Disneyland 2016

After two long years we made it back to the happiest place on earth...I mean, Isaac and Gramma escorted me to a conference in Anaheim. *wink*  Don't roll your eyes yet. I actually did go to the conference, took notes and learned a thing or two, but I did also rush out of there pretty quick every day so we three could go to Disneyland. Multitasking has it's benefits. :)

Day 1:

Isaac is such an amazing traveler. I know I brag about it every time we travel, but seriously...watch him board the flight without any assistance from anyone:

We arrived at our sunny destination. Shopped around a bit, had dinner with friends and played in the pool. :)

Getting on Momma's back and kicking across the pool was the coolest game ever!  (A not-so-cool game is when Isaac declares "One Two Three Go DOWN" and dives under water on his own! I tell ya, this kid has NO fear!!)

Day 2:

I did a lot of Pinterest-ing and Groupon-ing and research ahead of this trip to make it affordable as possible (totally doable by the way), but I had to splurge when I saw these photos (for purchase) done by the Disney photographer:

Stop the cuteness!!

Dancing with the band

Bring on the Pineapple Dole Whip!

Enjoying the Dapper Dans

This is our third trip to Disney...dang it, I mean my conference! And we've figured out a good routine to balance the day with fun, rest, food and entertainment...and learning. Mornings and evenings together in the parks, afternoon rest time for Isaac and Gramma while Momma smartifies a bit next door at the convention center.

On our way back to the park this evening, we stumbled upon the Flag Ceremony on Main Street. The Disney Marching Band surrounded the US Flag Pole and honored veterans from each branch and led us in singing God Bless America while the flag was taken down for the evening. It was powerful! And I was a hot crying mess through it all.

This night we stayed late for the Paint the Night Parade and the Disney 60th Anniversary Fireworks Spectacular. AHHH-MAZING.  Isaac was especially excited to see his favorite characters in the parade and when "I" made the fireworks explode with the power of my momma hands to the beat of the music! *wink*

Day 3:

After a late night we were up early to have breakfast with Chip & Dale and their friends at the Storybook Cafe. Apparently, I've never explained the concept of chipmunks to my child (not many in Seattle) as he kept signing "little monkey" when Dale was vying for his attention. Miko the raccoon and Kenai the bear were a little bit easier to explain. :)

Isaac got to drive the horse-drawn carriage while the Dapper Dans serenaded us down Main Street.

Then we rode the yellow submarines in the Finding Nemo Adventure.  I was a little nervous about how Isaac would be  in a confined space in the dark with some abstract comedy...HE LOVED IT!

Can I just take a moment and talk about the food at Disneyland?!  Vanilla french toast with caramel sauce. Pork sausages. Monte Cristo sandwiches. Pineapple Dole Whips. Clam chowder in fresh sour dough bowls. Peach cobbler. Disney-YUMMO. We wore pedometers and know we walked over 20 miles during our vacation so the eating was justified, but SO worth it even if it wasn't!

Day 4: 

A day at California Adventure taking in a few rides and enjoying the atmosphere. Then we bumped into Isaac's MOST favorite people E-V-E-R:

 This was so sweet, the Disney photographer actually caught the look on Isaac's face when he first saw Olaf. <3  (Don't worry about my face...it does that sometimes)

Riding on Monsters, Inc with Gramma

About to get on Mater's Junk Yard ride...

We did it!!!!

When our ride was done I said "all done" to which Isaac yelled "NO! Again! Go!"
I think he liked it!

We finished our night with the World of Color water & light show celebrating 60 years of Disney Magic. Truly remarkable!

I so happy my boy will have memories of trips like this, traveling with his Momma and Gramma. I'm happy for myself that I'll have memories of taking magical trips like this too. What a fun way to watch your little one grow up:

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2016