Last day of the Magic

Today is our last day at "the happiest place on earth." We got checked out of the hotel after breakfast and headed back one last time to get our fill of our favorite rides. Alex wanted to head to "Tower of Terror" first because that was his most favorite ride. Luck was on our side because there was NO LINE...we went on it 3 times in a row (and Alex wanted to keep going).

 

The kids thought it was funny to pose at the top for the picture. We had a great time!!!
We went on "Space Mountain" for the last time, I loved that ride!!
The kids went on "Screamin" two times while Rich and I went on the Tortilla Factory and the Bakery tours. It was really fun and we got to eat freshly made tortilla's and bread. We went on "Grizzly Falls" the water ride (not Rich). That was a first for all of us and it was fun.

We went to McDonald's for lunch again and then went on a few more rides. We wanted to get a head start on our drive home so we left the park about 7pm.
This was taken on our way out!!! We all had a great time and I think Rich's first trip to Disneyland was very fun and memorable for him. I can't wait to go back in a year or so with Max...he will LOVE it!!!

We got back to the car and then headed north. We had pretty bad traffic for a while and that is never fun!! We stopped in Barstow for dinner at Taco Bell and then continued driving!!!
When we were about 20 minutes out of Baker I asked everyone what they thought the temperature would be on the giant thermometer. It was 11pm and Rich and Alexa both won the contest...it was 99 degrees on the car thermometer and 98 degrees on the one in Baker, that is TOO HOT!!!
We arrived at Whiskey Pete's at 11:40pm and it took Rich about 45 minutes to check us in. It was an OK room and we weren't going to be there for long so it didn't really matter anyway!! We were all just really happy to be out of the car!!!

Huntington Beach

We packed up this morning and headed out to Huntington Beach. I have heard from several people that it is a beautiful beach and it seems like I always go to Santa Monica or Newport so I was exctited for a new adventure.
I wan't that impressed when we got out of the car, it was pretty dirty and there was tons of seaweed and stuff all over the sand. It was a pretty day and the weather kept warming up so that was great!!
The water of course was pretty cold but that didn't stop the kids. Rich and I were up on our chairs reading while Alexa and Alex were...

 

fighting the waves. They were haivng so much fun letting the waves knock them down. Alexa got some pretty bad "sand rash" on her legs, she was bleeding a little.

 

I couldn't convince Rich to get in all the way. He would just stand there in the waves but he said the water was too coold to get in. He almost got knocked down a few times by the bigger waves, it was pretty entertaining to watch.
I was the only one that was brave enough to actually "go swimming," Alexa tried but she was scared and didn't feel comfortable going past where she could touch. It was so refeshing to just be out in the water and bouncing on the waves. I stayed out for a long time just treading water and wishing someone would come play with me!!!

 

We ate lunch there and had a really fun time. It did get pretty warm but as the day went on it clouded up so we decided to head back to the hotel around 5pm.
I guess we were at the very end of the beach and that is why it was kind of crappy, as we drove back we saw some way nicer places so I guess we will have to give it another chance next time!!

We ate dinner and showered and then headed to Disneyland for the rest of the night.
We went on our favortie rides again and Rich watched the fireworks while we were on the rollercoaster. We stayed until the park closed at 12am and walked back to the hotel. We stopped and got a McFlurry for the walk back. We were EXHAUSTED but what a great day!!!!

More Disneyland

We got up at 9:45 and hurried to breakfast which ends at 10am. We got to Disneyland about 11am and headed to the Indiana Jones ride first. The line was only 20 minutes and we had to take Rich on it. He loved it and was really glad that he went. We went on the Winnie the Pooh ride next and then got fast passes for Splash Mountain.
We went on Autopia and Rich was a little disappointed because he thought the cars would go faster. Then we headed to Toon Town.
We took some pictures and then we ate lunch. Me and the kids got pizza and Rich had a salad. It was the only time we ate a meal at the park. The food is pretty crappy and way too expensive!!
Alex used his money to buy a stuffed Micky that he loved taking on the rides with him. We went on the Mickey Roller coaster in Toon Town and Rich actually enjoyed it.
Then we went on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride and we had to kiss the frog. Alexa wouldn't because she was too embarrassed!
Then we were in line for the Peter Pan ride and Alex said "we get to shi# in" and then he threw his hand over his mouth and Alexa busted out laughing. He meant to say "we get to sit in ships." I love the Peter Pan ride. After that we went on the Circus Train. The kids were kind of mad that I made them go on "baby rides" but I like them and we couldn't just keep going on rides that Rich wouldn't go on!
Finally it was time for us to go on Splash Mountain. This is the best ride!!! We all LOVE it but couldn't get Rich to do it. He was too scared of the drop. Alexa was in front and got really soaked. It was a great ride!! We went on Haunted Mansion again because there was no wait and Alex really loved it.

 

Then we headed back to CA Adventure and Alex got to go on California Screamin' for the first time in his life!!! He has been totally looking forward to this ride and he waited patiently until today for it!! It is a really fun ride and after the first time the kids ran and got back in line to go again. Then we went on Mullholland Madness (like the Wild Mouse), it was OK put not that great!
We decided to go back to the room for dinner about 8:30pm. Alex and Rich went swimming again and me and Alexa went to Target for some more food. We watched some TV and then went to bed!

HOLLYWOOD, Baby

After our breakfast we loaded up and set out for Hollywood Blvd. The traffic was not too bad and we made pretty good time getting there. Alexa was so excited to go shopping and about getting "cool stuff" that none of her fiends would have. Also, she really wanted to "get discovered" and thought that this would be the best place for that to happen. Unfortunately that didn't happen.

