Our Vacation! Part One of Two

Ok, so here we are, almost two weeks since we've been back to Texas, and I am finally writing about our trip. The reason it's taken so long is because it's what you call, A) trying to get back into a routine, B) being exhausted, and C) procrastinating. The first couple of days I was there, I actually took notes. So the first couple of days might actually be more detailed, and then after that I just got lazy. :o)

Our reason for taking this trip in the first place was because Paul had an NCAA Regional Rules Conference to attend for work. Once he heard it was near Disneyland, he thought it would be a great opportunity to extend our time out here and make a vacation out of it once the conference was over. The fact that his plane ticket was covered, he got his meals, hotel and transportation taken care of for the first couple of days, we couldn't pass it up! Once Paul's sisters and aunt caught wind that we were going to Disneyland, they made the trip extra special for us. Paul's sister Camille gifted us some of her Marriott points, so that the hotel after the conference was taken care of which was a HUGE gift and then to top it off they all purchased tons of Disney themed Tshirts and paraphenalia from the Disney Store for us, reserved a limo to take us to Hollywood for a whole day AND money towards a lunch at the Ivy Restaurant in LA. How cool was that????!!!! We were beyond thrilled and speechless. It was more than we could have imagined. We couldn't wait to go on this trip!

Ok here goes....

Ashley was great on the plane, much better than expected. She loved playing with the plane shaped cookies they gave out and she even got her wings from the flight attendant! She played with all the fun gifts we got from Paul's sisters and Aunt and ate peanuts for the first time! She was excited to have her very own Southwest cup with apple juice in it.

When we arrived at the Hilton hotel where the conference was held, we asked for a room with a view of Disneyland (we were that close). We got it and that night we got to see the fireworks from our window!! It was awesome. The grounds and neighborhood outside of Disneyland were so beautiful and was very tourist friendly. There was a nice outdoor mall within walking distance called the Garden Walk, and our first day there we ate at California Pizza Kitchen for lunch after unpacking. After lunch that day were exhausted from early travel and tried to grab a nap back at the room. Ash had already fallen asleep in the stroller on the way back and Paul and I tried to sleep, but we both were just too excited about actually being in CA and near Disneyland that we just couldn't sleep! We were like two little kids on Christmas morning!! So funny!

After our "nap" we went to dinner with Jacob and Daniel (friends from work who attended the conference) at ESPN Zone in Downtown Disney. Downtown Disney is attached to the theme park, but you don't have to pay admission to get into it. It only goes so far and then you have to cross the gates to get into the Disneyland and CA Adventure Park. Downtown Disney is fun and there are tons of live musicians playing around you and tons of cool stores, like the Lego's store where we saw an entire life size dinosaur made out of Legos! We made our way to the World of Disney sore and I got a pot holder in the shape of Mickey's hand! I thought it was so cool. I saw a store called the Disney Vault and got excited because I thought you could find all the Disney movies that you can't find in the normal stores in there. We have been trying to find the Little Mermaid on DVD and right now it's in the Disney Vault. Well, I was wrong.... it was a clothing store. What an idiot!

When we returned to the hotel room, we waited for the fireworks and it was the most beautiful fireworks display I have seen in my life. And it was LONG. What an adventure for a first day!

The next morning I took Ashley to IHOP for breakfast since Paul started his conference. Ashley ordered a GIANT chocolate chip pancake and I had the Rooty Tooty Fresh 'n Fruity. Afterwards we went for a long walk through the Garden Walk and walked up and down the streets taking in the beautiful weather. It averaged 70 degrees, no humidity. The smell of the flowers along the walk were one of the things I remember most. Lots of honeysuckle. It was so pleasantly sweet. We played a lot outside in a courtyard between the Anaheim Convention Center and the hotel. It was lined with palm trees and so beautiful. We went upstairs and had a snack, watched TV and painted nails before meeting Paul, Jacob and Daniel for lunch at Johnny Rockets. Filled with yummy burgers and fries we went back to the room for a nap and some R & R. The hotel room had a channel that looped a fish aquarium and Ashley fell asleep to it each day while I read the paper and my book. After her nap, we went to the hotel pool and Ashley said she wanted to "Swim like Ariel" so that's what we did. However, it got a little chilly and windy outside after our dip in the pool and when she got out her teeth were chattering. We got some cute video of her blowing bubbles with chattering teeth. Super cute! For dinner, we went back to Downtown Disney with Jacob, and grabbed some snacks since we were still kind of full from lunch. We ate a pretzel, kettle corn (the best I've ever had) and I had beignay's( kind of tastes like funnel cake) for the first time. It was nice strolling around and enjoying the scenery.

The next morning, Paul brought us some muffins and croissants from the conference and Ashley and I hung out in the room for most of the morning, watching Tom and Jerry cartoons and eating. We got dressed went for a walk around town, and found the entrance to Disneyland since we planned to go that evening. Ashley and I walked a lot around town after deciding to head back to the courtyard to play until lunch time. Jacob joined us and we walked to Buca di Bepo. One of my favorite Italian restaurants. I haven't been to one since we lived in NJ, so it was a real treat. I love the atmosphere there!

That evening, we met up with Jacob and Daniel and walked to Disneyland! Our first stop was to go on the train that circled the entire park to get a lay of the land, err, Lands! :o) Ashley loved it! We got off the train at Tomorrowland and were planning on waiting in the line for the Finding Nemo submarine ride, but realized it was too long and decided to split up for a bit. While Jacob and Daniel went on Space Mountain, Paul, Ashley and I made our way to the castle and got pictures there! It was so magical and special to be there!! It wasn't just in a picture! We were actually there! We also went on the monorail and got a glimpse of the whole park as well. We met up with Jacob and Daniel at Adventureland, where we all went on the jungle cruise and had dinner at a barbeque place - chicken on a stick, a Mickey Mouse shaped pretzel with cheese, and fruit cup.
We split up again and Paul, Ashley and I decided to head back to Main Street just as it was getting dark. All Ashley wanted to do was DANCE in the streets! It was so cute watching her in her element with all the streetlights around her and the wonderful music playing in the park - it was truly magical! We went and picked out our Disney Mickey Ear hats and got our names embroidered on them. We met up with the boys again and headed to Toontown, where all of us went on the Roger Rabbit ride. It was so fun! These little taxis took you all around this crazy cartoon. Then it was time to meet the Main Man of Disney - Mickey Mouse! We went through his house and at the end you got your picture with him. Ashley just loved him and gave him hugs and kisses! So adorable. Afterwards, we headed back to Tomorrowland, where Paul got to ride Space Mountain with Jacob and Daniel, while Ashley and I people watched and sat by a pizza place called the Pizza Port. It looked futuristic and fun. By then it was late and we headed back to Main street to the exit. It was an amazing first night at Disney!! :o)