Disneyland

It's been entirely too long since I've blogged. . . . I have plenty of excuses, mostly work and family things that have been going on lately. However, I couldn't wait to blog about our trip to Disneyland. We drove to California for Nate's cousin's wedding, but it was also a convenient excuse to get to Southern California to take Ryan for his first trip to Disneyland. It was so fun and better than I could have hoped! Nate's parents came with us to share the experience (thanks!) and Ryan didn't go through any of the trauma that some toddlers do (screaming when meeting characters, too terrified to do any of the rides, crying all day). He was really nervous for Dumbo and Peter Pan, his first rides . . .
but he started warming up to the rides after he got to do the first one of his choice, the carousel. He spent most of the ride looking up the top of the pole to try to figure out how it worked.
Ryan enjoyed spending time with Dad and Grandpa . . . and he was fascinated by everything around him:



























He immediately took to meeting the characters. He ran over to Minnie as soon as she came out of the cast entrance, before any of the rest of us even knew what was going on. He was the first in line to give her a big hug!
We also met Goofy, Pluto, and Mickey in Toontown.
One of Nate's highlights of the trip was when Ryan really wanted to go on Gadget's Go Coaster, the smallest roller coaster in the park. Ryan was just tall enough to ride it, and he and his dad had a great time! Nate hopes this means that Ryan will pick up his father's love of roller coasters.
















He certainly got the hang of rides: by the end of the day, he begged to ride the rockets and he had a great time!
My favorite highlight was Ryan getting to see Pooh. . . . At first, he and I stood in line for a half hour, only to find out four people away from the front of the line that Pooh was going on break and Tigger and Eeyore were going to take his place. Pooh was nice enough to say "Hi" to Ryan as he passed. A few minutes later, Ryan held his hands up looking around and saying, "No Pooh!" (It was dang cute!) Then when he saw Tigger and Eeyore coming out, he got really excited:
We stood in line again to see Pooh, and Ryan could barely contain himself as he got close to the front of the line. When I finally put him down, he ran to give Pooh a couple of hugs, and Pooh kept blowing kisses at him. :D


























Anyway, all in all, it was an absolutely wonderful day, and we can't wait to go again!!