California Vacation, Day 1

So, I finally talked Ken into taking a trip to Disneyland. He has never liked long lines and was worried that the rides would make him sick. Once he realized how cool the rides really are (themed rides vs carnival rides) and that we could talk our good friends the Phillips into going with us, he was on board.

FYI, it is no small feat to get a family of 8 from our front door to the front door of the rental home where we stayed: parking the car in long-term parking, taking a shuttle to the airport, getting through airport security, carrying all our stuff to get to our gate, getting situated on the plane, getting the luggage, taking the bus from the terminal to the main part of airport, taking a shuttle to our rental car, getting the rental car, and finally get to where we are staying the night. Oh, and did I mention that we fit everything in carry-ons?

The kids were SOOOOO excited for this trip. Not only was it everyone's first time to Disneyland (minus me, Shelly, who had gone as a child), but it was also a lot of first times on an airplane or first time that they remember being on an airplane.

Caden and Chase

I was so glad when we landed in California. Hannah was not a very fun flying buddy. She is not a good traveler in general.

Taking the shuttle from our terminal to the main part of the airport. Hannah of course had to have her own seat.

Ken, Jordan, Ava, Caden, and Kailyn so excited to be in CA.

Chase gets his own picture because he couldn't squeeze into the last one.

Then it is onto the shuttle to go and get our rental car.

The first stop was the beach. I wish we would have had more time to stay and play. The kids loved playing in the waves.

Caden and Kailyn

Chase didn't wait to get his suit on. He just jumped right into the waves with his clothes on.

The Phillips met us at the beach and the kids had so much fun together.

Jordan and Taiya

Trying to catch up with Liora and help Ava who was a little unsure of the waves that were trying to pull her in.

The kids quickly learned that they did NOT like the taste of the water.

Caden and Chase were hard to get a picture of--they kept drifting out and over from our group. I had to walk down the shoreline a few times to point them back to our group.

The Phillips brought some boogie boards to try.

After the beach we checked into the house we rented and made plans for the next day. Disney here we come!