The Nave Family

We had been anticipating this trip to Disneyland for over a year now! We planned to go last year around this time but due to some unexpected medical bills we canceled the trip. Ever since then we have been trying to decide when to go and it finally worked out! The kids were so excited, they had a countdown for it and they packed their stuff one morning while I was in the shower in plastic bags! Zach had only packed trucks and shoes. We hit the road Monday morning and made it all the way to the Dinosaurs in California before stopping for a picnic lunch.

We told them to act like a dinosaur, this is what we got.

We made it to our hotel around 3pm but quickly ran into trouble. We found out the hotel was booked for February 11-14 rather than March 11-14. The hotel had no record of our reservation and had no availability. So we called the online company we booked through and Scott sat on the phone for almost 2 hours trying to straighten it out. We couldn't get more than a 1 night refund and still had to book and pay for another hotel for 3 nights! Every hotel was booked so we drove around and called a bunch of places until we finally found one around 5pm! The kids did so good and were so patient given they had been in the car since 8am! Once we got checked in we walked over to Downtown Disney for dinner. We ate at the Jazz Kitchen and all was well until Haylee decided she didn't want to eat and just wanted to lay down. I assumed she was feeling sick and just wanted to get her outside just in case so Scott took her back to the hotel while I finished up with Rylee and Zach. The 3 of us had a nice walk back enjoying downtown Disney. Zach was a crazy spaz and was dancing to all the music.

At dinner:

The next morning we woke up and headed to Disneyland! (Haylee was fine by the way!) Zach got his "First Visit" button and wore it just long enough for me to snap this picture:

We made it!

The very first ride we went to was Space Mountain. Scott and the girls went and the girls sat in the very front!! They were very freaked out and did not like it. They ran out smiling but I think they were just thankful it was over! Thankfully it did not scar them from riding more rides! Scott was worried they were going to fall out so he held onto them, love this pic:

The next ride we did, Zach's first ride, was Autopia. The kids got to drive us around and loved it. Haylee was really good at it and I think it was her favorite ride. She loved driving! With their licenses:

Zach was suppose to drive this turn but he just kept crashing the car and getting bonked around so he gave up in frustration. Haylee took right over!

Small World:

Haylee and I did the Matterhorn (which she sat in the very front again) and then Scott and Rylee went. We took advantage of the rider switch passes both days which allowed us to have one adult and one kid stand in line then get a pass to give to the other adult and child afterwards to use to skip the line and get right on the ride. It was how we quickly rode rides that Zach was to short for!

Peter Pan:

We then met up with our friends Ryan, Teri, and Kailey and had lunch!

Afterwards we went to Splash mountain. We all were in one log except Scott and Zach who couldn't go. (Pictures thanks to Teri =)

Haylee sat in the front again and decided to duck down and hide in the front of the log just when we were about to go over the big drop. So I tried to hang on to her and get my hand up too!

Ryan and Teri offered to take our kids so Scott and I could ride Splash Mountain together! It was so great getting to sneak off for a bit and actually ride a ride together! We're the 2 in the back:

The girls waiting to get on Pirates:

On the Jungle Cruise:

Rylee loved having Kailey there!

We then rode Buzz Lightyear and Zach absolutely loved shooting the gun and held it by his face the whole time. He actually scored more than Rylee did. Thats Zach's little blonde head and I:

The Kiddos:

Us!

Our group shot

Playing around in Tarzan's tree house:

While Scott, Ryan and the girls rode Indiana Jones, Teri and I took Zach sword and gun shopping! =)

Teri and I then got to ride Indiana Jones together and afterwards we had to say our goodbyes! We loved hanging out with them! We headed over to Pirates for dinner at the Blue Bayou. It was really good and a cool atmosphere. Both Zach and Haylee fell asleep before our food arrived so it was a nice relaxing dinner!

We heard the fireworks going off while we were finishing dinner so we hurried out of the resteraunt to catch the last bit of the show.

The next day we headed over to California Adventure.

Our first stop was Cars Land! It was amazing! It was just like being in the movie.

Rylee and I went straight to the Cars ride and it was awesome! Loved it!

Then Haylee and Scott went:

The characters were actual moving talking cars, it was great.

We then rode the ferris wheel. Scott and the girls did the ones that drop and swing:

Zach and I played it safe in the non-moving ones. He was so excited to go until it was our turn then wanted to leave. I talked him into it and he loved going "so high"!

Afterwards we rode the Toy Story ride and Little Mermaid then stopped for lunch. We also bought Zach his first pair of Mickey ears!

Rylee and I in Hollywood

Scott and the girls on some spinning ride that I didn't want any part of =)

We also rode the bumper cars which the Zach especially liked. Then Scott headed over to Tower of Terror while we met the Incredibles. Zach screamed when Mr. Incredible got close, he wanted nothing to do with him!

Scott on Tower of Terror (bottom right)

In front of the lake

Ice Cream time

Hmmmm, almost looks like Daddy.

While Rylee and I stood in line FOREVER to ride the Grizzly River Run, Scott, Zach, and Haylee rode the giant swinging boats

Haylee sat by herself!

Rylee and I on the ride, finally! She's waving, pink shirt.

Scott and Haylee's turn!

We then rode Soarin' which was great and then headed to Ariel's Grotto for dinner. The girls were so thrilled, it was priceless. Almost. They first met Ariel:

Zach was a prince for the evening

Each princess came to our table while we ate. They got their picture with them and an autograph. Rylee used the autograph book I used when I was a kid. Pretty sweet!
Jasmine:

Snow White:

Haylee's excited face kills me. That girl was happy!
Tiana:

Cinderella:

We had a really neat dessert which included a seashell made out of white chocolate.

After dinner, Scott rode the rollercoaster and I took the kids on the carousel. Zach said it was his facvorite ride!

Scott on California Screamin'

We waited by the blast off zone to see Scott launch off. It was fun watching them and I instantly wanted a to go too...but the ride closed for the evening. Booo. It was actually closed most of the day so he was lucky to go at all!

The girls and I headed over to cars land to see it at night while Scott saved our place for the World of Color Show. It looked so amazing at night.

The girls meeting Lightning McQueen.

Below is the only character Haylee was willing to stand by...Also the only character that didn't move, or talk, or look at her. =) Both her and Zach did not like masked characters!

The World of Color Show. Pretty cool!

The last day, Haylee realized she lost her camera. I called lost and found and they said they had a pink camera there but they get lots of cameras turned in so its doubtful it was ours. We walked over to guest services anyways and sure enough it was hers! She was so upset that she lost it so it was just amazing that we actually got it back!

We stopped at the beach on the way home but it was crazy foggy and cold!
On the pier:

The kids chasing the seagulls.

You couldn't even see the ocean!

Zach's first time at the beach

The girls loved running in the waves. Zach loved throwing sand.

Every time Scott and I have been to LA (3 times), we stop at the outlets near Palm Springs and take a picture at this exact spot. We unknowingly started the tradition and now just have to each time.

Here's us now: