Day Two - Disneyland

We had taken the kids to Disneyland a few years ago, but now they were bigger and ready to really take in all the ride and experiences.

Last time - Nov 2013

(Cooper 5yrs and 2 1/2 yrs)

This time - 8 and 6 ;)

 

   Again, we hit the park when it opened, and made our way to the Pirate's of the Caribbean ride. Riding it twice, before getting a fast pass for the Indian Jones ride. Fast passes are like line holders, the park gives out so many for a certain time frame, and you get to come back in

 a shorter line to wait for the ride. Lauren and Cooper should be very grateful for their Dad who ran all around the park picking up the passes as the day went on.  Well, we did not try the Indiana ride the time we came before, and Cooper thought we should have skipped it this time.  His direct quote was "I hated it".  I thought it was a cool and different ride, but it was loud, and that is not Cooper's favorite thing.  After Indiana Jones we went on the Safari cruise, which was much more our style (We ending up riding again later in the day).

Happy on the easy boat Cruise

In front of Cinderella's Castle

Gave our feet a little break, and went to watch a live action play of the Frozen movie - Lauren was very happy, and Cooper had to grudgingly admit it was "okay"

   Since the kids had enjoyed the Avengers training the day before, and Cooper had remember fighting Darth Mal years earlier, we signed them up for Jedi training. 

Cooper took it very seriously.

Lauren thought it was awesome

Lauren fighting DarthVader - She was so brave

Cooper was excited to fight everyone - while the show was going on, he and another boy were fighting with their light sabers :)

   Joel had gotten a fast pass to Splash Mountain, but it was not until 8:30. By that time Lauren was not up for ride, so Cooper and I went over to ride it. It was a lot of fun, but the park started to block things off for the fireworks display by the time we had ridden the ride. Trying to get back together was a practice in patience that I was not up for about 13 hours at an Amusement park.  After walking in circles for about 30 mins, we were finally able to get back together to hear the announcement that the fireworks had been canceled due to high winds.  Still having a great day we headed back to the hotel. We had a great time at Disneyland, and are grateful for the memories. 

We even got a pretty decent family photo on the Small world ride :)

California Here we come.....

  When planning our summer vacation this year, Joel and I went around on where to go.... in the end  I just said Disney/ Harry Potter. It was a little lazy, but we ended up having a fun trip.

Lauren Ready before we leave Denver

    We flew in on Wednesday. Knowing we had a few hard days ahead of us, we decided to take an easy day when landing, and just walk over to DisneyLand main street, and walk around. They have shops and restaurants. Joel had chosen a hotel right around the street from Disneyland, and it worked out great. We could hit the ground running, and not worry about traffic and parking.

Lauren found some friends

As did Cooper

  The next morning we headed into Disney's California Adventure Park.  As per all the web site advise, we headed straight to the Car's ride. We were able to get on with only a short wait and really enjoyed it. It was a fun ride, and that started a day of ride after ride. I think the only thing we did not do was the Tower of Terror ride. 

Joel, Cooper and Lauren took a test to see what Super Here they were - Lauren was the Panther, and Cooper was IronMan (He was a little disappointed since he wanted Spiderman)

Riding the Bullet - we loved it

Mom and Cooper's turn

Cooper rode his first big roller coaster, and loved it  - the California Screamer

    After lunch we had signed the kids up for Marvel's superhero training. They were able to go thru training and save the Superhero hideout from an Evil Hydra Agent.

Lauren and Cooper getting training

Going thru the training - Defense stance

With Captain American Sheilds

After the training we went to get some dinner, and ride a few more rides. Could not leave out the water raft ride. Since it was a little colder then normal in southern California, the line was short. Needless to say after riding it three times we were all a little wet, but having a great time.

By this time, it was around 8:30. We had been in the park for about 13 hours.  Cooper had been wanting to meet Spiderman, so I took him over the wait in line for him, and Joel took Lauren to the Bug's Life area that had more kiddie rides. We waited and waiting for the superheros, but they were slow. Joel and Lauren decided to walk back to the hotel while we waiting more. Thankfully we finally made it.

Cooper talking to Captain America

The web slingers

 While Cooper and I were walking back to the hotel the Disney fireworks were going off, so it was about 9:45 before we made it back. Now ready for the next day at Disneyland.

Family Pics!!!!!

We try to get family pics about every 18 months, so it was due.  We set up out pics with the great Katherine Forbes, and then Cooper and Lauren decided to give sis a haircut. Well, we wanted to document our lives :). Katherine did a great job, and we are very happy with the pics.
 Here they are. Cooper is 8 and Lauren is 6.

   Grandma's - Please let me know if you want any of these pics printed for you. 

We now have a 1st and 3rd Graders!

      Another year in the book, and we all survived. The kids both had a great year with lots of new and exciting adventures, plus they learned a ton.  Cooper had the science Bamboozler, and Shel Silverstein Poetry night, and Lauren was able to go to the Pumpkin Patch and Butterfly Pavilion. We are already looking ready towards the next fall.  We are the pics compared to last fall.

First day!

Last Day - Just a few changes

 Cooper

    

Lauren

  

  Cooper was able to get perfect attendance this year. His wonderful teacher texted me a video of him on the morning announcements.

  Both kids also had end of year party.

Lauren at  Beach day - the last day we had a cast, so we did not worry to much about getting it wet:)

Lauren making ice cream - Cream, sugar and Vanilla in a small bag, in a larger bag with rock salt and ice - then shake - the kids loved it

   Cooper's class walked down to the local park for lunch. 

Mrs Lehman's 2nd Grade class -2016/17

        We were really blessed to have great teachers this year(Thank you Mrs Lehman and Mrs Johnson), and know we will have another great year at Superior Elementary next year.