DISNEYLAND TRIP

For Christmas, Bryce's parents gave everyone a trip to Disneyland! The kids hadn't stopped talking about Disneyland since we had gone a year and a half earlier - and we hadnt' forgotten what a blast it was - so we were all beyond excited and couldn't wait for February to come!

Day 1

Thursday February 2nd

Powell's first plane ride...he did great! Mattie had somehow developed a bit of a fear of flying between the last Disneyland trip and now, but she managed to forget all about it when she was seated with some of her favorite people: CJ, Zack (her cousin), and of course, Papa. Still not sure how Bryce's dad got stuck with the kids, but he/they did great :)

After a stop at the hotel to drop off our stuff and change into some cooler clothes, we finally made it to Disneyland!

Within minutes of arriving, this adorable scene happened (it brings tears to think about the fact that the video we captured of the moment got erased)! It started with Mattie spotting Mickey and going up to him. He had just appeared and Mattie was one of the first kids to see him. Mickey took her hand and began to lead her into the town square. CJ then took Mattie's hand, and Zack (CJ and Mattie's cousin) took CJ's and then we had this adorable train of Mackay kids with Mickey. And what made it neat is that it lasted forever! No other little kids jumped on, so for several minutes, the Mackay kids got to parade around town square with just Mickey! It was such an incredible moment and quite the memory!

What we don't have is a picture of Goofy and CJ (again, video that got erased *sniff*). Goofy actually saw CJ in his stroller and CJ got all shy and refused to smile. So Goofy took the reigns and began to push CJ around in the stroller being, well, goofy, running the stroller into garbage cans and sidewalk curbs in an attempt to get CJ to smile. And all he got was half a grin out of the boy! But hey, the rest of us thought it was pretty hilarious!  

If you look closely, CJ's pin says "1st Visit," which wasn't true, but CJ sure was proud of his pin anyway :)

Powell seemed to catch the Disney spirit

Buzz Lightyear, Pirates of the Caribbean, Thunder Mountain, and Rocket Blaster

As to be expected, this is how day 1 ended in the park 

And we had no complaints about going to bed either :)

Day 2

Friday February 3rd

 Day 2 was the day Gramma got Mattie an autograph book, and as you can tell, she was all over meeting the characters (especially Woody :)

Day 2 also happened to be Zack's birthday. What better way to celebrate than with blue-frosted cupcakes (other than being at Disneyland, of course :) ?

Matching tees: Mickey for the boys, Minnie for Mattie

This is one lucky boy to have these two as his grandparents

Just some cute random pics from day 2 :)

More rides: California Screamin', Toy Story, Soarin' California, Ferris Wheel, Under the Sea Carousel

Waiting in line for Toy Story (both times we've been to Disneyland, this ride has had the longest line/wait)

Powell was Mommy's partner on the Toy Story ride

After the Toy Story ride, Gramma bought the kids (except for the babies) each a Toy Story stuffed animal

Day 3

Saturday February 4th

Our last day at Disneyland started with a much-loved classic: the carousel 

You can't go to Disneyland without riding the teacups 

Powell kept us entertained with his adorable self 

Indiana Jones ride with Paige, Bryce, and Kelsey

More of Powell's cuteness

Maybe it's a tradition now, but both times we've been to Disneyland, Gramma has purchased these automatic bubble blowers and they were a huge hit!

The kids loved this Bug's Life ride

Tower of Terror, California Soarin', and Downtown Disney...then hittin' the hay 

After a crazy three days of Disneyland, I guess it makes sense that the kids would sleep crazy too :)

Day 4

Sunday February 5th

On our last day in California, we drove into LA to check out the temple and go to the Santa Monica Pier. It was a relaxing day and a great way to end the trip.

Los Angeles temple (where Grandma and Grandpa Forsgren were married)

This was the first time our kids had been to the beach

 The Santa Monica Pier (which involved a lot of Mattie chasing birds :)

Day 5

Monday February 6th



Zack and Mattie, packing up and heading out. Such good friends!

And this pretty much sums up how we all felt on the way home!

Disneyland 2012 was quite the adventure, filled with amazing memories to last a lifetime! We're so grateful to Papa and Gramma (Bryce's parents) for their generosity, their sacrifice, their hard work, and their time to make this such a wonderful family trip. We love you!!