Disneyland, Newport Beach, and Namrata's Engagement Ceremony!

Warning- this is going to be a long post with lots of pictures! I couldn't narrow it down enough to keep it short. We just got back from a trip out to California and had a BLAST! Let's start with the reason we went out there in the first place......

I have been friends with Namrata since 1998 when we met in physics lab at Tech. We spent many days and nights studying together at Barnes and Noble for tests, and I got to know her sweet family pretty well when I would go to her house. Her parents are precious and they were always so kind to me (and Sean!) Namrata was one of my best friends throughout college....we went to the movies all the time, she knew the day I was getting engaged, she was there for my wedding, and she's seen me through having 2 children. She is a true friend, and I love her dearly. Now it's her turn to get married, and she and Shil had their engagement ceremony in Orange County, so of course we wanted to go. (By the way, I didn't have a single clear picture of the two of them, so that's why there's not one on here) So THAT is why we went to California to begin with. To be there for Namrata. And we're so glad we did. It was a beautiful new cultural experience and she was glowing! Can't wait for their big day next year. Love you, Namu!

But, if we were in Anaheim we HAD to go to Disneyland, right!!?! First night there, we went to Rainforest Cafe for dinner. Kids were fascinated at the stomping elephants and moving gorillas.

We walked around Downtown Disney and went into the Lego store. Of course they gravitated to Woody! They heart him!

We made it to Disneyland early Friday morning, when the parks were opening. I was suprised at how cold it is there in the mornings! Not really expecting that, but it warmed up after a few hours.

Sophia was way excited to see the castle. Grayer lovingly calls it "Tinkabell House"!

Waiting in line for some rides

This was the kids' favorite ride at Disneyland- we did it three times! "It's a Small World"

Riding the Carousel!

We had so much luggage and other stuff in tow for the airport that we didn't take our stroller. We did rent one there one day, but the rest of the time the kids walked or we carried them. Just in case they were to get away from us, we put these stickers on their backs with their names and information on there! Better to be safe (and look a little funny!) than sorry.

It was almost our turn at Pixie Hollow to meet Tinkerbell and her fairy friends. Sophia says now that this was one of her favorite parts of Disneyland!

Twice a day they have a fantastic parade that stops on Main Street and the characters all get down from the floats and perform. It was fun to see, although we were crammed in there like sardines. Here's Woody again!

Sweet moments:)

We never actually got an autograph because Sophia didn't want to get too close, but the characters were around the park from time to time signing books. For the princesses though, you have to stand in line to meet them. They are not just wandering around the park.

Here's Tinkerbell! The set where she was was very cute......just like the movie!

After an entire day at Disney Friday, I asked Sophia what her favorite thing was. She said "I didn't get to see Cinderella and I really want to meet her!" So, we went back the next night, had her face painted (which was another thing she kept asking for), and met three Disney princesses: Cinderella, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty. Grayer was a total ladies' man with these gals too! It was hilarious!

She was so proud of those cheek butterflies. She seriously didn't let us wipe her face for like 3 days so it would stay on!

On Sunday we spent the entire day at California Adventure, and saw alot of fun shows. Not as many rides for the kids, but so glad we went there too. We were there from 9:30 in the morning until 10pm! Grayer conked out at 9pm while we were watching the last show. This was waiting in line at Toy Story Mania game, where they had talking Mr. Potato Head. Very cute.

This game was tons of fun - 3D where you shoot at targets. Pretty much every ride Sophia wanted to go with me, and Grayer went with Sean.

Now those are some cute action figures in that box!

And this is what Grayer did while we waited in line. He was in and out of our legs, hanging on bars, etc. He kept himself entertained. The kids did really well overall. I don't think we ever had a major meltdown in 2 and a half days at the parks.

We rode the swinging gondola on the monster Mickey Ferris Wheel. I didn't realize just how much "swing" we were going to pick up! Let's just say there was screaming, grabbing the kids, and lots of laughing (on Sean's part especially).

They had a very cute Playhouse Disney Live Onstage show- a giant story book where they turned the pages and then did scenes from Mickey's Clubhouse, Handy Manny, Tigger and Pooh, and Little Einsteins.

There was a really cool animation area where they showed how they make still figures come to life on the screen. There was also an area inspired by Beauty and the Beast where you could plug in your likes/dislikes and it would reveal which character you would be. Sophia was excited that she would be Belle!

Just a picture to show what Grayer's up to most of the time these days.......

Entertaining us waiting in line for a ride

So after a few days in Anaheim, since we were in the area we went to Newport Beach to spend a few days and let the kids have their first experience in the ocean. They loved it, although the water temp was about 67 and it was only 75 outside. We did get in the water, we just didn't stay in it for long! They loved playing in the sand.

Wading into the ocean with dad

Sweet feet in the sand

Sophia found her first seashell! There was a lot of kelp and seaweed on this beach, but the sand was really nice.

Grayer slept in a regular bed while we were gone, and he loved every minute! We're getting ready to move him into one here at home now.

We went shopping our last day there (as much as we could without having Grayer confined to a stroller), and I decided to teach him early about carrying the bags! Ha! He was happy as could be to help. We had such a great time, we almost didn't want to come home. Sophia kept asking "can we go to another hotel?". Can't wait for our next adventure.........