August 12th: Last Day for Disney

August 12th

Last Day at Disneyland

Josh and Tanya left to drive back to their home today, so it was just us on our last day.  We slept in a little bit and didn't get to the park until around 10.  The past 2 days, the kids have walked everywhere because we never stopped to rent a stroller.  So we promised them that we would get one today.  Man, there was a huge line for strollers.  When Garrett came back, about 40 minutes later, he only had a single stroller, so Bella and Noah fought over riding in it all day.  Not sure it really helped anything, but at least we had a place to put our backpack!  :)

 I cannot remember all the rides we went on and in what order, but I'll do my best trying to remember.  It won't matter to you guys reading this at all I know, but it bugs me when I can't remember.  

 We started out in Tomorrowland, since we hadn't really done anything in this area.  Our first ride was the "Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters"  

 Then we headed over to something called "Innoventions" because they had displays and interactive meetings with The Avengers--Captain America, Thor and Iron Man.  Maggie is a huge Captain America fan (actually all of them, but especially Captain America), so we stopped in to see it.

 We saw all the Iron Men suits first--they had them all on display from the very first to the latest.

 I don't think Iron Man was there, just his suits. 

Then we went to wait in line to meet Captain America.  

Maggie was pretty giddy to have her picture taken with him, even though it wasn't really Chris Evans.  She thought he was still pretty cute.  

 After that, Garrett and Maggie went to get in line for the Matterhorn and I took everyone else to Alice in Wonderland.  They had really been wanting to go on it, so I figured it was time.  It was cute!

 In line for the Matterhorn.  She was hoping that it was going to be like Expedition Everest, but she said it was nothing like it.  Kind of disappointing.  Oh well.

 Another picture with Eugene.  Her favorite!

While we were in Fantasy land, the smaller girls wanted to get a toy, so we did a little shopping and got them each a toy.

 When we were done with Alice, we headed over to Jedi Training to watch.  None of my kids really wanted to participate, but it was fun to watch the other kids.  I don't think Paige had quite gotten into Star Wars yet.  If she had, she would've been all over this!

 Darth Vader!

 This little girl was so cute fighting Vader.  She had no fear!  While we were watching this, Garrett and Maggie came back and then Garrett took Lydia to go ride Star Tours.  I think I took the other kids to ride Pinochio.  That was a big mistake.  You'd think it would be a nice, fun ride for little kids.  Nope, they have to make it dark and scary with weird music and scary images.  My two youngest have never seen Pinocchio and really didn't like it at all.  Go mom!

 When we all met up again, we found the kids a little corner to hang out in.  We had Lydia watch them for a little bit while Garrett, Maggie and I rode on Space Mountain.  I really don't like this ride, but I thought I'd give it another try.  The other time I went on it, I felt like I was going to hit my head on something, so I kept trying to sink down into my chair.  This time, the ride was completely pitch dark and I couldn't see a dang thing.  I didn't like that.  I really felt sick during the whole thing.  So, I don't think I'll ride that one again.  

 We did a little more shopping before we left Tomorrowland--for t-shirts and such.  

 Then we went to ride Mr. Toad's Wild ride.  Garrett went somewhere by himself, but I can't remember where.  Anyways, I love this cartoon and I thought it would be cute for the kids--they have seen it and like it too.  It was fine until the end when Mr. Toad ends up in HELL for some reason.  That's not how the movie was, and so once again my little kids did not like this ride either.  Why do they add that things like that?  Is there another version of the show that I have not seen?  Oi!

 Anyways, after that I think we all got ice cream and sat down to watch the Mickey Mouse show that Garrett had watched with the little kids two days before.  (Mickey and the Magical Map)

 Rapunzel and Flynn in the Magical Map

 Catching the end of the parade.

 Riding the carousel again

We walked through Sleeping Beauty's castle after this and took some fun pictures of the scenes in there.  

I honestly can't remember what other rides we rode, but we did a bit more shopping and then I think we left.  I'm sure I'm missing something but when you are 5 months behind, you tend to forget things. 

August 11th: California Adventure

August 11th

Warning--there are a ton of pictures!!  I couldn't narrow them down very much.

California Adventure today!

We woke everyone up bright and early--6:30 AM.  That is so early for us, but we did it.  We were eating breakfast by 8 and then by the time we got to the park, it was 9:30.   

 Once again, we walked from our hotel, to the parking lot that had a shuttle to take us to the park.  This is Caleb and Noah talking together on the shuttle.  They are both 4, but Caleb's about 5 months older than Noah.

 When we got there, we headed straight over to Cars Land.  I was so excited for Noah to experience Cars Land because he LOVES the movie "Cars" and he always has a Lightning McQueen car with him.  Garrett and Josh got Fast passes for the Cars ride--'Radiator Springs Racers'-- as soon as we got there. They were for later in the day, but Garrett said we should ride it twice, so we got in line for it right when we got there.  Josh and Tanya waited to ride it with their fast passes, so they took off and did other things first.  

