Birthday Trip

This year for the boys birthday we took a family trip to California for a week.  We had a lot of fun activities and surprises planned for them. We were supposed to leave on Sunday morning (Nov. 2^nd) so that we’d be able to meet up with cousins in Temecula for dinner Sunday night and then on to Anaheim so we could go to Disneyland on Monday, which was Logan’s birthday. Unfortunately late Saturday night Lincoln got really sick and was throwing up for hours. Finally we decided to have Rick take him to the ER for testing and fluids. Since they didn’t get home until 5:00 am, we didn’t leave until lunch time to drive out and we drove straight to the hotel instead of stopping for a family visit. 

My poor baby finally was able to sleep without throwing up for a few hours at the ER while they gave him fluids and anti-nasea medicine. 

Lincoln was a trooper - traveling with a barf bowl, blankets and water while watching a movie on the way to CA.

They were so tired when we got to the hotel but also too excited to sleep. They love being in hotels.

Luckily Lincoln felt well enough to go to Disneyland the next day so I took him and Logan and met up with Grammy for a day of magical fun. We pushed Lincoln around in a stroller to help conserve his energy and we passed up on the big rides that could make him dizzy or sick. It was a really fun day and the boys did great.  They really liked having their birthday buttons on and having cast members say happy birthday to them. We were there the entire day – from opening to closing and they loved every minute of it.  We had a quick birthday dinner for Logan at Rainforest Cafe before we headed back to the hotel. 

They were up and ready for a fun day.  I love putting them in matching outfits.

Happy Birthday, Logan! Since it was his birthday, he chose to eat breakfast in the hotel restaurant

so he could have pancakes. 

We got there before park opening and waited right near the front gates. 

Logan was right at the rope drop area to get into Fantasyland where we walked quickly (Logan ran) to Peter Pan ride and we were singing happy birthday shouts to Logan the whole way.  It was so sweet to hear them squeal with excitement. 

Lincoln is a bit big for a stroller but we knew he wouldn't have the energy to make it through the day without it. 

Grammy with the boys on Storybook ride. Logan wanted to go through the whales mouth.

Every trip to DCA Logan asks if we are going to go on the Monsters Inc ride. I love it because there is never a line. 

The boys loved the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. This was the first time they were really able to run around and do everything. Logan did the zip line five times. 

Lincoln completed the rock climbing wall. 

Dug from the movie Up

I remember putting Lincoln and Logan on this slide when they were babies. I even went down it a few times with them when they were too small to go alone. It's amazing to see the difference now. Logan ran up and down this thing a handful for times all on his own,

Dug and Lincoln

Mickey and my boys. 

We got a special treat...we got to ride in the Lilly Belle train car in Disneyland.  There is a lot of neat history in that car. Presidents, royalty, movie stars and more are treated to a ride in the Lilly Belle. 

This was the boys first time on Splash Mountain and boy did we get soaked. Logan was a bit terrified (hence him covering his eyes) but we all had a blast.  They still talk about how fun it was and how wet we got. 

A trip to DCA wouldn't be the same without a stop in Cars Land to ride the racers. We got to ride a red racer and won the race. Again, the ride is always fun but for me as a mom to hear my boys giggle and scream in excitement and joy is music to my ears and the part I really love. 

Dinner on the curb of the parade route, just before the parade. 

Because the boys had their birthday pins on they got a lot of attention from the characters in the parade. 

Logan picked a mud pie (chocolate pudding, oreo crumbs to look like dirt and gummy worms) for his birthday treat at Rainforest Cafe. We all sang happy birthday to him and he enjoyed digging in. Unfortunately by this time Lincoln was exhausted and needed to lay down so daddy took him to the car while we finished up. 

Tuesday we met up with Dana, Caden, Vance, Danica and Grammy for a couple hours of play time at cousins house. They loved playing with trains, Lego’s and army guys. It was a nice break for them to be out of the hotel and with their cousins who wanted to play as badly as they did. We met Auntee Calee for lunch at Whitwood Shopping mall.  It was really weird to see Whittier after so many years and see what had changed and what didn’t. I would’ve loved to stay and see more friends but we were on to Burbank. We spent the evening at dinner with Roo’s family and with Tutu’s.  

Lincoln, Esme and Logan. Penny was not in a picture taking mood. 

