Other than getting to have Christmas with my family the California trip was made for additional reasons. One being that the American Fork Marching Band (hence Regan and Chersty) were going to be playing at Disneyland and the Rose Parade. So part of our reasons for coming down were to see them play, and how cool we get to go to Disneyland twice for free.... Thanks Mark and Lynnette!
I have been so excited for this Disneyland trip I haven't gone since my family had year passes while I was in High School and Cory hadn't been since he was little. Plus I have two little girls... what couldn't be more fun! I knew that Rowynne was still a little small to enjoy everything but I figured we would still have a blast as a family.
Our very first ride at Disneyland was the Jungle Cruise. It was so great it was still early so it wasn't too crowded yet we were able to almost walk right onto the ride. I think this was a fun ride to start with for Rowynne. I think everything was still a little overwhelming at first... I don't think she had any idea what was going on. But she warmed up eventually.
Jungle Cruise.... First Disney Experience!
Rowynne and Grandma Lynnette and Grandpa Mark.... She looks like she is starting to get into it!
Video of us on the Jungle Cruise
After the Jungle Cruise we met up with Kyle and Danielle and we all headed in the direction of the Haunted Mansion. I was hoping since it was still all decorated for Christmas it wouldn't be as scary... but it scared her so bad that she wet her pants. I felt like such a bad parent she was totally crying through the entire elevator experience... which if you don't remember is still pretty creepy. Once we were actually on the ride and the music was going you started hearing the"ohhs and ahhhs" from Rowynne. So maybe she won't be completely scarred.
Mommy walking with baby Kynnedi in tow.... Lynnette and Danielle are peeking out behind me!
After the scariness that was the Haunted Mansion we decided to make a happy detour to go see Winnie the Pooh. It was a much happier experience, Rowynne loved it!
Kyle, Rowynne, Meygen, Kynnedi and Danielle
Waiting to see Winnie the Pooh... can you see the honey pots behind us!
Grandma and Rowynne..... Don't you just love her Minnie Mouse Bow!
Lynnette was trying to get a picture of us all in one shot... she ended up with a very close up of herself! I'm sure she won't love that I'm posting this but I just love us all sitting in the honey pot!
Mommy and the Babies in front of the Castle
I was so glad that we were able to bring down the double stroller... it was such a life saver!
Since we had the girls in tow with us at Disneyland we spent most of our time in Fantasy Land... since well that was were most of the rides we could take both Rowynne and the Baby on were.
I love fantasy land.. all your favorite Disney movies brought to life!
Daddy and Kynnedi standing in line for Pinocchio
Rowynne in line for Pinocchio... she was so excited when we would get to the front of the line where she could actually see the ride. She would always either try and climb through the bars or push past the people to try and get on. However for not even being 2 she did AWESOME waiting in the lines. And boy did we wait in some long lines. Disneyland was so packed that they actually stopped letting people into the park. It was crazy.
Rowynne was fascinated by all the little cool details around the rides.
She would always try and look in all the windows and see all the fun displays.
Riding the Train....
After quite a crazy time in Fantasy Land we took a break to watch the Christmas Parade and see the American Fork Marching Band play. However Rowynne fell asleep.. which was good for her she needed the rest but a bummer because she totally missed the parade and the band!
Sleeping like a little angel in the stroller... Again so glad we brought it!
Daddy and Kynnedi also took a little snooze before the Parade began
Here come the Band....
Chersty is in there somewhere....
Then came Regan and the drummers....
I mean how often do you get to see your family perform at Disneyland! It reminded me when we used to perform at Disneyland with Children's Chorus growing up. We went about a dozen times with that group it was so fun, getting to see the behind the scenes of Disneyland!
Then after the Band the Christmas Parade began....
My sister always wanted to be one of the Princesses in the Parade but my mom used to tease my sister and I that the only thing we could be in the Disney Parade was the reindeer's because we were so tall! So sad!
Kynnedi finally decided to wake up... I swear she slept 90% of the time we were in the park. I think the stroller and being carried in the baby sling kept rocking her to sleep.
Mommy and Kynnedi
Kynnedi, Mommy, and Rowynne all in our Christmas Disney shirts!
Rowynne loved showing off her shirt!
Rowynne.... Being a little goofy
After the sun went down it got a little chilly and the bear suite came out for Kynnedi.
It was great because it kept her nice and snugly warm without worrying about carrying around a blanket. Plus it was fun to hear all the "ahhh how cute" every time we walked by.
Small World in LIGHTS
My sister made sure that we wouldn't miss the turning on the lights at Small World. It is a pretty crazy thing to behold. So many lights on all at once. Rowynne was in light heaven! She just kept screaming Lights, Lights!
After small world we headed over to Dumbo. Rowynne loved the fact that she got to hold the feather when it was our turn. Kynnedi however did not like the wind factor of the Dumbo ride! I kept trying to cover her face because it kept taking her breath away.
Mommy and Kynnedi and Rowynne is hiding down there somewhere?
The Castle all in lights... Christmas time at Disneyland is seriously a whole different Disneyland. If you haven't seen Disneyland at Christmas time you are definitely missing out!
Our first day at Disneyland was such a blast.... I can't believe we get to do it all again tomorrow!
