Disney day 2

The next two days were spent at Disneyland -- crowds and all.  It was somewhat crowded on Monday, but Tuesday was great.  We managed to ride all of the classic rides, and then some.  And even had time to repeat a few the next day before we had to leave.  For being with a group of 14 people, we did pretty darn well sticking together, and having a great time.  There were a few moments when some kids (aka, Ryan) didn't want to wait for everyone else to decide what to do, and definitely some moments when we all split up to do our own things.  But these kids got along great, and it was definitely fun to experience this place together.

K and Kensie in their princess dresses, walking to the park for day 2

in order of age - Ry is the oldest, Camden the youngest.  

on the Buzz Lightyear ride

We didn't get to do the Dumbo ride last time, it was closed.  So I'm really glad we got to hop on this time.

And same with Small World -- we loved this one so much we rode it twice

I think this ride was K's favorite

parade watching 

 We got a chance to do all the classic rides on this trip -- and I loved it.  Dumbo, Small World, Tea Cups, Pirates of the Caribbean (no one was scared this time, we all loved it!), and even the Haunted Mansion.  A few of us adults snuck off to ride Space Mountain (my favorite), and I think my most favorite memory of this trip was riding Thunder Mountain Railroad with Ry.  It was his first real rollercoaster, and he was nervous as all getout waiting in line.  He kept asking questions, non stop, "what are the hills going to be like?", "how fast does it go?", "can we talk to someone who works here and ask them how the ride is?".  By the time it was time to board, he was quivering he was so nervous.  He started to scream "I'M SCARED!" before we even started going!  We kept talking him down, told us to squeeze our hands, and about halfway through the ride his grip loosened up, he started to look around, and he started smiling.  By the end of the ride, his smile was huge and he said it was really fun.  Yet he wasn't ready to ride it again on this trip.  Next time he said.  

the Tea Cups 

on the grumpy caterpillar from Alice in Wonderland (or Allison in Wonderland as Ry kept calling it)

 We stayed late this night, caught the parade and the fireworks, and loved seeing the park at night.  Our kids were tired pups by 10:15 pm, and back to the hotel we went to crash.

all smiles after the Pirates of the Caribbean ride 

one last look at Small World and it's Christmas lights display 

two kids passed out in the single BOB -- not an easy feat 

 Our last day in the park, we hit up our favorites before we had to head to the airport that afternoon.

Haunted Mansion 

Jungle Boat 

Autopia 

K loved driving, but couldn't see over the steering wheel -- good thing it was just a ride!

by this point Ryan had had enough of being in photographs, so instead he offered to take this one-- not a bad shot! Just wish he was in it!

 One whirlwind trip to Disneyland complete!  These 4 Bayers left tired, exhausted, and ready for home.  Until next time Mickey! 

Disney adventures

The first weekend in December, we hopped on a (very short!) plane and went south for a few days to explore the Magical Kingdom in all it's Christmas glory.  Eddy's sisters love Disneyland, so we decided to go as a giant family -- and oh what fun we had.  There were 14 of us total (his cousins and kids came too), 6 kids age 6 and under, and man did we do all that we could do in the 3 days we were at the parks.  With technology these days (not sure how accurate, but hey) we tracked that we all walked about 13 miles EACH day we were there!  No wonder we came home exhausted!  The kids had a great time, it was super fun to bring Kaitlyn back because she really got to experience it with us this time, and Ryan was less fearful and more excited about the rides this time.  

 We didn't rent a car for the trip, and instead just took a cab from the airport to the hotel -- the rest of the time we took hotel shuttle or walked to/from the park, which was a nice, low stress option.  So instead of lugging Kaitlyn's big car seat for 2 trips in the car, we brought our extra booster.  Man was she stoked to sit in just a booster seat (with Stella buckled in safely too mind you)

Kensie and Kaitlyn at the Lego store at Downtown Disney 

 Along with Eddy's 2 sisters and Alexandra and Lucas, Eddy's cousin Marisa, her husband Lance, her daughter Autumn & son in law BJ, and their kids Kensie & Camden were part of our group as well.  We darn near took over the place!  Our kids love their cousins, but also really love their 2nd cousin once removed, or however that whole thing works, Kensie.  Her younger brother Camden is about a year younger than Kaitlyn and not quite in the same "fun" category as Kensie is yet.  I'm sure he'll get there.

after we first arrived, we had lunch and took a stroll through Downtown Disney.  And nobody wanted to take a picture in front of the park, so Eddy and I did instead.

