The time I surprised Zachary, Pt 3

Ok, this is the last one. But if you didn't read the first two parts you can read them here and here!

Our 5th day we hopped on a bus that took us to Universal Studios. This day was so much fun because not only did we get to ride the fun rides, and eat yummy food but we got to tour the studio. I especially enjoyed this! It was so cool to see where some of my favorite movies were made. Zach loved seeing the cabin from John Candy's The Great Outdoors and also "Whoville" from How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The Bates Motel was cool along with the drive down Wisteria Lane, since I love me some Desperate Housewives. Zach also loved the earthquake- it was all so much fun!

Zachary rode the Jurassic Park ride, The Simpsons ride along with The Mummy and I was jealous that I couldn't go along! We also went and watch Water World and that was pretty cool!

After we left the park we went to CityWalk and ate dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe- then it was time to pack back on the bus because it was LA tour time!

We drove around seeing "the sites" like the Viper Room where River Phoenix died- or a hotel where Marilyn Monroe frequented. We drove down Rodeo drive, through Beverly Hills and went to the Hollywood walk of fame.

Marilyn's star was the one I was in search of and for Zachary, it was Michael Jackson.  Our time was limited so I was just taking pictures as fast as I could! We also went to the Chinese Grauman Theatre and again, Marilyn Monroe was who I sought out. We also found our favorites from Harry Potter and many others.

This was a little sad... but it's the best one we got with the disposable camera!

After another long day we were back on the bus to out hotel.

Day 6 we got back on the bus to San Diego- but this time to the zoo. Zach and I had both been looking forwards to this day because we love the zoo! I had always wanted to go to the San Diego zoo- it was sort of my "dream zoo" because it's so big! Through out the day we had managed to hit up all the fun animals- elephants, giraffes- which both had babies too.

Also zebras and we got to see out first panda bears and they had brand new babies too. Zachary's favorite part of the zoo though was this:

At first he didn't really know how to work it but after a couple of tries is was like an old pro! He was doing forward flips and back flips in no time! It was another long but fun day. We knew we were going home the next day and trying soak up as much of the California air and sun as we possibly could!

The next morning we got up and got everything packed into our over flowing suitcases and bags. It was a good thing that we hadn't bought much more because I even left some old clothes behind to make room for new things! We left our stuff with the hotel while we went on one more tour- this time a 1/2 day beach tour. We got picked up and we went to Laguna, Huntington and ------- beaches. So beautiful! I love the Washington/Oregon coast, but California had a whole new beauty. I know it's the same ocean and all but it was still just amazing!

Afterwards we got taken to the airport and headed out. A quick layover in Denver and then we were back in Spokane in no time. It always feels so good to come home after vacation. This really was a trip of a lifetime. I am so glad I was able to have this week- just Zachary and I, doing so many fun activities. I know that Zachary will never forget this trip, and neither will I!

The time I surprised Zachary. Part 2

Monday I was telling a little bit about the time I took Zachary on a surprise trip to Disneyland. You can catch up here!

So the next day we got up and boarded a bus that took us to San Diego to Sea World! We were so excited! Neither of us really knew what to expect at any of these places and that made it that much more fun!

The first thing we did upon arriving was check out the Orca show schedule. A show was starting soon so we planted ourselves in "splash" zone and waited! Can I just say now that "splash" is an understatement! We were drenched- I mean soaked to the core! But I am so glad that we did it! Zach and I had so much fun and were laughing so hard every time we'd get splashed. And I'm grateful that I had put my money, phone and camera in ziplock bags inside my back pack!

Those whales are so amazing, and so HUGE! They were so beautiful and I'll admit it made me a bit sad that they are there for our enjoyment instead of out in the ocean where they belong!

We enjoyed the entire day! The rides, including Shipwreck Rapids, where we got totally soaked again, we ate more and took in all the beautiful animals. I loved seeing the dolphins and Zach loves the sharks!

 See? Soaked!

On day three we woke up early and headed out to have breakfast at Goofy's Kitchen. First we got our picture taken with Baloo from the Jungle Book- then it was off to eat. The food was interesting- which I had heard- but peanut butter and jelly pizza was different and I was doing an eye roll considering how much I had just paid to eat here. It was just a buffet, after all- but what made it fun and totally worth it was all the characters that come around to get pictures with you. They even all got together to do a song and dance skit in the middle of the kitchen. And Zachary and I both really enjoyed it!

 Zach and Goofy

 (Evidence of the peanut butter and jelly pizza)

Then we were headed back to Disney- but this time we went to California Adventure. Soarin' over California was so worth the 45 minute wait and was so fun. We also enjoyed the Grizzly River run (and got soaked again!). But Zach's favorite was the Muholland drive roller coaster. I can't even tell you how many times he rode it. Most of the time he would finish riding and get right back in line. That was one good thing about me not riding some of the bigger rides- is that Zach could go to the front since he was a "single rider".

