Disneyland!

We had an amazing trip to Disneyland that we won't soon forget!  Ella asks every day if we can go back.  I love that she loved it.  I didn't have too high of expectations going into the trip knowing that the girls might have meltdowns, Ella might be terrified of the Disney characters, she might not want to go on any rides, etc.  But she pleasantly surprised us and did GREAT!  She loved meeting all the Disney characters, had a great time on all the rides she could go on, and was in absolute heaven getting to meet all her favorite princesses.  The girls did especially great for playing hard from the moment the park opened until it closed three days in a row in 100 degree heat (hence the reason we all look sweaty and tired in most of the pictures!).  It worked out great that we were able to go back to the hotel to let the girls nap in the air conditioning midday and then do more rides and dinner until the park closed.  Lucy was a champ and went with the flow as usual.  Poor thing napped a lot in the stroller under a blanket to be shielded from the sun, but even in the shade it was still around 90 degrees.  She continued to be her happy, smiley self and only had one major meltdown at the end of the third night...pretty impressive! 

My parents drove down and met us there which was fabulous (I highly recommend Disneyland with grandparents!).  So fun to get to spend time with them and it allowed Cody and I to go on some of the bigger rides while my parents stayed with the girls or went on the rides Ella loved while they waited.  Between fast passes and stroller passes we really didn't wait more than 10 minutes for any ride. Ella was at such a fun age to take it all in and it was pretty amazing getting to experience it all through her eyes.  I love that we have a ton of pictures and memories to look back on.  We can't wait to go back when Lucy is old enough to enjoy it all :). Sorry for the picture overload (especially all the princess pics) - too many to narrow down!

My happy travelers - so thankful they do well on plane rides...

The first day we got there we checked out the crowded hotel pool (thanks to the Kabbalah convention going on) and then headed to Downtown Disney for dinner. 

 Ella's Ariel balloon...

 

 Ella's favorite rides, Dumbo and Teacups...

 In awe of getting to meet Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty for the first time...

 

 Ella loved watching Rapunzel and Flynn Rider live on stage...

 ToonTown!

 Cute face Lulu!

 Lucy's first ride - It's a Small World...

 We had breakfast at Ariel's Grotto one morning.  We let Ella choose one princess dress to bring with her and wear at the breakfast, and she was intent on wearing her Belle dress.  The breakfast was so perfect as all the princesses came out and came around to each table to meet the kids and take pictures.  The princesses were all so, so sweet with Ella and there were no lines to see them!

 We celebrated Ella's birthday a bit early...

Ella enjoyed the Jungle Cruise ride until the baby elephant at the end sprayed her (and only her!) with water.  She just happened to be sitting where the elephant squirted, and Ella got so upset about getting wet!

 Clearly Disneyland wore these girls out!