A Magical Weekend: Shaun's Wedding & Disneyland!

So before all the Halloween / leg cast shenanigans, we took a road trip down to Orange County for two very awesome reasons: First, Uncle Shaun's wedding and second, Disneyland! In summary: it was great and one to remember. For those who are interested, there are (far) more details below.

Saturday, October 4th
We'd been prepping E about our road trip for some time and he was so excited, he couldn't sleep past 4:30am. We tried (desperately) to get him back to bed, but finally gave in at 5:30 or 6 and just let him get in the car for an hour while we got everything packed. We hit the road, coffee and bagels in hand, by about 7.

Baby J fell slept for most of that first part of the drive (though she'd wake or stir anytime we dropped below 30mph) while E played on the iPad. When J finally woke up somewhere in the desolation along I-5, she was HUNGRY. We stopped and while Lisa nursed, I took E out and he watered his first bush. Needless to say: when we told Papa, he'd never been prouder. After a 15 minute interlude, we packed everyone back up and hit the road. Again, by 30 mph, J was asleep. It was only when we'd hit 80 mph that E declared that he needed to go #2. In the middle of nowhere. Seconds after J was a sleep. What did we do? We took the next exit and made an attempt in the dirt, holding our breath against the insufferable dairy farm stench, keeping as many flies from getting in the car as possible, and running the motor in a vain shot to keep J out. Nothing worked. E couldn't go. We picked up about ten horseflies, which we took all the way to Disneyland with us. And J can't be so easily fooled.

After that debacle, we could tell E was getting tired, but it still took a long, long time to convince him to nap. We'd started up the grapevine when I checked the mirror, saw him passed out, and let the wave of relief wash over me. As long as we kept on the road, he'd nap. Food? Forget it. If we had to pee? Too bad. It was at that moment that the gas light went on.

Though, honestly, by the time we pulled off in LA for gas & food, both kids had been out for over an hour (actually, J was sleeping so much, I began to question if she was planning to party all night). When we'd finished eating, changing kids, etc. and checked our progress, a lump hit my stomach. Despite leaving almost as early as humanly possible, there was still a chance we were going to be late to the rehearsal. After all, you never know with LA traffic.

However, the universe finally through some luck our way and we made it to the country club 10 minutes before the rehearsal began. Just enough time to deck change into something nice (no jeans or shorts at that classy place). Man, we were sweating. And not just from the tight timing, but it was H-O-T. With impeccable timing, Nana & Papa drove up at the precise moment when the whole family had dressed and we no longer needed as much help :-)

Relieved for the AC and to be at our destination, we headed inside and greeted Shaun and David. Let me say this: they seemed calmer than we did. Other than sweating myself a good pants size smaller, the actual rehearsal went great and after a slight delay as I tried on my tux in the handicap bathroom stall, we headed over to a local BJ's Brew Pub for the rehearsal dinner. Our whole family was already there. My dad's side from Washington. Aunt Carol and Uncle Gary from New Mexico, even Lisa's Uncle Ron and Aunt Vicki. And E's favorite: the Mulligans from Seattle (including cousins E & E -- the triple E's, as I think of them -- who are 8 & 10 and just the best *willing* babysitters a dad could ask for).

Dinner was so much fun visiting with everyone, eating, drinking, introducing J to many people, and watching the triple E's have the best time. The only down point was in a conversation finding out that ALL of my New Mexico relatives have social security numbers starting with 585 (including my brother, my aunt, my cousin, my mom) where mine is a 525. It introduced the slightest doubt into my head as to if I was actually a New Mexican. My mom assured me that I was...but still...of course, she'd say that if she were hiding something...

Anyhow, after dinner we checked into Paradise Pier at Disney and got the kids ready and in bed quickly. We left before either were asleep, since Nana & Papa volunteered to watch them while Lisa and I watched the fireworks. The show was incredible and it's always so magical the first few hours in the parks, no matter how many times I've been. After being out for a couple hours, we got a text from Nana saying that J had a hard time going to sleep, but was doing perfectly well as long as she was strapped into the infant carrier walking around the hotel. We booked it back and Lisa was able to get J to go in the porta-crib so that we all could get a (well-deserved) night's sleep.

Sunday, October 5th
We should have Nana walk around with J in the carrier every night: the lil' gal slept all night long. The morning of Shaun's wedding was leisurely, with the highlight being a trip to the rooftop pool with the kiddos. During J's nap, Lisa, E, & I had a "picnic" on the hotel room's floor before E's own nap. Oma, Opa, & Uncle Brian arrived in time to take J while the rest of us got ready for the big event of the weekend.

