Fall Break 2016: The St. George Edition

Fall Break, you blessed four day weekend when the state of Utah either flees to Yellowstone, Disneyland, or (as we found out this weekend) St. George. We haven't ever done a Fall Break trip but Christian's family had planned a trip to St. George and we were happy to tag along. 

I took this picture while driving on I-15 between Beaver and Cedar City. I wish
it had been able to capture the true beauty of that sunset. 

Thursday morning we headed to Zions National Park with Christian's dad. I hadn't been to Zions since I was about three so I don't count that as ever being there. I was excited to go as this was the last of the five National Parks in Utah that I hadn't been too. We got up early as the park is usually pretty busy and evening arriving just before nine we still had to wait in line but we did find a parking spot inside the park so that was good. 

Ready to set out on our adventure.

 Because James is in the 4th grade right now we get access to a great program set up by the Federal Government. Basically James gets in to all the National Lands free until August and as long as he is with us we get in free too, Thanks Obama!!!


Our first hike was the lovely Riverside hike leading to the Narrows. It was beautiful, paved, and chilly! The kids had fun though and enjoyed exploring all the fun and interesting bits of nature they could see.

The girls were really the only ones who would stop to take a picture for me. 

I am not one for selfies but the girls told me I had to prove I was on the trip too.
Here you go, photographic proof that I visited Zions.

They all decided that they would take a picture for me. 

 The kids had fun playing around at the entrance to the narrows. James even decided that he wants to hike it one day.

Abby was a trooper being hauled around in either the carrier or on Dad's shoulders. She was very happy to get out though and move around when we stopped. 

Laine decided that she wanted to hike to the lower Emerald pool by then it was warmer and we had fun, even if we were super tired. Everyone enjoyed the snack break.

We stopped by the museum on the way back to the car. The kids had fun exploring and finding out some interesting facts about Zions. Plus Christian and Abby snapped this picture.

We also went up to Checkerboard Mesa, it was fun to see all the different colors and we even got to see a heard of Mountain Sheep

On Friday we had a busy day that included a visit to a park, the Sand dunes, a movie, and swimming. 

Matt having fun at the Sand Dunes

On Saturday we went hiking at Dixie Rock. Matt was trying to be very brave and hike with Laine, Laine was a fabulous big sister helping him up and down some of the rock formations.

The kids enjoyed finding rock caves they could explore. 

We even found a Matt sized one

They were also great because they provided some shade

Abby tried riding on my back for this one. It was odd not being able to see her
but she was a trooper. 

We did some swimming that afternoon. It was a great way to cool off and have fun. Abby is a mermaid, she loves the water and Matt worked hard to get some swimming lessons from Dad, he then was happy to relax in the hot tub.

The Great Bradley Adventure Part 3- Disneyland concluded!

Our final days in Disneyland were full of rides, and treats, and pretty much were the same as the first three days. I was super excited to have the kids wear their Thing Shirts. I have wanted to have them wear these on vacation for years and I am glad that we found one for all of them...even Abby.

Thursday morning while the older kids and Christian were riding Star Tours I took Matt and Abby on Buzz Lightyear and these women looked at me and at my Thing 4 and 5 and said, "You really have five children?" It was a common question that day and it was the best if Thing 1 and 3 were off on a ride while Things 2 and 4  and 5 met Princesses, it really threw people for a loop and more than one asked if we needed a drink. It was fun. 

Matt loved Toontown. He was most excited that there was a roller coaster there that he can ride. He also liked being able to check off two more of the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse crew.

Eve shyly asked on Wednesday night if she could meet the princesses, she is my little girl that is growing up so fast but still clings to the little princess I first brought to Disneyland. I was happy take her. 

I love this picture, she was so happy to see the princesses. 

While Eve and I met the Princesses Dad took the other kids on the teacups.

Later that day we let Laine and James go ride some of the California Rides while Eve and Matt met Anna and Elsa (no line for those ladies!) They were super cute with the kids and played Reindeer tag with Matt. We also found out what sandwich Anna prefers! 

Our last day started with a character breakfast. We were super excited because it meant we got our own entrance gate and didn't have to wait in line!!! 

It was super hero day in the Bradley family

we love Minnie

Playing Peekaboo with Tigger 

Way to go mom, look at the camera next time. 

Since Matt was too small to ride the rides I was super excited when they picked him to go through Jedi training. I was really happy that they had the training back our last day there, I was afraid he would miss it. He was super excited to fight Darth Vader and has told me that he will "never go to the Dark Side."

My little Jedi

Laine took me on the Materhorn, I have realized that I am too old for the jerky rides.

The kids were good sports in posing for the 60th anniversary pictures for me. I made them visit every one, and even James would pose for me! 

Matt was so cute with these one. He charmed the photographer and got a sticker out of it. 

We spent sometime earning our Junior Wilderness Badges. Matt was super excited to talk to Russell about Kevin's most unusual footprints.

So Thanks Disneyland! We had a great time and we will see you for your 65th! 

The Great Bradley Adventure part 2- Disneyland!!!!!

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. 

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. 

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.

Matt also appeared in another family's photo-he was very excited to see Santa

We enjoyed some of the Mickey Mouse beignets
and most of us needed a shower after.  

No trip to Disney is complete without a castle picture.

We just happened to be there with the launch of Seasons of the Force. Tomorrowland went all Star Wars. It was perfect for our little geeky family.

Space Mountain was rethemed, with Star Wars, tears
of joy might have been shed by at least one of us. 

MICKEY!!!!! 

We love Disneyland treats, there are Dole Whips, cream cheese pretzels, Mickey Mouse chocolate chip cookies, and now we have added a new one....Caramel Apples.

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. 

Matt and Abby got to sit on this Santa's lap

And then we got to see Olaf- Matt gave him a big warm hug,

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. 

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. 

All three have been fearful to ride this ride. They all love it though now. 

We finished out our night seeing World of Color- where we heard the song 'Let it Go' performed for the 4th time in two days.

Day three started out in California again and a few pictures in front of the Christmas tree

Oh my goodness, they are cute. Just saying. 

Then they found James' new favorite ride

Abby really was a champion napper. 

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....

every Iron man costume ever

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!