Our First Family Trip to Disneyland

**WARNING: This is a REALLY long post mostly of pictures!!**

On Tuesday morning, bright and early, we headed to the airport at 4:30am. We were all so excited!! And Jaylee did wonderful on the plane mostly because she had her very own TV and Dora was on!! We were all very happy that she was so happy!! MaKynna slept most of the way there and was great too!!

Once in California, we grabbed our luggage and a shuttle to our hotel. Of course we barely missed the rush hour traffic which I was super grateful about!! We got to our hotel around 8:30am. Well lets just say, the hotel was the worst part about our vacation!!! Wouldn't recommend it and would NEVER stay there again!!! We all got dressed and headed over to Disneyland!! I'm not sure if it was just because she was super tired or what but every day Jaylee would drag her feet to get dressed, but then every day when it was time to leave Disneyland, she would cry!!! What a pain, but while we were in the park we had a GREAT time!!!

Get use to seeing a map in Jaylee's hand-she was a little obsessed with having one!!

MaKynna and her silly faces!! She was so good the entire time!!

Churro-the long yummy goodness that Jaylee asked for daily!! Yes I think it's safe to say that they are her favorite treat!!

Both girls fell asleep while we were waiting for a table to have some lunch

The first day was kind of a "let's get our feet wet a little" kind of day. We had gone ahead and bought the 4th day, mainly because it was only $11 more for a whole extra day. But we only went to a few places that we had "planned" to for the day. We knew our plans would be switched up a little so it really wasn't a big deal!! Next time, we will plan to fly in the night before and keep the whole day for better use!! In fact, I know some people think that 4 days is plenty of time at Disneyland, but we totally all agreed that we needed another 2 days at least!!

Day 2
We mostly stayed in California Adventures and went on a bunch of rides there. We LOVED the Toy Story Ride and Soaring over California!!

Kynna was asleep but these nice people I took a picture for offered to take one of us together so we took the opportunity

This was the first ride that Kynna went on!! She is going to be like her big sister I think and LOVE rides!!

The crazy Mickey's Fun Wheel-we opted for the stationary cage!! But it might have been fun to go on the moving one too!!

Oh Toy Story Mania!! How you have given a new meaning to the whole amusement park ride!! This game was so much fun!!

Have I ever told you that I HATE rides that just go in a circle? Well my dear 3 year old LOVES them and it was my turn to ride since Brady doesn't love them either. I can't wait for her to get a little bigger so she's tall enough to go on the actual roller-coasters!! Then we will both be happy!!

Jaylee and the Map-She loved the fact that she could see where we were going at all times!! We went ahead and rented a stroller for her while at Disneyland, and she would constantly tell us she needed to stop on a bench somewhere so she could decide where we were going next!! Every day as we went in to both parks, she had to get a map. It was super cute and way funny to see her decide what we were doing for the day!!

And the Characters-I never really thought much about waiting around to get their autographs and pictures until I realized it was something that our little girl wanted. We had bought her an autograph book, mostly because we knew she wanted to see the princesses, but it's a pain to wait for them. You see Disney needs to hire a lot more people to dress like the characters. They come out like 3 times a day for like 30 min. Well if you aren't in their lines by a certain time, guess what? They're not going to let you in!! No joke!! Well you try telling a 3 year old that she can't get so-and-so's autograph because he's leaving again!! We all know that Disneyland is making big bucks on that place, so why not just make it simple for us parents out there that have kids that think they need to see the different characters. Especially the main ones!! It seemed like Chip and Dale, along with the head army guy were always out, but really who wants those? Next time we go, I'm not even getting an autograph book, and I'm telling my girls that we aren't going to waste time in a line where we might get their autograph and picture!! Seems easier said then done I'm sure!!! But trust me I will try!!
We did see a few though mostly out of luck where the lines had just started!!

We found a couple rides that were nice and relaxing with no waits around mid-day that were a nice relaxing moment for all of us. One was the Mark Twain Riverboat and the other was the Disneyland Railroad. Great break rides for everyone!!!

