A Birthday Surprise!

Oh my.  I have been SO sick.  I don't get sick very often and when I do, its usually a day tops.  Well I have been out of commission since last Wednesday night.  In the meantime time and things I need to do are flying by me!!  So once again catch up time! :)
So we were going back and forth about what to get the girls for their upcoming birthdays.  We knew the friends and grandparents would probably have clothes and toys covered, so we were trying to think of something different.  For the last couple of months I swear every other commercial on their TV channel was for Disney on Ice's Dare to Dream show.  I thought it would be perfect and they of course begged to go every time we saw it.  In previous years, Brynn was still 2 or under and I just didn't think it was worth the price.  But now with them both a little older and the fact it fell right around their birthday, we thought it would be a perfect gift.  And our friends the Levins happen to be going too, so we all went together!

The girls were in HEAVEN.

Neither one took their eyes off of the show. And they enjoyed every moment, Rapunzel the most of course.  They put on a spectacular show.  If your kids are old enough, its definitely worth the cost.  It really was amazingly done.

Here's the girls' reaction to the news we were taking them!

Grabbing our royal lunch beforehand.  I know, Subway, very royal. :)

The princesses.

I think Bella was like this the ENTIRE show.

Brynn too, but at one point she came to snuggle on my lap. :)

Such a fun bday gift and one they still talk about to this day!

Here's a little video of Rapunzel and Flynn FLYING through the air on her "hair," video does not do it justice, it was pretty incredible.

Day 5....

This is going to be a big one! :)

Today was the big day!!

We were taking our three princesses to the happiest place on earth.

Up until this point we hadn't told the girls anything, however, they knew Disneyland was here and someone, ahem Poppi, let it slip a couple of times, so that morning when we said we were doing something fun this day I think Bella asked but we quickly said we weren't doing something that fun. :)

I had this vision of a big reveal as we pulled up to Disney and saw the big castle, but how its set up there's other things you see first. I was afraid they'd see something and I wouldn't catch their reaction. So as we approached one the major gates I turned the video on and said so do you see where we are girls?!

No

No

Where?

So totally couldn't see anything. So as we turned past it I pointed it out and I think finally Bella caught the Mickey statue and was like Oh Disneyland, like it was no big deal.

Talk about anti-climactic.

Oh well. They were still very excited to get in there!

Mormor got both girls Rapunzel dresses to wear into the park and Brooklyn was wearing a t-shirt that said "littlest princess."

There are two parks in Disneyland. We received a park hopper pass but the other park had a lot of the bigger rides and then a lot of shows. We thought we may run over there with the big girls to ride the new Ariel ride but it was down for the day. :(

So the first thing we did was of course head straight for the castle. The girls were ecstatic. We walked through it and there were scenes that walked you through Sleeping Beauty's story.

Next we popped in the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique and saw the girls getting their makeup and hair done. We considered doing it but just couldn't justify $50 a kid- so I curled up their hair before we left.

After that we quickly made our way back to the princess area in hopes to beat the crowd. The girls waited anxiously but patiently. Brooke conked out for a quick morning nap while we waited. Thankfully we only waited about 20-25 minutes. I'm not sure who was more excited me, to see them see the princesses, or them. :)

They met Princess Tiana and were very shy at first. Next they met Princess Ariel who they were so excited to meet. And next it was Belle- also thrilled to meet. Brooke woke up at this point and got to meet Belle as well. :) The princesses were SO sweet with them and the girls just soaked up every word that they said.

After that we met and went through Minnie and Mickey's houses. Following that we took a quick break for lunch- which I had packed for the girls.

After lunch we headed to Its a Small World ride and literally walked right on (the crowds were fabulous for us- one plus for going when we did). All 3 of the girls LOVED this ride. Brooke danced and clapped through the whole thing. Besides the princesses I'd say this was one of our biggest highlights. After that we watched some awesome street performers for a bit. Next we headed over towards the Nemo ride. On our way we stopped to see Tinkerbell and Odessa and also The Mad Hatter and Alice and Wonderland.

Mormor, the hubs and Bella enjoyed the Nemo ride and then the hubs, Bella, and I enjoyed the Buzzlightyear ride while Brynn and Brooke napped in the stroller.

After those two rides Bella asked if we could stop doing rides- she literally just wanted to meet the characters and get their autographs, they LOVED it.

Once the babies woke we stopped for some delicious ice cream.

Next we ran over to meet Rapunzel, which is literally what they had been looking forward too all day!!

It said 1 hour wait but it took 20 minutes!

They were OVER THE MOON about meeting her. I don't think they stopped smiling at her the whole time. She was so sweet with them.

