Disneyland Day 3

Our last day at Disneyland we continued our trend of getting there when they open to enjoy a few short(ish) lines. 

Ayden looked forward to riding the Matterhorn for two days.  Unfortunately, it was down on day 2, so we were excited to see it was up and running on our last day.

We hit the last of the rides in Fantasyland that we had not ridden yet...

 ...and a couple that he wanted to do again

We headed over to California Adventure when they opened.  Ken wasn't feeling well at this point, but was a trooper and rode a couple of rides with Ayden in A Bugs Land

All ready for the 3D movie

 Ken's "not feeling well" turned into "really sick" when we went back to the hotel for lunch.  He was hoping that some sleep would help, but Ayden and I headed back to the parks on our own.  While we missed Ken, we did all of the attractions at California Adventure that we hadn't done yet.

Then we headed back to Disneyland because Ayden wanted to go back to Toontown.

We got some dessert (ice cream & cotton candy) and found a good spot to watch the Fireworks.  We were so bummed to two previous nights because the Fireworks had to be cancelled.  It was so exciting that they were "on" on our last night.  We were bummed that Ken had to miss them, but they were worth the wait! 

I didn't get any pictures of the fireworks.  I had not anticipated that I would have to hold Ayden so he could see the fireworks.  It must have been an interesting sight - a 5 1/2 month pregnant woman with a 50 pound 5 year old on her back and a backpack on her front (in addition to the belly).  Too bad we don't have a picture of that!



Thank goodness for my phone - it gave Ayden something to do while we waited.



Disneyland Day 2

Our second day was the "Magic Morning" where we got in an hour early (7am). There were still quite a few people, but we were able to hit fantasy land and the Finding Nemo ride with minimal lines!

I read a tip online that it helps to get to Toontown just as they open, and that the line to see Mickey is shorter.  We still waited about 1/2 an hour, but it wasn't too bad.  Ayden was excited to be able to ride the roller coaster twice while I waited in line.

After our lunch break each day, Ken needed an ice coffee from the 7-11 across the street from our hotel in order to get him through the rest of the day!

This may be the best self portrait we've ever taken!

We got our churros!!

Dinner at the Rainforest Cafe

 After dinner, we walked around Downtown Disney for a little while.  Ayden had a blast at the Lego store!

I think he would have sat there for an hour if we had let them

Cinderella's castle all lit up!!

Disneyland Day 1

On December 27th, we drove from Los Banos to Anaheim.  We didn't plan very well because we hit the outskirts of LA at 5pm, so it took us about 2 hours just to get through to the Disneyland area.  We got checked into our hotel, unpacked, then went to bed early to rest up for three big days at Disneyland and California Adventure.

Ayden was tall enough to ride on every single ride, except for California Screamin' (about 1 inch too short).  He was all about the roller coasters and "fast rides".  My boy is a thrill-seeker!!  We wondered if he would remember any of the last trip we took to Disneyland, and there were a few glimpses of memory here and there, but for the most part, it was like he was seeing everything for the first time!  See how little he looked last time we went to Disneyland in 2009

Even with Ken & Ayden complaining about getting up so early, we hit the park when they opened each morning, including 7 am for our Magic Morning.  This was the smartest move we made as Disneyland especially was the most crowded I have ever seen it!  The morning hours were when we were able to ride the most rides with the shortest lines.

All ready to go!!

The first ride!

Cinderella's castle was so beautifully decorated for Christmas

Ayden needed a map to show us where he wanted to go....everywhere!!

We headed over to California Adventure before they opened so we could get fast passes to World of Color.  We found the Paradise Pier area practically empty, so we took advantage of those short lines and rode every ride!

This was the first of many Goofy sightings

Woody

After going back to the hotel for lunch and a little nap for Daddy break, we headed back to Disneyland just in time for a parade!  We snagged a spot near the huge Christmas tree!

Ayden insisted on taking our picture many times throughout this trip.  He told us he was very careful to make sure he got the "tippy top" of the tree in the picture.

The newly re-done Star Tours in 3D.  This was the only ride that I wasn't supposed to ride, but I did anyway.

Ayden getting ready to help Buzz blast Zurg

Ken wanted to make sure that we got a picture of him as a pack mule.  I did my share of carrying the backpack and pushing the stroller, but while he was staking out our spot for World of Color, he looked like this.  The first day was the only day we actually took the stroller.  We decided it was easier to make Ayden walk, which he didn't complain about too much, especially once we bribed him with cotton candy!  Our compromise was to take the shuttle back and forth from the hotel, rather than walking it four times (this may or may not have been Mommy's request, just as much as Ayden's)

Pictures do not even begin to show how amazing the World of Color show was.  It was dancing fountains meets Fantasmic, plus lasers, music, and so much more.  We were all mesmerized and it was well worth the stress of making sure we got a fast pass and waiting for an hour (easy for me to say since Ken was the one who waited while Ayden and I went on the Little Mermaid ride and grabbed some pizza for dinner) . 

Newton Christmas

Just as we have the last couple of years, we spent the day after Christmas with Ken's family.  It was just a small group of us this year, but we still had lots of fun. 

Ayden was excited to have more presents to open.

Grandma Newton got a Nerf gun from Uncle Daniel and Aunt Dee.  These three spent quite a bit of time using anything and everything as a target!

Christmas Day

We spent the afternoon and evening at my dad's house.  I didn't take very many pictures, maybe because I had a plate of yummy food in front of me most of the time :-)

Ayden was very anxious to open this big present from Grandpa & Grandma Jill. 

Daddy put it together so he could try out the new "green machine".  Luckily Grandpa's super huge flashlight lit up the whole street so Ayden could ride it, even though it was dark outside.

Ayden helped Grandma Jill out with some of the dishes.

Christmas Morning

Ayden was so excited to see what Santa brought him on Christmas morning!  I was worried he would wake up super early, but my threat of having to take a nap if he got up before 7 worked, he came in our room saying, "It's 7:04!!"  We headed downstairs and he was one happy boy!!

Daddy helped open up and put together his awesome remote control crane, bulldozer, and dump truck while mommy made our traditional Christmas morning breakfast of cinnamon rolls.

The very last present to open - a surprise trip to Disneyland!  My spoiled child seemed a little disappointed that it was just us going - he had a good time anyway!

Christmas Eve

As always, we had a great time at my grandparents' house on Christmas Eve.  It seems our family grows every year, I think we were up to about 30 this year!!  Next year we will add two new baby girls (ours and my brother's daughter, Violet)!!

The picture in front of our tree that Ken & Ayden grudgingly join me for every year

He looks so old here!  Such a little poser!

I think Ayden was trying to explain to his second cousin, Nathan, how to sort the presents.

Just part of the chaos that is Christmas Eve with my family.

Could he be any cuter!!

Somebody was a little excited about this year's pajamas - transfomers!!

It took some convincing to have him try these chocolate rocks.  He thought we were playing a trick on him!  They look really real.