Jaylee was so excited when she finally saw Sleeping Beauty's Castle and got to walk through it!!

On the train-you see that big lollipop? Yes and her Daddy thinks that I spoil her!! She licked it a few times and she was done!!

Day 3-
This was the Princess day!! We knew there were 5 princesses that Jaylee really wanted to see, so we planned to wait the 1 1/2 hours to go to the Princess Fantasy Faire. Toontown is right there so one of us would wait in line while the other took the girls over to Toontown to kill time. Brilliant idea-really everyone does this pretty much everywhere!! Well Toontown is pretty much a waste of time so I'm glad we only spent time there while waiting for what we really wanted.

After being dissed by Goofy 4 other times, she finally was able to see him but she didn't have her book-it was with me in the long line, but at least she got a picture!!

It's almost our time-Really it was closer to a 2 hour wait and Kynna woke up just before it was time to go in

J had her book all ready for the princesses

Ariel was first-one of the 5 requested

Next was Jasmine-she loves her but she's never even seen the movies. I guess the books are good enough for her!!

And the beloved Cinderella!! This was her second Favorite!!

The Princess Fantasy Faire is really cool however I think they should have all of the princesses there all of the time!! We never did see Belle, but I think Jaylee has forgotten!! The princesses are so sweet and it was cute to see them just take time with Jaylee. I guess I expect to much though since I think they should have all of them all of the time!! Come on!! How hard would it be to play princess all day?!! Well Tangled has it's own place right now because she's so new so we headed that way to see her. First we stopped at the little shop by the princesses to see if Jaylee wanted anything and you know what our princess told us she needed, a crown and a sword and shield!! She is so funny!! So instead we found these little crown clips for her and Kynna and she got her sword and shield!!

Lucky for use the carrousel is right near where the line for Tangled was so J rode it many times!!

Another funny line thing-Tangled only see's x amount of people 3 times a day. I don't know the exact number of people. I just know that we waited in the pre-line for this one since it was the one princess that Jaylee said she was really excited to meet!! Yes she calls Rapunzel, Tangled. The person watching the line told us that we could come back when the line was opened but that it's been filling up within 10 min., so we decided to wait. We waited another 1-1 1/2 for her and Flynn Rider. They were so cute and Flynn kept calling Jaylee Little Blondie!! Jaylee LOVED that!!

She didn't say a lot but she just kept hugging Tangled!! It was so cute and worth every boring moment in line!!!

Day 4-The final day
It rained but we bought those cool rain ponchos so we were good to go!! It was on and off raining all day, but I think it was our best and favorite day!!
This is the new Disney Bear Duffy that Jaylee was sad to learn can't write, but they gave her a sticker for an autograph and she was happy!!

Pacific Wharf Cafe
YUMMY!! We had soup in sourdough bread bowls and loved it!! It was so good!! I just wished we had known about it earlier and then we could have gone back to it!! Maybe it was the San Francisco Sourdough bread, or maybe because of the rain, but whatever it was it was good!!!

And they had a kids fuel pack thing for Jaylee that was perfect!! Yogurt, string cheese, fish crackers, orange juice and apple slices!! Perfect food for our little picky eater!!!

And back to Churro's we went for a treat!!!

MaKynna's Favorite Ride was...

It's A Small World

Jaylee's Favorite Ride was...

She loved that she got to decide if we went high or if we came down lower!! We stayed high most of the time!!!

Because of the rain, the teacups were closed for a good part of the morning while we were in Fantasyland. Darn!! Really neither myself or Brady were sad that we didn't get to ride this one!!

Remember the rain-well we didn't want Kynna to get wet either so we bought a rain poncho for her stroller and it was great!! We would peek in on her through the hood!!

Brady and I-Kynna was sleeping again and Jaylee was being a little turkey and didn't want her picture taken again so we asked someone to help us out by taking our picture!!!

Mickey Mouse Pretzel-so cute and rather good!!! We had to take a break to feed Kynna so we got a snack too!!

