The "rides" started before they even started this time. Michael Joe rented a big ole' van for (almost) all of us to ride down together:) Awesome Grandpa did ALL of the driving!
The first night there we did Downtown Disney and ate at Tortilla Jo's and walked the shops a bit. (Sugarboo & CO is now bookmarked in my phone) We got ice cream at Salt & Straw which had flavors that included olives, goat cheese, lavender and something about balsamic?! The girls got one that referred to rainbows in the description 😄 A winner. Grandma and Grandpa partook of dessert #2: hot chocolate. So awesome and hilarious they are. "I'm only here for the food mother..."
As they sipped we gathered together to discuss plans for DISNEYLAND the next day. Alayna volunteered to be runner for fast passes and we decided Peter Pan first for the little ride riders & space mountain for the big ones. From there I forget the order of rides and fun but we had a BLAST!
I am Groot
Michael, the girlfriends and Grandma watched the Frozen show and got the red carpet treatment! Reserved seating:)
Jungle Cruise with Grandma while we rode Indiana Jones:)
Soarin' Around the World. Gwinna and Noelle's favorite ride! Sia was too short to sit forward for the picture...technically she was too short for the ride (and Grandma didn't want it confirmed.)
We got turned away from Grizzly Run later, which I did not mind at all. Michael tried to switch spots with me and had I done it I would have been soaked AND he said that was his most fun ride! It worked out and me, Aunt Alayna and Sia had fun staying nice and dry :)
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| Sia yelled "SANTA!!!" right as he showed up. Funny girl. The parades are always magical. |
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| my personal favorite↑ |
It's A Small World. Best at Christmas time!
Guardians of the Galaxy! THE best one. I have to say it is SO much fun and probably my favorite ride but when you have someone that is both terrified & thrilled (like Lil) to be on it, it takes it to a whole new level of FUN! Brett wins the prize for that this trip!
He was so much fun to watch and listen to.
"oh my heart, my heart" So GREAT.
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| I didn't get the memo to raise my hands for cars ride. Brett, Soph, me, Eli and Alayna. |
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| Eli attempted to do an ear twist on Dad on the second round of Space Mountain ... didn't quite work out:) ha! |
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| Classic pose from Dad on a classic ride😍 |
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| Winne the Pooh!! |
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| For some reason I was really excited about this moment. He stopped RIGHT in front of his name to text our Disneyland crew and I told him to look up and smile. Handsome brother of mine. LOVE this boy. |
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| Also LOVE this little Sophia sister of mine. She was great every moment with looking out for the kids and talking them into all of the fun. She also looks out for other peoples children! Right before or after this picture she helped a family find a little boys parents in the park. It was a relief for all of us even just to watch the reunion...on his birthday too! 😢🙂 |
Of course we had to do tea cup ride to show Tio BoBo...he's been telling the girls about it for a long time. Not my favorite but we did zero spinning in our cup:)
Black Tap for lunch had the best food and CRAZIEST shakes! 🤭
Sia was determined to eat every sprinkle on the side.
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| Sia yelled "Minnie!" and ran straight to her for a hug as soon as we got out of her house. Very sweet. And then went in for another hug as Tia Sophia got her autograph:) |
Toon Town was so sweet and fun as usual. Terrifying for Sia and Noelle on the little fast roller coaster with Tia and Uncle Brett! We have a great video of this:) Noelle went on a second time!!!
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| Silly Noelle had to go to the bathroom quite often and we spotted a couple characters and I had her stand on the side quick as we took these breaks hahaha...she may be embarrassed by this one day but I'm happy she was happy to do it;) |
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| Star Wars. Amazing. We felt like we were part of that world! Michaels favorite head is the upper right hand corner. Maybe someday...when he has his own taxidermy room! ha! |
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| Cute Daddy o after splash mountain. I love his sweatshirt and I REGRET not getting the one pictured down there ↓😭 Noelle went on splash mountain once and was terrified and wanted it to be over after the 2nd drop. She smiled as we walked off:) Girls ride, that one...me, Aunt Alayna, Tia Sophia and little brave Knowie! |
😢next time...
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| shuttle back to the hotel :) happy, happy, happy Sia was playing the 20 questions game with Aunt Alayna...you're taking vity-yums? What are they for? How many? Do you have any food? What are these? Alayna was so sweet and patient with her and even gave her a graham cracker snack for the ride home;) Oh and Sia had all of us throwing our arms up in the air when the shuttle bus would move at all. No seat belts...good times!! |
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| Splash Mountain through the years....😍🥰 |
