Hogle Zoo

Jeremy and I decided to take the kids to Hogle Zoo, since it was during the last week of the Lego exhibit. It was such a nice fall day. As we walked through the zoo we were able to enjoy the new splash pad with a really tall light house. Attached to the tall lighthouse was a dark slide, Abi did not want to go on it, but we made her and after the initial slide she continued to keep going on it, silly girl. We ended up spending a couple of hours walking through and as we walked through the zoo we noticed the lights for lights at the zoo which will start in December. It was such a fun and nice day to spend with our little family.

A Fall Picnic

The kids had been bugging me about going on a picnic; so on one nice sunny but windy day, the kids and I decided to head a little north to an old park that Jeremy and I used to live by. We packed sandwiches with string cheese and stopped by Holiday for some chips and drinks. Last Christmas, mom made me a nice big blanket so we brought that along to sit on while we ate our lunch. It was a fun afternoon sitting out, enjoying the sun while the wind kept us cool, and looking across the valley while watching the kids play on the play set.

BYU & UTAH 2013

It seems lately that Landon has started a tradition housing the Holy War game at his house. I believe this year would be two years and running. This year was no different. We were invited to come on over to Landon & Cristy's to watch the game of all games, the rival of all rivals...well atleast in Utah anyway.

The game didn't start until 8:15 pm , so pajama's were packed as well as stuff to make a green salad. Landon decided to start practicing on frying turkey's. So Jeremy lent him his deep fryer and all was well.

We arrived at Landon and Cristy's about 7. Jeremy helped Landon while I went in side and started working on my green salad. We also had chips, pop and really cute football sugar cookies. Mom showed up with Aunt Jerilyn, which they brought a delicious pasta salad, a cake and ice cream. Brooke and Logan weren't able to make it - we missed you! The game started promply on time and as most people know BYU pretty much game the game to Utah.

It was fun seeing our kids play with their cousins and then fall asleep while lying on their big pillow (Love Sac).

Thanks Landon and Cristy for hosting the game. I guess you get a break for about two years. :)

Breakfast & Downtown Disney

On our last and final day. We woke up and headed to the pool for one last hurrah! We then got ready packed our gear, loaded the car, checked out and headed to breakfast at Mimi's Cafe.

 

Abi had Mac and Cheese - Surprise (she only had that entree the whole time on vacation. Jennifer and I got a delicious omelet. While Jack and Jeremy shared Strawberry waffles and Pumpkin Pancakes.

 

After our full and hefty breakfast we headed towards Disneyland to look for a place to park that wasn't so far. We came upon the Downtown Disney parking which for the first 3 hours is free and it was right next to Downtown Disney. Perfect! We parked our car and headed to find some souvenirs for our trip. The kids really wanted to see the Lego Store so we browsed.

 

The kids found the Hulk and of course we HAD to get their picture. Jennifer and I left Jeremy with the kids and headed to "The World of Disney" store where we found our treasures. Jennifer found an old time Mickey t-shirt and I got a hoodie jacket. Along with our treasures and even though the kids already picked their treasure out I figured I would get them one more thing so....

 

I picked out a little bracelet for Abi and Jack a new Mickey hat. We then headed to the car, on the way to the airport filled it with gas, found the return rental and checked in for our flight home.

 

Can't wait to do this trip again! Until Next Time.

 

 

 

 

Santa Monica Pier

Our last full day in California consisted of us heading up north a little to Santa Monica Pier where a visitor was waiting....

 

My Dad!

 

 

It was so nice and relaxing. The weather was perfect. The beach was nice to tease my feet and the waves even tried to play tag. They got us a few times where we were sitting.

 

 

It was a really nice end to a great vacation.

 

 

 

Disneyland Park

Saturday started about the same as Friday. Got up about 7, showered, dressed, ate breakfast and then headed out the door to be to the park by 9. We first headed straight into California so we could get our Fast Passes for Cars Land. When we got to the Fast Pass area there was a line to get your fast pass - we finally got our fast pass then decided to head over to Disneyland. As we headed through the entrance gates a marching band started to form infront of the famous garden Mickey and along with them was Alice (from Alice and Wonderland) and the March Hare.

 

After watching them for a few minutes we then headed to the Haunted Mansion as from our App there was a 30 minute wait.

 

 

As we were waiting and going through the lines there stood Jack from Nightmare before Christmas.

 

I was a little disappointed with the Haunted Mansion as I knew they changed the theme for Halloween, but I guess just hoping it wouldn't be quite yet so I could see the original. Nope it was ALL Nightmare Before Christmas.

