Christmas in California!!

Where to start? We did so much and have so many cute stories and fun memories. I'll try to summarize our trip in a nutshell: We left Christmas Day for California. We stayed in Anaheim for 6 nights and then went to San Diego for 2 nights. Our first day we went to Universal Studios. The next day, Sunday, we drove to Simi Valley to go to Cornerstone Church, which is the church that Frances Chan pastors. After church we drove to Hollywood and saw the sights. We walked down Hollywood Blvd, (which was pure madness by the way), visited Grauman's Chinese theater, and drove down Rodeo drive (we didn't stop here--as if we could afford to shop in any store there, hah). The next day began our three days at Disneyland. I will say this--I LOVE LOVE DISNEY!!!! I definitely liked spending time at Disney more than Universal Studios. It is much more kid-friendly and family oriented. Universal Studios seemed more for grown ups and didn't have as many things for Asher to do. We drove to San Diego for our last leg of the trip where we went to Sea World and the San Diego Zoo. We had a wonderful time! I just want to take a second to brag on my baby. He was so, so, so good for the trip. He is such a pleasant child and was happy to be on the go and content pretty much wherever we were. We would get up and go early and be out until after dinner every day and he was just an angel, especially given the fact that he was completely out of his routine and only got to take short 20-30 minute naps (as opposed to his 2 hour nap we have at home) He did great on the 4 1/2 hour plane ride too. I have a TON of pictures, so I am going to make posts by the Day. This is for you Grams! :)

Day 5: Disneyland again

We went to Disneyland again. About mid-morning it started raining, and it rained pretty much all day. We ended up leaving the park after lunch and split up. Half the group went to a movie and the other half went to the mall---can you guess who went where? :)

Minnie Mouse!

Asher's Favorite ride---DUMBO!!

We finally met the main man Mickey!! (We stood in line to meet him twice the first day and he had to leave before we could get a picture--we finally got one the last day!)

Asher LOVED the balloon Aunt Gabby got him!

sleeping like a baby

Day 4: California Adventure

California Adventure was a Disney park. We spent a day here. There wasn't as much for Ashman to do, but there were a lot of rides that the Big Kids enjoyed, California Screamin' was the favorite roller coaster of the trip, hands down (or so I hear, being preggo, I couldn't ride anything exciting )

Mater from Cars

Lightning McQueen!

Riding the 'Chew Chew Train' in Bug's Life

Meeting Goofy--again not thrilled

blowing Goofy a bye-bye kiss

Day 3: Disneyland!

I love this picture :)

Me and Zack in front of the Haunted Mansion

Toontown!!

Chip

Asher had so much fun playing in Goofy's house. We were able to get in to Toontown early one day, so he could play before it got really crowded--it was so precious!

Ready for the parade!!

Day 2: Hollywood!

In front of Madam Tussaud's wax museum (Samuel L Jackson and Zack:))

Grauman's Chinese Theater

Zack on Jim Carrey's square

My hands on Judy Garland's square

The girls

Hollywood!!!

Day 1: Universal Studios!

Asher LOVED this place. It was a huge room full of balls. He would have stayed in here all day playing!

Asher liked to watch the characters from afar, he did NOT like to be close to them, as you can tell from the pictures. He would wave and say bye-bye and blow them kisses as we were walking away though.

playing in the snow in Whoville with Daddy

Like I said earlier, Universal is more for grown-us.

Here Comes Santa Claus!

We spent our Christmas vacation in Sunny California!! Before we headed out of town, Santa Claus came to visit our house. I have loved starting our own family traditions. We had a beautiful Christmas Eve service and had dinner with Zack's family and then came home and spent time as a family--just the three of us. (our last Christmas as a family of three--weird) Anyways, we watched Christmas movies and drank hot chocolate. After we put Asher to bed, Zack and I got to work putting together Ash's Christmas presents. Last year, Asher was so young we didn't do anything big for him for Christmas. This year, we had so much fun picking out toys that we knew he would love. We tried not to go too overboard. It was so fun watching him enjoy Christmas morning. Here are a few pictures from our Christmas!

Helping Daddy put batteries in his new remote for his car

I LOVE my new basketball goal!!

Family Christmas picture!!

Look for a new post from our trip soon!!