Disneyland

Adam recently found out that he was awarded some vacation in May.  So we figured we might as well get some use out of the place he is renting in Southern California... especially if we could fly stand-by and get a military discount on Disney tickets!  We decided to keep this trip a surprise for the boys, since we had to base the days we would be there on flight loads anyway.  Last Monday, everything looked great to leave so we sat the boys down and had Jacob read a little poem I made up.

There's a reason why you're missing school,

and it's really really REALLY cool.

We are flying to the third largest state,

and we have to leave now so we won't be late!

(The excitement starting welling at this point and Jacob starting guessing...  "We are going to Alaska?!")

Tomorrow we will be at a place that starts with a D and ends with a D.

Gavin was there when he was three!

("Begins with a D and ends with a D... Dad?!")

There are rides and parades and lots of fun,

Everyday there will be warm, comfy sun.

Who wants to leave this house,

and fly down to see MICKEY MOUSE?!

(Lots of screams followed by "ME, ME, ME!!!!")
So we distributed Mickey hats and were on the road!

 I have never seen more beautiful views than I did on this flight!  Amazing!

Almost as if you could walk right off of the airplane onto the blanket of clouds!

The next morning, the first thing the boys wanted to do was check out the map with their daddy.

 Then Jacob used the map to lead us straight to Buzz Lightyear!

Pixar Pals!

 The street in California Adventure that seems to go on forever.  ;)

Waiting in line for Pirates!  Jacob and Casey weren't so sure about this ride, but Gavin kept reassuring them that it was just pretend.

 Jungle Cruise!

There were only a few rides that Casey wasn't able to go on so we met some characters and ate frozen bananas... my favorite!

The Big Thunder Mountain Railroad ended up being Jacob's favorite Disneyland ride.  Thanks to the child swap pass, Adam and I could take turns with Jacob and Gavin without waiting in line!

While I was waiting with Casey by the Big Thunder Mountain, we spotted Woody and Jessie!  Unfortunately, this was as close as we got since they seemed to be ending their shift for the day.  :(  So sad!

The lines were fairly short and the temperature stayed at 75 degrees the entire week.  May is a great time to go to Disneyland!

Trying on hats!

Jacob especially liked the Indiana Jones one, since he had just gotten off that ride.  :) 

 

We seriously needed a monkey leash for Casey... he just wanted to run around everywhere and one time we almost lost him!

 I didn't realize you could see Mickey anytime you want in his house at Toontown!  So fun!

 Aww...

Goofy also stepped out to give Gavin a high five.

Never too old to have fun on Dumbo!  ;)

Magic, memories, and me.  This is a new nightly show at It's a Small World...  lots of colors, lights,  pictures of kids having fun at Disney that day!

We played at Disney for about nine hours straight this first day!  The boys were serious troopers so we just kept going.  Adam and I were totally exhausted by the end of the day, but the boys were full of smiles and telling us it was the best day ever.   :)