California or bust!

Yes, we decided a long time ago, when my mom was still alive, that we would go to Disneyland in September 2012 and we had to keep our promise to our kids, ourselves and my mom...right?!!! 

Right!  It was an awesome trip.  One we will remember for a long time.  

We visited the Los Angeles Temple. 

Had a red velvet cupcake at Sprinkles in Hollywood.

Introduced our kids to the star walk of fame.

Had a blast on Labor Day at Huntington Beach State Park.  The waves were huge, but that didn't stop us from having an awesome adventure.  

This boy didn't stop running for five hours! 

Our traditional beach family photo!

And we spent three days at Disneyland and California Adventure...The happiest places on earth! 

Lines didn't exceed 15 minutes and if they did we got a fast pass.  We rode everything we wanted to and even rode a lot of rides 3-4 times.  Favorites? Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain for sure.  Alex was 40 inches exactly and could ride everything the big kids could.  We had a blast!  Thanks Disney for the memories. 

Ethan was picked to fight Darth Mal and was awesome.  

While the little dude, Alex, was picked to fight Darth Vader.  It was awesome.  At the end he just kept jumping and hitting Darth's light saber; over and over.  Everyone was cheering and applauding. It was memorable for sure.   

Our two rides on Racers in Cars Land were awesome!  One in the morning and one in the night lights of Radiator Springs.  They did a great job creating this land.  So much fun for all of us.  

It's just like the movie, only real!!!

Big Red

Crazy kids and tractors!

Clearly having a great time, little stinker!

Alex was scared for the first few rides down Splash Mountain.  But, by the end he was all smiles!

See, this was the last ride, probably the 7th time we rode Splash Mountain and look at everyone's grins.  Although, Alex made sure that I kept my hands wrapped around his belly through the entire ride, each and every time!  So fun.  

I should have left them there!

We did take a day and visit Shamu and the dolphins at Sea World.  Kedzie could have sat at the Dolphin pool for hours if we'd have let her.  She is such an animal lover.  It was a nice day. 

We had a great six days in sunny California.  It was a perfect vacation.  My kids were great and Travis and I had fun as well.  The kids are already planning on a return trip in two years!