Well, the countdown started early for our Disneyland trip, and truth be told it was more than just another "much needed vacation". I'm not sure how many of you know, but for Allan and I, Disneyland has been "our" place since we started dating. We enjoyed going every year together for the first three years that we were together, and then became an every other year place to go once we settled down and had kids. When Ethan was 18 months old, we had decided we were ready to take him to Disneyland for his VERY first time. We were SO excited, and what had made it even better, was I had just went through a layoff at work, and was looking forward to starting up my daycare business, so it was a nice little treat to make that trip. We went with Grandma and Grandpa Christopherson, and it was at the time, our most favorite time going. And it still holds a lot of awesome memories that we truly love to reflect on. now some would say, that's too young to take a child, and I disagree. But to each their own I suppose. So as Maddie was approaching her second birthday, and as we were realizing that there was a possibility we'd be able to go, we planned our trip out. We booked our trip at the end of July, and started making our plans for our September get away. We had our reservations of flying restless kids, and how things were going to work out and all of those things, but we held our heads high and planned away, and made our way. Then, on Friday night, at 7:30 pm, our flight was in motion, and there was no turning back. The kids did AWESOME on their flight, with only a few hair pulling moments. But then, at 9:30 pm, we arrived at John Wayne airport in Santa Ana, and rushed to our shuttle to get us to our hotel. We stayed at the Fairfield Inn (a Marriott resort) and our view was of the amazing Matterhorn Mountain. We were there. Breathing in the not so fresh California air, and anticipating the next morning, when we'd rush our way over to Disneyland! The kids were so excited. I truly felt like that little kid from those old commercials. "I'm too excited to sleep!"
And then we were there. Only a block and a half away from the main entrance! The kids were so happy and excited. I couldn't wait until they saw their first character, went on their first rides, and to get as many pictures as I could (ended up with 1600... you're jealous aren't you!?!) After the bag checks, the stroller rentals, and the ticket checks, we were in! And the memories of Ethan's first walk down Main Street became more real, and more exciting, as I saw his little sister following in those foot steps that he once took.
And there it was, my family, in the happiest place on Earth. What an awesome experience. One that I hope to recreate so many times more in my life. As we walked in, we went straight to the Disney Imporium store, because it was time to get the kids their autograph books. Because I didn't want to be unprepared for those moments, because I had been looking forward to those moments since the last time we went. It was also exciting, because Ethan had been saving up money in his piggy bank, that he wanted to use to buy special toys at Disneyland (he saved up $75 if you can believe that!). So we had to trade his money for "Disney Dollars" which are the coolest looking things in the WORLD! (too bad I didn't save one for his scrapbook) 
Then we were off to start our adventure, signature books, Disney dollars, and camera in hand. The first character we saw was the Queen of Hearts. We got some great photos of Ethan with her, and then continued on our adventure.
We continued down Mainstreet, where we decided which direction we would head. Ethan saw the Astro Orbiter, and that was his first big decision. Maddie would enjoy her first ride on at Disneyland, on the exact same ride her brother went on first when he was just two months younger than her.
And then the days just continued. Many ups, few downs, and lots of adventures. We were there five days, and took advantage of every minute of it. One of the things we had decided would be our biggest goal, was to meet as many characters, and get as many signatures as we could. We visited friends at Pooh's corner, and enjoyed meeting Mickey and friends in Toon Town. We chased down Captain Hook, and searched high and low for Buzz, whom we didn't actually get to meet until our very last day, and just minutes before we had to leave. One of the nice things I think they've added, was special spots to meet certain characters. We were excited to get to meet the Princess' at their special kingdom in the parks. We got some of the MOST precious pictures of Maddie in those moments. 
And they also have "Pixie Hollow" where you can meet Tinkerbell and other fairies, which was awesome because Maddie was wearing her special Tinkerbell costume for those pictures. It was just an awesome experience to get to participate in those memories. Maddie LOVED all of the characters, and was so anxious to be able to run up and hug and give kisses to everyone he came across. In addition to being dressed up as Tink, we also dressed her up as Minnie Mouse, which was SO cute. Maddie of course LOVES Mickey and Minnie Mouse, and so when we saw them walking around, she just RAN up to them, screaming their names, and wouldn't leave their sides. She was probably even found in quite a few other people's photos. But we don't mind!Ethan's favorite ride was, amazingly enough, The Pirate's of the Caribbean. A ride I was not too fond of the first time I went to Disneyland. But he would beg us to take him again and again, and learned the song very quickly. He also enjoyed Small World, the Tea Cups, The Buzz Lightyear ride, and the swing ride at California Adventure. But Allan was DETERMINED that he was going to take him on most every ride that he was big enough to go on. One which was Splash Mountain. Ethan went on the ride VERY hesitantly. I was nervous for him going on it, because of the lack of straps and what not, but Allan assured me it would be okay. Allan said he did VERY well with the ride, and as they approached the top of the big drop, Ethan kept saying, "We're not going in to the water, we're not going in to the water" - - poor kid... he just had no idea what was coming his way!
We really had an amazing trip, with so many memories and stories the come here and there. And we're excited to be able to take the kids again in another few years. It was really hard to leave and come back, but such is life! If you're planning a trip with your kids any time in the near future, I recommend taking them. Even if you feel their too young to remember it, the memories for yourself make it worth it.
Well, that's our Disneyland story! Hope you've enjoyed it. You can look at more pictures on my Facebook!
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