Our Big Fat Awesome Vacation

A little over a month ago Jeff and I decided that we wanted to go to Disneyland. We hadn't been in a couple of years and we were feeling some withdrawal pains. We hate hot weather and long lines, so the only time we ever go there is in the middle of winter. Originally we were going to try and go when Jeff already had a day off work and Duncan already had a day off school and make it a quick trip. But then we decided to stay a little longer and throw in Sea World too. After all, how often do we get to go on a vacation? We also realized that we might be a little crazy attemtping to take three little kids with only 2 adults. So we convinced my dad to come with us (my mom is super busy for tax season, so she couldn't come). Just for kicks we didn't tell the kids until the morning we were leaving. We packed when they weren't around and then the night before we told them that we had to drive Jeff to Oregon for work and we would be going on a long drive. Here they are the morning we left right after I told them where we were really going:

Duncan was thrilled as you can tell. Dayton was already upset about wanting more oatmeal or something silly like that so the news didn't register with him until a few minutes later.

Day one was Sea World. Pretty much the first thing we did was go to the dolphin show. We all went in to get seats, but Jeff and Dayton were a little behind since they were parking the stroller. And get this: they got picked to be in the show!!! I guess they randomly pick people every time and Jeff and Dayton were the lucky ones. Side story...later on in the day we met this couple who had heard we were from Utah during the show and struck up a conversation with us since the husband was from here originally too. His wife used to be on Baywatch and converted to the church and they are married in the temple. Crazy,huh? They didn't tell us all this at the time but Jeff recognized her and we looked it up on Wikipedia after we got home. They were really nice and we chatted for awhile watching the kids and my dad on the twirly cups. They told us that they go to Sea World all the time and her husband always walks in and back out again over and over to try and get picked but they never have. Anyways, back to the show. Dayton got to introduce himself to everyone and Jeff got to pet a dolphin and then make it do a trick. Later on they led Dayton by himself over to another spot and tried to get him to pet a little pilot whale or feed it a fish but he got kind of nervous. Which is too bad because Jeff said that the whole time in the beginning he kept asking and asking when he could pet one. I think he felt a little weird being so far away from Jeff in front of all those people. He did great though! All through the rest of the day people recognized him. Here's a little snippet of the beginning. Sorry the zoom is all wacky.....make sure to pay attention to the dolphin's name.

How cool is this!!

My dad bought a little tray of fish that they could drop down for the sea lions. This guy wants some more I think.


They have this whole Bay of Play area with all Sesame Street themed rides and a huge net playground to climb all over. Tucker loved this ride the most.


There is a tide pool filled with star fish and sea urchins that you can reach in and touch. One of the guides also took a couple out and let the boys tickle them.

After Sea World we drove about an hour and a half up to our hotel across the street from Disneyland. The next morning everyone was up way early and we had a lot of time to kill before the park opened. But when we finally got to go in we were lucky and met some characters right away.

Notice my nice pink sunburned face.


Buzz was one of Duncan's favorites to meet last time. We were happy to see him again.

Duncan has decided that he LOVES roller coasters. Dayton not so much. Duncan felt so cool to go by himself on this ride. He also went on Space Mountain 3 times.

Looking cool on the Autopia Ride.

Maybe if you make the picture bigger you can see the first 3 people. It's my dad, Dayton, and Jeff. Duncan was too scared to go on this the first day but then he went the next time. I was on it then too so we don't have a picture of that time.

We had a GREAT time!!! Duncan's favorite ride was Space Mountain, Dayton's was Buzz Lightyear Astroblasters, and Tucker loved the Dumbo ride. My favorite was the new Toy Story Mania ride - it is awesome. Jeff loves California Screamin'. Ugh. The kids did amazingly well on the drive and over the whole trip. I don't know how they aren't incredibly sleep deprived, but they're not. They woke up early every day and crashed late. We are way glad that my dad was with us to help split up the kids on rides. Now it's back to real life :(