While Mike and I were on vacation in Puerto Vallarta in November, we realized that we didn't have much longer with all three kids at home. Aidan will be a freshman in High School next year, and then will be heading off to college, probably with a different school break schedule and hopefully, in the summers, a work schedule. With that in mind, Mike and I created our parental bucket list as we like to call it.
We have been quite productive because in the past 6 months since making the list, we checked 2 of our items off.
-Washington DC (Aidan and I went in January)
and
-Disneyland
This was Aidan and Bella's third trip to the Happiest Place on Earth, and Owen's second, but the last trip was when Owen was only 3 months old. We wanted them to all remember the park fondly, so we packed our bags and headed to Southern California.
We took a Taxi Amazing Race style from the airport to our hotel.
A first ride in a yellow cab for the kids.
We checked into our hotel, met up with my parents and brother and watched the fireworks from Disneyland before getting some rest and hitting the park the next day.
First ride, space mountain.
I think the kids faces say it all.
Mine might be saying "I sure hope this Dramamine kicks in real soon"
We took a ride on the Jungle cruise
And then made our way to the Haunted Mansion
Mike and I have both been seeing and reading about these elaborately staged theme park pictures. We set off on each ride with an idea of something to do to make the theme park pictures just a little more fun.
Bella was riding this ride with us but didn't like the idea of getting wet, even in her parka, so she ducked.
Bella was riding this ride with us but didn't like the idea of getting wet, even in her parka, so she ducked.
We took a ride at Autopia
I rode with Owen.
His faces on most of the rides were what made the whole trip worth it!
Owen was the perfect age to bring to Disney. He loved every minute of it.
I guess we started to get in the posing habit every time we would see a camera!
It was fun to have Uncle Ben along to ride the rides with us, and whip out the Pringles anytime we stopped for a bit.
We celebrated Mother's Day at the park.
The kids all packed along their cards and letters and sweet little gifts that they made me.
It was very special.
No trip to Disneyland is complete without a ride on "A Small World".
Yep, pretty sure I'm flashing gang signs on the California Screamin' ride.
Muppet Vision 3D
Pretty sure Owen thinks it's time for another thrill ride!
We stayed at the park for the World Of Color water and light show.
It was pretty amazing to watch.
So glad I brought along these glow sticks to keep the kids busy while we waited for the show.
Row, row, row your boat
Owen's writing a letter at Mickey's house
Sitting in Pluto's dog bed.
Bella and Owen rode most of the rides together.
The bigger the better!
We rode a lot of rides.
Mostly the thrill rides.
The next few pictures will be pictures on the rides.
We got a little carried away with the posing.
It was sort of fun!
Yep, that's us pinky swearing.
Aidan and Ben got hungry on the coaster apparently!
This is the Tower of Terror ride that takes you up and drops you 13 floors.
It nearly put Owen to sleep and gave Ben and Aidan the munchies again.
This time they did fall asleep!
Kung fu anyone?
One of our favorite new rides was the Toy Story Arcade. We walked by it several times the first few days. So glad we finally stopped. It was so much fun!
This is the final ride for these four before we had to head home.
Owen thinks the best seat is the front seat.
Swim down!
Aidan's favorite ride was the Grizzly River Run.
You end up getting soaked, so he rode it alone several times.
It was a great trip! We had fun family time and we were glad Nana and Papaw and Uncle Ben could join us for 3 of the 4 days.
Check that one off of the bucket list!
