Disneylands Continuing Saga

Part Two:
California Adventures



Grandma Launi went above and beyond the call of duty to make this trip memorable. She started out our first day with new outfits for the grand kids. Of course, Olivia and Jorja matched perfectly in their little Ariel ensemble. She even picked out a book for Olivia to get autographs in. I have one word, Spoiled! Liv was so excited she couldn't stop smiling.



Apparently Disneyland is always busy on the weekends during the off season. Since we were planning to go on Sunday for our first day, Blake and Lindz informed us with their vast experience that we should spend Sunday at California adventures with hopes of less people in the park. The lines were not too terribly long to get in the park and we made a mad-dash to the back little kids rides where NO one was. So our first few rides were nice, we basically walked right on.

Our first choice was something we could ALL go on. The kids version of the tea-cups. Francis the Lady Bug's ride.


Jorja LOVED it and Olivia was giggling up a storm.





I did not like it so much. The older I get the more different motions make me feel yucky. Things that go round and around and around. Are not my friends. Of course, the first two rides we went on did just that! I was not so excited to be there and I was trying to be happy because this trip was not about me. It was for Olivia and I'm so glad that we did go. I was just irritated. I dislike crowds. I hate being surrounded by weird strangers all the time. I hated being a stroller mom in Disneyland. But... I bucked up and hopefully didn't make everyone around me feel like crap also. I hate being a party pooper... but I'm not very good at keeping my emotions to myself, especially when with people who know me well.


Side note: As I was doing my hair quickly that morning, I sighed a disgruntled sigh saying,"I look like Heidi". Blake responds, "Who's Heidi? Your sister-in-law?" Uh... No Blake. He had no idea who Heidi was. We kept telling him, the movie... Heidi. It's a DISNEY movie even, Nothing! I don't know how he missed that. We used to watch it at my great Grandma's house.



After going on some super cute little bug rides we went to the bug show. I give kudos to Disney... they sure are good at the little details to make it a smashing experience! Jorja was a bit scared... but just curled up on my shoulder. Olivia was very brave but really enjoyed the overall experience. Plus, we got to wear these SMASHING new glasses!

If you can't tell Jorja is trying to get in some of her back teeth.



We went on a couple little rides but mostly walked around looking at things. We went to the tortilla factory and through the sourdough bread tour. (Yummy yummy!) Blake, Liv and I went to the Muppet show while Jorja and Jaye took naps. Blake and Lindz let us borrow their big stroller. It laid down flat... it was perfect! Jorja took her naps in the stroller every day!


We even ran into a little freind...


We had a pretty full morning before our 1pm lunch reservation at Ariel's Grotto



Our experience at Ariel's Grotto made the WHOLE trip worth it. Olivia was so overly excited. She was in complete AWE and AMAZEMENT!

Her reactions made Grandma cry even. At Ariel's Grotto Grandma Launi made reservations for lunch. You get to meet ALL the main Princesses while you eat. It was madness in there. All the kids were loud and excited. But, the food and experience was amazing! We completely lucked out. Grandma spoiled us rotten!


Princess Olivia meeting Belle


Olivia's favorite princess Cinderella

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The girls with Aurora also known as Sleeping Beauty


Can't forget the beautiful Snow White

Last but not least! Jaye was very impressed by this sweet soul. She announced the princesses and Jaye flirted and giggled endlessly with her!


Though, I must say. It is the only place in Disneyland that has a full Bar and I absolutely understand why. Of course, I ordered something from the bar. It wasn't my kind of drink, Blake finished it for me out of the goodness of his heart.


To end our experience on a sweet note, desert was wonderful. It was so pretty. Olivia, of course, ate the Ariel made out of chocolate.

It was a full afternoon! We had a great experience that we will soon not forget. Olivia was able to get all their signatures in her little book. She was glowing from all the excitement!

We weren't sure our day could get get much better. Until Uncle Matras showed up and perfected our evening!

We all went shopping for shoes together at the local Target before grabbing dinner as a family.

It was fun to have all of us siblings together. Matras was very much in transition that week. We were lucky to spend time with him. He was living out of his new RED car basically before hauling himself and all his stuff to Portland, OR.


We ended our evening piled into one room at the hotel watching Wall-E. I promptly fell asleep.

Stay tuned for:
Part Three