Our Disney Date

Chris had been so busy at work, he needed a little R and R so we planned a little Disney date for the two of us.  He took the day off and we got a babysitter and spent the entire day at Disneyland!  I had scheduled a mystery shop that day so we got to do lots of fun things and eats lots of good food for FREE! 
Here are a few pictures of our fun date.  We hadn’t been to Disneyland sans kids since Maddie was a baby.  It was so much fun but we did miss the kids a few times.  We are started our day on Toy Story Mania, our favorite ride.  It must be the competitive nature in us.  I always let Chris win this game



We went to both parks and went on a ton of rides.  We had a blast and I can’t wait to go again as a couple. 

For dinner we ate at our favorite restaurant; Napa Rose. It’s a pretty swanky restaurant inside the Grand California Hotel.  It was delicious.  We ordered the Beach Rock appetizer which consisted of a large Rock heated to a very very high temperature.  It was served with several different types of meat around it and you could sear your meat on the rock before eating it. 

The Filet was AMAZING!

Delicious Crème Brulee for dessert…

We had a wonderful day and it went by too fast.  We were reminded how much fun Disneyland can be as a couple. 

Disneyland with Grandma Faye

On December 6 Sawyer, Libby and I took Grandma Faye to Disneyland. We went to Goofy's kitchen to start off our day and had a fabulous time. Chris was able to meet us for breakfast and then we headed off to the park. We went on a few rides and had a great time. We hope we can do it again soon! Thanks Grandma!

Disneyland birthday for Maddie

After having Maddie's friend party on Saturday and packing literally all day on Sunday (to be ready for my "tag along" trip with Chris on Tuesday) we spent the afternoon at Disneyland on Monday for a mystery shop I had planned (weeks before) with Maddie for her birthday. We took Grandma with us since Chris was already on his trip for work and therefore couldn't join us. It was fun having Grammy with us and we're glad she got to enjoy the day too! We got a babysitter for the boys and Grampy came home and relieved her and put the boys to bed. Maddie wanted it to be extra special and we were going to a nice restaurant and I didn't think they'd appreciate my entire crew!

Libby looked so cute in her Minnie mouse ears and black and red outfit. We got so many comments throughout the day.

What fun it was to have all the Christmas decorations up and see the giant tree. Maddie gets irked that they forget to celebrate Thanksgiving! Since she is a Thanksgiving baby.

One of the shops I had to do was an ice cream place and Maddie enjoyed a huge ice cream sandwich.

As we walked down main St. on our way to our dinner they had the snow fall and it was so much fun to get to see it. I know it is cheesy and the snow is really just bubbles that look like snow. But with the music and the lights it just gives me goosebumps and makes me all giddy inside.

Doesn't that castle look amazing! I love Christmastime at Disneyland!

As we entered California Adventure, Maddie had to stop and take a picture with the N for "Nielsen".

We had a wonderful delectable and very expensive dinner at the swanky Napa Rose restaurant. Because it was part of my Mystery shop I get it all reimbursed.

Libby was kind of a nightmare and did not behave well at all. I think this picture says it all! We had gotten a corn on the cob earlier in the day and she would not let go of it. She had a death grip on that thing all day. It was gross but we let her hold it in the restaurant so she'd be quiet but it didn't work very well.

It was fun to try a delicious wood fired pizza with prosciutto and caramelized onions. The short rib was to die for and absolutely amazing.

Check out the kids meal! I even ordered one for Libby since they give me plenty to spend.

Maddie got a happy birthday dessert. Creme brulee made into a beach complete with fish and sand.

We had a fabulous time! It was a great night with my Maddie and my mom, and of course my Libby too!

We got home late, around 10 pm. I had to do my surveys which normally take a few hours and then get up at 4 am to get ready to go the airport for my trip. Just thinking about that night makes me exhausted. I ended up going to bed at 2 and getting up at 4! Only to get on a 5 1/2 hour flight with a 10 month old! Don't feel sorry for me because I was on my way to meet my hubby in Hawaii!

Another Fun Disney day and Goofy's Kitchen

I mentioned in an earlier post that we had been to Disneyland 3 times in about 5 weeks. We just love this time of year and I ended up signing up for a several mystery shops in a short amount of time. This last time that we went was a couple of weeks ago on October 20. The weather had been pretty cool and rainy that week but luckily by the time we got there in the afternoon there was no rain and the weather was perfect. We started our day by going on Small World. Usually I use time on those rides to nurse Libby so the family doesn't have to wait around while she nurses. Libby is growing up and becoming very aware of her surroundings. She would not nurse and just wanted to enjoy the ride. It was so cute and I loved watching her get so excited. This is what going to Disneyland with kids is all about.

Even Sawyer loves Small world and enjoys pointing out all the Disney characters throughout the ride.

After going on a few rides at Disneyland Maddie insisted that we ride Splash mountain on a cold rainy day. I was crazy enough to go with her and the other kids wanted to go too. (minus Libby) Luckily I had a poncho so I didn't get wet!

(isn't Carter's face classic?)

Chris headed over to California Adventure and started waiting in line for Toy Story Mania (our all time favorite ride!) with Libby. We got right on Splash Mountain (no one was as crazy as we were to ride in such cold weather) and then ran (quite literally!) over to CA adventure and made it just in time to join Daddy and Libby on Toy Story Mania. We had a blast and I even beat Chris' score (with Libby in my arms!!). (He seems to think I had some sort of advantage because I didn't have a person shooting next to me, he was sitting next to sawyer mind you.)

