Southern California

We left Friday May 16th at about 5 am drove about 2 1/2 hours had breakfast and drove the rest of the way we hit just a little traffic in L.A. but made awesome timing and arriving at the O'Connells about 12:30. We went out for lunch and when we came back we had enough of the heat so the kids ran through the sprinkler and played in the pool.

Our first day at Disneyland, its was hot and our mistake we went on the weekend so it wasn't the best experience. Because it was so busy we didn't have time to do a lot, but a good start day. We were a little worried if Parker was going to be afraid of the characters but he loved them. Parker wanted to give them hugs, hugs and more hugs. Bridgitts favorite for the day was the Winnie the Pooh ride. The Buzz light year laser game was right up Parkers ally and a family favorite. We stayed to watch Fantasmic, the kids and i hung out in our spot while Justin went to get us funnel cakes. Bridgitt fell asleep so when the show started i knew i had to wake her up cause she would of been so upset later, she did wake up and loved it. As soon as it started and Parker saw Mikey for the first time he was yelling "Mimmy, Mimmy" as if he could hear him.(for weeks before he has been so into Mickey anywhere he saw him he got so excited)Eating dinner at the Rancho del Zocalo Restaurant. The kids with their favorite, just their size chocolate milk.

When we were making our plans to visit the O'Connells, Jess's good friend email her asking if she walk for her in the Arthritis walk and she asked me because we have been involved in them. It was awesome to experience that organization, give back while we were on vacation and be inspiration to others. It was a very hot day we all kept hydrated and Justin poured a little water on Parkers head so next thing we knew he had poured a whole bottle on himself it was too cute cause i don't think he knew how cold it was going to be. After the walk we went back home packed a lunch and went down to the lake to rent a pontoon boat but all the boats were taken so we made reservations to do it Tuesday.
So that evening we went to Newport Beach, ate dinner at the Spaghetti Factory than went down to the ocean and played on the sand.
Awesome view with the moon and boardwalk
So cute, big sisters loving their little brothers. The girls playing Ariel, they have fins so they cant walk.

When we were leaving Newport beach, headed back to the house. While driving on the freeway all of a sudden a surfboard hit our car, total surprise i didn't even know what happened. Turned out to be some kids didn't tie it down good enough and totally apologized for it. It did do a little bit of damage but we will have it fixed by next week.

Monday the 19thOur second day at Disneyland we had breakfast with Minnie and her friends. We were waiting in line to see Minnie, Parker couldn't wait his turn so when we were next in line Minnie had to go powder her nose and when she walked away he was so upset and started to cry then she came back and he was fine it was too cute that he was that into it. It was fun to have special time with some of the characters. Justin and Bridgitt were getting their food and Pooh came to say hello and he was playing with Parker pretending to take a little dogie that Bridgitt had on the table he was putting it under his shirt and then he picked up the ketchup pretended to squirt it in his hand and styled Parkers hair because it was spiked and Parker was so into it.Bridgitts all time favorite princess, Princess Aurora.In the later part of the afternoon we headed over to California Adventure. We went to Mickeys Clubhouse show, the kids were so into it and had a blast dancing, catching the bubbles and most of all saw "Mimmy" as Parker would say. We saw Pluto and found a shaded spot for the Pixar parade which we waited for a little over an hour just to make sure we had a good spot and the kids ran around laughing having a good time. As the parade was about to start the workers were out selling stuff and one with balloons came up to me and asked if Parker could hold all the balloons and he would give him a button which i was hesitant about cause i thought maybe i had to buy one but he held them and was so excited, the button said "i held on tight" with mickey flying away with balloonsTuesday the 20th we hung out around the house relaxed a little and did laundry. In the evening we picked up sandwiches at Subway and a little treat for the kids "cookies." Went down to the lake and took a pontoon boat and ate dinner, all the kids got a turn to drive and right on the water was the restaurant where Dan and Jess had their rehearsal dinner 5 years ago that we were at so it was neat to be on the water and reminiscing. COOKIES!!!

