Up, Up and AWAY!

I'm a bit behind, I admit it.  I haven't taken the time yet to post about our recent trip to California or Emily's first Easter.  But, better late than never, right?  =) 

Warning:  Photo dump ahead!

We joined Jacob's family (parents, brother, niece and nephew) in Anaheim for a few days over spring break.  It was Emily's first time on an airplane, and our first real family vacation.  Here's some of the highlights from our trip!

All bundled up at about 5 am waiting for the MAX to the airport.

In pretty good spirits for being up so early!

Checking out the airplane!

Attempt at a family photo!

I think it was a combination of Emily having to get up a couple of hours before her usual wake up time, and us letting her run around the airport for a good 30 minutes before we boarded the plane, but she conked out before take off and didn't wake up until we were pulling up to the gate in Long Beach!  Excellent first ride experience (I was nervous, so I'm really glad that it went so well!).

Our first day in Cali we went to dinner with some cousins-however-many-times-removed, played with their bunny, and broke up a pinata!

Emily slept really good that night!

The next morning we were up again bright and early to start our day at Disneyland.  Our condo was about a mile from the resort, so it made for a decent morning walk (though it heated up enough in the afternoon to make me decided to buy a shuttle pass! lol  What has Oregon weather done to me??). 

Emily was very intrigued by several of the rides, especially It's a Small World.  And, apparently, the Casey Jr. Train... she shot "excitement" straight out of her diaper and we had to do a pretty quick full-outfit change while standing at the front of the line to board the ride!  We didn't even have enough time to get her new onesie buttoned or her pants on before we had to get on. lol

Walking to the park

We're here!

Emily couldn't wait to GO!

Pure excitement.

On 'It's a Small World'

She wanted to climb out of the boat and touch EVERYTHING

"Dad, can we go again??"

Entering Toon Town

In Minnie's house

Meeting Mickey

Post-nap trip back to the park... via shuttle bus this time!

Not sure what to think of the Carousel

Third outfit of the day, on the aforementioned train ride. lol

In addition to her reaction to 'It's a Small World' (she didn't close her mouth the entire time!), my other favorite part of our time at the resort was when she got to meet Tigger.  She definitely put on a show for everyone else waiting in line.  I heard so many "awww"s as she walked right up to him, and giggles when they played peek-a-boo together!  =)

 

 

The next morning the whole family packed up and headed to San Diego for a day at the zoo.

Protecting her little head from the sun! lol

At the petting zoo

She LOVED the goats!  So much squealing!

 

Daddy-daughter moment

Baby panda!

Exploring the polar bear caves.

Up on the aerial tram... she wasn't sure what to think!

Between standing in lines, eating, leaving the zoo to walk up and down a sidewalk so that Emily could take a nap, and more lines, Jacob and I didn't get to see too much of the zoo.  As the day wore down, we started to get tired, we decided to make another trip to the petting zoo since she loved it so much the first time.  This time, sheep were there, too!

She thought this sheet was her blanket... notice her trying to suck her thumb and cuddle. lol

That night after Emily went to bed, Jacob and I had a quick "date night" for dessert at the Cheesecake Factory.  It was so nice to be able to get away and have our own little "vacation" for a moment.

The next day it was time to go home.  We headed to the airport, returned the rental car, and tried to replicate our first flight by tiring Emily out as much as we could before we boarded!

Unfortunately it didn't work so well this time.  Even though our departure should have been right at her nap-time, and even though she probably walked about a mile up and down the terminal while we waited, she still didn't fall asleep until we started our decent into Portland.  Thankfully, she was still pretty good on the plane, spending a fair share of the trip on the floor between my feet "reading" the flight safety information brochure. lol

We were all very happy to be home and in our own beds... but glad also for the opportunity to have such a great first family vacation!

(Easter in a later post... I need to get to bed!)