Disneyland March 2012 - Day 1

Hello from the happiest place on earth!!!!  We are currently at Disneyland in California, and we are having a blast.  We were able to come with Bryce, Lizzie, and Becca, which was perfect so that we could take turns staying out with Madi, but still get to ride the rides. :) (Thank you Fast Pass!!)

We decided to drive down to CA with the family's suburban, since it runs on CNG (Compressed Natural Gas).  We figured it would be more cost effective to pay between $1.50-$2.50 per gallon, than $3.00-$5.00 per gallon.  The tricky thing was figuring out where the CNG stations were along the way.  Thanks to GoogleMaps, we were able to map out a route with the CNG stations, so we were set!

After some previous engagements, we left Sunday night around 10:30 pm, and began our journey.  We found out the hard way, that some of the CNG gas stations are not public, and some of the addresses that we had planned with, didn't even have a gas station at all!!! It was ridiculous! 

This is how we were feeling at 1:00 am, in cedar city as we were stopping for gas!  "Are we there yet?!" :)  After the car dying a few times, having some fun with the alternator, and a big bag of pretzels later, we finally made it to Saint George, UT, at about 4 am, where we were able to crash at Uncle John's condo for a few hours. (Thank again Durfees!!)

We were up by 8 am and on the road again...

This is Lizzie and Becca sitting in the front seat.  Notice that Lizzie isn't watching the road... :)  Just kidding Lizzie!  You were a great driver!! :)

Here's Bryce, Mike and I in the back seats.  We were grateful for the DVD player in the back so we could watch some movies to pass the time.

Madi did surprisingly well!  She definitely preferred to drive during the day.  We would pull her out every time we stopped for gas, and she enjoyed getting out. 

By about 5 pm, we made it to Disneyland.  We checking into our hotel and vegged out for the night.

Tuesday morning, we decided that we would spend the day in Disneyland.

This was Madi's ADORABLE onsie made by her Aunt Lindsey.  People kept stopping and saying how cute she was with her outfit! (Thanks again Linds!)

We had so much fun all day.  It was especially fun because this was Bryce's first trip to Disneyland!  He has loved it so far. :)  He was sure determined to pull the sword out of the stone!! 

I liked this pic because it shows how Madi has been rubbing Mike's face lately.  She doesn't do it to me, just him!

It felt like we were always waiting in line...

Here we are riding the Teacups.  Don't worry... We didn't spin it too fast with Madi on it!

Sometimes we put Madi into this carrier.  She loved being able to see everything!

This was the funniest thing!  We had decided to ride the train all the way around the park.  Madi was beginning to get fussy, so we were trying to console her throughout most of the ride. Mike took her on his lap and was bouncing her, and then put his face on her head, which is shown in the picture.  Once he did this, she zonked out!  It was as if someone snapped their fingers, and she was out!!  Now we know... Guess Mike has the new job of putting her down for naps!  ;)

Later back in the hotel room, I decided to go crazy, and I gave Madi a piece of licorice...

Needless to say, she loved it!! :)  And I had to put her right into the bath.. :)

To finish off the night, we decided to venture back over to the park to watch the fireworks.  This was Madi all bundled up!  We couldn't have her getting cold...

There is just something special about Disney fireworks!!

The boys had to try to move, or even just stop the marble ball.  Boys will be boys... :)

By the end of the day, we all felt like Madi... We were ready for bed!  But it was a fun-filled day!!!  We're ready for more!!!