Disneyland!!!

The first week of December I surprised the kiddos with a trip to Disneyland!  I love Disneyland and I especially love taking my kids.  I've been dying to go for about a year, but things never seemed to  work out with finances or Ben's work schedule.  But at the beginning of the month I saw a deal on flights to Long Beach so I just went for it and decided to leave Ben with Hannah.

We had the time of our lives!  I kept it a secret all the way to the Hotel. That morning I sent the kids to school as usual so they would not suspect anything.  Then I went and picked them up from school and told them that Dad called me and told me he had a special surprise for us and that the only thing I knew was that I was supposed to pick up the kids then have them read a note that Ben left in the car.---When I picked J up he was really nervous.  Wondering where we were going and how long we'd be gone, because he had perfect attendance and he really didn't want to mess that up! haha.  So Jesse---.  Once we had all the kids in the car Jesse opened the note and it told us that we had to call Ben and he'd give us clues to where we needed to go.  First he said get on the Freeway and head up towards Salt Lake, then we called and he told us to look for signs for the airport.  Then we parked and he told us to look in the glove box and there was a piece of paper that we needed to give the lady at the counter,... etc all the way till when we pulled up to the Disneyland gates.  It was perfect, Mickey and Minnie called us right as we were pulling up to welcome us to our vacation!

It really couldn't have been a better trip.  The weather was perfect, the lines were small ( I don't think that we had to wait for more than 15 min anywhere!), we got to do all that we wanted and more, and all the Christmas decor was the perfect beginning for the holiday.  I think we might have to make it a tradition!

Right when we arrived we had lunch at Ariels grotto and got to see all the best princesses--Ariel, Belle, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderlla and Snow White.  I think Belle had a little Crush on Wy.  ps. This is such a great way to see the princesses so you don't have to wait in that ridiculous line.

Cinderella and Cinderlla

Buzz.  Wyatt was so excited he couldn't even take his eyes off him for the picture.

Small World lights.  Small World is my favorite.  Especially the Christmas Edition

Splash Mountain was Faith and Jesse's favorite.  I love this picture.  Right as we were getting on Faith panicked and said she wanted to sit by me, so without thinking Wyatt got in front then Faith and I slipped in behind her so I could hold on to her.  Then I panicked because little Wy was in front all by himself!  I kept yelling at him to hold on so tight.  I was so scared he was going to fall or jump out.  You can see me reaching for his shoulder to hold him back.  It was true terror for all of us and I loved it!

The Castle was so pretty and magical

Each night we lost one while walking back into the hotel.  Too bad we partied too hard during the day to stay awake for any of the late shows.

Breakfast with Characters.  I think we saw just about every character there was over the course of the trip.  Only disappointment was no Rapunzel.  Mom wasn't will to wait for 90 min.

The Grand Californian Christmas tree

Dumbo

We can't wait for Cars Land to open.  We'll have to go back.

Small world boat all to ourselves.  I'm telling you Dec. is a great time to go.

Natalie and our favorite cousin Kristen came to play with us too!  The kids had so much fun with Kristen showing us all the  insider secrets.  It's always a party with Kristen around!

Faith got to visit the fairy godmothers at the Bibbity Boppity Boo Boutique.  She loved every second of it!  Definitely a must!

After 3 days at Disneyland we went and played with cousins for a night.  I think Faith loved showing up like a princess.  I don't think Truman minded it either:)

Playing at the beach in Emerald Bay.   Such a dream.  We are thoroughly jealous and loved taking advantage of it for a morning.

It was such a fun memory to make with my kids.  They loved it and were really appreciative.  It was so fun to just get to play with them for 3 days without having to deal with the rest of life.   It's crazy the days of having tiny kids are almost gone.  I've got to soak it up while I can.