Disneyland HERE we come!

                                WARNING!  PICTURE HEAVY!!

It has been a tradition to take the kids to Disneyland for their 5th birthday...we actually missed Jalen's last year, but his parents took their family...so it wasn't missed by him!  We did miss Addie's 5th, but after talking it over with Lacey, we decided it would be better to wait one more year so that Tristan will have grown and would be able to go on more rides.  So this was the year...and we were there for Lacey's official birthday!

I think there is just something magical about  Disneyland when you bring the young ones...they are so enthralled with the magic and the sights, not to mention seeing your favorite Disney characters walking around!  We have in our midst a disney theme park master ride planner...namely:  PAPA!!  He kept all of our tickets and would walk across the park to get "fast pass" tickets for all of us, then come back and meet us after we had all just gotten off a ride!  His walking to and fro allowed us to ride on all the little kiddie rides...you know them...Dumbo the flying elephant!  the spinning Tea Cups!  and don't forget all about "Bug Land"  Oh yes, Addie and I rode some awesome bugs in "It's a Bugs Life"!!

Walking down Main Street USA

Getting ready for the ride:  California Soarin'  We did it twice...such a beautiful ride!

While Mommy, Daddy and Caleb were riding the ride below, Addie and Tristan were able to see "Woody" and get his picture taken with them!

Lacey and Aaron are in the third car car, the person with the hands up is Caleb, right behind Lacey.  (Note the big smile on Aaron's face!

Now look at Aaron!  This is a big roller coaster that goes so fast and makes turns and dips like you wouldn't believe...Scott and I were lucky to be the photographers with Addie and Tristan and Woody!

Ariel and Addie

Belle and Addie

Cinderella and Addie

Mulan and Addie

Aurora and Addie

You can walk all around the theme park and try to find the princesses...at just the right time, and stand in a long line, just to be told when you are getting close that they are taking a break!  Or you can do what we did, and have lunch in Ariel's Grotto and have the five Princess's come to you while you eat!  This was my  birthday gift to Addie...just Mommy, me and Addie having lunch with the Princess's...Oh, I don't think Addie ate too much, but she was so excited to have them come up to her and have them sign her 'guest book' and get her picture taken with them!  A highlight for sure!  This is a MUST for any young princess!!  Start saving, because it is the most expensive lunch you may ever have...but well worth it!  And the food was actually really good and there was a lot of it too!

 Addie was SOOO  excited to see Phineas and Ferb and the two dancers and when they invited all the young ones up to dance, she did NOT hesitate in the least.

Addie is to the left of the dancer, with her hands on her hips

White water rafting at its best!  Yes, we all did it and only a couple of us came out really wet...I stayed relatively dry!

And finally as we are heading out of the park...goodbye Disneyland...next adventure will be Disney World!  Scott and I agreed it needed to be sooner rather than later...one last Hoorah while we can still both manage to  walk the miles it takes to enjoy the grandchildren and to enjoy the park!