Let the Memories Begin!

Our anniversary "party" officially began 9/24/11 (8 days, 7 nights)! Kids knew the magic would entail a trip to sunny California to "party" with Mickey...but they also knew that it would entail a grueling 24 hr drive to/from Disneyland. So, we packed and headed out early Saturday morning, except Dad and I had a small secret.

Before leaving and knowing about the long drive, the kids are use to packing their entire rooms and every stuffed animal and toy available...but we assured them we would make a pitstop at Cracker Barrel for breakfast and a toy souvenir of their choice! So, the surprise began as we took the airport exit...both faces lit up and our princess was beyond in "awe" cuz she had been hoping we could save money to fly for months! Our little prince was shocked but immediately said, "Does this mean we don't get to go to Cracker Barrel?" With in seconds the whirlwind began...uncle met us there to take our vehicle and we whisked them off to experience the magic of "flying" to see Mickey vs. "driving" as we've always done!

The ride was fun! Thanks to SWA the 4 of us didn't get to sit together, but to watch my baby girl's face as each new experience unfolded, was great! She loved getting served a soda, she loved the little table on the seat, she loved getting in her backpack and taking out pringles and eating them, she loved the hidden surprises I put in their backpacks...and the boys had just as much fun! As we landed, daddy commented that had we driven we would still be in NM! Yeah! Thank God for our blessing!

Next surprise...kids had never had a rental car! Woopieee! It was a blue Toyota Corolla, quickly named "Blues Clue." Blues Clue was fun and small and certainly no where near our big ol' Tahoe! Sally, our GPS friend, did an excellent job in getting us to Anaheim and kept mommy and daddy out of any minor dispute! Well, okay, I did get upset at one tiny moment when daddy took the wrong exit, but I was quickly reminded that "we're on vacation!"

We stayed at our favorite hotel, except we didn't get the bunk beds suite as hoped...but that was okay, we were too happy to whine! While room was getting prepared, we got to shop at Downtown Disney and casually look in all the shops...our favorite, of coures, is always World of Disney! That's where kids got to select their autograph books!

Next surprise...Anniversary Dinner with Goofy and gang! Daddy and I reserved a table for 4 at Goofy's Kitchen. This would be a first for all of us and what a grand time and perfect way to kick off the celebration! Goofy greeted us! Meal was great and the friends that joined us at our table were awesome...we ate with Chip, Dale, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Snow White and Aurora! Unfortunately, Mickey had helped with brunch and had to be at another kitchen for the evening!!! Kids danced and visited with the characters and enjoyed the fun foods! Foods like "macaroni pizza" and "PB&J Pizza!" Daddy and I were presented with these dark chocolate cupcakes and buttons for our anniversary celebration, which we proudly wore ONLY 1 day at the park...getting told Happy Anniversary ALL DAY was a little annoying.

The next four days that followed in Disneyland and California Adventure were perfect! Daddy kept us on track and became a pro at utilizing the FastPass feature at Disney! World of Color was breath-taking! We had a few nervous moments and tears on rides, but once conquered, they became pros and we couldn't remove them from those first-fright-striking rides! Like the Symphony Swings and Goofy's Roller Coaster! Oh, and the Big Thunder Roller Coaster and did I mention Star Tours...most of those we ride 4-5 times!

We each purchased a Disney t-shirt from Disney.com before leaving and we all wore them on the first day...Dad wore Mickey, I wore Alice/Rabbit, and kids wore group of Disney characters and baby Simba!

We saw Jessie, Buzz Lightyear, Dug, Tink, Vidia, Roseta, Rapunzel, Flynn Rider, Cruela, and a long list of Disney and Pixar villains and heros! The Soundsational parade was probably the BEST parade I've ever seen at Disney! We had to see it twice, it was that good!

First time on Splash Mtn., my boy got soaking wet! So wet, we had to remove his shirt and he had to wear a jacket until we could get his shirt to dry. Both kids were soaked down to the "undies!" Then, the Grizzly ride in CA soaked me down to my "undies!" What fun it gets as the kids get older! They are certainly keeping us young!

We learned to draw Donald Duck in the Animation stage in CA! We scoped out all the new things in store for Disney over the next couple of years...like Radiator Springs!

Our next adventure, after sadly leaving Disney...was Sea World in San Diego. Good experience, glad we tried it, but not sure it was our favorite. My favorite was the dolphin show, all of us loved the penguin display and my baby girl conned her daddy into buying her a battery-operated bubble blower for only $10! Did I mentioned she also conned him into the biggest helium princess balloon in CA for $6? She has a way with asking her daddy!

Shopping was fun...kids were able to buy a few special souvenirs and really appreciated what they got! Daddy and I got a special Disney coffee mug and have already broken them in! Dad's talks about "hating morning" and has a picture of Grumpy...not mine...it's from Alice in Wonderland!

Hotel nights were fun...we ate pizza and Chinese food on the bed and even swam and enjoyed the hot tub! And, we all went to bed SUPER late! Hotel mornings were fun too...continental breakfast was perfect for our family...last 2 mornings daddy would bring us all breakfast in bed! He would even bring me coffee from a local store every morning...we were spoiled indeed.

Our last day was spent at Huntington Beach...yeah! My kids were ready to ride the waves, I kid you not! I made sure to sunscreen my babies and forgot about mama! So, I left with a burned neck and arms...great! But, kids got to experience a California Farmer's Market and we sampled every unique food we could! Daddy even got us a huge bag of fresh strawberries! Yum.

Last night in Anahiem ended with dinner at Rain Forest Cafe!

Last morning, we slept in and casually prepared for our short journey home on the airplane!

It was a great vacation...a grand time celebrating a very special time in our lives.

We've been home almost 2 days and we miss Disney very much! We miss California very much. We miss the weather and beach! And, I REALLY miss not having my beds made for me EVERY morning...I could easily get use to that lifestyle of not picking up or making beds and coffee brought to me every morning! Here's to 25 more years!

...photos to follow in a separate blog!