MIC - KEY - M O U S E!

Earlier this year, I got free tickets to DISNEYLAND (from "Give a day, Get a day" promotion) for my parents, Dave and me. Since my parents came out for Vaughn's birthday, we decided it would be a perfect time to head to California and meet the one and only, Mickey Mouse.

Dave and I were a little concerned about driving six hours to Anaheim with a baby who typically cries after only being in the car for twenty or more minutes, but...

Vaughn did amazing!

We got his new car seat that faces forward since he's over twenty pounds and it did wonders. As long as he had snacks and his drum sticks, he was content. He played with lots of other toys, too, that he got for his birthday. It was comical to hear Nunny speaking with a Mexican accent saying, "We can doo it," from Vaughn's Handy Manny tool box. Hilarious. In addition to playing and eating, Vaughn took very long naps on the way to and from California. He slept much longer (two to three hours) than he ever has in the car.

The first day we got in, we got checked in and went to dinner at Joe's Crab Shack where Vaughn got to eat from the kid's menu, his new favorite thing because he gets crayons to play with. Vaughn loved all the lights and dancing. The second day is when we went to the park and the third day, we went to Newport Beach then six hours back to Arizona. I don't think Vaughn realized what happened to him by the time we got back home. It was a lot of stimulation, sights, sounds, smells to experience in just a few days.

Joe's Crab Shack coloring fun with daddy.

 Right off the parking bus. We are in Disney!!! For the most part, this is the face Vaughn had all day. He wasn't upset, but he sure looked like it. Every once in a while, he would smile (which I would snap a picture right away to prove that he had a semi-good time at the happiest place on earth, or whatever that saying is).

Vaughn has the map, we are ready to go. He held this map most of the morning. I lost about four at night so we probably should've kept Vaughn as the map-keeper.

Happy First Birthday, Vaughn Steven Thompson!

Pappy bought Vaughn a Tigger hat as soon as we got in the park. He wore it almost all day and looked super cute.

Dumbo! In the morning, we only rode the tea cups and Dumbo. Vaughn had a very serious look on his face but didn't throw up or cry so I think he enjoyed the rides.

The main reason for the trip, Mickey Mouse! Vaughn didn't cry at all. Instead, he wanted Mickey to pick him up. Mickey Mouse got down on the floor and sat right next to Vaughn. It was kind of awkward (well, for me), but Vaughn enjoyed his company.

 Yay for Mickey!

Right after meeting Mickey, Vaughn fell asleep in his stroller. He didn't even wake up when we took him out and rode back to the parking lot. He was worn out! When we got back to the hotel, he ate lunch then slept for over two hours in his pack n' play.

This is on the way back to the park. Vaughn is in different clothes, in a great mood and ready for more Disney.

Buzz Lightyear was a success. Vaughn liked using the gun, but pappy was hogging it :)

 Vaughn was much happier at night in Disney. Dave thinks he enjoyed all the lights. This is the last stop of the day before heading out of the park (it was around 9:45pm, 2 1/2 hours after Vaughn's typically bedtime).

 I look scared, but Vaughn sure looks happy. Bye, Disneyland. Until next time.

Leaving Disney.

 

Before heading to the hotel, we stopped by Mimi's for dinner. We thought Vaughn was going to be a zombie, but instead, he was a crazy baby! I was actually falling asleep while Vaughn was singing and yelling. It was hilarious. 

I had to include these videos to show how Vaughn was acting at 11:30pm when we got back to the hotel. Right after his bath, though, he went right to sleep and didn't wake until 9am the next morning. 

Bye, Bye, Hotel Pepper Tree!