CELEBRATE!!!

we had a wonderful trip to Disneyland celebrating Mom's 50th birthday, Zack and My 3rd wedding anniversary and being with family!!
we flew in around 3:30pm on Thursday. our flight was smooth and everyone did well. Katelyn fell asleep as soon as we took off. Ashley's ears were plugged and hurting.
Checked into our great hotel: Hilton Anaheim.
took the kiddos swimming while Mom and Greg went walking and got yummy drinks to stock our fridge.
we ate dinner at the hotel at Baja Fresh and Sbarro pizza.
we then walked to Downtown Disney. the weather was beautiful! katelyn played in the fountain and danced to the music.
we went to bed early because we knew we had a long day ahead of us!

on Friday we met up with the AZ Lunds..it was HOT!! We saw some characters right away, got cold water and a spray bottle fan! we went on lots of rides and we timed it just right and was able to catch the Celebrate Parade- Bean slept through it!
That night we met up with Zack's friend Jeff and his family and ate dinner at House of Blues. The kids did so well for being SO tired and hungry! We were able to catch the fireworks while shopping in Downtown Disney. and then it was bedtime.
We went on:
Autopia
Dumbo
Toad's Magic Ride
Alice in Wonderland
Tea Cups
Carousel

We headed over to the park early Sat morning. We had it all mapped out and were able to ride several rides. I was surprised that it wasn't that busy...yet! We met up with the AZ Lunds, rode more rides and then spent the rest of the afternoon at Ca Adventure.
We went back to the hotel to swim and freshen up before heading out on our 2 mi walk!!! to dinner! On the map Oggi's looks like it is 2 blocks from our hotel but it is really 2 MILES! Ok, we walked all day at DL and my SIL is 7 mo pregnant! But the food was so worth it! and I love how all the kiddos played so well together on the patio.
Another late night and we all hit the sack exhausted!
We went on:
Indiana Jones
Jungle Cruise
Pirates of the Carribean
Haunted Mansion
Its a Small World
Toon Town

Soarin' over CA
HSM Parade
Mickey's Ferris Wheel
King Triton's Carousel
Ca Screamin
Jumpin Jellyfish
Grizzy River Run Rapids Ride
Toy Story Midway Mania
Golden Zephyr


Sunday morning we had breakfast in the park with the Characters:
Minnie
Pooh and Tigger, Eeyore too
Chip n Dale
Captian hook
Fairy Godmother

and then met up with the AZ Lunds for another day at DL. It wasn't as hot but it was CROWDED!
we headed back to the hotel to check out, eat dinner and catch a shuttle to the airport.
We went on:
Toy Story Blasters
Monorail
Autopia
Nemo Submarine Voyage
Space Mountain
The Adventures of Pooh and Tigger
Splash Mountain

The trip was great! and we are already planning our next visit.

The morning we left on our trip, I swear a light switched and Katelyn hit the TERRIBLE 2s like no other! Someone took my sweet lil baby and turned her into a monster! Both Zack and I were pulling out our hair. We thought, "oh no! we are in for a LONG trip." It really didn't get any better until Sunday...the day we left! I am sure the extreme heat and lack of naps didn't help either. Or maybe she just didn't like Disneyland?? But who doesn't like Disneyland? No daughter of mine can't not like Disneyland...it is the happiest place on earth!
Luckily we had LOTS of help- I am SO thankful for everyone lending a helping hand when Bean threw one of her tantrums. Everything was "NO!" Thankfully she did get happy when we gave her her binky. She usually only has it for naps and bedtime but we gave it to her just to keep her happy.
But even with all the NOs and tantrums we still had a good time and I can't wait to go back!

Katelyn did not like the characters at Breakfast with the Characters, but loved the Mickey Mouse waffles, fruit loops, balloon and pin she was given and the Pooh Bear stamped on her hand.
She did not like the heat, but loved playing with the spray bottle fan and in the fountains all around the parks.
She did not like the darkness and dips of Pirates of the Carribean the but loved Adventures of Pooh and Tigger and Its a Small World.
She loved playing with her cousins in the hotel room, watching toonies and coloring.
She loved running around the hotel being chased by Ashley and Tyler.
She loved shopping in the air conditioned stores. I swear we couldn't walk out of a store without buying something.

OK, ready for some photos?? looking through these makes me smile! it makes the heat and tantrums SO well worth it! Bean pointed at everyone as she said their names! i love that we get to spend so much time with our families!! and have a GREAT time doing it!!
I can't wait to go back!!


My Mac with DVDs was a God send!!!





SWIMMING!! Ah it felt so refreshing!!





Friday: Meeting up with the AZ Lunds


almost in the park guys!!! we are so excited!!


WE ARE IN!!!



Bean wanted NOTHING to do with Goofy!!




Ashley's tongue is stuck! We had to sip on cold water and slushies to keep cool! i didn't get my ice cream or Dole Whip :( but i guess that is a reason to go back!! :)



Hangin' out and being silly!





Teacups...no thanks for the Preggo Ladies!! UGH!!




The Adventures of ALice in Wonderland




Waiting in the cool shade while we went on Dumbo.


Mr Toad's Wild Ride



Celebrate Parade


Hangin' out while the Big Kids went on Thunder Creek Railroad


Toontown


Saturday: Waiting for the shuttle. $10 tickets..so worth it!!


Jungle Cruise


Tarzan's Treehouse


heading into Ca Adventures. Ashley had a thing for hats and bought two.


snack time! tyler eating strawberries dipped in chocolate- yum!


They look so cute in their matching outfits! Thanks Aunt Tayde for picking them out!!


It's a small world...one of Katelyn's favorites.



thank goodness for Aunt Tayde's snack bag!!! it kept everyone happy :)




Katelyn with one of her MANY new toys from Dsneyland. These were a hit with all the kids. WTG, Zack!!


More snacks! I bought this chocolate frozen banana for me, but I think Katelyn liked it more.


Our whole party! Thank you Zack, Katelyn, Mom, Greg, Ashley, Tyler, Tommy, Tayde, Tommy Jr, Bryanna and Michala, Lund Babies #1 and #2 for making this trip so magical!!!






she is so funny when she wraps a blanket around her and says "cold" and shivers! this Tinkerbell phone was also a hit!

Sunday: Hanging out in the cool shade in Critter Country. Katelyn started acting like her normal self on the last day of Disneyland. Maybe because it was cooler. She really liked the Adventures of Pooh and Tigger ride.

I took my Canon Digital Rebel and Tamron lens with us. I didn't want to lug around my Macdaddy camera and good thing I didn't bring it. On the last day I had a little accident. Thankfully I had a filter on and it saved my camera and lens!! It was still kind of scary!
I took all photos in RAW + Jpeg. These area ll Jpegs with minimal editing. That is how I am able to get them up so quickly. There are some from the Character Breakfast where I will need to edit the RAW images because my WB was off. So there will be more photos to come! Plus, I can't wait to get all the other pics from Mom's, Ashley's, Greg's and Tayde's cameras!!