September 15, 2010

• Disneyland Getaway

  This past weekend, Johnny and I went on a kid-free getaway to ... Disneyland! Yes, I know, Disneyland is a kid's paradise, and while it's fun to go with kids, it's definitely also fun to go without them. We'll bring Jack next year, for his fourth birthday (I can't wait!), but for my 30th birthday celebration (yikes, the big 3-0 is coming up in just ... gulp ... 15 days), we wanted to return to the place where we spent the first day of our honeymoon. We haven't been back to Disneyland in the last six years, so this was really special for us. We also spent Saturday night at the Grand Californian Hotel, where we stayed on our wedding night. To make the weekend even more awesome, June and Charles came with us. Well, they didn't stay at the hotel with us, but the four of us toured Disneyland and California Adventure together on Saturday and Sunday. I rarely get to spend time with my sister without the kids, so this was really special. The four of us had such a great time! And, the kids had a blast, too, with "Auntie Susy" (our fabulous occasional sitter). Between the tickets, the hotel stay, our dinner Saturday night at the Blue Bayou, and the sitter, it certainly wasn't cheap, but then again, you only turn 30 once! We'll be eating ramen for the rest of the fall to make ends meet.

  If you're on my Facebook, you've already seen all these pictures, taken with Charles' awesome camera, but I'm going to post some here for those of you who aren't Facebook friends with me. (Feel free to add me! I'm on FB all the time.)

  Here's the group! Obviously, Johnny, me, June and my soon-to-be bro-in-law Charles

  

  We took many pictures while standing in line

   

  For his birthday in June, Johnny received this hilarious T-shirt from June and Charles. He wore it on Saturday and got a lot of high-fives and fist-bumps from various random guys at the park, especially when he was taking a picture with me and June.

  Yes, I can testify that my husband is awesome. He knows it, too.

  

  Another key theme of the weekend was food. For lunch on Saturday, we had clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls, followed by two snack breaks (one for kebabs, one for ice cream).

  

  That night, we had a delicious Cajun dinner at Blue Bayou, where we waited for a table by the water and watched the Pirates of the Caribbean boats go by.

  

  Of course, most of our time was spent in line (actually, the waits weren't too bad) or riding rides. To pass our time while we waited for Matterhorn Bobsleds, we took a series of "contemplative" pictures. I think the people around us thought we were crazy. Whatevs, they just wished they could be us.

   

  I also got a reputation for having "digital drama" because I was constantly doing something on my phone. I recently got a new phone (the Samsung Intercept, in pink floral!), my first smart phone, so I'm addicted. There's always something to do, whether it's go on Facebook or check my email or text someone. Johnny made fun of me by sending a text to June that said, "Dude, the people I'm with are SO boring. I have to resort to texting my other friends." Ha!

  Here I am, embroiled in my digital drama

  

  I've loved Disneyland since I was a little kid, but this time, there were two rides that I was less than happy with: the Finding Nemo submarine adventure (which I found boring and claustrophobic) and Autopia (seriously, if I want to drive in bad traffic, I'll do it in my air-conditioned car, which doesn't stall every two seconds). I do think Jack would love both of those rides, and I can't wait to see his delight, but my advice is, if you don't have little kids with you, skip those two attractions!

  However, we did get good pics on Finding Nemo and Autopia.

   

  After dinner, we walked back to the hotel so I could get my cardigan and jacket (it got cold!).

   

  Then we came back to watch fireworks.

   

  The next morning, we got up bright and early to go to California Adventure. Little did we know, the hotel people were wrong when they told us the park opened at 9 a.m. It really opened at 10 a.m. Grr! However, we passed the time by taking pictures with the "California" letters in front of the park.

  June and Charles in the "C" for "Cheng" (yes, they share the same last name; no, they're not related); we're in the "O"

  

  Then we took a series of jumping photos. They were so fun!

  Johnny as Mario; June and I jumping. Johnny said he was going to jump with us but decided to make fun of us instead. Boo.

   

  June and Charles' awesome kung-fu jump; Johnny and June levitate.

  

  Finally, we got into the park. I was underwhelmed -- Disneyland is a lot more fun than California Adventure. It felt kind of dead and deserted. We still had fun, though!

   

  Charles also got a couple of paparazzi-like shots, which are fun.

  Can't you see that picture of me and June in a tabloid (if one of us were a celebrity, that is)? And, I love the pic of me and Johnny holding hands.

   

  What a fun early birthday celebration. Thank you, guys!

  • 4:46 pm
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