Petersen Family Disneyland trip October 2008

This past week my side of the family took a trip to Disneyland. My brother Logan will be putting his mission papers in very soon, so we wanted to take a family trip to Disneyland in his honor.

Logan with the "L" from California Adventure.

Logan and his girlfriend Sam.



There were 17 people in all that went on our "little" trip. :) This included my parents, all of the Petersen kids, spouses, grandchildren, 2 girlfriends and a good friend. It was so much fun, and you would think that with that many people it would of been difficult maneuvering around the park....but to our pleasant surprise, it worked out great. We all stayed at the Anaheim Fairfield Inn by Marriott. It was across the street from Disneyland. We didn't use our car the whole time we were there. It was great. We got some great rates too because we reserved our rooms so far in advance. We all spend two fabulous days running around the park, hopping on all the rides we could all along enjoying each others company.

Being the last week in October the park was all decked out with Halloween decorations.




My sweet parents with the Mickey Mouse pumpkin.

When Dave and I arrived Sunday night he wasn't feeling well and was tired from driving all day. So I took the kids across the street to Downtown Disney just to walk around the shops and hang out and that gave Dave time to sleep off the drive. The first thing that Andalyn saw was the HUGE candy corn that had taken the place of the A's in the word California in front of California Adventure. So of course I parked the stroller in front of it to snap a picture.

After walking around Downtown Disney and meeting up with Marc, Stacy and Montana, it was time to head back to meet up with the rest of our family. We all got a good nights rest and were ready for a fun filled Monday.

Dave and I took the kids to Millie's Restaurant for breakfast which was located right in front of the hotel....totally convenient! Here Andalyn is working on stacking up all of the creamers that were on the table. She did a great job.

Once we got into the park...the picture taking began. From Left to right: Andalyn, my sister Tiffany, Logan's girlfriend Sam, my sister Whitney, David's girlfriend Ashley and my sister Nicole.

Andalyn and Ryan road around in a double jogger that we borrowed from my cousin Brittany, however the second we got into the park Andalyn wanted to jump out...I should have expected that. So we threw her "backpack" a.k.a. leash on her and she started marching around the park.

This being Andalyn's first trip to Disneyland, she was very excited.

Dave and I headed straight to the "Pooh" ride for the kids first Disneyland ride experience. At first Andalyn didn't like it because it was dark but by the 2nd day she was used to all the rides being dark and she tolerated it pretty well. At the end she always said...."I WANT TO DO THAT AGAIN."

In honor of that being Andalyn and Ryan's first ride at Disneyland we let Andalyn pick out a stuffed animal at the "Pooh" store right outside the ride. She chose a baby Piglet, so therefore we picked out a baby Tigger for Ryan. They absolutely love them!

Andalyn and Ryan waiting to get onto the Pooh ride.

Andalyn's and Ryan's ride experience...

The ride leads to a surprise birthday party for Pooh.

Next it was Pirates of the Caribbean...the whole Petersen Clan got on this ride. It was really sad because at this point Andalyn still wasn't loving the darkness in the rides. I was also surprised that Ryan really didn't enjoy it either...at one point Ryan clawed his way to Dave from my lap to bury his face in Dave's chest. Cute pictures though. :)

We then went on the Buzz Lightyear ride...it was an interactive ride, you got to shoot laser guns at targets. Very Cool.

Andalyn and Montana holding hands waiting in line to get on the ride.

Ryan and his little green friend.

One of Andalyn's favorite rides was the Monsters Inc. ride. She has never seen the movie but still loved all the "friendly" monsters.

Grandma Petersen, Andalyn and Mommy on the ride.

She has the same look on her face as the monster above. :)

We also made a stop at "A Bugs Life" area. We went on a few rides and also went to the 3D show. Andalyn didn't like the show. In fact she cried....but that is the only thing she ever cried over as far as rides or shows go. I was impressed.

Here we are on the Bugs Life hot air balloon ride.

On Tuesday we tried to go have lunch with the Princesses. However, it didn't work out so with the time that Dave and I had with the kids we decided to take them to the Playhouse Disney Show. By far one of Andalyn's favorite things we did there....besides taking pictures with some princess that we did see later on in the day. Andalyn was in 7th heaven between Playhouse Disney and Princesses.

Andalyn waiting in line to see the show.

Andalyn and Daddy waiting anxiously for the show to start.

Mickey and all his friends from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

Handy Manny and his tools.

The Little Einsteins and Rocket.

Ryan totally diggin' the show.

Darby, Tigger and Pooh in the 100 acre wood

Mickey and friends throwing Minnie a surprise birthday party.

So, like I said, we did end up finding a place in Fantasy Land that we could mingle with the Princesses. Andalyn was star stuck. Her whole demeanor changed, she was in heaven! Poor Andalyn, it was so hot both days we were there and she doesn't handle heat very well. That's why she is so red faced.