Wednesday and Thursday were spent at Universal Studios.  Rick and I had been there previously (like 15 years ago) but the boys had never been. We figured it would be a fun new place to try out. Even though they hadn’t seen several of the movies that the rides were themed after, they still loved it. Ricky and I did what we could to make it through the day since every ride, except one, was a 3D ride and was making us motion sick. The park was much smaller than I expected but it was still nice to take our time and get through it in two days. Lincoln's favorite rides were the Transformers and Minion rides. Logan loved the Jurassic Park water ride and the tram ride. We also got them birthday buttons in Universal and the employees kept giving the boys bags of Jelly Bellies and would tell them happy birthday.  We even got to go to the front of the line on the Mummy ride because the employee saw Lincoln's birthday button. Lincoln thought that was SO cool...it totally made him feel special. Still, two weeks later, both boys are still talking about things we experienced that day. 

Universal City Walk

First ride of the day was the new Minion Rush ride. We were treated by Gru.

This minion was so cute and it made for an awesome picture when my little minions stood with him. 

Logan and I braved this ride that just went round and round and up and down. 

Lincoln met Shrek and Princess Fiona

Logan met Dora

and they both met Megatron to made them yell, "All hail Megatron!"

The special effects were amazing if you could keep your eyes open long enough to watch them without getting sick. 

Another minion friend. 

The boys had no clue who she was but then we had a little history lesson about Marilyn Monroe before they got to meet her. 

The tram ride was my favorite part and one of the few things I remember from going to Universal when I was a kid. 

We got to see the sound stage where they film The Voice.

I love seeing movie sets and this is one of them. Spielberg used a real full size plan in this crash scene in War of the Worlds. 

Family picture in Hollywood.

Ricky and I had a flashback to the 80's when we saw this guy. 

The boys had no clue who this guy was but when he bent over and made a fart noise for the kids, they  thought he was the coolest guy ever.

Water World stunt show set.

Everybody's favorite Nickelodeon character

Logan didn't realize at first that this guy was not a bronze statue. His reaction was hilarious and sad all at the same time when he realized that he was actually real. 

Lincoln let Logan test the waters first so by the time he was ready for a picture, he already knew the guy could move.

It's funny how the boys get as excited for an escalator as they do the actual rides inside the theme park.

Yes, I was this close to Derek Hough.  

He and his dance partner from Dancing with the Stars were doing an interview with Extra TV in front of Universal Studios so we watched for a bit. We later saw them in the park as well. 

After his experience with a fake statue the first day, Logan studied the statues the second day so he knew which one was a real person and would potentially move. 

Lincoln with a famous dog named Lincoln who was in the remake of the movie Lassie.

Lincoln watched the special effects flooding in amazement as I did when I was a kid. It's fun to see your child experience something you did so many years before and you both have the same reaction.

Friday we headed down to San Diego to see Aunt Natalee and Tutus.  We spent the next few days there playing with Graycee and Freckles, going to the movies, and even Erica and Sadie (with Nancee and Troy) met up with us for a visit. We also spent the majority of a day at the USS Midway. This was a special surprise for Lincoln because when he grows up, he says he wants to be in the Navy. Lincoln seemed quite interested in most of it but we were only able to keep Logan's attention for the first hour or so. We had a nice birthday lunch right over the water to celebrate Lincoln's birthday.

Lincoln saw some Navy personnel eating lunch at a San Diego Arby's that we stopped into.  After a little convincing, he was finally willing to get a picture with them. Afterwards he was glad he did.  One day he would like to wear that uniform. 

Cute movie and a great way to spend family time together. Lincoln has since become a great Baymax impersonator. 

USS Midway docked in San Diego

Lincoln - practice makes perfect.

Lincoln's special birthday lunch.

I love this picture not just because it has my super cute husband in it but because Lincoln took the picture.  I think he has a bit of his daddy's skills in him. Signs that he's growing up. 

Daddy and Grandma Tutu

Navigator

The boys had to listed to the audio tour and talk to the volunteer workers to answer questions and earn their wings. They did a cute little ceremony to present the boys their pins.  Unfortunately for Logan he felt a little deceived because he thought he was getting real wings...or at least wings like Rainbow Dash. 

Erica, Lincoln, Logan and Sadie

It was a wonderful, not so relaxing but enjoyable trip.  I was ready to get away from work, the stress of the house and everything else that was on our plate and just enjoy some good family time. I am very grateful that we have the opportunity to take trips like this so that we can create special memories as a family. Happy birthday to my ever growing, challenging and oh so adorable boys!  It's crazy to think that we now have a 5 and 7 year old!  It wasn't that long ago that I used to try and imagine what life would be like when our boys would be this age...and now, here we are!