The Happiest Place on Earth!

This year was a very special year for two very special people - Gramma Pat and Miss Mia Evangeline. Both celebrated milestone birthdays and it was very special that the whole family was able to get together and spend an awesome weekend at the happiest place on Earth - Disneyland, oh, & California Adventure...
We loaded up the San Diego Podlichs Thursday evening to meet up with the Nesbitt family a day before everyone came into town. We checked into the California Grand Hotel and the fun began. We woke up early Friday morning and had breakfast at the Storyteller Cafe where we got to chit-chat with one of the chipmunks (Disney character) - Dale (my personal favorite is Chip) but anyway, Kait got a kick out of talking to him. Mia however, has never ever been so freaked out by a walking critter in her whole life. Especially, when the briar-bear or whatever his name is came around to say "hi" to our girls. Once we left everything was back to normal. We met up with the Nesbitts and went on our first Disneyland ride ever - Alice in Wonderland. We will not be going back on that ride until the girls are older - very spooky, why does Disney make stuff scary? Any woo - went of fun train, boat, spinning rides ( Tea Cups were a fave), Merry-go-round, Dumbo...Fantasy Land was a hit!

Later that Friday afternoon - everyone got there, Uncle Matt from Hawaii, Gramma & Grampa, the Fishers from the OC, and Uncle Wade & Auntie Swapna arrived that night from NYC. Most of us got to ride Thunder Mountain and a couple of other fun adult rides. Adam & I got to hang out with Jim, Doug, Wade & Swapna that evening. It was really nice to catch up and spend some time together.

Saturday - now this was a really fun day. We hit the park extra early. Since we stayed at the California Grand Hotel we were able to enter the park an hour early before the public - super fun! We took the girls on the Buzz Lightyear ride and Adam & I got to go on Space Mountain. Toon Town opended at 9am so we spent some time there. Kait LOVED the roller coaster - rode it three times in a row. She is a little dare devil. Later we all split up to go on rides with our Fast Passes & some went off to Tom Sawyer Island/ Adam chased Kait the whole time. Good way to wear out the kiddies. Swapna, Wade & I went shopping for hats for Gramma & Grampa (see pic). Very Fashion Disney!For lunch, we all dined at the Blue Bayou at the Pirates of Caribbean ride which was a great lunch.

Saturday evening was the big "Circle of Life" celebration for Gramma Pat & Mia. Both girls had a great time. The food was wonderful and Grampa kept the red wine rolling!Highlight of the evening was Gramma Pat's mini-me muppet from Wade & Swapna. We are posting the movie. Best ever!

Sunday we got another early start at the park. Hit Fantasy Land again, the Tea Cups of course...At noon the Podlichs, Fishers, & Nesbitts all headed over to California Adventure. Some rode the super scary & fast roller coaster while others watched (me & Pat) & then we hit some of the other rides & attractions. Kait loved Disney Playhouse which featured Handy Manny, The Little Einsteins, & Tigger & Pooh. Bug Land was hit too. By 2:30 some of us had to leave - Jake had a game (congrats!), and the Podlichs & Nesbitts were on their way back to San Diego.

Such a fun weekend - thanks Grampa & Gramma for our wonderful trip and to everyone for helping watch our little ones. Adam & I didn't think we would be able to go on any of the "big" kid rides so it was a extra nice treat for us!

Until next time,
-Shelly, Adam, Kait, & Mia