Disneyland Day 1 & 2

We decided back in January that we wanted to take Carter back to Disneyland this year.  We figured he was at the perfect age.  We decided to not take Jackson with us because a 1 year old is not much fun at Disneyland.  So we ditched the baby but gained many more family members.  My sister and her family and my parents all met us in Sunny California!  

 Carter was excited about all aspects of the trip.  Including the ride from Park N'Jet to the airport.  Or as he calls it "Riding the Short Bus!"

Once we arrived at the airport he was so excited that he willing grabbed his own suitcase and wheeled it right in.  I wish he was always so helpful.  I guess I didn't take any pictures on the plane ride there but we flew with BlueJet and much to our delight they had TV's on the plane.  It made for a quick, easy flight.

My sister and her family met us at the airport as we'd rented a 12 passenger van for all of us!
We came back to our hotel and the first item of business was swimming in the hotel pool with cousins.

(that is none of our backsides-the lady in the black swimsuit just happened to make our photo!)
We swam several of the mornings we were there as the park didn't open til 10 am.

 After swimming we met up with my parents who had just arrived and went to dinner to celebrate my dad's birthday.

                                          
Lots of food and birthday cake for everyone!

The first day at the park brought a very cranky Carter.  I'm not sure why but he kept asking to go back to the Hotel!  After 2 hours at the park we stopped and ate lunch and after that he perked right up and was his happy(sometimes whiny self!)!

Our first stop was California Adventure and on to the New Car's Land.  It was one of the most amazing things I have seen in my short life.  No expense or detail was spared in this section of the park.  It looked exactly like the movie.

We rode Mater's Junkyard as our first ride of the trip.  It was a huge success for everyone and really fun.  Plus the wait time was only about 10 minutes!

This exhibit was labeled "Mater's Petting Zoo."  

On to the next ride in Cars.  Luigi's Flying Tires.

Do not wait in this line.  I think this was the worst ride in the park.  We waited for about 30 minutes for a ride that wasn't even fun.

The Bug's Life bumper cars were a hit with everyone.  It is one of Carter's favorite rides so we rode this one several times.  It was me and Chloe my niece against....

Carter and Neil!

Then we snuck in an adult ride.  One of my favorites is "Tower of Terror."  I think we rode this ride 3 times that day.  Thanks to a short line and fast passes we basically walked right on.

Here is the picture they snapped while on the ride.  Neil and I in front right.  And my parents and Chloe right behind us.  I couldn't believe how brave my sister's kids Chloe and Mitchell were.  Carter is the complete opposite so it was fun to ride with Mitch and Chloe sometimes.

After most of the day at Cali Adventure we headed to Disneyland!

Carter was not interested in posing for a picture since he could see and hear the train just behind us.  The train ride around the Park is another Carter Favorite.

I loved this ride because it meant I could sit down and rest my aching feet and back for 10 minutes!

Carter and his cousin Mitchell are close in age and had a great time together.  Always willing to make funny faces at the camera.  They loved rides where they could sit together, without any adults!

One of their favorite rides was Buzz Lightyear.  It is every little boys dream.  Ride in a spaceship and shoot bad guys with a gun.  I think we did this ride about 10 times in the 4 days we were there.

I love this picture of the boys.....they were so focused and every time I would turn around I thought they would lean so far that they'd fall out!

While waiting with some of the kids while others did a more "mature" ride we ran into Mickey!

Carter had no hesitation.  He walked right up to him and gave him the biggest hug!  I think this was one of my favorite moments of the whole trip.  Watching Carter with Mickey.

Carter and Mickey.  The stuffed crab Carter is holding was given to him by a nice couple who won it at one of the arcade games.  He was instantly in love with it and insisted on carrying it around the whole day.

My sister and her twins, and Carter and I all posed with Mickey.  What a great way to end the first night.  We all came home and crashed and slept soooo well.  I wasn't sure if I would be able to walk the next day.....come to find out, wearing my tennis shoes over flip flops really cuts down on back pain and sore feet!