 

We parked pretty close to the Kodak Theater and decided we would just walk around and see what was going on.

 

We had to go into Forever 21 to shop for a bit. I found a cute shirt and some earrings and Alexa bought a cute dress. It was an outdoor mall so we walked around a bit and went into a few other stores.
It didn't feel as hot and there was a nice breeze that made it really pleasant. Alex got a kick out of the people dressed up. We spent a few dollars for a couple shots, we knew Max would love seeing the 2 Spiderman's holding up Alex!
We saw a huge crowd and I knew what it was...Michael Jackson's star was surrounded by so many people and flowers and notes etc. I took a shot from behind the crowd because I didn't want to push my way in.
We had lunch at Baja Fresh and it was really delicious. We ate upstairs and they are right across the street from Michael Jackson's star. I loved watching the crowd that never seemed to disperse paying tribute to him. We thought about seeing the new Harry Potter movie but tickets were $20 each, yeah for real!!! We decided to go to the Wax Museum instead.
Rich wouldn't even get close to this guy. I thought it was pretty funny that he really wouldn't even come and get in the picture, he is our President after all!!!

 

We also went into the Guinness Book of World Records museum too. It was pretty entertaining and interesting. We had fun walking around both places and taking some pictures.
We went to a few other stores, souvenir shops mostly and each bought a T-shirt, 4 for $10 you can't beat that!!
Alexa found some awesome purple high tops that she is sure no one else will have in Utah and she was really excited about that!!
This is what Rich looked like every time he wasn't driving!!! It is funny cause he says he can't sleep in the car, but he is for sure asleep, you know how I know?? He snores pretty loud, the kids in the back seat can hear him with the radio on!!! I had to take a picture to prove to him that he really can and does sleep in the car all he time!!!

We got back and stopped at Walmart for some more food, the Walmart sucked so bad!! We ate dinner at the hotel and then decided to go to Disneyland for the rest of the night. We got there about 8:30pm but they are open until midnight so we have time for a few rides!!
Me and the kids went on Space Mountain and I LOVED it. It has been so long since I have been on this ride because it is usually always closed for some reason. It was a blast and one of my favorites for sure!! Rich watched the firework show while we were on the ride!
We caught up with Rich went on the Astro Blasters, Alice in Wonderland (another favorite of mine), Story Book Land (the boat one), It's a Small World and the Nemo ride. Rich really enjoyed them all. He liked Small World alot. We were there until the rides shut down and it was great!!
We walked back to the hotel but stopped and got a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup McFlurry on the way...it was DELICIOUS!!! We finally got back at 1:00am and CRASHED in bed!! It was a fantastic day!!!

Disneyland/California Adventure...Day 1

If I haven't mentioned it before, this is Rich's FIRST trip to Disneyland...EVER!!! I know he will have a great time. We woke up and had breakfast at the hotel and then got ready and jumped on the shuttle to the park.
Alex really really wanted to go to California Adventure first so that is where we headed. The weather is supposed to be really mild this week and I was really excited about that but it sure feels HOT to me!!
We hit Soarin' over California first, I thought that Rich would love this ride. I looked over at him during it and he was squeezing his eyes shut. He said it made his stomach feel a little queasy. Uh oh, what has he gotten himself into? Me and the kids went on the Maliboomer next (just like the Rocket at Lagoon). That is always a good ride. I still get a nervous feeling every time I go on it, but I love it!
Then we ALL went on The Tower of Terror. It has been 5 years since I have been to Disneyland and I have only been on this ride once. I couldn't really remember it and thought Rich would be OK on it. We waited about an hour for this ride and it was pretty hot standing in line. Rich sat next to me and he was holding/squeezing my hand and his other hand was grabbing my shoulder and I really thought he was going to pull it out of joint. He had the tightest grip on me and was squeezing his eyes shut. It was a lot more "wild" than I remembered and I felt really bad that we made him go on it.
We got a few pictures with some characters. The kids didn't want to take the 5 minutes it took to stand in line for the pictures but I am glad I made them.
We went on the Monsters Inc. ride next. It was a first for all of us and it was a really cute ride. When the ride was over "Roz" was at the end and she was talking to us. She said "Hey lady in the second row, is that your husband?" I said "yes he is." She says "oh, I have been looking for one of those." Then she says to Rich "I'll see you in your closet tonight." It was pretty funny and Rich got a kick out of it.

We walked across the street to eat lunch at McDonalds. We were all really hungry and thirsty and HOT. It felt nice to be in a cool place to eat and sit. We walked back to Disneyland after lunch and headed to the Indiana Jones ride but the wait was really long.
We went on the Jungle Cruise instead and the kids hated it. It is not that great of a ride but no need to hate it!!! We went on the Snow White ride and then on Big Thunder Railroad. Rich went on this one too and he didn't love it. Then we headed to Pirates and Rich really liked that one. It is a bit long but a good ride. Then onto The Haunted Mansion. Alex was SO excited for this one.
We went back to Indiana Jones and the line was only 40 minutes so we went on it.
Rich was not sure about it and stood in line with us the whole time and then bailed at the end. The kids loved it!! We are for sure going to have to get Rich on it. He would like it for sure. Then we went on Star Tours, it is not that great but the line was really short. Rich went over to check out Innoventions while we were on that one.
We decided to call it a night about 8:30 and walked back to the room. We stopped at Taco Bell and the kids got some dinner, me and Rich had sandwiches again. We all got in the pool for a bit and watched the firework show again. It was a long hot day filled with firsts and lots and lots of fun!!!