Our California Trip: Part #1

Ron and I decided many months ago to bite the bullet and plan a trip to Southern California with a four-year old and a four-month old.  Our number one priority was to get Lia to Disneyland to meet the princesses before she outgrows them.  Other not-so-important items on the list were to visit some of our old haunts that we know and love so well like Catalina Island and Laguna Beach.  So last week we packed up and headed off for eight days down south to the land we love and know so well.  Part #1 of our trip included our first night in California visiting Ron's cousins and then our two days at Disneyland and California Adventure.

July 2nd--

Although this was Lia's eighth time on a plane, this was Logan's first!  Here is Logan and I getting ready to take off from SeaTac.

After arriving in Long Beach, we rented our car and drove down to San Clemente to spend the evening with Joy and Jun, two of Ron's cousins whom he grew up with.
 

After dinner, we roasted marsh mellows in Joy's backyard!

July 3rd--

We were up bright and early on Tuesday morning to spend the day in the Magic Kingdom.  Lia absolutely LOVED every moment in it and Logan did as well as could be expected for a baby his age.  Here we are taking the quintessential Disneyland picture #1 just inside the gates.

Taking the quintessential Disneyland picture #2 in front of the castle (where Lia really believes the princesses live).

Logan actually went on a few rides with us in Disneyland.  Here he is with papa in line for the Dumbo ride.

Getting ready to go on a flying elephant!

Posing after a successful ride!

Logan and Ron completing Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.  Believe it or not, Logan actually fell asleep on this LOUD ride!

 

Lia's absolute favorite ride in Disneyland--the carousel!  I think she rode it three times that day.  The neat thing about this picture is that she chose this horse before we learned that it was Walt's favorite horse that he rode every day at the park! 

No trip to Disneyland is complete without a turn on those giant tea cups!

And, of course, no trip to Disneyland would be complete for Lia without meeting some princesses!  Here she is posing with Belle before getting to dance with her and Tiana all alone.  I was able to film the entire thing and it was quite possibly one of the sweetest things I have ever seen.  I know it may seem silly, but I almost had to fight back tears while watching Lia dance with them because I was so happy for her. 

Lia and Tiana.

Lia participating in the coronation ceremony inside the Princess Fantasy Faire.

Lia meeting Snow White after the completion of the ceremony!

I took Lia on Small World and she loved, loved, loved it! 

We were lucky enough to run into this fast-moving pair on the crowded streets of Fantasy Land!

Lia, Ron, and Logan cruising through the jungle!

Getting ready to blast off!

Lia playing in Daisy Duck's house in Toon Town.

Lia and I eagerly awaiting the start of Mickey's Soundsational Parade on Main Street.

The final float of the parade did not disappoint!  Rapunzel and her girls made an appearance and finished off the evening for us on a very positive note.  Sadly, we returned to our hotel for dinner and only Ron made it back to the park (for some quality roller coaster riding from 9 pm til midnight).  Our little ones were too exhausted to head back out for the fireworks show.  Good thing we had the next day...

July 4th--

We spent our country's birthday at California Adventure!  Here we are in front of the landmark Ferris wheel at the start of our day.

Our number one reason for going to California Adventure was so we could meet Ariel--Lia's favorite princesses for many months now.  We made reservations to eat lunch in Ariel's Grotto and met Ariel as we first descended the spiral staircase.  This was a dream come true for Lia and a chance for me to finally breathe a sigh of relief knowing that this trip was not a disappointment for my daughter.

While eating lunch, we were treated with visits from some other princesses including Cinderella...

and Aurora.

Dining on our four-course meal!  Ron and I were stuffed at the end of this affair.

Lia posing above our elaborate, dessert platter.

Heading into Radiator Springs--the new Cars attraction at Adventure.

Posing with Stanley--the founder of Radiator Springs.

Lia and I taking a bumper car for a spin.

Ron and Lia getting ready to take off in one of Flik's Flyers!

Ron and the kiddos waiting for the Pixar Play Parade to start.

Sully leading the parade.

After the parade, we were able to catch the Aladdin musical and thoroughly enjoyed it.  I think Lia must have asked me over 100 questions during this 50-minute performance.  Needless to say, she was completely in awe by the entire thing! 

We finished off the evening by watching Adventure's World of Color after the sun went down.

And caught Disneyland's Fireworks Spectacular on our way out.  Not a bad way to spend the 4th of July.