Andalyn and Snow White.

Andalyn Belle with Belle.

My mom Eileen Belle, Andalyn Belle and Montana Belle with Belle. Both Girls are named after my mom.

Andalyn with Sleeping Beauty.

Andalyn LOVED all the Characters at the Park, Dave and I were pleasantly surprised. We thought she would be afraid of them. Here are the ones we met.

Here we are with Goofy in his Halloween costume in the heart of Disneyland.

We found Goofy again in Toon Town.

Pluto was the first on Andalyn met....she loved him!

She had to pet his nose before we left, just like she would any other dog....so cute.

Andalyn and Minnie.

One of my favorite rides form the last time I went which was before my brother David left for his mission was Soarin' Over California. Well it was one of the only rides I went on because on the way to Disneyland in May of 2005 I got a phone call with the result of a pregnancy test…positive. I was pregnant with Andalyn and therefore couldn’t really go on any rides other then Soarin'.

Here are the boys being silly...from left to right, Marc Stacy's husband, my brother Logan, my brother David and David's friend Kurtis.

All of us waiting in line for Soarin'.

Here is my sweet blue-eyed girl waitin in line for the carousel with her Mickey Pumpkin ears on. I love this picture, thanks Stacy for capturing it!!

Here she is on her purple horse.

Here's Andalyn with my sister Stacy, her husband Marc and daughter Montana on the horses.

Continuing our way around Fantasy Land we found the Sword and the Stone right by the carousel. Here is uncle David with Andalyn while she tries to pull the sword out of the stone.

My brothers Logan and David with the sword and the stone.

Now David's friend Kurtis takes a shot at it.....I don't think it is even budging Kurtis!! :)

Next it was on to the Dumbo Ride. Grandpa Petersen got to take Andalyn on this one...she had such a great time.

Here I am with Ryan on Dumbo, he really liked it too!

Everytime we watch a Disney movie she thinks the castle it self is Disneyland....so when she saw it was so much more she was so excited. She still really loves the castle though.

Me and my sister Whitney waiting in line for the Toy Story ride....I love this chick!!

Here I am with my sweet girl with our 3D glasses on ready for the Toy Story ride.

My brother David and his girlfriend Ashley....oh and that's my other brother Logan in the back ground....what a goof. :)

Stacy, me and Whitney waiting for the drop in Tower of Terror.

Whitney, me and Stacy at Tower of Terror.

Here we all are on the Tower of Terror ride. We are in the very back row. Yes, my brother and Ashley are kissing. :)

Here is Logan's sweet girlfriend Sam with my sweet boy.

Andalyn and Montana enjoying the jogger together.

Uncle David with Ryan on his shoulders. Everyone took turns holding Ryan...it was great and he loved it!!

Our friends Dusty and Melissa Hogge met up with us while we were there...I didn't get any pictures of them except their oldest daughter with my sisters. Sorry guys...it was so good to see you, can't wait for you to move back up to Sac!

Here are my kids....they got so tuckered out running around the park all day. My sweet angels.

My sweet twin sisters, Tiffany and Nicole.

Here is David and his sweet girlfriend Ashley....so glad you could come Ashley!

The original Petersen clan. From Left to right...Logan, me,Nicole, Whitney, My mom, Tiffany Whitney, my dad, Stacy and David......LOVE YOU GUYS!!

All good things must come to an end....Wednesday morning we left Disneyland....hopefully we can all go back soon.

Here is Tinker Belle thanking us for our visit.

Me and my honey on our way home.

Littly Ry Guy happy as can be in his seat on the way home.

Our sweet Andalyn Belle watching her "shows" on the way home.

On our way home we got a chance to meet up with one of Dave's college roommates....Randal was also in our wedding in 2004. We met up with him, his sweet wife Ambrea and their two adorable kids Brigham and Ammon. What a beautiful family!

This is Ryan in his high-chair at the restaurant, so tired from the last two days and time spent in the car....so funny.

Me, my two cuties and Ambrea and her two cuties Brigham and Ammon.



Now it'sthe daddy's turn...Dave and the kids and Randal and the kids.

Last but not least this sweet woman in this picture with Dave and Andalyn is Randal's Grandmother, Ruth Banagas. She and her husband retired from Disneyland 12 years ago. She was nice enough to meet us at the gates of Disneyland both days we were there and get Dave and I in for free. It's not a secret that October was the worst month in our whole marriage, financially. And without Ruth, (and another very special person whom I won't name because they're very private) we were able to take this trip with my family. To be honest this trip was more likley NOT going to happen then happen just 2 weeks before.

So thank you Ruth and our very special relative who made this trip possible and unforgettable! We love you!