Spring Break, Part 2...

Six hours after leaving Mesa, we arrived in Anaheim! We drove all the way to Arizona to see the Cubs at Spring training, and all the girls could talk about was, "When do we get to go to Disneyland?" They love anything Disney! This was probably one of their favorite Disneyland visits because we had planned to meet our neighbors there.

Shortly after we checked into our hotel room on Wednesday, we walked over to Downtown Disney to have dinner at the Rainforest Cafe with our friends. The girls always enjoy eating there, but this time was even more exciting. Although, Maren was a little frightened by the "thunder storms."

Grace and Logan at Rainforest Cafe...

Carsyn, Maren, Logan, & Grace finished eating way before the adults--thank goodness for the tropical fish tank...

Afterward we all went to Disneyland for a few rides. The kids had fun driving the cars at Autopia. Well, actually Daddy had fun driving Maren and Carsyn around. Mommy and Logan let Grace drive--look out!

Logan and her chauffeur, Grace...

Then we went on the Nemo submarine ride. That was super-fun. Thanks for standing in line for us, Nana! It was getting pretty late, so we all decided to head back to the hotel. Luckily for us, we could see the fireworks right from the living room in our hotel room!

Our family on our way out for the night...

Thursday morning we went to the park early. With it being Spring Break and "It's a Small World" being closed, the lines were already pretty long. We spent some time in Fantasyland--a must for our girls.

Daddy and Logan on Dumbo...

Logan had been dying to go on Thunder Mountain, so we went there first. Poor Carsyn had not grown the full inch and a half since the last time we were there, so she was not able to ride. She was really disappointed. Hopefully, next time!

Daddy and Carsyn looking at Big Thunder Mountain...

Then we just happened to be in the right place at the right time, because we were given "Dream Fastpasses!" For part of Disneyland's "Year of a Million Dreams" celebration, they give out a few of these passes to random people every day. It is one fastpass for each ride that takes fastpasses for that day! We were so excited. After going on Pirates and the Indiana Jones ride (with our fastpasses), we walked over to California Adventure to ride Nana's favorite ride--Soarin'! Carsyn wasn't able to go on this one yet either: ( But, she did get to go on the Sea Carousel and all the Bug's Life rides. We also saw Minnie Mouse! Maren was so excited, but she still wouldn't go near her without Mommy.

Carsyn on the sea carousel...

Maren on the sea carousel...

Logan on the sea carousel...

Maren on Paradise Pier...

Maren, Mommy, Minnie, Carsyn, & Logan @ C.A...

Maren & Carsyn love the caterpillar ride...

We then met up with our friends again for a couple more rides before they left for home. We had such a great time hanging out with them!

Maren & Sophie taking a break...

Sophie, Carsyn, Logan, & Grace just hangin' out...

Sarah, Josh, Daddy, Nana, Baby Lucy, Sophie, Grace,

Logan, Maren, Mommy, Leo, and Carsyn = what a crew...

When we were finished doing all the things we wanted to do at C.A., we went back to Disneyland. We ate dinner, took Logan on Space Mountain, and tried to break our records on Buzz Lightyear!

The next morning was unbelievably crowded. It was Good Friday, so there was an overlap of Spring Breaks. We did run into several people that we know from home, though. We also got to see Mickey and Minnie!

Minnie, Mommy, Maren, Carsyn, & Logan on Main Street...

Who doesn't love a good castle?

Logan and Carsyn had been begging to go on the Toontown roller coaster, so we did that. But, we didn't get to ride much more because of the lines. Each girl got to pick a ride and then it was time to hit the road. It was a pretty short trip, but certainly a memorable one.

Daddy and Maren leaving Disney...

We're going to Disneyland...

Disneyland was still decorated for Christmas...

After we left Pasadena, we drove down to Anaheim for a couple of days. The girls love Disneyland. It was nice because we seemed to miss the Holiday crowds. Of course Daddy was a little upset about missing Notre Dame play in the Sugar Bowl game, but they lost anyway--big time! We all wore our Irish gear though, to show our team spirit. We did our usual stuff: spent most of the day in Fantasyland, relaxed at Big Thunder Ranch (the girls visited with Mr. and Mrs. Claus,) rode "Pirates" and "Buzz Lightyear." We also learned about the "Junior Cheff" activity at the Plaza Inn. Carsyn was too young, but Logan got to help make chocolate chip cookies. It was fun for her and fun for us to watch, plus we got free cookies afterward--yum! Maren did great. She still loves the carousel, but is a little iffy on the characters yet. We also ate at the Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney. This is a huge favorite of the girls. We try to make it there every time we go.

Santa in his "Ranch attire"...

Maybe Pluto isn't so bad...

Secrets...

Carsyn in Fantasyland...literally

Logan at the Rainforest Cafe...

San Diego...

Daddy had to go down to San Diego for a week-long course. Instead of saying "goodbye" to him again, we all just decided to tag along. On the drive down, we stopped at Disneyland to eat dinner at the Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney. The girls LOVED it! I think it may be the start of a new tradition. We got into North Island pretty late. We were able to stay at the Navy Lodge there in Coronado for only one night because they were booked the rest of the week and weekend. On Monday Daddy got out of his class early, so we went to Sea World. They offer free admission to military families one time per year--this was our one time this year. The girls like it okay, but we're all more Disney people. After checking out of the Lodge, we checked into our room at the Point Loma B.O.Q. The room was decent, but air conditioning isn't standard in San Diego because of its ideal climate. However, we were there for a week-long heat wave and extremely unusual humidity. It was no fun living without the a.c. But, we survived and had a blast. During the days while Daddy was in class, Mommy and Nana took the girls to: the Hotel del Coronado for lunch and to play on the beach, shopping and sightseeing in La Jolla, shopping in Mission Valley, and shopping in the gas lamp district. In the evenings when Daddy had finished his training we enjoyed a Padre's game at Petco Park, Mexican dinner in Old Town, and shopping, ice cream, and pizza at Buster's at Seaport Village. One night Mommy and Daddy even got to go out to a nice dinner at Ruth's Chris downtown, while Nana watched the girls in the room. It was a great vacation!

Daddy and his girls at Downtown Disney...

Logan at the Shamu show...

Carsyn and Daddy at Seaport Village...

The girls at the Hotel del...

Lunch in Coronado...

Carsyn loves the beach...

The girls at Petco Park--too bad the Cubs weren't in town...

Our family in Point Loma...

The girls in Old Town...

Mommy and Logan--matching...

Hanging out on base...

We definitely didn't get the best duty station...