After our hour on the boat was up we went to the beach area and let the kids play, Parker was the only one not in the water he was chasing the birds, he gets into a zone where i think he thinks that he is going to really catch them. Their was one time where he was running and he was so close to the water and than he put on his brakes.

On the playground they were playing Ariel again with prince Erik on the ship(the playground) so the only way to get them to leave was to have them march to the car and look for?? (i am bad Jess what were you looking for?????)When we were walking up to our cars we spotted in the grass in front of our cars little cotton tail bunnies.Universal Studios 21stWhen we walked away from taking the group picture, Parker was reaching and wanting more of them so we went back for one more hug and a high five. When we walked in to the park their was camera crew statue center piece, and i thought i saw one move so i was showing Parker and i told Parker to wave so we both did and one waved back at us and he was so excited so than we went to check out the times for a show and we spotted this "statue" slowly marching to the front of the park and we watched him for a little bit. Around the corner Justin and Bridgitt were getting us lunch so we went to tell them what we saw, and Parker started moving his arms slowly marching it was so funny.

City Walk was a strip of stores and restaurants on the way from the parking garage and the park. The way that all the signs were over sized and it had the water fountain the shot up from the ground and all the fun detail was really fun and neat.
After all the fun things we did we decided to eat somewhere on the city walk and take our time cause we didn't want to be stuck in traffic on our way back to Dan and Jess. We couldn't decide weather to go to Planet Hollywood or Bubba Gump but Bubba was the winner and it was such a fun neat place to eat we cant wait to go again.
For those of you who have not eaten at Bubba Gump, what they do is they have licence plates that say "stop forest stop" and "run forest run" and you change it for when you need something and when you don't. Bridgitt caught on really quick she was thirsty and i told her that she had water that she could drink so she says "i am going to change it and tell him what i want" so she changed it and when the waiter came of course she didn't say anything but we told him.This was the happiest sweetest but trouble smile i have ever seen. He made it right after he had dropped the pepper shaker into a big glass of water and trying to get it out with a butter knife, but it was so hard to discipline him when we were all laughing.The whip cream on the desert had Bridgitts name all over it
Thursday the 22nd was our last day at Disneyland and we went with intentions to do all the little last things that we wanted to do. We started out by Justin and Bridgitt going on Space Mountain and Parker and i went to meet Buzz. When i went back to Space Mt it started to sprinkle but we were at the happiest place on earth so we could deal with a sprinkle so we went to see Mickey and when we came out of his house it was poring so we got our strollers and ran for cover. We thought we would wait till it calmed down and it did a little but everywhere we went it was packed with people doing the same and Parker wasn't feeling good so i made a run for it to the entrance than all the way to the parking garage and some how they both fell asleep.

Friday 23rd

Parker was still feeling a little under the weather so we stayed in, relaxed and rested.

We went to Sea World on our last day May 24th. The O'Connells joined us and we had breakfest with Shamu and we were seated in the WET zone the only 3 tables but it was so neat to be so close and watch a show while we ate, well tried. We were all so into it that when we got to our food it was cold but so worth it. Parker and Justin touching the sting rays.Feeding the Dolphins but the kids were alittle scared to touch them, they thought they were going to fall in when Justin leaned down. Shamu was Bridgitts favorite but she kept asking if we were going to see sea horses and she saw Flamingos on the map so everytime we talked about what we were going to do next she would say "the Flamingos." Watching the Dolphin show

The night of goodbys

The kids had such a great time together and got along so well, no mojor arguing or tantrumes. I think Bridgitt and Kendra learned alot from each other and had so much in comman but their favorite was "Princesses."

This is the best picture i could get of the boys they were so busy, it was neat to see them play together, the little bit they did and see how different but the same they are and they are only 2 weeks apart.

Thank you O'Connells for letting us invade your house for 9 long days i hope it was worth it because we enjoyed every minute and the memories that we took home from the whole trip are priceless and the kids are still talking about everything not leaving anything out. So thank you again and we are looking forward to making plans for another tip to Disneyland!