Even though we had the whole day to get ready, we still managed to cut it close, showing up minutes before our family picture time.  Oma, Opa, and Uncle Brian were helping us get the kids out of the car when Oma said, "Uh-oh, I smell something."  Sure enough, baby J needed a change.  Oma rushed her into the fancy bathroom while we ran over to the picture site and tired to stall.  Luckily Shaun and David were calm, cool, and collected.  We took care of the non-baby J pictures and Oma had her back in no time.  Pictures at the site went flawless and it was a far more pleasant temperature than at the rehearsal. Everyone looked great and it was such a nice size of wedding -- maybe 60 people -- you could really feel the love and support of everyone there. The vows took place outside starting around 6pm overlooking a rolling canyon golf course. Obviously, baby J decided that it was the perfect time to get super-tired and fussy...so Oma had to walk her around in the back while we walked down the aisle. Lisa did a nice reading and one of the other groomsmen had a great reading about the parallels of love and having a dog. Shaun and David both looked so happy. Talk about a magical moment.

At the very moment the photographer called for the post-ceremony extended Ballou family portraits, E declared that he had to go potty. Of course, the closest bathroom was a good 3-4 minute walk and there just wasn't time. We pleaded with E to hold it and then directed the family into their positions with fervor. I haven't seen all the pics yet, so I can't say that area was successful, BUT we did get E to the potty in time and he was in all the photos.

The cocktail followed and was, like all the rest, flawless. I've never seen that big of a sushi spread. And we spent most of it admiring the wedding cake, which, in true Shaun fashion came with fondant flames and two pewter dragons as a topper. The buffet for dinner was delicious and so plentiful -- fish, pasta, beef, chicken, salads -- though I didn't eat too much due to nerves about my upcoming toast. I was very jealous of Papa, who gave his fantastic toast before dinner. One cute thing about dinner was the one of the cousin-E's laid out a napkin under our E's plate before he started eating. She informed Oma that "it was easier to clean up afterwards that way." I told you: those girls are good. I still feel like I should've paid them for all their baby sitting, though they told me, "It's just what we do."

My speech went well, from the vague bits I can remember and what others told me. Then it was time for another beer, lots more catching up with family, and watching the triple-E's boogie down. It was so hard to even suggest (hours after bedtime) that he and J head back to the hotel with Oma and Opa. We stayed until they kicked us out and even though we all went to bed long after we should have, every moment of that perfect day was worth it.

Monday, October 6th
Managed to rally the troops, get ready, eat, and be through the Disneyland gates by 9:30am. I know, I know, amazing. The first stop -- and J's first Disney ride -- was the Jungle Cruise. She loved it. E loved Pirates, Toad's Wild Ride, and the Carousel. Pinocchio...not so much. He took a picture with Halloween Goofy and kept asking him where Mickey was. Also, Jack Skellington got right up in E's face and that "Mr. Bones" didn't scare E in the least.

Not wanting to miss out on any of the Disney action, J became the queen of the 20-30 minute power naps. Though the absolute, hands-down highlight of the day for her was much later that night sitting in front of the mirrored closet doors in our hotel room. That other baby in the reflection was just-so-funny! A close second good time for her was hearing Nana shake a cup full of ice.

E napped in the stroller while the rest of the group rode Star Tours and he woke just in time to see Mickey's Soundsational Parade. Afterward, we had to head over to the California Adventure park because traditional Disneyland was only open for some special halloween party (which we could've upgraded to for an additional $70 per person *choke*). We stepped into the other park just in time to see the Pixar parade, which included Lightning McQueen and Mater -- E's all time favorite. And then we rode my all time favorite (well, everyone but Uncle Ron & the kids): the Tower of Terror. We grabbed a quick dinner on the "wharf" there and then caught the World of Color show, which I always forget how much I like -- or what I saw of it. E decided he needed to go potty twice during it.

By the time we made it back to the room, it was well past the kids' bedtime again (and mine, being soooo pooped). Oma & Opa declared they were having a wine party in their room for those interested, but Lisa & I let Nana & Papa go...and we crashed with the kiddos.

Tuesday, October 7th
If you didn't believe we could get everyone into the parks on Monday by 9:30...then hold on to your hats and glasses folks: We got the entire gang to the Carnation Cafe on Disneyland's Main Street at 8:30. The food was delicious and fun -- even Nana's frittata was in the shape of little Mickey ears. This 91 year old chef came by...actually, a few times...and gave J a "First visit" pin....a few times. But it was sweet and she loved him.

