It’s MONDAY! not just any Monday, but Monday the 13th which means one month from the best day of the year, my birthday!!! wow!
Here is a quick weekend recap in case you were away:
Friday I posted the beginning of our Disney trip
Saturday, I announced I was going to Healthy Living Summit and revealed I had made the cover of a real estate magazine in our paper.
Sunday, I told you about our new gym and lazy weekend.
Whew! Ok, so as promised, I am flip-flopping between telling you about our vacation, and telling you about my California trip. So, this is how CrAzY things were….that Friday we drove home from Orlando aaalllll day and got back to our house around 5:00 or so. I threw a load of clothes in the wash, repacked, said goodbye to Bobby, and drove the little over an hour drive to my parents house. I was already so exhausted and I hadn’t even left yet!
I went to bed early, I had to get up a little after 5 am so my mom could drive me the 40 minutes or so to the New Orleans airport. My flight was on time for 7:30 am. We took off, and I slept on and off until we landed in Denver. Honestly, I was in so many airports I don’t remember much about this one! I just remember getting some lunch, finally figuring out the WiFi, and posting THIS. I got on my second plane of the day after a gate change, and finally landed in CALIFORNIA!
I stepped outside and what’s this? Mountains!
The fabulous Crystal and baby Kenji picked me up from the airport and it was a beautiful day! I kept taking pictures of the mountains, we don’t have this on the MS gulf coast, y’all!
My mom had texted me earlier that day to tell me I had left my swimsuit at her house, GAH! So crystal was sweet enough to swing me by Target to pick up another one. We decided to do something kind of “California-y” for lunch, so we stopped my In N Out burger! (I know I posted this before, but you get to see a little bit of it again!)
We then went to Crystal’s house so I could settle in, and we just hung out and relaxed for a bit. I thought it was so cool you could see mountains from her backyard! After trying to figure out what to do, we decided to drive to Disneyland and go to downtown Disney and walk around, and eat at Storyteller’s Café at the Grand Californian hotel. I have never been to Disneyland, and of course next time will have to get tino the parks, but it was still just fun to BE there, and see the hotels, etc.
It was interesting to see how different Disneyland’s layout is to Disneyworld.
Paradise Pier Hotel
Grand Californian
Downtown Disney, heading to the Grand Californian
When we got into the hotel, there was a bridal party lined up about to go into a room for the reception. It was so cool, they all had balloons made into things and were wearing them as hats, etc. The Bride even had a balloon “carriage” so of course I took pictures.
So fun!!! We walked through the lobby…
it reminded me a lot of the Wilderness Lodge in Disneyworld.
we made it to the restaurant!
looking out opposite the restaurant
This is a great time to bring up something…it was COLD outside! and not humid! I was loving this weather! It was a really cute restaurant, with a plated or buffet option. Of course, we opted for the buffet. The food was really good and very plentiful. I enjoyed the meal, and Kenji was quite entertaining.
After dinner, we walked around in the World of Disney, and I got a Disneyland mug.
I even asked a random guy to take a picture of us.
funny man Kenji was such a trooper
as we were leaving, we could see fireworks over the stores!
I was so exhausted, it was 10:00, but my body thought it was 1:00 since I had been in Florida all week. I was zonked from the time change, and jet lag. I slept so good that night, and I usually don’t sleep well in new places!
Ok I will save the rest for the next California post. coming up in that post you will see some interesting outdoor workout equipment and my journey to San Diego, which was QUITE scary for this girl!
QOTD: Do you prefer Disneyland or Disneyworld?
So fun! Kenji is just so darn cute! I’ve only been to CA and Disney Land once when I was 8 so I honestly don’t remember it. Looks so beautiful though!
Happy Birthday!
its not for a month, lol!
Bahaha…can’t wait to see what you say about the workout equipment!
Disneyland is an another sort of deal for me. Disney world is a vacation! Next time you come out better be when we can go into the parks!
That would be “anyday” not “another”…
Also it still cracks me up that you were tripping out over the mountains! But I guess it is like me being amazed at how flat it is when we go to florida! LOL (btw some of those are not mountains, they are hills. LOL)
MOUNTAINS!
I can’t wait to go to Disneyland! 🙂
So wait……..your birthday is July 13th?? MINE TOO!!!
yes! thats awesome!
I have been to Disneyland (I am from California) about 5 or 6 times. I am going to Disney World for the first time in September. I cannot wait to compare the two!!!!
so exciting!!! I can still takeover your reservation 🙂
If you like those California mountains, the next time you come thru make sure you come further north to see our volcanos (dormant of course ;)).
Love it!!!! Can’t wait to hear more…especially about your 2 hour walk! LOL
Crystal, if it rises above a 3 story building, it’s a mountain to me! Hahaha!!! :0)
I love both places, but I honestly really really really loved Disneyland. It has a different feel to it and there’s just nothing else like it. I want to go back so bad!!!
I know! they all looked like mountains to me.
Disneyland half…Tink half…poke poke… 😉
They are so different, I love them for different reasons. Disneyland just has this magic to it. It sounds corny, but it’s like Walt’s there.
aw I love that
Morgan, that’s exactly how I feel! He physically walked those streets! It’s a feeling like no other! I love how the lamp is always on above the firehouse, too! :0)
Seriously girls…you all have to come out for one of the halfs out here!
It’s funny – when I’m in Disneyland, I think my fave is WDW but when I’m in WDW I’d sometimes rather be at DL!! Ha! Apparently I’m never satisfied. Both are great, but Disneyland has a special place in my heart. I understand your fascination with the mountains (or hills) – when Iived in Houston I could not get over how flat it was and I missed the mountains so much!
I never thought I wld say this, because I grew up with DW, and it is definitely my “home” park. But there is something so special about Disneyland that I just can’t put a finger on. It really is magical. And absolutely every ride that is duplicated in DW is *MUCH* better in DL. There is something so original, homey, and quaint about DL. You will have to bring Bobby back next time and definitely check it out. 🙂
for sure! I cant wait to go back!