 Cars land was so awesome!!  I love how they made the town of Radiator Springs--I wanted to stay there all day!!  Noah saw Lightning McQueen and was so excited!!

 The line was long and it was extememly hot, but I must say that the ride was worth it!!

 Garrett and Paige and Noah were in this car (above) (I was in the car behind them with Bella, Maggie and Lydia)

 Garrett and Noah

 We saw all the characters on the ride.  It was so cute--and then so fun to race the cars.  I was so sad, but Noah did not the like ride at all.  I guess I should say that he didn't like the racing part of the ride.  He said it was too fast for him.  

This is what the racing part of it looks like.

 Getting our picture with Lizzie

 Going to Luigi's for new tires...

 and riding the ride, 'Luigi's Flying Tires'.  We really liked this ride and thought it was a lot of fun!

 Air blows out of air vents and floats your tires.  Then everyone on your tire has to lean in the direction they want to move.  

 Then we walked around Radiator Springs looking at all the shops and stuff.  

 Lightning McQueen was back for pictures, so we waited in line for pictures.  

 I love this one!!  He was so happy!  I might have to frame this one and hang it in his room.  

 We got our pictures taken by one of the professional photographers walking around.  

Then we went over to Mater's Junkyard Jamboree.

  While we were waiting in line, they had all sorts of stuff hung up from the short movie, "Mater's Tall tales".  Noah watches this a lot, so it was fun to see the stuff on the wall from that.  

 Noah and I didn't really care for this ride.  It pretty much spins you around a lot--the tractors are supposed to be "dancing" I guess.  

That was pretty much all the rides in Radiator Springs, so we met up with Josh and Tanya again and went on the Little Mermaid Ride.  We must've had lunch sometime during the day, but I can't recall where or what we ate.  

 Cool ship from the Little Mermaid ride.

 I think at this point, we all went to the California Screamin' Ride and took turns riding and watching the little kids.  Garrett, Maggie and I went first (our picture is above); then Maggie and Garrett went; then Josh and Tanya.

 Maggie and Garrett

Then we let the kids ride King Triton's carousel

 I loved these bill boards they had down by Paradise Pier.

 Around this time, our fast passes were ready for the Cars racers ride, so we got in line.  Noah was freaking out because he didn't want to ride it again.  Somehow I convinced him to do it one more time and that I would be right next to him holding his hand.  (He hated it still, by the way.)

 Tanya, Caleb, Paige, Lydia, Hannah and Maggie.  I loved how we got to race against each other.  

 Then we got to see Red.

Uncle Josh being goofy!

 Next up was Toy Story Mania. We did this one in Disney World and really enjoyed it!

 Hannah and Paige

 me and Bella

 Garrett and Noah

 Lydia and Maggie

 these boys again

 these 2 like to take selfies together

 We split up from Josh and Tanya again, although I can't remember why.  Garrett was pretty hot and tired, so he went and found a place to sit in the shade.  I took the kids to ride on the "Jumpin' Jellyfish Ride".  It was kind of like the Parachutes ride at Six Flags over Texas.  It was a nice, relaxing ride--very short though.  

Lydia and Paige

Maggie and Bella.  I love the view from the top.

 We split up again and some of us went to get in line for the Grizzly River Run--like the Roarin' Rapids at Six Flags--and I stayed with Bella and Noah to watch the Pixar Parade.  

The Grizzly River Run ended up being closed for some reason anyways.  

 I loved how he waved to them all!!

 We saw this plane on the way to meeting up with everyone and had to snap a picture.  

 We met up with everyone to watch the Aladdin Show.  It was pretty neat.  

 I don't know if you can tell, but Aladdin and Jasmine are flying on the magic carpet in the middle of the picture.  

 I think after the show Josh and Tanya went back to the hotel.  We headed back to Cars Land to get pictures with Mater.  They have scheduled times when they come out.  We couldn't leave without getting pictures with Mater.  

 Then we went to the Bug's Life area for more kid rides.  Paige and Hopper.

 It was really cool how they made everything huge to make you feel like you are the size of a bug.  

 Here we are riding on "Heimlich's Chew Chew Train"

 This is "Tuck and Roll's Drive 'em Buggies"  Pretty much bumper cars.  

 Garrett going after Lydia.

 This one is "Flik's Flyers".  Kind of like riding in 'hot air balloons'.

 and Garrett took the kids on this one because I don't like spinning rides.  "Francis' Ladybug Boogie".

 This is Mickey's Fun Wheel.  We didn't ride it, just took a picture on the way out of the park.  We tried to stay and watch their big show, "World of Color".  But of course, we didn't go early to find a seat, so we were standing behind crowds of people.  No one could see, so we were trying to hold Bella and Noah, but that gets really tiring after awhile.  So, we gave up and left.  

Noah fell asleep on my shoulder and I carried him out of the park and almost the whole walk back to the hotel.  Garrett carried him for a few minutes, but he freaked out and wanted me.  My back was killing me by the time I got home!!  It was a long, but really fun day!!