weekend wrap-up: disneyland adventures.

It's no secret, Disneyland is our happy place.  Some people like it, some people hate it - we love it.  We have learned "how to do it", and have mastered the system, if you will.  We can go for four hours and conquer everything we had in our minds to do.

I love to people watch.  It always makes me laugh because you pass by thousands of people at "the happiest place on earth" and barely a few hours into the day people are grumpy, exhausted, hungry, and just over it.  However, they they paid to be there, so they stick it out 'til midnight up until the last hurrah {the fireworks and/or Fantasmic}.  Parents are arguing, kids look miserable, and the lines are ridiculously long.

 We rarely spend more than 15 minutes in any line, do not spend a dime at the park, and leave with our kids saying, "that was the best day of my life!" {as noted by Eli Jackson, on Saturday}.  Granted, we have annual passes.  It's easy for us to drive up there for four hours and leave with everyone satisfied, ready for lunch, and a nap on the car-ride home.  We do this every few weeks.  Ideally, we will go up on a Friday evening, do all the night-time stuff, and wake up early enough to be at the park when it opens.  {Hint, that's a big secret right there - Get to the park when it opens}.  Even when we don't spend the night, we still make sure to arrive with plenty of time to park, ride the tram, and be in the park when it opens {since the gates open prior to the rides opening}.

Because we go so frequently, the boys are pretty used to it.  They still love going, but it's lost some of it's magic, if you will.  We got the biggest kick out of Baby J this time.  He was in awe, he was mesmerized, and it was magical.  There's nothing like seeing Disneyland through the eyes of a child.  We had the best time re-living this experience again.  I already can't wait 'til the next trip!
Friday night, before the big adventure! 
Waiting for the park to open. 
Sunscreen - check.  Water - check.  Hat - check.  Giant smile - CHECK!
Right inside California Adventure, ready to begin our day.
Cuties!
Loving Cars Land. 
See the pure wonder in his eyes!
His first time on California Screamin' - finally tall enough! 
He was freaked out I had my phone out!  He's a rule follower!
Silas thought Baby J needed this hat. 
We ended up getting the classic mouse ears, though this was a good second option!
Waiting in line for Radiator Springs Racers.
This has become one of our all-time favorite rides at Disney/California Adventure.  Good thing J has no idea what he's missing out on.
{p.s. did you know you can get a rider switch pass if one parent cannot ride?  It's basically a fast pass.  The boys always get to ride twice in a row - no wait!} 
The big boys on River Rapids.  Jeremiah was fascinated watching this!
On Tom Sawyer Island, working together!
{another fun thing to do when it gets hot and crowded!}{it's like a little escape and boys love it!}
Standing in line for California Screamin' 
He was super excited and crazy nervous at the same time!
Lightning McQueen, a.k.a. - "CAR!!!"
He wanted to meet Pluto, then got scared.  His face kills me.  Of course, as soon as we started walking away, he cried, "PU-TOE!"

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