Spring break in California!

For spring break we completely SURPRISED the kids with a trip to California...more specifically...Disneyland!

We picked up the kids from school, they thought we were going to Las Vegas, and just kept on driving! I have a great video that captures their response when we told them we were going to Disneyland - but I can't get it to load on blogger :(

Of all the many trips our family has been on, this is one for the books!  It was pretty much as good as it gets - because this time we could ride the big rides all together, the 6 of us!

Quin was tall and brave enough. So fun and priceless! 

And, I'm happy to say that the kids are still pleasant and happy to be with each other. Mostly ;)

We spent 3 days split between Disney and California Adventures.  The only characters that Quincy really cared to meet was Elsa and Ana from "Frozen," so we didn't have to spend a lot of time chasing characters and waiting in big lines.  

The big frenzy this year was the new "Cars Radiator Springs" ride. And rightly so - that ride is absolutely fantastic! We were all laughing so hard the first time we rode, not knowing that it entailed a car race!  Luckily we are Disney pros by now so we didn't wait long for even that ride. 

I have a ton of pictures from this trip but I will just post some of my favorite moments:

Madd Tea Party

The Matterhorn

Elsa and Ana

Jungle Cruise

Parades!

Tower of Terror

One time was enough for Quinny

Meeting Minnie

Space Mountain

Dumbo

Big Thunder Mountain

Toy Story 2

Splash Mountain

Tom Sawyer Island. Not a favorite but right in front of Pirates of the Carribean - which we love. And this trip we actually had time to go to the island

Just cute

Q trying to decide between the many, many stuffed animals. Settled on a baby Pluto

And of course the famous Mickey picture

And I can't leave out these action ride shots. 

Anybody see a pattern in these pics? 

Oh, Dad! 

Spring Break part 3

 Tuesday was spent entirely in Disneyland.  We used today to split-up: BS took the 3 older kids back on all of their favorite rides, while I took Quinny on her favorite rides and of course meeting the Princesses, Fairies, and Characters.  It worked out nicely and was a great way to conclude our Disney experience.

May I present to you....Quincess Cinderella!
She was in heaven, meeting the characters and getting their autographs! Here are just a few...

When we met Tinkerbell and the other fairies, the boys wanted NOTHING to do with them...in fact they were hiding behind BS :)

The "Caterpillar" ride is one of her faves

And of course the Teacups

Pretending to be scared to ride the Haunted Mansion but really all 4 of the kids love this ride!

This is either Pirates of the Caribbean or It's a Small World

After awhile Quincess got tired of her fancy dress and walked around the park like this :)

While Quin and I were busy at Disney, the others went on more rides of their choice in both parks for the last time. It is the best feeling in the world to see your kids soooooooo happy!

  wE lOvE thIs plAcE!

Spring Break part 2

Monday we spent the entire day at California Adventures.  We went very first to the Toy Story Mania ride and rode twice in a row.  This ride is very popular and there are no fast passes so the line gets long quick.  We all LOVED this ride!

 

We were lucky to meet up with some friends from Sacramento...Susie, Connie, Camie, and the rest of the Sugden family!  We spent most of the day together and Millie was thrilled to spend time with her long lost friend. 
 They were even very brave and rode "Tower of  Terror" together.  They were not fans.  Will was not a fan of that ride either.  But, he did ride California Screamin for the 1st time and loved it!  By the end of the day we had all ridden that about 5 times!

Little Sam and Quincy

Quincy loved the "Bug's Land" with the kiddie rides and also the King Triton's carousel.  She was getting crazy with no hands:

On the Buggy bumber cars

Here is Will and BS in a funny pic...BS put his hand in front of his face but it didn't stop him from flashing the "rock on" sign with his hands :)  And here's Sambo right before the big take-off:

 

There is a new show called "Worlds of Color" which is at night.  It is a water/laser show and it is incredible!  We were exhausted so it was the perfect way to end the day...sitting down to relax, cuddled up in blankets, watching this amazing show.

Another fabulous day and the weather was even warmer today :)