The stroller was great for many uses!! Naps, Rides and high chair!! I do wish we had thought before going and bought a double stroller. Jaylee loves rides but all the walking is a lot for little kids!! Highly recommend it for anyone with little kids that will get tired!!

Day 5-Time to head home!!!
We packed in the morning and then the shuttle service picked us up around 11:30ish. We got to the airport pretty early but it was perfect to have lunch at the Legends of Aviation and take our time. We got home around 6:30pm, and sad to be home after having so much fun!! We could have stayed another week and been totally happy!!

At the airport waiting to go home
Daddy and MaKynna

She was so sad to be going home!! She begged us to stay "just 1 more day!!" I do believe she had a WONDERFUL time!!! We will be going back to Disneyland and hopefully soon!!

2011 Athena Award Winner

So my in-laws are super involved in the community!! Not only is my father-in-law a city council member but my mother-in-law is the Chairwomen of the Davis County Republican party, among so many other things. They love the community in which they live. They Love Davis County!! And it shows!! They are so involved with not only their work, but in being a Huge contributor to so many different organizations, groups and people!! And they show no signs of slowing this crazy busy life down!! But that's okay!! They enjoy it and that's all that really matters!! Well this year, my dear mother-in-law was honored for all of this (what most people would call) crazy business!! She was given the prestigious Athena Award!! And we were able to be there for a special luncheon honoring this remarkable lady!! Thank you Melissa for watching the girls!!

The young lady saying a little blurb about Shirley and some of her many accomplishments and then we watched a picture video of her.

Mike and Shirley at our table just before they announced her name

This lady defiantly deserved a Standing Ovation!! And that's just what she got!! She is in the red jacket walking towards the front.

Shirley(red jacket) with members from the Athena committee and members of the Davis County Chamber of Commerce.

Shirley giving her little speech

Shirley with her sisters Chris and Judy

And a sign of the table for our family
Congrats Shirley!! Your family is so proud of you!!!

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day was pretty quiet around here this year. We didn't do much for each other or for the girls since we were headed to Disneyland the next week. That was our big gift to everyone!!! We had a little mailbox that we would leave Valentine's in for each other since before February, but it was just when we wanted to send one to someone. We didn't do it everyday and sometimes 1 or 2 would get one but not all. It was fun!! Jaylee just loved putting the little flag up!! But the girls did get Valentine Nammers!!!
MaKynna in her 1st Valentine's Day Nammers with her heart bottle!!

Jaylee in her LOVE nammers!! She was so ready for bed in this picture and right after I took it she asked her Daddy for a horsey ride so she could go to bed!!

Brady's parents watched the girls a couple nights before Valentine's day so we could go out to dinner!! This picture was taken while we were waiting to get our table!! It was only an hour wait!!! But it was nice to just sit and talk and enjoy being alone!! Our date nights are so few and far between now, so we REALLY enjoy them when they do happen!!!

Preschool Happenings...

I've been really bad about blogging and especially about what we've been up to with our Preschool group!! I'll update that blog today as well, hopefully!!! Anyways, we've had some fun little field trips and activities lately!! Preschool is going well, except my little bug has been sick so much this winter and as a result has missed way to much school!! I hope she won't be like this forever!!! She has NEVER been sick more then once a year and this winter alone it's been every other week, no joke!!!
Anyways, these first pictures are from the Valentine's Party. Kynna gets loved a lot by all the little kids!!! Don't be fooled though, she LOVES the attention!!!

Brecklyn, Jaylee, MaKynna, Adley and Sawyer

Jaylee working on her heart envelope

Melissa helping all the preschool kids make their envelopes for their Valentine's
Before Valentine's Day, we went on a field trip to the local grocery store. They took us on a tour all around the store and through the back. It was fun to see the backside of the store and let the kids see the other side of just grocery shopping. After our tour, most of us mom's had a couple things we needed to get anyway, so the kids got to ride in all the "fun" shopping carts. They kept switching carts so none of us actually had our child in our cart. I call those the "fun" carts because I think they are such a pain in the rear to push around the store and 99% of the time, Jaylee wants out of them by the 2nd aisle. I would much rather have her push her own little shopping cart. She stays more entertained and loves to put things in her cart!! I'm so glad our normal place of shopping finally got some of these little carts!!! Anyways, back to our field trip!!

