter, and soak up some California sun for a few days!! We couldn't pass up the opportunity to meet up with Seattle family for some Disneyland fun, and beach time. Our nice camera somehow never made it out of the bag, so here's our trip in iphone pics:
An early morning at the airport didn't damper the excitement. We left our Winter coats in the car, and ran quickly inside through the single digit temps.
After a 5 hour flight and long wait to get our rental star, our first stop was In N Out Burger with the Choi's! They happened to be out visiting family at the same time.
Next stop - ice cream in Manhattan beach!
View from the Manhattan pier. We soaked every second of this 70 degree air in.
This mid winter Pacific Ocean water was COLD, but these boys couldn't wait to get in. We had one slightly scary moment as they got out a bit too far (they were not scared, mom was - especially as a surfer was rescued just beyond them!).
Happy buddies.
Our specs of boys playing shirtless football on the sand.
Happy, warm, and tired. It was time for our crew to drive to Anaheim.
The cousin reunion bright and early the next morning - Andrew lept into cousin T's arms.
Ready to take on Disney! Our Condo was RIGHT across the street - pretty awesome.
Excited, happy cousins.
Tram ride - they picked right up where they left off.
We ran into Hook!
Keep trying boys.
Pluto! Will was precious, Andrew wanted to be eaten.
Silly time with Mickey.
They have a super hero exhibit! Will has spent hours over the past few weeks coloring giant Iron Man pictures (and pasting them very nicely all over his room). This was epic for him.
What do you do when you become Iron Man? The booty shake of course.
We made our way over to California Adventure that afternoon.
Will saluting some real green army men :).
We were SO excited to see Radiator Springs - amazing doesn't do it justice. We were blown away.
Meeting Lightning McQeen!
Grandpa Jack soaking up the canyon sunset. The cars ride in the background was AMAZING.
Dinner that night at Flo's V8 cafe! The lights came on, and music started as we sat there eating. It was one of those magical Disney moments.
Andrew and Daddy taking on the California Screamer.
This was Andrew's favorite ride, by far.
Churro time! The perfect way to end our first day.
Day 2 started on the Dumbo ride for these two - one of their favorites.
Andrew and T waiting for Space Mountain - another favorite.
This pirate band was incredible - Dave was so impressed he wants to write Disney.
Adventures on Tom Sawyers Island.
They found the treasure cove!
This circle was the halfway point between the two parks - after meeting up here the first day, it became their tradition to run and sit here every time we passed it.
The fam!
Will developed a special love for his Cousin P.
The boys take on Hollywood Blvd.
Will ate up this Disney Junior show....
while the big boys took on the Hollywood Tower of Terror. They were photobombed perfectly by this ride attendant, which became a fun story.
We have so many ride pictures like this, but THIS one cracks me up. Andrew (front right) was terrified, but loved it. The rest of us were hysterical. This might have been my favorite ride.
A very happy California Dreamin parade.
Dinner on the pier.
Grandma's first ride on the screamer! We somehow always managed to hit this right after a big meal - not ideal. But so fun.
These boys loved the carousel.
Crossing the finish line on the Cars Racers ride. This was a family favorite.
Cousins with a storm trooper!
Uncle Chris in his big stage debut :). This was hilarious.
Our whole crew - the castle is getting a makeover for the 60th anniversary.
A perfect spot to stop for ice cream :).
Fun with Grandma. Bugs land has several sweet rides for smaller kids - a perfect landing point while bigger boys did scarier rides.
We all had tired, sore feet!
Dave and I on our hot date aboard the Screamer.
Goodnight Disney California Adventure.
This park closed at 8pm, a perfect ending time for the little kids, and most sane adults.
Andrew however, was NOT ready to stop.
With tired, very sore feet, six of us entered through the gates of Disneyland (which closed at 11pm) one last time. There were 3 fast passes to Space Mountain, and one to Indiana Jones burning holes in our pocket (thanks to our runner, Uncle Chris). Making our way back over to Space Mountain, my feet have never hurt more in my entire life.
Our last ride, this picture sums it up. An exhilarated Andrew, and a tired mama.
3 boys and their hard core Grandma. I don't know how she did it.
A very fun night with my boy. I loved how often this one reached for my hand as we walked through the park. Moments I truly savor as he is growing up so fast.
Friday was a wonderfully lazy, recovery day. We started at the house where our cousins were staying, and soaked up some pool time. Then we headed to the beach!
Corona Del Mar in Newport Beach was the perfect spot for us. Small waves, beautiful warm sun, we were in heaven.
Taking it in.
We love our Grandpa Jack.
The water was cold, but it didn't stop these boys.
Palm trees - happiness.
My Caden.
My Will.
My Andrew.
Us!
Grandpa and Grandma!
JA and Chris
Our bird man.
Wet, cold sand felt wonderful on our tired sore feet.
We found fun rocks to climb at the edge of the beach.
Making their way.
So gorgeous.
Lots of pretty spring flowers in bloom.
The boys found a cave on the beach.
A great place to catch a Pacific sunset!
And a little taste of heaven.
One last pic together - this was mayhem.
We are so thankful to have had this time together - what a gift and joy it was. Thank you Grandpa and Grandma for getting us all together, thank you Chris for being our Disneyland mastermind. We had SO MUCH FUN.
