Disneyland 2011

I've been trying to come up with a way to take my girls to Disneyland and the perfect opportunity came up when my Uncle Mike announced he was getting married in California. I told him we would be happy to come help with the wedding and at the same time we could stop by Disneyland for a day. Josh couldn't take time off work, so he stayed home with Liev and I took Rease and Rhen with me. Grammie and Great Grammie Wisniewski and Hayley and Caleb joined us. So we packed into the van and drove all night (while the kids slept - the only way to go!) The drive actually went pretty smoothly and Caleb and I swapped driving while the others slept. We were definitely happy to be there once we finally were!

We got there mid morning and weren't able to check into our hotel for a little while, so we strolled around downtown Disney.

Got ice cream...

Tried on some crazy hats...

Got more treats to keep the kids occupied...

Rhen was leashed to the stroller - she wasn't happy with it but it kept me from going crazy trying to find her!

We found out that there really is a "Disney Vault."

Our hotel was right across the street from the park and that made it so easy on us. We took a nap when we were able to check in and then that night we all took a dip in the pool (and hot tub.)

The kids went to bed early that night because the next morning, bright and early was...

Disneyland!

We got the girls all dressed up like princesses that morning. Before we left I threw their princess dresses in at the last minute just in case they wanted to wear them. I'm glad I did cause they looked so cute all dolled up!

Uncle Caleb was the "prince of the trip" and got kisses from the princesses!

We spent most of the morning with the princesses. That was what Rease and Rhen were most excited about. So we bought some autograph books and they couldn't wait to have each of the princesses sign them and get a picture with them. First in line was Belle.

It is so fun how they were able to spend time with each of the princesses and talk, get pictures, twirl and just be girls together!

Next: Ariel

The princesses stay in character so well and were so sweet to the girls.

Tiana was next.

Tiana's dress was so beautiful - I liked her the best.

After that we went to a little princess show and all the little girls could go dance and talk to more princesses. Cinderalla was there...

And she taught the girls how to curtsy!

Then we stood in line to see Rapunzel. I think Rease was most excited to see her because she is her favorite princess at the moment. Rease thinks one day she will be Rapunzel if she lets her hair grow long enough! While we were waiting in line, Rease was drawing a picture in her book.

Rapunzel had a bonus with her - Flynn Rider was there too! Rhen calls him "Eugene" and she was very excited that he was there too!

Prince Caleb.

After we had our princess fill, we decided it was time for some rides. We went to the new Ariel ride first.

After a couple of rides it was obviously time for a nap. We took the kids back to the hotel and they took a nap for a couple hours.

After sleeping and once more rejuvinated, more rides were in store. The carousel was of course a favorite...

Mommy and Princess Rhen waiting in line for Nemo.

Princess Rease looking beautiful!

The Nemo ride is one of my favorites. I love going into the submarine and taking a ride under the ocean.

Rease is in this mood of making funny faces whenever the camera comes out. Someday she'll be embarrassed by this! Rhen was very interested. And Rease - scaredy cat that she is - was scared of the noises.

Later on, Uncle Caleb found a quite place to read while us girls did something princessy. We went on the Dumbo ride which is a favorite for Rease. Rhen didn't want to go high so she opted to stay off with Grammie.

We ate corn on the cob for a snack and the girls loved it!

Hayley, Caleb and I took a ride on Splash Mountain while mom stayed with the girls - always one of our favorite rides!

That night we waited in line to see the new show "World of Color." It's a color light show on the water at California Adventure and was really amazing.

We ended the night after the water show. We were pooped and full of wonderful memories!

See you next time!

Quality time with Dad!

I couldn't help but snap a picture of Josh with his adoring kids draped all over him. We were at the cabin and there are plenty of places for everyone to sit, but I love that the place of choice is right on dad's lap - even if it's getting a little crowded! What a great dad these kids have!

Liev's Toys

Liev has just started loving to play with toys - now that he grabs onto anything and everything, every toy he can get ahold of goes straight to the mouth. I have also been trying to sit him in his Bumbo pretty often so he gets used to sitting up. I snapped some pics of him and his slobbery face while trying to eat this block...

This is how he feels about me making him sit up for too long...

So I laid Liev on his blanket and Rease and Rhen promptly clobbered him with kisses and hugs like always. Rhen also decided to share her necklace with him. It looks more like he is being choked, but of course Rhen did it with all the love she has for her baby brother.

Grammie Beutler found this bouncer at a garage sale. She cleaned it up and gave it to Liev and he is in love with this new toy of his. He could be in it all day if I left him there. He just bounces and bounces and keeps a pretty steady rythym bouncing with one foot, then the other, then both feet without losing the beat. Such a great toy for mom cause it keeps him stationary but also gives him something to do.

I love my babies when they are this age - so fun and love learning new things!