First Family Vacation

Dee and I decided it was finally time to take our first solo family vacation this year, and we ended up doing it late January/early February to capitalize on cheaper prices and stretch our vacation even further. We decided we must do Disney because...well, theres just no better family vacation in our mind! <3 It's the most magical place on earth, even for Dee and I, and we look back fondly on our time living in LA together and going to Disney weekly where we'd fantasize about how fun it would be to bring our future family...so, we made it a reality!

We drove first a little south of Disney, to my Aunt Darrilyn and Uncle Bill's in Coto de Caza. We spent a whole day with them where they gracious took us out on their boat and to the beach.

Ava helping "DD" make pancakes...

Dada keeping Greyson away from the hot stove :)

We first took them to the neighborhood park while we waited for the day to warm up enough for the beach

At Dana Point Harbor:
I just love this picture of Ava with my Uncle Bill. They bonded so quickly <3

Uncle Bill keeping the kiddos entertained watching boats while we waited for lunch to arrive...

Dana Point beach! This picture is following Greyson running full speed into the ocean and plummeting completely underwater (as there was a sudden drop off), and mama running after him. Scariest experience we've had with our little daredevil so far, and of course, he didn't lose any fear following this near-death experience...but, thankfully never ran full force into the water again either

Daddy enjoying an adult beverage on the boat

Ava helping uncle Bill drive :)

Ava and her DD <3

With my precious babies <3

Greyson loved watching all the pelicans and seagulls follow us begging for some of our fresh fruit :)

Feeding the pelicans and watching the seals swim. Never made it far enough to see whales, as the water was too choppy to risk mama getting sea sick.

Waving to the seals!

Day two, we headed to Long Beach to visit their aquarium, and boy was it AMAZING!

They had an awesome play area and splash pad for the kids outside, in addition to an area to watch animal shows and a ton of touching exhibits!

Ava's favorite is the otter, just like mama...and he (she?) waved to us!

Touching the Moon Jellyfish...our highlight for sure!

                                              

                                              

                                              

                                              

                                              

                                             

Ava and Greyson's favorite was feeding the birds nectar :)
                                            

                                            

                                           

After the aquarium, we made our way to Anaheim and checked into our hotel at the Embassy Suites:
                                                

Love bugs in their nighttime bath <3

                                       
Up at literally the crack of dawn...just a tad excited for Disneyland!
                                               

Getting even more excited!
                                               

While we waited for the park to open...

                                              

Once in the park, the first ride we did was Peter Pan...

                                     

Then, we met up with our beloved DD and did Winnie the Pooh!

Sharing the same genetics as my mother, DD lasted less than an hour before the spoiling began...

Ava ended up with an adorable Minnie hat, a giant lollipop and a huge cookie!
                                               

We got to meet both Tigger and Eeyore <3

Then, we invested in some bubble wands to make waiting in lines a little less painful...

The train ride around Disneyland was Greyson's favorite!

While waiting for Pirates of the Caribbean, Greyson fell asleep...and proceeded to sleep through the entire ride...through every bump, splash and race down a hill!

Meeting and hugging Mickey! Greyson mostly just wanted to touch his nose!

DD graciously treated us to lunch at the Blue Bayou which is inside the Pirates ride, and just the coolest atmosphere!

DD French braiding Ava's hair while we waiting in lines <3

The obligatory family picture in front of the castle!

To end the day, Ava and Mama did Autopia, and Ava was elated to be able to "drive"

DAY TWO:

A sleepy Greyson at breakfast <3

Waiting in line for one of our all-time favorite rides - Toy Story!

Riding Ariel's Carousel

Meeting Minnie Mouse!

Ava's highlight...meeting Sophia!

Ava still talks about Sophia letting her touch her Amulet to this very day...it glowed when touched, and she just thought that was the coolest thing!

Daddy got to take Ava on Soaring over the World while mama waiting with Greyson who wasn't tall enough...

This is what we did while waiting...
                                                 

Then, we traded so mama could take Ava...

Who needs rides when you can just climb fences?!

All Ava smiles for the Cars ride!

My sweet little Bub <3

On the Monster's Inc. ride!

Dear friend's of ours (Darren, Diana, Izzy and Maxi) also planned a Disney trip that overlapped with ours, so we met up with them for dinner at the Rainforest Cafe on day two!

Auntie Diana sandwich!

DAY THREE!

Before heading to breakfast, Izzy and Ava wanted to talk to each other on their hotel phones...too cute!

                                               

Filling our tummies before heading to the park for our final day!

Getting this kid to smile is hard work!

Meeting Anna and Olaf! Greyson was thrilled to touch Olaf's nose!

On a Bug's Life rollercoaster...

I love the pointing and babbling phase he's in right now <3

We met up again with DD on day three and did the Cars ride again!

...while dada did this haha...

And, we of course had to invest in some absurdly expensive Cozy Cones :)

                                        

On the Mater Ride...

DD was so very kind to wait with Greyson while Dee and I both took Ava on Soaring Over the World!

On Luigi's ride...

Waiting to see the Frozen Musical...which Ava LOVED...Greyson, not so much (sitting still and all).

We had to end our trip with some yummy ice cream!

...and, a HUGE balloon!

My sleepy little Bub on the walk back to the hotel...

Our first family vacation was truly so special and so magical, and we're so grateful we could take it! Ava is already asking when we get to go again <3