Vacation time!

We just got home from a great vacation to California. We go to California several times throughout the year, but this time around it was considered a "vacation" because we got to stay in a hotel and go to Disneyland! We were able to go with Grandma Jane and our Bompa and Lucas had the time of his life. We drove down Wednesday morning and checked in to the Embassy Suites. We went back and forth between staying at Disney and Embassy, but ultimately the free breakfast, happy hour, and unlimited Diet Coke at Embassy won :-).

We all took a nap and then headed to the Angel Game. It was Lucas' first time at a sporting event so we were a little nervous how he would do, but I think it is safe to say he loved it. All my photos were WAY over exposed, so these are the only ones that worked. These peanut shells kept Lucas entertained for a good 30 minutes. He loved stomping on them.

We all dressed in Angels Gear and Lucas look adorable.

Minna keeping Lucas warm

Someone brought a blow up beach ball and everyone was hitting it. Lucas was in a trance watching the ball going back and forth. He wanted it so badly and when it finally got to him, the wind picked up and blew it away. He was very sad to say the least.

Andy and John bet the whole game.... I believe in the end Andy was up 3 Churros and John was up one frozen banana, both to be consumed on Day 2 at Disneyland. The Angels won and fun was had by all.

Day 2: Disneyland

Ever since Andy and I have been married we have talked about the first time we would take our kids to Disneyland. So needless to say, we were excited. We woke up bright and early, got ready, ate breakfast and headed to the happiest place on earth. Lucas could tell something was going on and was smiling the whole way into the park. Going in is not complete without a picture in front of the Mickey Flowers.

And the castle...

Here we are at Storybook Land. Lucas loved the boat ride and sitting with his Minna.

Meeting Mickey Mouse! Most of the pictures from this are on Bompa's camera. Lucas LOVED Mickey. He was a little nervous until he saw Mickey's nose. He went right for it... when Mickey said, "No, no please don't touch" which Lucas thought was hilarious and kept grabbing. We were then kindly escorted out, but it was so fun to have Mickey and Lucas meet.

On to Fantasyland! We went on Mr. Toads Wild Ride...

Minna and Lucas in front of Matterhorn

The carousel... which we loved.

Dumbo! Minna was our line champ. She stood in line for Dumbo (the notorious slowest line in the entire park) while Lucas rode the carousel. Then we got to ride it together.

Lucas loved controlling Dumbo. Minna tried to help him and Lucas hit her hand away. So we let him do it on his own... up and down we went!

We ventured over to California Adventures A Bug Land and went on the Caterpillar ride.

All Lucas wanted was a balloon. Every time he saw one he pointed... so by the end of Day 1 we purchased a balloon. He was in heaven.

Day 2 ended at the French Cafe in New Orleans square, a ride on Pirates and a caramel apple from the Candy Shop!

Day 3: Disneyland

Day 3 was just as much fun. Lucas now knew what to expect so when we said "It's time to Go" he ran to the door and said, "go, go, go".

Here we are on the carousel for the third time...

Before Casey Jr, my new favorite

Autopia! Lucas LOVES to drive cars so we knew this would be a huge hit.
Waiting in line...

Driving...

The highlight of the entire trip was our last night at Disney. We took a nap, then headed back for round 2. We took the train around the park to Toon Town and went to Small World. Small World was our first ride when we got to the park, and our last ride that night. Lucas l-o-v-e-d it. He was laughing, pointing, dancing, and squealing. He loved everything about it. These pictures do not even do it justice because he was so happy.


Afterwards we walked around the park and enjoyed the atmosphere. Jane saw the neon light up necklaces and thought Lucas would like it. That would be a HUGE understatement. He LOVED it. He was dancing with it, using it as a steering wheel, putting it on, taking it off, putting his legs through it. We ventured over to Tomorrowland where Elvis was performing. All of us danced the night away. Lucas especially liked the music and with his light up necklace he was in heaven. It was the absolute perfect way to end our trip.

The next morning Lucas got up and ran into Minna and Bompas room, grabbed Minna's hand, and rand to the door and said, "go, go, gooooo!"... He was ready for another day at Disney. Sadly, we were not headed back. We had a great breakfast, said good-bye to Minna and Bompa, (Lucas was very sad) and headed down to Grandma Tracy's house for Baby Zane's big weekend.

To be continued....