Just Keep Swimming

 We LOVE the Aquarium of the Pacific. We didn't pick a great day to go because there were gaggles of field trips but, it was still fun. Mc was pretty sure she was having the worst vacation because 5 min in she lost her new Wall-E charm and then when she want back to look for it, lost a pin off her mini back pack. We still had fun touching all the things in the tide pools and getting our booklets stamped.

Aquarium kids

The octopus is always a fan favorite. This one was super active and we got to watch it immediately change colors as it swam away. Such a cool animal. It was mid "wave" here. 

One of my favorite parts is when the divers get in the tank and talk to you about the fish, the aquarium and all the neat little factoids about the ocean. This guy has been volunteer diving for 21 years. All the people that work there are elderly volunteers and I wish I was close enough to spend my afternoons there when I am old. 

Touching jellyfish. Animals with no brains- only stomachs. 

Let it be written that Enzo also hated the aquarium. He was bored out of his mind when we were inside and wasn't a fan of touching anything. We finally thought we had turned a corner when we had gone outside because he and Sully (his new stuffed animal from Disneyland) could just run and do whatever. We were watching the seals and sea lions and Enzo was scaling the bleachers when all the sudden he says, "I am all wet!". He comes down and his head and Sully are covered in bird poop. Totally got pooped on! Just added insult to injury I guess.

We came back and everyone ordered in dinner and we hung out in Mimi's room. Mimi, Papa, Britt and Garrison spent the day at Disney (they went on a day the Matterhorn was open) and everyone was exhausted. This is the kids and Papa all crashed out while we played Cover Your Assets.

3 days of Disney

Our last day at Disney was the day we spent the longest in the park- we started the morning at California Adventure and ended at Disneyland making sure we claimed our last souvenirs, Gingerbread men, hot chocolate and goodies before we boarded the tram for the last time. We decided early on that riding the tram in saved us some time through security (which was also a new development since we were last in Disneyland- they check EVERYONE'S bags. Even in downtown Disney).

Small World- another ride that Enzo didn't hate.

We tried to pull out excalibur, rode almost every ride, at all the Dole Whips, churros, and goodies. We were Disney'ed out by the time we were done and ready for the next few days that didn't involve waiting in line, or hurrying. The kids were konked out when we got home and actually slept in until almost eight the next morning which was a miracle. 

Reunited and it tasted so good. 

Day 2 at DISNEY

We did our Magic Morning and raced to the park to beat the rush to the Peter Pan ride (like always). There were still 100's of people waiting but, we committed so that's what we did. Once again, Enzo was afraid to ride but rode with Bree and Ty and came out saying he wanted to ride it again (of course since it ALWAYS has a 45 min- hour long wait).

Disney Boys

 While we were at Disney, waiting in line to ride the Storybook ride, we heard that Stan Lee had passed away. That meant that we needed to ride the Guardians of the Galaxy in his honor- hence my "broken heart". That ride was AWESOME and one of my favorites of the trip. I miss the Tower of Terror but this one will be a new favorite. The older kids cried the whole time in line and I am pretty sure they hated it- wouldn't ride it again.While the kids and I were waiting for all the big kids to ride again, Groot happened to walk by. We booked it to the line and got to meet him. I am pretty sure that was a highlight of the trip.

Kingston wanted this little Groot since he saw them. We tried to buy it the first day but they were sold out. We just happened to find them in the Guardians ride. 

 We had lunch at the Blue Bayou- the restaurant inside the Pirates of the Caribbean- it was expensive and we'd had reservations for MONTHS. The Monte Cristo was awesome and the ambiance was cool but that is something I only need to do once. We also decided we could improve the dining experience by getting to leave the restaurant in a boat directly into the ride. so much cooler.

Toy Story ride- the only ride we did a Fast Pass for because Enzo actually wanted to ride it twice. We had fast passes but were clear on the other side of the park- we literally had to RUN ro make our time. 

Dad & the littles. 

The live Toy Story windows at night were a favorite. 

IncrediCoaster 

Enzo also not a fan of the Cars ride.

Disneyland

Disney Williamsons

From the second we got in the park, Enzo was pretty sure he wanted to go back to the hotel and watch The Grinch or swim. He was NOT happy to be at Disneyland. We ALWAYS ride Thunder Mountain first. Of course, Enzo hated it. And that set the pace for the duration of our trip. He hated every single ride and cried as we waited in every single line.

The older kids were so happy to be with ther cousins and loved riding the rides with Brynlee and Cash. They were surprisingly brave and rode everything at least once.Thanks to Britty and her Max Pass we got all our pictures for free!

Thunder Mountain

Splash Mountain- Enzo of course got soaked and yelled "It's all your fault" at Mark for making him go. Oops. 

Mc and I got our own log and barely got wet. Win. 

Cousins

Space Mountain

Garrisan the pack mule

Kingston driving us in Autotopia. 

**Cali DAY ONE**

Finally! The day had come that we got to load up and head to California! We boarded the plane bright and early on Sunday and left behind the cold and rainy weather for the 75 degrees of sunny California. We flew into Long Beach this time and I definitely think that is the way to do it. Small airport, walk right across the street to the rental car place and it's on the same road as the hotel. We scored a sweet Dodge Caravan- no DVD player but plenty of room and we remembered the car seats for the boys this time. 

We let the kids swim until late, run and back and forth between rooms before we went to bed for Disney the next day. 

Right when we got to the hotel Mc unpacked her wares and decorated the desk as her space.  

We decided to head into Downtown Disney for the evening to get some food and walk around before we did the park the next day. We were SUPER glad we did that because, unlike the last time, we tried to walk through the parking garage to get to the tram and we couldn't! The security guard totally stopped us and told us we had to walk 15 minutes around the garage to get to the tram. I would have been SO mad if we tried to do that at 7:30 in the morning! We did the walk almost every day and it wasn't super terrible. We would walk in to the tram and ride in. The kids didn't seem to mind but Brittnee and Garrisan decided Uber was a better option. 

G was a champ the whole trip and could usually be found with Enzo on his shoulders. 

The Ladies- and Mark derping it up in the background. 

Best face swap ever.