disney: caleb's birthday

on day two, caleb got to celebrate his seventh birthday partying at disneyland. (even though, like he informed us last year while lounging on waikiki beach, he'd rather have been at home playing video games). 

this year was a pretty sweet gig, though, because he got to wear a super cool button AND he got a bonus fastpass good for another go round on radiator springs racers. 

caleb loved his birthday button except when performing cast members were around. he had been apprised that cast members are want to include birthday boys and girls in their shows should they spot "the button." he thusly took great care to cover his button during such times. peformance involvement by cast members sounds like an absolute nightmare to caleb. 

dallin was super jealous of the button all day long, and caleb (eventually) was a good sport and let him wear it at the end of the day. when folks would wish dallin a happy birthday, he would tell them that it wasn't his birthday, it was his brother's. duh.

we loved playing heads up! in line.

the one, the only: splash mountain. this pic is most definitely in the running for the wheeler family christmas card, 2019.

kudos to dallin and bryan for taking the brunt of the "splash" for the family. i'm honestly not quite sure how dallin got in the front there. he may have inadvertently volunteered. rookie mistake, brah.

happy birthday, bobby!

disney: day one

we spent all of our first full day at disney at california adventure park.

a couple of the little wheelers are definitely not what we would call "thrill seekers,"  and after taking them on guardians of the galaxy: mission breakout (an awesome ride!), they may never fully regain their bearings. dallin is still requesting assurances that we're not taking him on "that very tickly ride" ever again. 

other (of my) favorite rides included the incredicoaster and grizzly river run. the kids loved buzz lightyear's astro blasters and radiator springs racers.

and here's my one disney tip: you've already drained your bank account and given disney all of your money--go ahead and get the maxpass. we tried it the first full day to see if it was really worth the price for our family of six and loved it so much we purchased it the next day as well. 

disney: day half

back to spring break.

after our aforementioned stops at the san diego temple and newport beach, we made our way to the hotel at disneyland to drop luggage off and then on to enjoy our first half day at le happiest place on earth.

we arrived on main street at about 3:30pm, just before the afternoon parade was beginning. all the rides in tomorrowland were cleared out, so we hit the ground running with star tours and space mountain.

autopia was a caleb fave, for sure.

waiting in line for big thunder mountain railroad. 

which ties with splash mountain for my favorite disneyland ride.

still our anniversary.

the only character meet and greets we managed during our trip were really the most important ones to make: chewbacca and darth vadar.

dallin informing chewie of his age. or saying hi. 

you can tell from the little light in his eyes in these pics that he was really digging the characters. 

darth vadar is actually a wee bit scary in person.

everybody got to pick out one souvenir while we were at disney. 

dallin made up his mind the very first night that this light up mickey mouse bubble machine was the stuff dreams are made of.

fifth grade camp

she's off to spend her first few nights away from home.

there's no turning back now, mama.

life flies by in seconds.

you're not a baby 

gracie, you're my friend.

you'll be a lady soon 

but until then

you gotta do what i say.

{ben folds}

fight club

aka: giving a group of small children confetti-filled eggs and free reign to smash them on each other's heads.