After Rapunzel we went and rode the Peter Pan ride with the big girls. They enjoyed that one too! After that decided to run quickly over to the princess area again, hoping to see a new round of princesses. They don't let you see who's there until you get in and they're traded out every 15-45 minutes. SO we decided to just risk it and hope to see some new ones. The hubs was able to get a peak at some point and saw Cinderella and Snow White, so we were very excited! Unfortunately, the whole day we never waited more than 20-25 minutes for anything, usually much less, however, this time we probably waited 40 minutes. :( And when we finally got there, it was the same 3 princesses from the morning!! :( The hubs and I were more upset about it then they were, the girls were just happy to see them again. :) The crazy thing is each of the princesses said, "You're back!!" when the girls walked up. How crazy it that that they remembered them?! They did add Pocahontas at least.

After that we quickly grabbed a spot on main street while we ate some pizza.

The girls danced around and bought a balloon for Cookie while we waited for the parade.

The parade was another highlight of the day. Again, ALL 3 of the girls were mesmerized! Even Cookie just stared and loved it all.

Afterwards Bella and I got in line for this ride and we missed the first round but were first for the next round, unfortunately Bella REALLY had to go to the bathroom and just couldn't wait anymore, so we left. :(

After that I found the rest of the fam. in a shop. Stupidly we looked around for a bit wasting time and on the way out I asked what time they closed, thinking 9, and was told 8 and it was 7:59. :(

We raced over to the buzz lightyear ride because Bella really wanted to ride it again and wanted Brynn to also. We got there right as they closed it. :(

We were also bummed that they didn't do fireworks but such is life when you go when we went. The girls and the hubs and I still had a blast and a trip of a lifetime!

When we got home they were still very wired and excited to tell Poppi everything!!

Thanks for reading, now enjoy all the pics!

So to save time and space I put the pics into a movie, I apologize for the bad music transitions, I just quickly put it together.

Here's some video clips:

1. Brooklyn enjoying and clapping during the Its a Small World ride

2. Girls meeting Princess Ariel

3. Girls meeting Rapunzel

4. Bella in the Buss Lightyear ride

5. The girls dancing before the parade

6. Cookie wide eyed and loving the parade!

Our Big Trip- Day 1!

So last summer the hubs and I took our first vacation in 9 years. After that trip we decided it was something we must do every year but with the kids. We never go away- just travel for the holidays- so we really wanted to make sure we are getting away at least once a year just as a family.

If you've been with us for awhile you know, our two big girls are princess OBSESSED. Now my parents would not take us to Disneyworld until we were old enough to remember it, cause if you're going to shell out all that money, you want them to remember it. But right now is when they are totally enthralled by every thing Disney.

Now we usually have no budget for this type of thing but the Lord really provided for us and made a true dream of mine to come true, to take my 3 princesses to meet the princesses!

The hub's had been saving and saving his airline miles and was able to save up for 3 tickets! He also set up a work meeting out there so work covered his ticket. He is also a premiere member so doesn't have to pay for luggage. So our transportation was completely free!

We decided to go to Disneyland instead of world since the hub's parents live 25 minutes from the park and we could stay with them for free.

Also one of my hubby's groups at work is Disney and he was able to find a contact that got us free tickets into both of CA's parks!! What an answer to prayer!

We also had a other great adventures on our trip to California so bare with me as I share with you our memories!!

So Brynn had her first day of school and then we left the next day for a week! It wasn't ideal timing but when working with miles and the Hub's work you do what works.

So when Bella got done with school on Friday we immediately headed to the airport.

We brought Brynn's carseat but planned to just hold Brynn and lock miss wiggly pants Brooke into the seat once in the air.

Thankfully we were taking off right at naptime. So I got Brooke locked in the seat, she fussed a bit but not too bad and about 30-45 minutes in she was out. Brynn also fell asleep in the hub's lap. So Bella and I colored and hung out for about an hour and a half.

After Brooke woke she played contently for a bit in her seat, then a fed her food s-l-o-w-l-y and we changed a diaper, giggled with the attendants, played a bit more and then we were there!

And of course the first thing the hubs must do when getting to Cali- hit up an In and Out!

Getting packed up!

Think they'd let me check her? :)

Got their backpacks and ready to go!

In them: new activity, coloring book, and box of crayons- they can literally color for HOURS. They also had their Tag books and each a princess Barbie and prince, but all they did was color. :)

Had my little travel companion attached to me for our travel day, literally. She looks so tiny. :)

Hopefully these 3 cuties travel well!

Here we go!

We originally had Brynn buckled in the carseat because we didn't know if they would allow her to be on our lap since she's over 2, but they didn't care so we switched them when the seatbelt light went off.

And here is Bella, Brooke, and daddy!

Playing in her seat for a bit!

Brynn out cold with the hubs. :)

And she's out!

Happy to be with Mormor and Poppi. Enjoying a bedtime book with Poppi.