California Adventure Day 1

California Adventure Day 1
November 17

Passing some time before we leave for the park!  As is the usual around here, Emilyn and Lucas are ready, and Matisyn is still in her pajamas!

We headed over to breakfast at the hotel around 8:00 that morning.  The kids (and adults!) were very excited to see some Disney parks!

We met the Helquist's again this trip, and it worked out so perfectly.  Everyone has a friend when we're together (except Kaylee), and the kids all get along so well.  This was so cute to see Emilyn and Sylvie holding hands on our walk over.  We stayed at the Ramada right across the street, which was so convenient.

Waiting for the rope to drop after getting into California Adventure, we took a few pictures with the huge Christmas tree and the statues.  The dads went the other direction to try to get fast passes for the Cars ride and World of Color, and we headed straight back to Toy Story's Midway Mania.  For lots of reasons, I love that ride, and we wanted to catch it before the lines were crazy, since there aren't fast passes available.  It was so much fun, and extra nice that everyone could go on together.

Lucas was already "trouble" out of the stroller and without Matt I couldn't push two strollers.  So I put Lucas on the backpack leash and pushed Kaylee in the stroller.  He was not having it!  I was basically dragging him, or he kept cutting in front of the stroller and getting tangled up, until Matisyn and Jens stepped in to help.  Then it became a fun game of chase, and running under bars and around people.  He was crazy, but it worked to get us to the back of the park.

Lucas ran straight for Car's Land as we passed.  He loved this Olaf right in front.

After Midway Mania we rode the Carousel, and I lost track of how many times the little ones went on that! While they were riding the carousel, the moms and the oldest kids (Jens and Matisyn) went on California Screamin'.  Then we switched with the help of glorious "stroller passes" and the dads went on the roller coaster with the big kids.  We learned to take advantage of the stroller passes, since most rides worked for the oldest four, and not the youngest three.  It worked really well to switch off with the dads and moms or in couples so everyone got to ride what they wanted.  We are a great team!

Then we rode the Ferris wheel.  Matt, Kaylee and I rode in our own car, and I was able to nurse Kaylee without slowing everyone down.  She enjoyed eating with a view!

I think the roller coaster gave me a really nice hairdo!  I'm not sure how Alison's hair was still perfect after the ride!

The little girls dancing in front of The Little Mermaid ride.  That was one of their favorites.

Kaylee was a joy the whole time.  She was pretty content to ride in the stroller and look around, hang out in the bjorn, or be carried around.  It was constant stimulation and attention, which are her favorite things.  When she was tired, she slept.  She was patient with me in finding times and places to nurse her, and she was a happy girl the whole week.

These two pictures sum up Lucas throughout the week.  Complete joy and excitement one minute, and then breakdown the next!  He LOVED it, but also couldn't seem to control his emotions.  We spent long days in the park, and he skipped naps most days, and when he did nap it was short and in the stroller.  He wanted freedom to run around and explore everywhere, which wasn't safe, and that's usually what made him upset.  When we were able to let him run free, he was happy as can be, and so well behaved.  He really was so much fun to be with and watch as the magic happened.

On this occasion he wasn't able to go on the Radiator Spring's Racers.  He just missed the height requirement, which broke my heart.  He LOVES cars!  He did not want to sit and wait for the big kids to come back, and he lost it.  He was not happy with me!

The Christmas decorations were really fun all over both parks!

Luckily Mater's Junkyard Jamboree was perfect for the little man, and he was able to ride a tractor!

Meeting Mater himself was a BIG highlight for Lucas.  He couldn't believe it when he saw him driving down the street in Car's Land.  He was precious when he got to go up and touch him.

Luckily Alison was around to hold, guide, and assist with children when necessary.  She was a big help when Matt was gone with the big kids and Lucas and Kaylee had different agendas!  It was nice to get to spend time with her in such a fun place! 

The dads and the big kids on Radiator Spring's Racers

Got to love a Mickey shaped loaf of bread, adorable and delicious!  We ate lunch at Boudin's, soup in sourdough bread bowls.  We had to search to find tables big enough to fit all of us!

Next we went on The Little Mermaid, which was a hit for the whole family!

Watching the Green Army men show, Emilyn was a pretty cute dancer!

Watching Five and Dime Mickey Mouse show in the Main Square.  We were singing "A suitcase and a dream" for days afterward!

On our way to ride Soarin' Over California we visited with Pluto.  Lucas was so excited and couldn't wait for the line to move so that he could have his turn.  He was tentative with most of the characters, but ran straight up and hugged Pluto.  I love our pictures with him.

We took turns with the Helquist's riding Soarin' Over California.  While their family was on the ride we went to find some characters.  We got to see a very dressed up Goofy, who was loving Emilyn's crazy hair, and a beautiful Minnie Mouse.  Lucas and Cora were trying to take naps (they didn't fall asleep, but it was wishful thinking), so I took the girls to visit.

Emilyn LOVED Soarin', and had the most precious squeals and giggles of delight on her first time riding.  I was so happy to be sitting next to her.  She was so excited to be tall enough to ride almost everything in the parks this time.

Next we went to the Anna and Elsa meet and greet.  It was kind of hidden, and had a surprisingly small line.  They were really fun, and the kids all had a good time chatting with the princesses.  Lucas even talked with them!

Emilyn is still at a really cute age with princesses, and enjoyed having their attention.  She was excited about all of the different things we saw, and was so well behaved the whole week.  She had an amazing time, and had such a great attitude about everything.  I really enjoyed being with her.

Baby Kaylee got some princess time too.  She gave them some good smiles!

Next was the Frozen Sing-Along.  It was even more fun than I expected.  I loved looking around at everyone belting out the songs, even the Dads!  It was a blast for everyone.

We got to visit the snow where Olaf was hanging out.  While we waited in the long line, the kids played in the snow, and rode toboggans down the icy hill.  It was a great stop.  Olaf did not disappoint when we made it to the front of the line!

Cute moment with Cora and Emilyn

We had dinner at Flo's V8 Cafe in Car's Land.  The lights at night are so much fun, and really make you feel like you are in the movie!  Then the moms got to take the big kids on the Racer's with the stroller passes from earlier in the day.  It's good to get this special time with them.  My arm isn't as long as Mike's, so my selfies aren't quite as awesome, but I managed to get everyone in a picture.

Then we met the dads and little kids over at the Holiday World of Color.  It was pretty hard to see from where we were standing, so it was hard to keep the kids engaged.  It was a beautiful show, but lost some of it's magic on us since we couldn't see as well.  We finished the night with one last ride on The Little Mermaid, and milkshakes and chocolate bars at Ghirardelli.  Our first day in California Adventure was a success!

Favorites for the day:

 Matisyn-California Screamin' and Racers

Emilyn-"Frozen" everything and Soarin Over California

Lucas-Car's Land and meeting Mater and Pluto

Kaylee-Meeting Anna and Elsa, Little Mermaid, and being held