We surprised Ryan on Monday with a family trip to Disneyland! What a week it was. It started Sunday night when I started packing. We hadn't said anything to Ryan about what we were planning so I just told her we were going to California. She was then so excited to be going to California to go swimming. She came up with that all on her own. We had a nice flight and quickly got our luggage. We then had to wait for our shuttle to Anaheim. I made reservations on the Disneyland Resort Express. Their buses are PLASTERED in pictures of Disneyland. While we were waiting for the right shuttle, other people kept trying to get our business. One shuttle driver pulled right up in front of us and yelled out the window, "Are you going to Disneyland?" He kept repeating it and Ryan just looked at me all confused. I gave the driver a dirty look and he just said, "Oh, you're NOT going to Disneyland?" and drove off. Eventually the right shuttle arrived and Ryan just kinda looked at it and then moved around Troy to get a better view and was amazed at the big pictures. Then, when we got on the bus, the driver started talking about Disneyland. Ryan just kinda looked at me and I asked her if she'd like to go and she enthusiastically answered yes!! Needless to say, Peyton wasn't thrilled. After the flight and shuttle ride, she just wanted to crawl.
We arrived at the hotel and got settled in and then went swimming. This was so much fun except it was a little chilly. Good thing there was a hot tub. We got up Tuesday morning and headed out for Disneyland. All but Peyton seemed to be having fun. She just scowled at everyone. We had a great morning. As soon as we entered the park, we immediately saw Donald Duck, Goofy and Mickey Mouse. We hurried and got Ryan an autograph book and she got all the signatures and pictures taken. Troy bought Peyton a baby Minnie Mouse and that was the only thing that made her smile in two days! We finally made it down Main Street and to the castle. We then headed into Fantasyland and hit the rides.
Tuesday afternoon we met up with our friends Sarah and Jake and their girls, Kennedy and Pieper. The girls got their hair done at Libby Lu and Kennedy dressed as Sleeping Beauty and Ryan was Snow White. We then headed over to California Adventure for dinner with the princesses. We saw Ariel, Belle, Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty. The girls were THRILLED by this. Dinner wasn't bad either, except for Jake's salad! We then met up with Sarah's sister, brother-in-law and their 3 girls. We were then a party of 13! We wandered back over to Disneyland where the girls got to see Minnie Mouse and enjoy some more rides.
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Cruella De Vil bagged on Ryan's shoes!)
Wednesday was another day filled with rides and wandering as a group of 13. Ryan loves "friends" so she couldn't have been happier. Thursday was down to just us four and Sarah's family of four. We had more time on the rides and seeing more characters. The girls were so tired and completely overwhelmed.
Sarah and Jake came to stay at our hotel on Thursday and Friday night so we spent Friday morning swimming and then we put all the girls down for naps before hitting the parks again. This was probably the happiest day for Peyton because she got to take naps! Troy and Jake went off in "search" of In-N-Out Burger and two hours later, they finally found the place, 5 minutes from our hotel. I know, I know, it's a guy thing. Anyways we started off at California Adventure so I could go on the "big" roller coaster with Troy. That's the only thing he asked for all week. I don't do big roller coasters, especially when they go upside down, and neither does Sarah. I told Sarah if I had to go, she had to go. Troy and I watched the girls while they went first and then they watched the girls while we went. I have to admit, it wasn't as bad as I expected. I could totally do that again. The night was finished out back at Disneyland. We hit the kiddie rides again and then we enjoyed the fireworks over the castle.
It was such a great trip and completely exhausting! Everyone had such a great time, I'm not sure who liked the rides more, Peyton or Ryan. Thanks again Sarah and Jake, it wouldn't have been as much fun without you!!!!
I thought she was Snow White, not Sleeping Beauty!!
We were invited to spend the afternoon at the lake with our good friends Scott and Cristie Carter and their super sweet girls. We had SO much fun! You couldn't have asked for better weather. It's been HOT here the last few days and it's been great. I know, hot being relative to Arizona where all my family is, but at least they have AC in their houses!! There wasn't a cloud in the sky so we had a great view of Mount Rainier. We spent the afternoon on their boat and we all took turns out on their massive 3-man tube. Ryan asked to go first and she LOVED it. Scott was very timid driving her at first, but everyone got more and more daring as she was having the best time.
She loved the bumps, loved riding with Ashlyn Carter and her friend Ellen. She kept asking to go faster. This coming from the girl who was scared of EVERY ride at Disneyland. Peyton fell asleep during the first couple of minutes. She never once complained about her life jacket and she even took a dip in the lake. 
We stopped in the middle for everyone to take a swim and Peyton happily joined Troy. Ryan also had a turn on the tube with mommy and daddy and then we got a ride without her so we could be whipped around a bit more! Being out there really made me miss all the fun we used to have with my family out at Canyon Lake in Arizona. YOU GUYS NEED TO TAKE THE BOAT OUT!
