Disneyland recap!

In October we packed up and took a trip to Disneyland. It was one of our hardest family trips yet so I have been procrastinating blogging about it. It was nearly 100 degrees, insanely crowded, and our girls barely slept at all. However, Allie still talks about it and asks to go again and there were definitely lots of great moments, so here is a recap of some of the fun!

We spent our first day in Disneyland. We met Grandma Brady and Oma (Grandma Heide) at the parks and our first ride was Dumbo! Allie was super excited. After that we hit up the carousel and some of the other fantasy land rides.

Grandma and Allie waiting for Dumbo

Early morning and already hot and crowded. But I love the look of awe on Allie's face!

We explored Toon Town, got Allie her first lanyard and trading pins, ate churros, and I discovered the amazing baby care room with air conditioning and private nursing areas. One of my favorite moments was seeing Allie and Mark ride Autopia. Allie just loved driving and was so excited! Clara took a snooze in the stroller and I managed to find a good spot to watch Allie drive by. 

Driving with Dad

Allie's most favorite rides were Small World and Jungle Cruise (the boat rides) and Astro Blasters. If you ask her what her favorite was she will tell you Buzz Light Year. 

On our second day we hit up California Adventure. I highly recommend skipping the park hopping and doing just one park per day if you have little ones with you. Honestly we might consider this strategy regardless of age because it eliminated a lot of inefficient park traversing. We went on the Mickey Ferris Wheel, the Little Mermaid, and Monsters Inc. We met some Frozen characters and went on the Little Mermaid and Monsters Inc again. Actually we probably rode those two rides about four times each! 

Four generations meeting Anna and Elsa

All of the details like flying, transportation, double stroller, clothes to wear, snacks to pack, and general logistics went incredibly smoothly. It was also so wonderful to meet my mom and Grandma there, as well as see my Aunt and cousin too. Disneyland holds so many precious family memories for me and this trip was no exception, despite the lack of sleep. I'm already dreaming of going again!

Antici...

After a relatively calm couple of months, Mark and I are looking forward to a five-six month time span of absolute insanity. We're nervous, excited, in a state of disbelief, and thrilled. It should be a really fun time in our life, and we're so ready for it. 

Here's what's coming up. You can consider this a little preview of the future blogs to come.

1. San Diego/Oceanside/Disneyland/SLO/East Bay. 

Ok, if that sounds tiring it shouldn't. It should sound FUN AND AWESOME! It'll involve science (ACS conference for Mark), family, my niece's 3rd birthday, and house hunting. But most importantly-- family. 

2. Thirteen Point One

I'm going to be running a half marathon and at the same time Steph and Julia will be visiting! Training is going great so far, just gotta keep at it. 

3. Australia. 

What can I say? Opportunity comes within sight and we chase it down. Another conference for Mark, and a ton of sight seeing for both of us! CAN. NOT. WAIT. 

4. Another Trip to Cali

We figure we're going to have to make at least one more trip out to house hunt, and/or take care of closing and other house business. You might be seeing a reprise of House Hunters: Lingwood Edition. 

5. Moving

Not quite fifteen months after moving from California, we're going to pack everything up and move back. This time we'll have a dog and reasonable assurance that it'll be a one way trip. 

6. Santa Barbara Wedding

Some friends of ours from grad school are getting married in Santa Barbara shortly after our move. We hope to make it to the wedding and to spend some time in a town we thought we'd never miss. 

7. Beginning of Fall Semester

Mark starts his new job, with hope that he'll be working there for a long, long time. 

So with that, I'll let you breathe a sigh of relief that you're not the one logging in tens of thousands of miles on cars and planes, collecting cardboard boxes, committing to a 30 year relationship with a bank, and running until your toes bleed.

(pation)

Starting out!

Day: One
Miles driven: 35ish.
City: Anaheim

We've got four exhausted people, but we're all excited! We left our apartment around 7pm tonight after managing to get work done, flights flown, and apartment cleaned and checked out. THEN we packed up the cars and now and we're all set for a big day at Disneyland tomorrow. Now the fun really starts!

No pictures tonight, but will upload some when I get the chance.