The Happiest Place on Earth

Our trip to The Happiest Place on Earth was bitter sweet. For months we had been talking about it and looking forward to it! But about two hours before our plane was to take off, we found out Stuart, Kristin and Ava weren't going to be able to come. They had done in vitro fertilization a few weeks before and a few days before our trip had found out it had failed. But right before we were about to leave, a blood test and ultrasound showed that Kristin could have an ectopic pregnancy. Her doctors and nurses advised her not to get on an airplane or go on a trip, as it was too big of a risk of her tube bursting and bleeding. So instead of partying with Mickey, eating out, and riding rides, they had to stay home in cold, snowy, SLC while Kristin had to take a chemotherapy drug to terminate her pregnancy. Needless to say, we all found ourselves feeling sad and angry and also worried about how Ava was going to feel. We all blubbered several times on the trip, especially whenever we would see Tink, as she is Ava's favorite. It was so much fun to watch Addison experience Disneyland with her grandparents and Uncle Graham, but it was still sad not to be all together as a family. It's a good thing there will be other times we can go together! Stuart and Kristin are taking Ava to Disneyland in a few weeks (and my parents are going again with them). We are excited for them go to and can't wait to hear all about it!

A special surprise from Gamma and Gampa on the plane! Princess markers and book kept her entertained the entire way to California!

Our first character breakfast at the Disneyland Hotel where we stayed. (Which by the way is a gorgeous hotel, and the ONLY way to experience Disneyland! It was awesome to be able to walk right into the park in a matter of minutes!) Addison's first few hours at breakfast and in the park were spent in utter confusion as to what all these weirdo characters were doing?! She spent the first little bit of our trip being shy, crying, and having meltdowns. But, by the afternoon on her first day, she was having fun!

Happy girl right before what we will forever call the "Alice in Wonderland Fiasco". The first ride we took Ad on was Alice in Wonderland. (perhaps the scariest ride in Disneyland) Her parents (being very inexperienced Disneyland goers) took her on the most frightening ride, and she cried the entire way. We quickly learned not to take her on loud, scary rides in the dark with weirdo flourescent characters. Sorry Addison! :)

We went on the carousel next to try to get Addison's mind off Alice and the cheshire cat:) It was so much fun to have Uncle Graham there with us. He was so nice to go on all the kiddie rides and to be so accommodating to Addison's needs.

Princess Addison in her "magic" wheelchair! Gampa got this wheelchair because of Gamma's knee replacement surgery, but Addison ended up riding in it most of the time. Thanks Gamma!

Classic castle picture. We had just come out of the Bibbity Bobbity Boo store, shopping for princess dresses. It's so much fun to have a little girl!

Finally having fun! Addison giggled and laughed and waved the entire time on this ride. I think it was her favorite.

Gampa spoiling this little girl in a store on Main Street Disney.

And now she's REALLY having fun! By chance we were on Main Street about 45 minutes before the parade started, so we got a really good spot. The performers started singing and dancing and the characters came out... and Addison came alive! She was cheering and clapping and our little extrovert ran out into the street and started doing the TWIST with the performers! Our sweet girl is definitely going to be a dancer. She loves music and immediately starts dancing whenever she hears any kind of beat.

What an angel face...

Out shakin' her booty with the performers and kids!

April 30th... she's TWO!!! Right when she woke up, she reminded us that it was her birthday and that she's TWO!

Happy Birthday to YOU!!! For Ad's birthday, we had breakfast in the park. While we were waiting to get in, she wanted us to sing Happy Birthday to her. It's funny, even though she is only two, she certainly was understanding that this was her special day.

The breakfast was in a beautiful old building with crystal chandeliers, the food was yummy, and only the coolest of the coolest characters were there.

Poor "Uncle Guy" suffering through another character breakfast:)

Silly Tigger!

Hands down my favorite picture of the trip. Fairy Godmother sang the entire song of "Bibbity Bobbity Boo!" to Addison, while she was signing Ad's autograph book. Thanks to Sarah and Kelsey, who so thoughtfully made Addison her cool autograph books for all the characters and princesses to sign! It was so much fun to try to get all their signatures! I'm sure Addison will keep those books forever and that they will help her remember her trip. Thank you Sarah and Kelsey for thinking of Addison!

Puffs anyone? Addison had a tasty spread full of strawberries, sausage and eggs... and yet she wanted her precious puffs. And, I don't think she's too thrilled to see Dale...?!

Addison was a little shy while meeting Pocahontas. She was gorgeous and spent a lot of time talking to Addison.

Right when we got to New Orleans, Princess Tiana was performing live! She had an amazing voice and her band was awesome. Of course, Addison ran right up there to be a part of the festivities.

After nap time, Addison received some special Disney gifts from Gamma and Gampa. A Minnie Mouse outfit, an Ariel shirt, and a pretty bracelet.

Happy spoiled girl with her grandparents!

Princess Addison being wheeled to Ariel's Grotto for her birthday dinner!

At last we have arrived! We had been looking forward to this birthday dinner for a long time!

Meeting Ariel and getting her autograph!

At the beginning of dinner, they announce each Princess and one by one they come out and walk around the room and meet everyone. Some are better than others:) Our favorites were Princess Aurora and Snow White. They were both so talkative and really spent the time to make the evening special for Addison. Aurora was a great conversationalist and Snow White was so sweet and had an amazingly high pitched voice!

After dinner they brought Addison her own personal birthday cake in a Princess Jewelry Box. They loudly announced it was her birthday and the entire restaurant sang to her.

What a great night! It really was magical...(and yes, even at 33 years old, it was magical for me). The food was absolutely fantastic, the princesses were beautiful, the birthday cake was tasty, and we all had so much fun watching Addison enjoy her night.

And then the sugar kicks in... About 5 minutes after eating birthday cake, Addison started jumping up and down on the bench and thinking it was really funny:) Uncle Graham was egging her on.

Drawing cheshire cat with Alice...

Waiting for the train, but not for too long... thanks to the wheelchair! Boom.

Still got it! And still as ugly as ever...

So sweet...

Oh no... It's a Small World... give me cancer now...

Mom and Dad pretending to enjoy themselves during Small World. But really I'm sure they were wanting to poke their eyes out...:) Can you believe Clint hadn't ever been on Small World before! Crazy!

In Pixie Hollow meeting TINK! We actually had to wait quite a while to see her, but she was certainly worth the wait! She was funny and witty and really cute!

Wearing green and her hair in a bun... just like Tink!

Waiting for the parade... again. Addison loved it so much, we went back a second time!

Out havin' fun and doing the twist! What a little pip squeak!

Goodbye Disneyland! Until next time!

It really was a magical trip. It was so much fun to watch Addison and to have her spend so much time with her grandparents and Graham. We have been home for almost two weeks now, but Addison is still remembering the trip. Tonight after we bathed her and got her ready for bed, she would lay flat on her back on the carpet and pretend to be asleep. We would have to kiss her to "wake her up". So I think she is remembering and thinking about Disney and what a great time she had. Even though she was little when we took her, I hope she'll always remember it... or at least look back at pictures of our trip and know that her Mommy and Daddy had a magical time with their sweet little princess.