 (Can you tell I got a little sunburned the day before at Sea World?)

I was a little worried that he might skip rides because I wasn't going with, but that wasn't the case at all. He was such a trooper and went on everything, everywhere we went... Except Tower of Terror at CA. (which really was the one ride I really wanted to go on!) During the afternoon we found a great spot to watch the parade, which was so much fun and of course, so entertaining. 

The 4th day of our trip was Zach's 8th birthday, and I had a lot to do and see!

After breakfast we headed to Disneyland- where we immediately headed to get Zachary's birthday button. From then on out- all day people were telling him "Happy Birthday". I love that Disney does this because it sure makes a kit feel extra special!

We spent the day going on more rides, eating everything in site, going to the Shrek show, going to MJ's Captain EO, the parade and we couldn't wait for the fireworks!

We had dinner reservations for Blue Bayou so we headed off to eat Zachary's birthday dinner. After an expensive and not so delicious meal we headed back out to hit more rides. A fave for both of us was Pirates of the Caribbean. It wasn't until after dinner that I learned there would be no fireworks show that evening. It was a total disappointment but I should have done my research on it and I would have known that on the "off" season they only did fireworks on the weekend.

We seriously made every effort to take pictures with as many characters as possible! At the beginning Zachary was really shy and nervous, and I reminded him that I have no idea when we'll get to do a trip like this again and after that he dove in, seeking out characters, not hesitating to walk up and get pictures and autographs. It was really great! 

We ended our last evening at Disneyland with Zachary going on Splash Mountain over and over again. He was having so much fun that I hated to pull him away, but we stayed until closing and it was time to go!

We had another busy day and more to look forward to tomorrow!

The time I surprised Zachary- Part 1

A couple of years back I gave Zachary a surprise of a lifetime.

Neither of us had ever been to Disneyland and I wanted to take him for his 8th birthday and make it a vacation he would never forget. We were going to be gone for a week, and not knowing when we would get to have a trip like this again, I jammed it packed full of adventures.

Just a couple of weeks before we left, I found out I was pregnant with #2. I knew this would change our trip a little because a lot of rides I now couldn't go on, but I was determined to still make it great.

I didn't tell him a single thing about this trip. I even packed his bag of clothes after he went to bed and got it into the car. Then next morning we were out the door at about 4:30 am! I told him we were going to the grocery store before it got busy, and yes, he bought that story!

We started towards the airport, which was the opposite direction of the store and that is when he started to question where we were going. Once we were at a good stopping point I umped in the back seat with him, video camera in hand to catch his reaction, and let him know we were about to hop on a plane to Disneyland!

His reaction? He was excited, but asked if we could go home to get his gameboy!

After we got through security and were waiting to board, Zach was so excited but that excitement quickly turned to nerves as were on the plane leaving Spokane, waiting to take off on Zachary's first flight!

See? He's nervous! But this is his "I'm trying not to freak out" look.

We had a quick layover in Salt Lake City and then onto Anaheim! 

Once we got to our hotel and dropped off our stuff we wasted no time and headed to Disneyland!

Upon arriving, we saw Mickey immediately! I was beyond excited. Like, more excited than Zach! I don't know if it was just the kid in me, maybe the crazy pregnant lady hormones, or maybe even both, but I started crying as soon as I saw Mickey!

We then got ourselves a pair of Mickey ears and headed out to explore the park. We went on ride after ride, ate treat after treat and had so much fun. Picture taking, however, didn't go so well. I broke the display screen on my camera on the very first ride we went on and used mainly disposables the rest of the week. I had no idea if my camera was actually even taking pictures, since the screen didn't work, and I wasn't going to take any chances.

After a long, exhausting day we walked back to the hotel to get some rest. We had another big day tomorrow. As we lay in bed we fell asleep to the sounds of fireworks at the park-

What a day!

100 day picture challenge. Day 81

Day 81. A picture of you with a character

Here is Zachary and I at California Adventure with Minnie Mouse! 

What a fun week we had! :) 

100 day picture challenge. Day 73

Day 73. A picture of you somewhere warm

Zachary and I in Sunny California....

A lot of people probably know I don't need to leave

my own backyard to get a picture of "somewhere warm", 

as Spokane, Washington has plenty of hot hot hot days!

But when I think of somewhere warm, 

I think tropical, ocean water, palm trees....

Since our Disneyland trip was the closest to tropical 

that I have been yet, I'll take it!

I really loved being down in the LA/ Anaheim and San Diego area

It was beautiful. 

I loved walking down the street each day 

after our daily adventures, 

with Palm trees lining the roads.

I really hope to someday get back there with the entire family!

100 day picture challenge. Day 62

Day 62. A picture of you on a ride

Here is Zachary and I on the Golden Zephyr at California Adventure.

I can't wait to go back when I can actually ride the BIG rides! 

What a fun week Zachary and I had, just the two of us.

I will cherish that week for all times!