California Adventure~

Hello old neglected blog!  We had some more illnesses/allergies sweep through our house and then Jeff was in Switzerland for a week.  Somewhere in between all that we snuck away to California Adventure for Zachary's 11th birthday.  We gave him the choice of that or a party with friends.  I was actually relieved to not have to plan and execute a party for 10 or so 11 year old wild crazy energetic boys. 

 I also think he knew how much Landen had been wanting to go to Cars Land.  Such a great big brother!

We made it!

The weather was perfect-- a high of about 65.  Slighty cool in the morning and evening.  Not terribly busy.  We got to ride everything we wanted except Radiator Springs Racers, but that's a whole story in itself.

We got close enough for a picture, but Landen didn't want to wait in line to "meet Mater."

We went on Luigi's Tires first and while we were waiting in line the tire on our stroller deflated.  There was fake tire equipment all around us which I thought was very ironic.

Crazy birthday boy!

Zach wore the birthday pin and received probably 20 birthday greetings throughout the day.  

He loved it!

My beautiful girl!

Landen was really nervous to ride, we had to bribe him with the promise of a treat. But once he was on he was fine.

Not too sure

Then when the ride was over he was hootin' and hollerin' like he had a blast.

Landen got to see Mater and "Red" the firetruck.  He was in awe!

We stopped for lunch at Flo's cafe and sat on the outside patio and you could see the Radiator Springs racers flying by every minute or so.  The kids loved it and it convinced Landen he wanted to ride it and I think Mikayla that she didn't.  

The wait for Radiator Springs Racers was 90 minutes when we arrived in the morning and the Fast Passes were all gone for the day.  While we were eating lunch it shut down and all those people in line had to leave.  We almost got in the that line.  When it opened back up the wait was 300 minutes and never went below 90 minutes the rest of the day.  Apparently in breaks down quite often.  So we'll just add that to our bucket list I guess!

Then Mater and Lightning McQueen drove right by us!  That is definitely the place to sit if you don't want to wait in line to see them!

After lunch we finally got the promised treat!

He was quite sleepy by then.

Landen and daddy went to rent a stoller while me and the big kids shopped and explored.

We met up by the haunted hotel and Zach and Daddy got to experience that.  Zach loved it!  Landen slept while they did that then we went to do some of the kiddie rides.

Then we finally made it to Mater's Tractor Tippers.  

Just took this picture of Landen so I could sneak a picture of my handsome hubby.=)

Landen kept shouting,"Hey tractor! Watch where you're going!"

He loved it!  We all did! It was the favorite ride of the day.

Then we did the carousel with sissy while Zach and daddy went on California Screamin'."  Zach said that was the, "BEST RIDE EVER!!!"

Silly boy had so much fun on the tractors!

I was there too!

After dinner we decided to go on Mater's Tractors one more time and we walked through Cars Land at night.  It was so beautiful and magical!  A definite must see!

*Just FYI, the water in all the bathroom sinks is absolutly frigid.  However, there is one toddler height sink in each bathroom and the water in that one is only slightly cool.  Giving Zach a Disney gift card eliminated all the usual whining for souvenirs.  No matter what shoes you wear your feet will be extremely sore at the end of the day.  Taking advil before dinner is the only thing that helps.*

While we were walking through, Lightning McQueen drove right by Landen.  Literally inches from him.  He was in awe and it was the perfect ending to the day.  Zach got to go on all the rides he wanted and said it was the best day!

The kids and Jeff went on Soarin' over California one more time before we left.  I had gone with them the first time.  I had never been before and the part where you feel like you are flying over Napa Valley in a hot air balloon is the exact feeling I had when Jeff proposed to me.  I had some sort of visceral reaction and actually cried!  Can't believe that it has been over 15 years since Jeff drove me to Napa super early in the morning and surprised me with a hot air ballon ride and proposed while we were floating over the beautiful Napa vineyards.