Cali part 5 (last one!)

Tired of these yet?
 We decided to do magic hour for Disney on Saturday.  We were determined to catch that Tinkerbell!  So we got into the park and Brian watched the kids while I did Star Wars again.  Then I took the kids on Toy Story?  or something.  By then it was about 8 am and we were the 2nd people in line to take a picture with Tinkerbell!  Finally!

Periwinkle...Tink's sister

Tinkerbell!

Then we went on It's A Small World

Once again, Joseph was not thrilled

Then we met the girl from Brave.  She had the least amount of wait of any of the princesses lol

Then we went and rode Pirates as a family.  Brian assured me it would be fine, and Claire was fine, but Jack freaked out.  He kept putting my hands over his eyes.  Ugh.  The last ride we went on was Nemo.  Funnily enough, Claire was scared on that ride?  It was fun though because it was a submarine.

So, we rode the monorail for the last time and headed out.  The ride home was not as nice as the ride there.  We made it to Mesquite and had to stop.  Brian was agonizing over which hotel to get, which was cheapest, which had breakfast, should we stay in Mesquite or make it to St. George?  Finally, I said we are going to KFC, getting food, and checking into the Best Western.  Hang the cost! lol.  Well, I was inspired because after learning we had 3 kids the nice man gave us the family suite for the same price as the other room.  And we got a AAA discount.  It was nice to have space and the sofa pulled out so Claire had a bed and Joseph slept with me and Jack with Brian.  We got up leisurely and had breakfast then hit the road.  The last 120 miles were pure torture.  We were SO close but still felt so far away.  The kids were DONE and so was Joseph.  But we finally made it.

I'm sure I would never do Disney on my own but it was a nice vacation.  Claire is still talking about it and wants to go back.  HAHA.  Maybe for another retreat down the road but not any time soon!  The best part was seeing family.  :)

Cali part 4

Friday was a very nice day.  Grandma and Grandpa came very early (Thanks!) so Brian and I could go out without the kids.  Joseph takes a bottle which is really really nice.  So we dashed up to the concierge lounge (where we ate most days) for breakfast and then headed out.  Brian made me ride the Ferris Wheel and we went on the Toy Store ride where he kicked my butt shooting things.  We did Soaring which pulls you up off the ground and then you watch the screen and it makes you feel like you are flying over mountains and oceans.  A little trippy for me. :)  Brian was mad because the Car's Land ride was broken so we were never able to do that.  Brian rode the roller coaster that I absolutely refused to go on....it went upside down.  No thank you.  Then we went over to Disney and went on the Matterhorn which I enjoyed and Star Wars which was my absolute favorite :)  Then we went on the Jungle Cruise.  I think that's about it.  It was nice to get things in without the kids.

Around 10:30 we went and got the kids.  Grandma and Grandpa took them on the Ferris Wheel again.  And instead of the car that was still, they took them on the one that swings.  Grandma said Jack was a leetle nervous at first but then enjoyed it. I was sitting on a bench with Joseph and just people watching while they were waiting in line and riding and a guy was in front of me and I though, Wow, that looks like Owen Wilson.  Hey, that IS Owen Wilson!  lol. Pretty cool.  Brian wanted to stalk him for a photo but I wouldn't let him :)

We took the kids back to the hotel while Grandma and Grandpa rode some more and took nice LONG naps :)  After, Brian and I went to Steakhouse 55 which was part of the Disneyland Hotel.  It was a nice place.  We each got the 40 buck 3 course meal which was a salad, steak with fries and green beans, and a creme brulee.  Since most steaks alone were 35 bucks and sides were a la carte and we didn't buy any wine I'm sure we were the cheapest tab all day!  It was very yummy.  Then we had to say goodbye to grandma and grandpa :(  I so wish we lived closer to family!

Cali part 3

Thursday was a company day so we had to wear our Sawtooth shirts

The kids loved all the princesses

In line for the jungle cruise

We never did get to meet Rapunzel

We stalked Tinkerbell every day but didn't get her until Saturday

 Thursday night we went to Ariel's Grotto for dinner as a company.  Then we went and saw World of Color

Cali part 2

Tuesday night was really fun!  Everyone from Brian's company went to a place called Medieval Times.  It was dinner and a show.  The show consisted of Knights riding horses, doing fancy things with the horses, jousting, and sword fighting.  You should have seen the kids eyes! We were assigned to cheer on the Green knight.  When they were doing some skill stuff, if the knight did it they were given a rose by the Princess and could give it to one of their people.  Claire was over the moon when he gave one to her and we had to to keep it very safe the rest of the trip.  she still talks about how she loves the green knight.  Sadly, our knight was vanquished by the black knight, who was in turn defeated by the blue knight, who then beat the evil knight to save the princess so YAY! lol.  It was a lot bigger than I thought it was going to be and way fun.  We ate dinner with our hands :)  Our serving boy probably thought we were strange since drinks options were tea, coke, and water and our whole section asked for sprite!

Wednesday morning Brian took the kids out while I stayed in with Joseph

On the Ferris wheel

Ariel ride

Waiting for the carousel

Only picture of the Bug's Life ride...Brian said they were both freaked out

Wednesday afternoon we went back to the beach!  and had to say goodbye to Mazy and Evie :(  They went back Thursday