The Happiest Place on Earth: Part Two

We finally arrived.  Austin is in his element!

He loves Disneyland.  He talks about Disneyland all year.  He goes on you tube and watches videos that people have posted of them riding the rides at Disneyland.  Its Disneyland 24 - 7 in our house. 

Austin had a certain order he wanted to ride the rides.  The first stop was Mr. Toads Wild Ride.  Now it would be convenient of him to agree to ride all the rides in Fairytale land while we were in that part of the park.  But oh no, he wanted to hoof it over to the Roger Rabbit ride, which happens to be a good walk away.  We all took turns trying to convince him to ride all the rides in this area while we are here because I know we will have to ride them before we leave.  We say "Austin do you want to ride Snow White?" he puts his hand up like stop right there and says "Nope I'm OK.  Lets ride Roger Rabbit".  We give in and walk over there.

The day was amazing as always.  Even though we had to criss cross across the two parks to ride the rides in Austins wacky order.  Every time we went through Fairytale land we would try to talk Austin into riding every ride there so we wouldn't have to come back.  But he was determined to do it his way.  As a side note, it is funny to see a grown man riding the Flying Dumbo ride.  Even funnier when Andrew rides on it with him in the same elephant!  But back to the story, by around 10:00 we are in Disney California and ready to go when Austin starts saying "How bout Casey Jr?"  Translated this means, alright family get it together because we are heading back to Fairytale land so I can ride the last remaining ride that we haven't hit yet!.  We all moan but we suck it up because the rest of the year Austin never asks for anything.

We head back to Fairytale land for about the seventeenth time that day and plop down in and empty Casey Junior train car and ride the final ride of the day.  Austin is happy and that makes me happy.  And so our adventure in Disneyland comes to end for another year.  The whole family leaves the happiest place on earth exhausted but happy.

The next morning when Austin wakes up I say "Good morning buddy!"

Austin says "In October go Disneyland"

I love my flappy life!

The Happiest Place on Earth: Part One



Hello Disneyland



It finally happened! We were able to make our annual trip to Disneyland!  We take Austin every year for his birthday.  His birthday is in October but the last few years we haven't been able to get out of town in October.  Or November or sometimes even December.  This year we were able to hit Austin's mecca in December.

Like most American families we are over booked and over scheduled so we never seem to be able to just take a vacation for vacations sake.  All our vacations are multi-tasking events.  And so was this visit to southern California.  Austin, Alyssa, and I drove to California from Las Vegas on a Thursday night.  That night we stayed at my sisters house.  Austin was so excited.  He couldn't stop smiling all night.  He woke up early Friday morning and the first thing out of his big smiling mouth was "what morning?".  Translated that means what are our plans for today and it better include Disneyland.  It was then that I realized that I hadn't made it clear that even though we where in close proximity to Disneyland we were not going on Friday.  We still had to take care of other business.  I said "Sorry buddy.  We're not going to Disneyland today.  We have to pick up dad and Andrew today."  Austin said "ummmm".  I wish I could type how ummmm is actually said by Austin.  He says it in the back of his throat and more like a growl than a word.  And it is definitely said with a good deal of annoyance. 

SDSU Football Office

Friday morning we drove from Orange County to San Diego to pick up Andrew and dad Drew from the airport.  They flew in from Reno which is the closest, and only airport I might add, to our home in northern Nevada.  Andrew was on a football recruiting trip for San Diego State University.  We needed to have him on campus by noon.  This meant another meaningless day for Austin.  The rest of Friday was spent on SDSU campus touring and meeting with coaches.  Amazing day for Andrew.  Another boring stop for Austin.  Friday night I made sure to tell Austin several times that we were not going to Disneyland the next morning either.  Sorry buddy. 

  Riding bikes on the beach in La Jolla.  Dad and Austin stayed home for this adventure!

We stayed at a friends house in La Jolla on Friday night.  The house is right on the beach and it is amazing.  In the morning we went to the beach and picked up shells.  We are such tourists!  Saturday was the big San Diego State football game.  SDSU plays in the San Diego Chargers football stadium.  None of us have ever gone to a professional football game or even been in a professional a stadium.  That alone was quite an experience.  Andrew needed to be there early to meet coaches and be on the side lines before the game started.  Once again, amazing for Andrew.  Not so much fun for Austin.  Austin paces and flaps his arms all the time.  SDSU gave our family red and black pom-poms.  Austin took a pom-pom in each hand and marched up down the side lines flapping his arms.  It was hilarious to watch!

  



         Sidelines before game time!



      

Andrew on sideline.                                            Andrew & Coach Horton

The game was fun.  On the way home the whole family kept saying "Austin, where are we going in the morning!"  He would say "Disneyland".  However,  he didn't say it with much conviction.  I don't think he believed we were actually going to ever make it there! 

But we did! 

Gas money from Las Vegas to San Diego.  Alot.
Food at Charger Stadium.  Ridiculous.
Look on Austins face as we pulled into Disneyland parking lot.  Priceless.