 

We then headed to Splash Mountain since it was next door. Abi didn't want to go and they both barely made the cut. In the end we made her go on it and she wasn't a very happy camper. Jack liked it but didn't want to go on it again.

 

In the ride after the two people in the front we rode as Jennifer, Larkyn, Jack then Jeremy and Abigail.

 

Since being soaked we figured let the soaking continue, so to Pirates here we come.

 

 

It was close to becoming lunch time and so on Main Street we found a little sandwhich place and ate lunch.

With our bellies full we decided to head over to the Nemo ride since the "App" listed it being a 10 minute wait. When we got there is was definetly longer than a 10 minute wait. Our time for the Cars Fast Pass was soon arriving and to make it from this side of the park to the other would use most of our time, so we bailed out of line for Nemo and headed to Cars Land.

 

We made it with time to spare and although we rode it the night before we had to ride it again because it was so fun and you felt as though you were in the movie, but also to get a ride picture. When we went the night before the photo place was closed.

 

 

After cars ride we decided to ride the Toy Story ride and who do we find but Donald Duck.

 

 

We continued on our way to Toy Story Mania when who else do we see? BUZZ Lightyear.

 

After arriving at Toy Story Mania we found that the ride was not working. So we decided to walk the rest around Paradise Pier and then head back to Disneyland to get on the train and get off at New Orleans Square for our reserved dinner time at the Blue Bayou.

It was delicious. Such a fun and dark atmosphere, well worth it. Once dinner was over we then got back on the train and headed to ToonTown, but instead of going under the bridge we walked straight from the train leading us into Fantasyland. We then rode Mr. Toad's Wild Ride and Dumbo. We were going to ride Peter Pan but it broke down and it was going to be 20 minutes before they started loading people back on. Jeremy, Jennifer and Jack really wanted to see Captain Eo and everytime we would see Minnie or Mickey the line would be closed for them to go on break. The last Character sighting for Minnie was at Town Square for only a half hour. We decided to then split so Abi could get her picture taken with Minnie.

 

We made it to the line and there she was...Minnie Mouse.

 

 

Across the way there was Mickey Mouse. Although there was a cast member at the back of the line I asked if there was anyway we could sneak in line. He told me NO that he would be back in 10 minutes. I didn't know what time it was and wasn't sure when Jeremy, Jennifer and Jack would be back and explained we were heading to California. He told me sorry, but there was another Mickey over there. In a disappointment Mickey finished with the line and headed away. Abi was really sad. So we hung out waiting for the other three to meet us. In the meantime about 5 minutes later who comes back to see his adoring fans.... Yep you guessed it MiCkEy MoUsE! Where we were sitting we were first in line and got a picture with the famous Mouse.

 

We finally met up with the other three and told them of our great adventure meeting Mickey. We then headed over to California to try and see if any the World of Color. We found a good spot, not the best in the house, but good non the less and watch the show for a little bit. The kids started getting bored and really wanted to ride Toy Story. We headed over there and sure enough it was up and running and only had about a 10 minute wait. After we got off of the ride we headed next door to the carousel. Once the ride was over Fireworks began from Disneyland. The fireworks were for sure a perfect ending to a great two days at Disneyland/California Adventure.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



California Adventure

We woke up about 7 am. We got showered and dressed and headed down to the hotel for a little continental breakfast which consisted of Sausage, Eggs, Toast, Waffles and donuts. After eating our nice breakfast we got stuff ready and headed out for DiSnEyLaNd. The main parking was closed so we were directed over to the Disneyland Hotel and their huge parking lot. The walking trail from the parking lot to the main entrance of Disney & California took you through Downtown Disney which we were in awe at all of the shops, restaurants and especially of the Lego store.

 

As we continued past the Lego store we weren't quite sure on where to go (being this a first trip for all of us) we continued to follow people who looked like they knew where they were going. We picked up our tickets and finally arrived at the middle plaza area where you could look north and see Disneyland Park or look south and see California Adventure.

 

We headed straight towards California Adventure. As we walked we found the place where we needed to pick up our PhotoPass which was Kingwells. We picked up our lanyard and we were off again looking for the fast pass place for Cars Land. When we arrived we put our tickets into the machine and out popped fast pass tickets for 4:45 - 5:45 pm

 

So after getting our tickets we headed to Cars Land itself just to explore and found ourselves overloaded with WOW!

 

A lot of the time was spent in CarsLand because it was THAT cool. You felt as though you were in the movie. We headed over to a bugs life and rode a few rides then headed to Tower of Terror.