J standing on the green line like she was asked to!!!

All the kids showing off their goody-bags!!
And then this last week, we went to Great Harvest Bread for our field trip!! J was in a mood and I should have known she would be when I had to wake her up to get ready. She was just kind of mean to her friends, then she just wanted to be held and wouldn't walk to go to the back of the store for the tour, so she and I just stayed in the front and watched from a distance. She did want to go back finally but then she was just mean and started coughing so we had to go back to the front. She wasn't sick or anything, I just think she was super tired. She did come home and take a nap, which she NEVER does anymore!!!

J waiting for all the other kids to get to the Bread store!!

Poor Sawyer was sick so he wasn't there, but we did have Adley and Brecklyn's cousins with us, Sam and Eli, so that was fun!!! This was the short moment that J actually wanted to go back and see what her friends were doing.
So Preschool is going well. J continues to learn a lot, when she is actually there!!! I do think that whatever we decide to do for next year's preschool, she is going to have to have more days during the week that she goes. She LOVES school but she LOVES her friends even more!!!

Bloggy Blog Day...

Yes finally I am back!! Hopefully I won't get so far behind again!! I've heard from a bunch of people how I needed to update my blog and trust me, I would have much rather been blogging then dealing with sick girls yet again.
The last 2 1/2 weeks have been horrible around here. MaKynna had the dreaded RSV. Lucky for us it was such a mild case and didn't really need any more attention then the continual sucking of the nose. That little test they do to see if that's what it is, is pretty pricey too. I just got the bill yesterday and goodness it was almost $500 to suck stuff out of her nose. And Jaylee had an inner earache. She's finally finished her antibiotic for that and I think we are out of the woodwork. Although Kynna woke up with a nasty sounding cough and is now fine, so let's just hope it was because of a frog in her throat or something. I try my best to keep our kids well, however can I just say I REALLY hate when people bring their sick kids to church, and stores and such!!! If your kids are sick, KEEP them HOME!! I know it's a pain in the rear to be stuck at home with sick kids, but I would feel so bad knowing that someone else got sick because of one of mine. I think I'll be okay if I miss a week or two of the fun activities that surround our life!! I don't know what's up with my J-Bug this year. She has never been one to get sick very much and this winter she's been down like 4 times now. She takes a multi-vitamin daily, but it doesn't seem to help her little immune system. No joke if she is around anyone with anything lately, she catches it!! And since she hasn't learned to stay away from her baby sister, when she does get sick, so Kynna seems to be catching some little thing here and there as well. All I can say is let's hope this is the end for any illness around here!!
We have a very fun family vacation coming up in 11 days!! We are going to the Happiest Place on Earth!! Yes Disneyland!! We were going to go in September, but decided to go in February instead. We are so excited and every day Jaylee asks me if it's a Disneyland day!! I can't wait to see her there!! She is going to have a BLAST I'm sure!!! So for the next week and a half I have some major planning to do!! And I am great with that!!
Hope you enjoy the LONG overdue updates!!!

Our little Sunbeam

On January 2nd, Jaylee advanced to Primary in the Sunbeam class. I'm sure it's not called that anymore but they'll always be sunbeams to me!! She had been excited for weeks to go all the time. Every Sunday she would tell us all about Primary and how she got to help and sing and all kinds of fun stuff. She's getting so big!! I can't believe that she will soon be 4!!

Don't be fooled!! She was so excited to go to Primary, but now she pleads with us every week to go back to Nursery. It's a constant fight now!! And of course Sunbeams and Nursery are right near each other so the walk past it doesn't help!! She does well once she's there though so that's a good thing!!