Thirty years ago my parents took the "wrong" way home from Las Vegas, as I cried they presented me with two options- we could find the right way to go home or we could continue on to Disneyland. I was pretty shook up, I had a church program I was very keen on participating in, but they talked me into it and I soon found my happiest place on earth. I have been back many times in the thirty years since. Honestly, I have lost count the times I have visited. It is truly my happy spot (honestly, I envisioned it as my "happy place" during labor).
My first visit was during their 30th anniversary celebration and I have returned for the 35th, 40th, 45th, 50th, and 55th parties. As a side note the 40th was my favorite, I can still sing you the theme song from that year. So there was no question on if we would be at the 60th anniversary party...well there was one question-we call her Abby.
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| Every girl knows no outfit is complete without a pair of mouse ears! |
See plans were to bring an older baby with us to Disneyland, alas plans don't work out the way that you want them and so we were off to Disneyland with a 4 month old baby and I was pretty sure we were crazy. But as Christian pointed out before we left, the worst thing that happens is we get half days in Disneyland. I have to admit if that was my worst day I could live with that.
We didn't have anything to worry about, this little girl was a ray of sunshine. She was happy and charmed cast member, line waiters, and characters alike. She also lost a fair number of socks and was known to be wearing mismatched ones or ones we had purchased. We did have some crying bouts, usually when she was tired, but really we just ended up with a happy baby who would nap in her stroller and go through two to three outfits a day!
As a Bellamy we have many traditions, there are traditions about everything, even what ride you go on first. See there is an order, you fast pass Indy, ride Pirates, ride Haunted Mansion, ride Splash Mountain (and Winnie the Pooh if you're not tall enough for Splash) and then it is time for your Indy fast pass. It is a tried and true system, you don't mess with it.
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| The kids (and mom) loved these. They were good sports to stop and smile for a quick picture |
Disneyland is the once place I allow it to be Christmas before Thanksgiving. I mean when you see 70 year old men walking around in mouse ears and a grandma being pushed in a sit and stand stroller with her toddler grandchild (I really wish I had taken a picture of that one) then obviously time is wibbly wobbly, if you catch my drift. It also meant we got to see Santa.
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| Matt also appeared in another family's photo-he was very excited to see Santa |
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| We enjoyed some of the Mickey Mouse beignets and most of us needed a shower after. |
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| No trip to Disney is complete without a castle picture. |
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| Space Mountain was rethemed, with Star Wars, tears of joy might have been shed by at least one of us. |
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| MICKEY!!!!! |
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| Matt ate the ears, and the jelly beans. I am pretty sure that mom ate the rest |
Day two found us in California Adventure. While dad took the older kids on rides (Matt came in an inch too short for most of them- he even measured himself everyday to see if he had grown), Matt and I went on adventures.
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| Matt and Abby got to sit on this Santa's lap |
They had some artificial snow where Matt had a great time making a tiny snowman and he tried to make a snow angel. He has been waiting for snow all year and sure enough Disneyland provided.
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| Nothing like the first fake snowfall |
We love Car's Land. It is just straight out of the movies!
Our one rule in Disneyland is you need to ride every ride you are tall enough for, this of course meant James had his first ride on California Screamin'. He was super nervous and I told him just to hold my hand and squeeze when he was nervous. He was did hold on tight. His glasses also fell off when we went upside down, at least they landed in and stayed in the car. He ended up enjoying it, but wouldn't go again without a parent.
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| All three have been fearful to ride this ride. They all love it though now. |
Day three started out in California again and a few pictures in front of the Christmas tree
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| Oh my goodness, they are cute. Just saying. |
Then they found James' new favorite ride
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| Abby really was a champion napper. |
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| She is ready with her big hat for the next season of Downton Abby |
We also spent some time at Marvel HQ where we saw many things, including....
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| every Iron man costume ever |
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| This is my favorite moment. Matt loves Spider-Man. He has Spidey shoes, Spidey jacket, and now Spidey Mickey ears. Spiderman spent a good five minutes with him chatting and showing him how to shoot webs. Upon leaving Matt decided that he wanted to be a Superhero when he grows up. |
Okay so I realize that this is going to be two posts....so part two of Disneyland is coming your way soon!
Everyone is so happy!
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