Unlike our previous trip to California, this trip had been planned for a very long time. Again, it was just me and Maria because Jordan started working in the clinic every day (boo, no more summers). Luckily we had a few people waiting for us in California to keep us happy. :)
I have to say, we went in the pool with Maria any chance we could! One reason being that she would stare out the back door and throw a fit if we didn't, and the second reason being that it was so much fun for all of us!
Maria loved cuddling with the new stuffed animals she found at my parents house (thanks Ryan!).
Our first Sunday in California was the best because I got to see my best friend, Aroha! I have missed her so much and haven't seen her since before Maria was born! What the heck?!?!? I only cried a little. lol Oh yeah, and if you couldn't guess, she's pregnant with her first baby!
Like I said before, this trip was planned much more in advance.... so of course we went to Disneyland!!!! This was like a serious dream come true for me. I was bummed Jordan couldn't be there, but I've been waiting so long to be able to share the Disneyland experience with my kids.
Naturally, our first stop was Toon Town to see Mickey Mouse! We checked out a few of the nearby buildings while my dad checked on the line. He said it wasn't too long so we went for it! The line went by fast, but the poor worker made the mistake of letting us into the Mickey Mouse room when we were the very last people in the group. Poor Maria tried running up to Mickey so many times but we had to make her wait. So sad! lol
Finally! It was her turn! She just giggled up a storm and couldn't stop looking at him! She adores Mickey Mouse and I think she was ecstatic to see him in real life!
I love this moment they captured. Maria touching his nose and Mickey returning the favor. Ah! My heart!
A video of her special moment:
We decided to let Maria get some energy out before we went on any rides (and wait in line for those rides). So my dad and I took Maria to a play area to run around. She loved it, of course, and also loved trying to chat it up with the other kids.
The first ride we tried was It's a Small World! I was worried about Maria sitting still, but as soon as we sat down on the boat, she didn't move at all! She seriously stayed like this the whole time! Have I mentioned how much I love Disneyland?!?!
Next, we made our way over to the Jungle Cruise! And she sat like an angel the whole time again! I loved seeing her experience the magic of these rides for the first time.
While my mom tried to get Maria to take a nap, we checked out all the awesome Star Wars stuff they have at Disneyland! It was fantastic! I am a GIANT Star Wars nerd, so this was definitely one of my happy places.
Speaking of Star Wars, we were walking around when some stormtroopers walked by! I laughed so hard when they were telling us to "move along!" haha! It was one of those moments that you feel like a kid again. lol
We made our way into Fantasyland and went on the Pinocchio ride, which was a lot darker and scarier than I remember! haha But Maria wasn't phased because apparently thanks to Jordan's parenting she isn't afraid of anything!
I love that you can have fun and make memories everywhere at Disneyland. I'm so glad we brought her little tablet because that saved us a lot of tantrums while waiting in line!
This. This is one of my favorite pictures from that day. This is the face of a girl who just wants the ride to start RIGHT NOW!!!! She wasn't scared or sad, she was mad!!!!
Watch her face. Yes, that sound at the beginning is her angry cry. As soon as the ride starts, she immediately is content. haha! I could watch this over and over again.
We also had fun spinning on the tea cups!
And riding on Dumbo! Honestly, it was a day I know she won't necessarily remember, but a day I'll never forget. So grateful we got to make so many memories with family. :)
Back at my parents house, my mom and Maria were up to their usual shenanigans... Maria really wanted to get into the water, but still had her clothes on. Apparently when you're a grandma those kind of rules don't matter anymore! haha At first I couldn't believe it, but now these pictures just make me laugh and smile.
Even though it was a month early, we threw Maria a birthday party for her 2nd birthday! It was Mickey Mouse themed, of course! My mom and I had so much fun planning it all out. And I have to say, everything turned out beautiful and delicious!
Maria ate one of these adorable cupcakes Ryan's girlfriend Amber made. They were so yummy and so, so cute!
It wasn't long before she spilled on her shirt. Luckily I had another Minnie shirt ready to go so she could go outside and play. We washed her birthday shirt and tried to take some cute pictures a couple days later.
It was tough, but we had fun and Maria is cute no matter what she is doing.
After pictures we went on a nice walk and met up with some friends. Maria and Nana are two peas in a pod, I tell ya! :)
Maria was also our little ninja and chef. Just kidding! the apron was just to keep her from ruining her clothes! lol
And what's a trip home without throwing some knives? haha I was very proud of my Robin Hood skills.
It's not always documented, but I don't think there's ever been a time my family is together and we don't play games. We always play at least one game every day, and I love it. Especially when things like a dice landing on its corner happen! My brothers and I also played video games every night because that's what we grew up doing and nothing can stop us!!!
It was a little sad during our last evening together, but we had such a fun week and a half together it took some of the bitterness of leaving away. I love these people so dearly. Being on the other side of the country has been tough, but trips like these uplift me like no one's business.
Maria and I had a great flight home (minus the screaming and crying) but she slept! And it was glorious! Nothing like a trip packed with tons of fun to tire you out!
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