 

 

 

After the ride we asked Abi if she liked it and she replied "Yes" so we asked her if she wanted to go on it again, she replied "NO!" Jack on the other hand didn't quite know what to think about that ride but he for sure did NOT want to ride on it again.

 

After the free falling Tower of Terror we made our way down Hollywood BLVD.

 

 Then stopped by Monsters University then over to the Monsters ride which was so enjoyable.

 

Lunch time was soon approaching and so we had made reservation at Ariel's Grotto to do our Character Dining and have lunch with the princesses. As we headed toward the restuarant there was a Photopass Person and we decided to get our picture taken...

 

Then off to Ariel's Grotto.

 

 

All I can say is it was WAY AwEsOmE! Totally would recommend it.

 

After a fun and delcious lunch we headed over to Toy Story Mania - that is a really fun ride. After Toy Story Jennifer and I decided to ride Screamin so Jeremy took the kids to the Merry Go Round.

 

As we were figuring out what to do we saw Woody. So we headed over to get our picture taken with him when Jessie showed up and Woody was going to go on his break. We were next so Jeremy and Jennifer pushed the kids toward both of them and this is the picture we were able to get.

 

 

It was getting about that time for our Fast Pass for Cars Land so we made our way back to Cars Land only to find out that the ride was down. The Cast Members explained that if the ride came back up with in our fast pass time we would need to make sure we were there to use our fast pass. If it came up after our fast pass allotted time then we could use the fast pass any time just only for that day.

 

As we waited the Pixar Parade was getting ready to start. So as we watch the parade we would continue to check to see if the ride was back up. The Parade ended our Fast Pass time had ended and the ride was still not working. We decided to then head to Disneyland Park and check out that area.

 

As we made our way through the Entrance gate it was completely decorated and ready for Halloween. The crowds as well had come out that night causing long waits and being very crowded. The Villans were having a party that night and aparently everyone in California decided to come out and see. We made it to Pirates, tried to ride Haunted Mansion but it was an Hour and ten minute wait. So we left and headed back to California to see if Cars Land ride was up and running and good luck for us...it was and our fast passes were accepted. Cars Land ride is soooo Awesome and fun I think that is my new ride in the top 3 with Pirates and Haunted Mansion.

 

After riding Cars Land we figured it was time to head to the hotel. We made it back to the hotel around 10:30 - tired feet, tired bodies, long day, in deed needing a nice sleep.

 

To be continued....



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



Arriving in California

The day has finally arrived when Jeremy, the Kids and I get to fly on an airplane and head to California, but especially get to see, enjoy and be exhausted from Disneyland Park and California Adventure.

Jack and Abi found stow aways in their backpacks - yep Minnie and Mickey found us and they wanted to travel with us. After checking in and going through security we had about an hour until our flight. So we headed towards another concourse with more options to eat. Jennifer found a shop selling Utah T-shirts so of coarse she had to buy them. After filling our bellies we headed back to our gate where they were loading the plane. We found our seats got comfortable as you can tell from Abi's picture and we were off towards Long Beach.

After landing in Long Beach and getting our rental car we had a few hours to kill before checking into our hotel so we decided to head to Seal Beach. We drove down the cute main street that consisted of shops and restaurants. After finding a place to park we headed towards the Taco Surf for some lunch, we were starving.

Jeremy had a chicken bowl and I had a Salmon bowl - they were delicious especially the chips and salsa. After filling our bellies we decided to head across the street to the beach. They had a playground in sand and the kids played on that for a few minutes until we told them it was time to head to the actual beach.

As soon as my feet touched the sand they melted. The sand was so soft and warm, my feet LOVED walking through the sand as well as sinking into the sand. Jeremy and Jennifer were wearing actual shoes so they decided to head back to the car and change into their sandals.

The kids and I made our way to the beach to watch, feel and hear the white tip waves crash into the sandy beach. Long before I know it, Jack was running to and from the waves and he ended up tripping and falling and a wave came and crashed over him - he wasn't very happy.

 

After Jack got drenched by the waves we showered him down the best we could, had him ride in his car seat in just his underwear and we headed to the hotel.

 

Our room contained of a King Size bed, Mini Fridge, Microwave, a bathroom, a sleeper sofa and a bunk bed for the kids. We unloaded the car and the kids immediately wanted to go swimming so while Jeremy took the kids to the pool I waited for Jennifer and in the meantime Minnie and Mickey stopped by to deliver NEW Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse PJ's along with matching slippers and two backpacks. The kids were in awe when they got back to the room. For the rest of the evening we got cleaned up and headed to Target Superstore for some milk and necessities. We then headed to Red Robin for some food and then off to bed because tomorrow would be a VERY big day.

 

 

To be continued...