The Happiest Place on Earth 8/11/12 to 8/16/12

For about the last six months, Alissa has been saying, "I want to go to Disneyland again." We told her that Disneyland is expensive so we have to save up money before we can go. On the way to daycare one day, Alissa said, "Why do you and daddy work?" I replied, "well, we work to make money so we can pay for our house, and our food, and our bills".  Alissa thought about it for a minute and then said, "Oh, so mommy and daddy work so we can go to Disneyland!" What a bright little three year old. Alissa finally got her wish and we drove to California on August 11, 2012. Grandma and Grandpa S. met us at the hotel that evening.

Sunday, August 12, 2012 - Mommy, Daddy, and Alissa woke up early so we could use our Magic Morning and go to Disneyland one hour before it opened for everyone else. Of course, you can't enter Disneyland without getting a family picture inside the front gate. After our family picture, we immediately purchased an autograph book for Alissa so she could obtain autographs and pictures from her favorite characters.  

When Alissa held out her hand, Tinkerbell

landed in it. What a nice surprise!

Aunt Jill gave Alissa this adorable Minnie Mouse Tank Top,

so of course we had to visit Minnie Mouse while wearing our red polka dots. 

and... you can't visit Minnie without also visiting Mickey! 

Alissa loved the Toon Town Rollercoaster so much that she rode it about four times. Grandma and Grandpa S. went a few times with Mommy and Alissa. Then mommy captured this wonderful picture of Alissa and Daddy on the Rollercoaster. 

 

Fairy Godmother took a liking to Alissa and shortly after this picture was taken, she grabbed grandma S. by the hand and escorted her, with the rest of us following, to the Sleeping Beauty Castle. Just outside the castle, we obtained more pictures with Fairy Godmother and even met Cinderella. 

 On Monday, August 13, 2012, we woke up early, got ready, and went to the California Adventure Theme Park. These pictures were taken with mommy and daddy in the hotel room. 

 

We Visited the new "Cars Land" and rode two rides,

one with Mater and one in Luigi's Tire Shop 

Grandma and Grandpa S. even posed for this great picture on Luigi's ride

 

We also saw Mater and Lightning McQueen roaming around Radiator Springs.

Then we met Donald Duck,

 

Woody and Jessie, 

 

and Buzz Lightyear...

 

Alissa also enjoyed the rides in "Bugs Land"

On Tuesday, August 14, 2012, we started out the day having breakfast with Minnie Mouse and her friends. This includes meeting Chip and Dale.

 

Dancing with Max, Goofy's son...

 meeting Tigger,

 seeing Minnie Mouse for the second time,

  and talking to Winnie the Pooh...

 We also got a picture in front of Sleeping Beauty's Castle!

From day one in Disneyland, Alissa begged us to purchase this Snow White dress for her. Snow White is Alissa's favorite princess since Aunt N. got her a Snow White doll for Christmas. Since today was our last chance to purchase the dress, we got it for Alissa. We also received a 20% discount on the dress. Luckily, we learned during our first day in Disneyland that each time you purchased food in one of the parks, you received a 20% discount coupon that could be used in the mornings, before 12:30 p.m., up to three days after your food purchase. Therefore, we purchased all our souvenirs before 12:30 p.m. 

Alissa wore her dress the rest of the day

 

This is a picture of Alissa watching the Disneyland parade

 

When Snow White saw Alissa, she blew her a kiss...

 

Alissa was a very happy princess, indeed!!!

Wednesday, August 15, 2012 - We originally planned to drive home today, but did not feel ready to leave. Since mommy and daddy had taken the entire week off work, we decided there was no need to rush the drive home. So, we started off the morning by shopping in Downtown Disney and using a few more of our 20% discount coupons.  Alissa even got some Duplo's with Snow White and Winnie the Pooh.

 

Next, Daddy decided to take mommy and Alissa to Seal Beach.

We played in the water, body surfed, and played in the sand.

 

Alissa and mommy built this Sand Castle

 

Alissa had a wonderful time at the beach.

On Wednesday evening, we started our Journey home. We stopped at Buffalo Bill's and spent the night. We slept extremely well. After breakfast at McDonalds in the morning, we allowed Alissa to ride one ride, and then we headed home the rest of the way. We arrived home Thursday night (August 16) around 9:00 p.m.

Raspberry Days - August 2-5, 2012

Raspberry Days is a four day festival that takes place near a lake that is located two and a half hours away from our house. My mother's side of the family gathers for a family reunion dinner each year on the Saturday during the festival. However, it's common for family members to come up earlier, when the festival starts. We typically have anywhere from 50 to 125 people show up for the reunion each year. This year, the festival took place from Thursday, August 2, 2012 through Sunday, August 5, 2012. Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures of the reunion dinner this year.

 

This first picture is of my parents, some of my Aunts and Uncles,

and a few of my cousins at the Raspberry Days parade on Thursday, August 2nd.

 

 Alissa and I watching the parade

 

Lightning McQueen and Mater, from the "Cars" movie,

made an appearance at the parade. 

 

 Alissa and her cousins stood by waiting for candy to be thrown at them. Each child ended up with a bag full of candy by the end of the parade. I ended up collecting most of Alissa's candy as she sat in the chair and watched. I shared with Alissa's cousin B, who is five months younger, because he didn't want to collect candy either. It's hard for the three year olds since the older kids are bigger and faster.

On Friday, August 3, 2012, my father took Alissa and I boating along with my Aunt K, Cousin T. and a few of Aunt K's grandkids (including T.'s kids).

Here is a picture of Alissa and I on the boat with Grandpa driving behind us. 

 

 Cousins A., C., and B. swimming... Alissa didn't want to swim

 

 Uncle R. took Alissa on his four wheeler. She LOVED it.

 

 On Saturday, August 4, 2012, Alissa and I went to the carnival and got our faces painted. Since "101 Dalmations" is Alissa's favorite movie, she chose to get her face painted like a dalmation. Alissa begged me to have my face painted as well and she suggested this pink flower...  

 

 Alissa purchased a Bubble Gun with some money that Grandpa and Grandma D. gave her. Grandpa D. is patiently waiting up ahead while Alissa is blowing bubbles with her gun.