In February of 2015 (give or take) Juliana told us that she was working on a Disneyland/beach trip and was opening it up to anyone that wanted to come. At first we were totally in, then we thought we were moving to Seattle and were out, then we moved to Phoenix and were still out becasue February was cra cra, but then Ethan was awesome. Here's why...
We are always working on "the next Disneyland trip" even if there really isn't one coming up anytime soon. We talk about it ALL.THE.TIME!!! We love it that much. In January we started toying with the idea of meeting the Mannings in California for their Disneyland trip. There were too many factors that made sense: the Smith's were also going, it was only 4.5 hours away, it was a time to see cousins, a dead time at work, etc. Ultimately however, we decided not to go becasue of all the things we had been doing and were going to do. It just wasn't in the cards.
Then Valentines day happened. Ethan and I have decided not to go big on VDAy. We always celebrate but we keep it simple.I really wasn't expecting anything but as the night was coming to a close, Ethan handed me a hand written card. It was a piece of computer paper and on the top it said It said, "I hope you don't mind getting your Valentines Day present a little late this year..." and in the inside it had the itinerary of a trip to the beach/Disneyland with the Mannings and Smiths. I almost fell to the floor with shock. Ethan had been working with Julie and Reo the whole time! He threw me off course just to surprise me. I totally love it!
So that's how we ended up in California yet again. We spent some Christmas money and had the most amazing weekend. On Saturday morning we drove the 4.5 hours to California and spent the weekend (plus some) with the Smiths and Mannings. I totally believe that money should be used wisely and there are times to save and times to spend, but I can also say, you really can't put a price tag on time with family. Kelsey literally cried with excitement when she saw her aunts, uncles, and cousins and in the same breathe, I sobbed when we had to say goodbye. Families are a beautiful thing.
I didn't bring Kelsey a change of clothes since the sun was going down, but that didn't stop her from getting in the water. Sure she was freezing after, but once she got in, I didn't have the heart to tell her to stop. She was having so much fun.
This was Kelsey face the second she saw the family walking down the beach.
This was the courtyard at our hotel. Kelsey thought it was her house.
The second beach day was Newport beach, just a different part. The sand was so shelly and fun. I loved it. We tried to meet up with everyone, but I mixed up the directions and so we ended up at different ends of the same beach. Kelsey and I both cried a little but it still was a fun day.
Madison was really mad that we were at the beach, but finally started to warm up. Towards the end of the day she was actually playing it.
That night for dinner we did get to meet up with everyone, but I was still a little bummed from the beach earlier. Luckily its hard to stay mad at Disney surrounded by some of your favorite peeps. We were lucky enough to eat dinner with some of the Disney characters and Kelsey was so excited. She brought an autograph book for them to sign but initially got too scared to have them sign it. After a small pep talk, she was determined not to be shy an ask every character for their signature and she was a lady of her word. She started to realize that it was a lot of fun and honestly chased people down for her book. It was so much fun.
Side note: Kelsey is getting way too old to be held in pictures. Its just reached a point where she looks better on the ground than in our arms.
It's sort of turned into a tradition to go sit outside the gates the night before we get to go in. Now that I'm writing it, it sounds like a sad form of torture, but it really does help us get that much more excited.
We had to wait in line FOREVER, but we finally made it into the gates. We were with the cousins most of the day and that was maybe better than the rides.
Meeting Snow White and telling her all our personal information. Good thing Snow White isn't creepy becasue she literally could steal our identity with the knowledge that she now contains.
We were worried about this one but she was AMAZING!! She slept when she should, eat when she wanted, and was just as pleased with walking as Kelsey was to be on Dumbo.
The view from Dumbo 
Nemo was a huge hit
COUSINS!! Waiting at Splash Mountain
Awkward but the only whole group picture we have
People started to get a wee bit tired
At the end of our trip we watched the Paint the Night Parade and fireworks. Should a fire work show and parade make a grown mother cry? I don't know but they totally did.
I am so glad that we got to tag along on this little adventure. It was fast and furious but totally worth it.
