We are always leaving things early.
Even when we probably showed up late.
Well, that's the way we feel lately. Ever since we started our move to this new place back on May 21st, we have not felt the same. We have felt rushed, unorganized, and a bit stressed.
As you can see, I wrote a blog about the first day of our trip, but I never returned to the trip journal. Somehow we got to St. George and then I wrote about diving boards. How completely random.
We started to move out of our old place on 800 E on May 21. We had some problems with dates and details with our landlords. I won't really get into that, but it was a bit stressful and it was an awkward experience. All in all, we got moved in a day later than we were planning. Oh well.
It was fine. It would have been even better though if we weren't up moving in until 1 am. We got up at 4:15 am and got ready to leave on our trip. My dad took us to the airport (Thanks, Dad!) and we were off.
Now I must explain that the reason we decided to go on this trip at this time that we got to go to this wedding in Phoenix. Nancy's good friend and old roommate, Jessica, was going to be married in Mesa on the 31st of May. We decided that I should stop by the studio, say hi, catch up, and then head over to Disneyland for a day so that our vacation wasn't just in Phoenix. It ended up being $20 extra per person to fly from SLC to LA to PHX to SLC rather than round trip SLC to PHX. So we squashed two trips into one.
So, back to the flight. Derek, suffering from being in a new location during the night, did not too hot on the airplane. We got into Burbank at about 8:30 am. After a bit of a crazy deal getting the rental car (it took an hour, but ended up being okay because Derek got a nap while I waited), we hit Portos.
Portos is a Cuban Bakery on Hollywood Way and Magnolia in Burbank that I was introduced to by my boss at Disney. It is really, really good. This time I had a croissant with bacon, egg, and cheese and Nancy got a ham and cheese lunch croissant -- not to forget the dellicious strawberry croissant. It's a good thing it is located in another state! Then we left and went to Disney Studios.
At Disney I met with a few people and caught up. It was a good time. We surprised a few people and Derek caught everyone's eye. It was nice to see everyone and good to be on the lot since I really like being there. Nancy liked the studio store. They always have good things to buy that you can't get other places.
We got in the car after our visit there and started our drive to the Disneyland Resort (DLR). Then we started to get really tired.
Derek fell asleep before we even left Burbank. Nancy fell asleep around the merging of the I-5 and the I-10. I wanted to sleep, of course, but managed to stayed awake.
We got into the parking garage and I was still jealous of those naps. So we pulled over and I slept for a half hour until some calls woke me up. Side information: Zion National Park called to confirm our potential job for them. I am re-editing the already existing footage from the film shot 12 years ago into a new film. I am doing this with Kurt Hale at Stone Five Studios. I am really excited about it.
Anyway, we woke up and went to the park. We decided to do Playhouse! Disney: Live on Stage. It was SO awesome. It was recently redone and now features Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Little Einsteins, Handy Manny, and My Friends Tigger & Pooh. Derek likes all of those shows except the latter, which he hadn't ever watched. But the show ended up being worth the entire trip itself. Derek was dancing, clapping, laughing, and by the end of the show he had about four different mothers watching him instead of their own children! It was like some wild fantasy of his had finally come true.
Then we left California Adventure and hit Disneyland. We always have to get the Lemonade Slushies. The most convenient spots for this item is in New Orleans Square near the dock for Pirate's Lair at Tom Sawyer's Island and on the walk between It's a Small World and the Storyland Canal Boats. I prefer the lemonade with a shot of cherry or raspberry. Anyway.
We went on Pirates of the Caribbean, Tarzan's Treehouse, and the Jungle Cruise. Derek liked Tarzan's the most. He will now pound his chest and mimc Tarzan (thanks to Aunt Jennifer!) He was cautious on Pirates. He liked going down the chutes the most. We were put on the opposite side (as opposed to the "normal side") of the boat on the Jungle Cruise. I never noticed how many animals were on the right side compared to the left.
We left Disneyland and went to an Angels game. We decided to spice up our trip a little bit and make it a bit more unique. The Angels game was a very fun choice. We got tickets for super cheap ($15 each) from a guy that is in the Ducks group I am an admin for on facebook. They were front row, 4th level, over the Angels dugout. We took a few pictures with our camera on sports mode. I got a few of a guy making a catch. Derek liked the game, but not because of the sport. He discovered that if he threw something over the ledge, it would disappear. Luckily, he never really threw it all the way over the ledge, just the fence. He lasted 6 innings. I thought that was pretty good for a boy who was up since 5:15 MST!
So after all of this, Derek was obviously tired. He was so good though. We were proud. Oh, we had In 'n' Out for Dinner. I forgot to mention that.
We went to the hotel and checked in. We stayed at the Hilton Anaheim for $52 a night. I had a $10/night coupon so it was a total bargain. Bonus! We got a remodeled room and put Derek down on the bed until the crib came -- but then I turned around and he was asleep. He never sleeps in a place that isn't his crib. That was good. We all fell asleep, the crib delivery guy woke me up, I put Derek down and we had a good night sleep.
On Wednesday we got up early enough to get to the park just about when it opened. We decided to go on Peter Pan first because no matter what time of day you go, it is always busy. There was some unusual congestion at the castle, but we decided to take our time and go anyway. It was a good thing we did because won some "Year of a Million Dream" Mouse Ears. You can't buy them and they only give out a two hundred a day from what I understand. Now they are on display in my office. Totally cool.
Derek had a good time on Peter Pan. He was very good the whole day. (We have a good bunch of pictures on Flickr.com/photos/brycerandle ). We saw the Pixar Play Parade, did most of our favorite rides, and ate a good corn dog!
Side note: we haven't done a lot of the big rides since before Nancy was expecting. A lot of our friends think we are so weird for going to Disneyland and not doing the "fun rides." It is such a better experience with Derek though. He makes the trip so much more fun for us.
We decided to leave Disneyland at night, a little worn out, but still "ready for more," so that we could go swimming. It wasn't until we got to the hotel that we realized that our swimsuits were back at home. Such a bummer. That was something we were looking forward to. We ended up all going to bed by 9.
On Thursday we hit Disneyland again, just for a ride or two and to get our souvenirs with our Disney Dollars. We got some Baja Fresh and left for Phoenix. This time we did so with a happy meal on the flight. Things went quite, well, happier. Derek was great. We got to Jessica's place, met up with Angela and Jaelynn, and were off to another adventure.
That's it for now. It's time for church. I don't think I have ever written this much in one sitting before. That includes any college course.
PS- I am fed up with trying to get my pictures to layout correctly so I am posting a picture narration to this post shortly afterward.
Lovin' the hat... I think. 
I can't believe we actually won something.
Fun time at the game. Too bad we missed them pull of the win. We were all very tired though.
Just us with the two. Very fun. 
Disney Visa card members only!
This was a fun one to take. I have one in this car with my brothers when I was 13 or so. Had to get this picture. 
Being amazed with Casey Jr. 
In line for Peter Pan. I love this shot of us. 
Nap time. Too bad he missed the private meet and greet. 
Derek could stay here for hours. He loves the petting zoo. He got this shirt on the lot -- Walt Disney Studios. 
Derek is napping as we waited for the Pixar Play Parade to start. 
Our happy family. 
A fun part about being a dad at Disneyland. Look how much he enjoys it all. 