We went on a couple more rides and then headed to Goofy's Kitchen.

The kids just love going to Goofy's kitchen it is truly an absolute treat (especially when you don't have to pay for it!) The food is just delicious and they have such a great variety of everything. It is a buffet and it is easy to get carried away, especially at the dessert bar! The best part by far is the character experience. We went for a late dinner so it wasn't very crowded. The characters really had fun and interacted with the kids throughout our meal. Libby especially would get giddy when they'd come around. By the time we left the restaurant the characters were treating our kids like they were old pals. As we walked out, Maddie ran into Chips arms and he swung her around. They were teasing the kids and giving them high fives. It truly was fun and magical. It's always a treat to go to Goofy's Kitchen.

Halloweentime at Disneyland

We had another great Wednesday afternoon at Disneyland. Since we've gone there 3 times in the last month its all running together!

I have always been a huge fan of Disney and Maddie takes after me. The boys love it too but Maddie and I have a special place for Disneyland in our hearts. Chris is coming around lately. When the kids were really little and I'd want to go to Disneyland he'd ho and hum. He'd eventually go but he'd definitely drag his feet. Its so cute to see him get excited to go lately. You'd think he would be O.D.'d on it but he's looking forward to our next visit. I'm not sure if I've just shoved it down his throat enough or if its that the kids are now older and can go on all the fun rides with him. They finally aren't scared of fast rides anymore so it's a blast. Either way I LOVE that Chris loves Disneyland and I think its adorable.

Here we are riding in on the tram. I think I may have successfully got a picture of them all looking and smiling.

I had to snap a picture of this cute thing. Don't I have the best point of view!

As soon as we got inside the park we saw Minnie and Maddie had to go visit her and let Libby see her.

Maddie made a special request to take a picture in front of the Walt statue. I love this statue, it really brings Mickey to life. Ever since Grandma Faye told us that we are related to Walt Disney, Maddie has been very proud and can't understand
why we don't get to have lifetime passes!

I found a great way to get a picture in front of the castle without all the people in front of it.

Can you resist this adorable face? I can't!

The kids after riding Thunder Mountain Railroad. They LOVE it!

Sawyer's Day at D-land

On Sawyer's actual birthday we all went to Disneyland. Kristy, Brady and Coleman came along with us which was so much fun for Sawyer. Grammy brought Maddie and Carter in the afternoon so they didn't miss school. We had a great time and enjoyed a day at Disney without the crowds. I had a mystery shop that day too so Sawyer got to pick out some fun things for his birthday (for FREE!)

Sawyer got to do the fishing game and won a little turtle. We tried to win a bullseye for him at the horse racing game but with no luck. Maybe next time.

The kids had fun playing in the fountains at the new park area on the water front. They got a little too wet but luckily it was a pretty warm day and they dried off quick.

I just love taking pictures on the carousel. Can't get enough of em.

One of the highlights of Sawyer's day was that he finally reached 40" and was able to go on some of the fun big kid rides! The childhood theory that you grow on your birthday every year must be true!

When we were at California Adventure Sawyer was excited to be able to go on Soaring over California. At Disneyland he was thrilled to be able to go on Space Mountain. Here he is just before boarding.

Sawyer had no idea what Space Mountain was all about and since its all inside it was quite a surprise. I was lucky enough to get to ride next to him. During the ride all I could think about was what was going through his head. Here he is just as we are starting the ride, looking a little nervous.

During the ride Sawyer started to cry and kept screaming "When is this over". I felt awful and just wanted my baby to feel safe. When it was over he wasn't crying but he wasn't happy either. Daddy gave him 2 dollars for riding and that made him feel a little better. As we walked back to meet up with the rest of the group and Carter was going on an on about how cool the ride was and how much he loves Space Mountain. Sawyer then speaks up and says in sort of a grumble, "Alright I liked it"

We had a great day and Sawyer had a wonderful birthday. By the time we left he was definitely ready to go. Our last ride was Dumbo and he threw a fit in front of everyone because he had to ride a pink elephant. Even though Sawyer is now 4 he definitely still takes on the baby role sometimes. Hopefully that changes as Libby gets bigger.

Disney Day

We have been going to Disneyland a lot lately because its not too crowded and we know it will be very soon! We're trying to enjoy the in between Spring Break and Summer season. Last week, the kids and I drove down and met Chris in Anaheim (his office is a short distance from Disneyland). It was a beautiful warm afternoon and I had fun dressing Libby in her Minnie outfit. She got plenty of admirers while we were there. The kids had a blast and got to go on some fun rides. Maddie and Carter rode Indiana Jones for the first time (Carter finally is tall enough now!) Maddie closed her eyes the entire time and Carter loved it and can't wait to go again! Maddie also got to ride Space Mountain with me which was lots of fun. I hadn't been on a roller coaster in about a year since I couldn't ride while I was pregnant. Sawyer can't wait to ride Space Mountain he is barely under the minimum height so hopefully next time we can put some taller shoes on him and see if he's tall enough. Sawyer loved climbing the stairs to Tarzans tree house. It is his type of attraction. He even wanted to go again all by himself while the big kids went on Indiana Jones. So I let him go alone while I waited by the exit. He's growing up so fast!