 We all stayed at the same hotel, about 1 mile from the park.  Alexandra and Lucas had way cool castle bunk beds in their room, so we had to stop by and play on them the first evening there. 

Our kiddos couldn't contain their excitement that first night.  We were A) in a hotel, which in and of itself is fun, B) they were in the same bed, also fun, and C) the next morning was to be our first day at Disneyland.  Hellooooo, excited much?  So despite waking up early, walking all over Downtown Disney, swimming in the hotel pool (in December -- good ol' LA temps), these two still took awhile to settle down. 

 About 30 mins after they fell asleep, we heard some loud booms outside -- and after a quick second of panic (due to recent world events that I won't go in to), we realized it was the Disneyland fireworks-- right outside our hotel room window!  Kids slept through the entire thing.  :)

 The next morning, we were up and att'em, and decided on spending the day at California Adventure as the line in to Disneyland was way longer.  Good decision, it wasn't very crowded and we all had a great day.

walking in with the Disney expert Auntie Dana 

Eddy, Autumn, Drea, me and BJ

 Right off the bat, Auntie Dana and Marisa agreed to take the littles to wait in line for a ride, and us "adults" hopped in the quick line for the seriously fast rollercoaster California Screaming.  I don't know that I thought this thru, was I haven't really been on a upside down roller coaster in years, but off we went.  And it was fast, and twisty, and made me scream, and then we all felt ill for about 2 hours afterwards.  Don't think I'm made for that kind of ride anymore!  

that's a lot of kids

the only way I can ride a carousel without throwing up -- keep my eyes on the horizon and look like an extreme dork 

We found the adventure park, and the kids had a blast exploring (and not waiting in line for rides) for a bit.  The adults were a bit whiney on the rope bridges....

Autumn, Drea, and Marisa complaining their way across the rope bridge

Eddy helping all of the kids down 

K had no fear, hugging this huge dog at the end of the adventure park.  Who wouldn't want to hug that guy? 

 Ryan remembered this bumper car ride from our last trip here 2 years ago, and couldn't wait to do it again.  It was kinda fun, not gonna lie.  Especially since all of us could do it.

Kensie and her grandpa Lance

 We took a late afternoon break, relaxed at the hotel for a bit, and then went back for the night time experience -- lights, chillier temps, and the World of Color show.  It was a fun evening!

a big ice cream cone, for a little girl 

we debated bringing the stroller, but so glad we did!  This thing was worth it's weight in gold on this trip.  But next time
we come back to this place, it will be when the kids are big enough to be well beyond needing a stroller!

we survived day #1!

big girl bed

It's time!  Kaitlyn is about a full year older than Ryan was when he switched to a big bed (granted, we needed his crib for the little miss), but we finally got around to finding her a big girl bed for her room.  And she loves it!  

So does Eddy, who can now fall asleep with her while reading to her at night.  

A win win for us all I guess.  

Breakfast with Santa

This past weekend was what has become our annual tradition....breakfast with Santa (and Eddy's family).  It was earlier than usual this year, and I wasn't so ready to meet Santa yet, but once we got there it was just what we needed to kick into high Christmas season gear!  I think a lot of other people felt the same as I did, because it wasn't very crowded, and our kids got a lot of time with Santa.  He even had time to read them two books!  Super cute. 

There were no tears, no fear from the kids this year.  They were pumped.  

Ryan asked for the arctic boat Lego set (because we don't have enough Legos already?)

Kaitlyn asked for a stuffed animal skunk.  I'm fairly certain Santa will be able to deliver on K's request no problem. 

ready to meet the man 

"hmmm, I'm not sure what I want"

both kids talking at once

Ryan made sure he stayed a bit longer, to fully explain exactly WHICH lego set it is that he wants from Santa this year...

private story time with Santa 

selfie with Santa 

 Later that afternoon -- we put up our tree (we picked it up the day before), and the kids were super helpers with decorating it.  Once we got the lights on, the ornaments went up in about 5 minutes flat.  We had to move some around, up a bit higher, after they were done.  But it was fun to have them both be such great helpers this year.  And not one broken ornament in the process!

all ready to go!