Grandparents' and Home Again

We got back to Brian's parents' house on the 3rd. It was fun to see my baby girl again! Then, we hung out for a couple of days and drove back to Boise on the 5th.

In the car: Wes playing the iPad and Sydney trying to watch what he's doing.

Ruth has loved the gift we brought her from Disneyland. I seriously think it was the best toy purchase I've ever made.

Back with my happy baby!

Sydney got some fake nails as a prize from Grandma.

Wes got an FBI kit.

Sydney climbed the tree in Grandma and Grandpa's backyard.

Since Wes missed a week of school, he had homework to make up. Grandpa was nice enough to help Wes with it.

Grandpa and Ruth.

Grandma and Ruth.

Wes and Sydney playing outside on the trampoline.

Freedom! Finally back home in Boise.

While The Rest of Us Were at Disney

Ruth had a great time playing with Grandma and Grandpa Hanks while we were gone! And we so appreciated them watching her for us. Our experience would have been much different if she had been there with us.

We did miss her, of course, so they were kind enough to send us pictures of her throughout our trip. Here are those pictures.

Morning walks with Grandma.

Grandpa said he took these when Ruth was getting ready for her nap.

Grandpa keeping Ruth entertained while Grandma taught piano lessons.

Playing outside with Uncle Craig, Aunt Sara, and cousin Soren.

Post-piano cuddles with Grandma!

After a bath and getting ready for bed.

California Adventure 2013

After Disneyland, we spent the night in a hotel and then got up early the next morning to go to California Adventure. 

Our intent was to hit the Radiator Springs Racers first thing (since it's crazy busy and they run out of fast passes during the day), but the ride was under repair when the park opened! :/ We kept checking back throughout the day to see if it had been fixed. Finally, eventually, they opened it. We had "fast passes" but we still ended up waiting for a least a half hour. It was worth it though since the kids had so much fun on the ride!

Wes was asleep cuddling with his "baby Pluto" that he had bought at Disneyland the night before.

Finishing breakfast on the tram to the park.

First stop ended up being Toy Story Mania and then King Triton's Carousel. We were so quick, the kids had the carousel to themselves!

I think Wes was having a good time. :)

Then we went on Mickey's Ferris Wheel (non-swinging). Sure, he's looking at the camera.

Brian and Sydney.

Me and Wes.

A took the kids on the Jumpin' Jellyfish (twice) while Brian went to ride the roller coaster.

The kids actually really love this ride.

I took the kids on Goofy's Sky School roller coaster. Sydney was a huge fan, but Wes thought it was too scary.

Casually watching the roller coaster take off.

Brian took Sydney on the swings because Wes didn't want to go.

Wes found them!

Entering Radiator Springs.

Wes is demonstrating the sleeping since in Cars they go tractor tipping when the tractors are asleep.

It was fun to see all the new decor since the last time we went there was no Cars Land.

A cool car topiary in the background.

Me and Sydney with some more topiaries.

Wes wanted us to see his sword, I guess.

In order to get these giant wheels to move, you have to lean. Sydney was doing her best to lean so we'd bump into Brian and Wes!

It really is quite amazing how it looks just like the movie.

A panoramic shot.

Family love (we missed Ruth though!).

We rode Mater's Junkyard Jamboree. Honestly, not my favorite ride. But that's probably because at one point I slid and slammed into Wes. :/

We went on a tour of the La Brea Sourdough factory and then ate lunch there. Yum!

Brian braved the water ride with the kids.

They came off the ride smiling!

Sydney pausing for a pic on the the rope bridge in the Wilderness Explorer area.

Wes taking his turn on the tire zip line.

The kids - and Brian - went down the log slide.

We got to meet Dug the dog from Up.

This helper had the kids do a special initiation to earn their Wilderness Explorer badge (sticker).

We watched Minnie's Fly Girls show.

Picture with Minnie (and a stuffed Lightning McQueen Wes bought himself).

I went on the Tower of Terror while the other three got pictures with Mater...

...and McQueen.

Wes wanted his own picture, too.

Sydney had fun dancing at DJ's street party.

More dancing on Dad's shoulders.

Waiting in line for Radiator Springs Racers. Definitely our longest wait.

Wes and Brian with Radiator Springs in the background.

Ready to race!

Here's our car...we won the race and the kids were ecstatic! (Wes is hard to see in the middle front.)

Then we met Red from Cars.

Then we went to see Disney Junior: Live on Stage.

Sydney couldn't help but stand up and pop bubbles when they came down.

Wes was very obedient to pretend to look through his telescope.

We had time to kill so we went on the Bugs Land rides. Brian was very into bumping us.

Daddy love.

The kids and I held our spot for the parade while Brian went to get us some dinner.

During the parade: Roz from Monsters, Inc. was kind of freaky (but impressive).

I love Disney's creativity and cleverness.

After the parade, Sydney ran down the street popping bubbles.

Me with Wes and Sydney.

Going on Soarin'. This was actually the second time we went.

Cars Land at night.

Sydney really wanted me to take a picture of her in this hat.

A fun picture with Doc's Piston Cups.

Cute little boy loves Cars!

And by the time we got back to Brian's cousin's house, the kids were fast asleep!