While we were waiting for our food, I ran and got fast passes for Space Mountain and I had to dodge far more people than I would've thought possible on a random October Tuesday. It was our first indication of the crowd which was more reminiscent of a mid-summer Saturday. The only theory I can come up with is everyone who attended the halloween party the night before tacked on a few extra days. Whatever the source, at least Disney makes uber-crowds as enjoyable as possible.

After breakfast, we all rode Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blaster and E loved shooting the lasergun at all the mean robots. We were in the car next to Nana & Papa, and E was so excited about this game that he kept calling them -- unfortunately, they were too wrapped in taking down the evil Zurg to notice. Not quite as enjoyable for him was the Gadget's Go Coaster -- his first official roller coaster. And though he didn't freak out, Lisa said, he wasn't that into it.

Meanwhile, Missy J got her first pair of mouse ears -- pink, of course. And she actually wore them for a little while...only without it strapped on. E thought she looked so cute. But not cute enough that he'd wear his longer than 27 seconds.

Finally, we decided to cross into California Adventure in hopes of finding fewer people. It was much more manageable. While J continued her streak of catnaps,  E rode the tractors again as well as the underwater themed carousel, but his favorite activity was watching the California Screamin' take off, counting down with the recording. "3, 2, 1....Blast off!" we'd shout as the sled magnetically shot from 0 to 60 in some incredibly short time. E kept saying, "I'm to little for that ride, even though I'm bigger." Except when I put him on my shoulders he quipped, "Now, I'm not too little."

We watched the Pixar parade again (I mean, we can't see Lighting McQueen too much) and had a nice dinner with Uncle Ron and Aunt Vicki before they headed back to the bay area. We walked around a little more before heading back to the hotel and *tired sigh* bed.

Wednesaday, October 8th
Had to get up early to make sure we got everything packed and into the car before hitting the parks for another half-day. We said bye to Nana & Papa who left to go back to New Mexico around the time when we checked out of the hotel. It wasn't as sad as usual, since we knew they'd be coming to CA sometime in the coming 4-6 weeks to help watch the kids while Oma & Opa took a holiday.

We booked it to California Adventure in hopes of riding the Toy Story Mania ride before the lines got too long, though I got the "early hour" time wrong and we found the park had been open for 2 hours already and the Mania ride was about that long. Luckily, we rode Little Mermaid instead (no line) and both kids enjoyed it. Then we headed back out of the parks to meet Oma, Opa, & Brian for breakfast in Downtown Disney.

Inside Disneyland, we rode the classic train while J and Lisa waited to see Pluto. Unfortunately, J fell asleep while waiting in line, plus her phone (and only camera) decided it was the perfect time to act up so she wasn't able to snap any pics. Undeterred from their mission of a character/baby photo op, Lisa, Oma, & Opa headed to Minnie's house in Toontown while E, Bri, & I braved the deceptively short (and surprisingly hot) Autotopia ride. And, as with most Disney attractions, I instantly forgot about the wait once on the ride...this time it was seeing how much fun E had steering his very own car.

Minnie was a success and I was told that J was a hit especially since she was wearing a Minnie outfit. We met up for a Small World which was, again, another hit with both kids. And even though it's pretty old school, there really is something intoxicating about that ride to kids of a certain age (and I don't claim to be above that certain age).

All the others did the Tiki Room while I got a much needed soda and rest before we bid Disneyland farewell for the trip. On the way to the cars, we scarfed down a sandwich and hit the road.

Remember from the beginning of this post that I talked about how challenging it was to drive 7 hours with 2 small children. I was such a wimp back then. Try doing that same thing while (1) trying to beat midweek LA traffic and (2) having attended an exhausting theme park for 3 days, including several hours just before. Ha! Challenges like that separate the men from the boys. The culmination was just as we started up the grapevine of I-5, neither kids had napped for...well, it felt like forever. Lisa was crammed between their car seats, buckled in, and was trying to nurse a screaming baby J (also strapped into her car seat). Simultaneously, the exhausted 2.5 year-old was hollering, "I need make up. I need make up" (don't ask, please, don't ask). It reached such a point of absurdity that I completely cracked up and just kept driving through the mayhem -- it took until both kids fell asleep for Lisa to laugh about it.

After a quiet and peaceful couple of hours -- thanks be to God--, we decided to stop for dinner at a Taco Bell off I-5. Does the entire Central Valley smell like a cow pie? The moment we exited the car I just about lost my appetite. E summed it up better than I can: "There's poop out here." Still, we managed to eat, get the kid's PJs on, and nurse J (A tip from Lisa: Breastfeeding is much easier without safety belts).

The rest of the drive was pleasant with two well-rested kids. We rolled into our driveway at 9:30, gave the dogs a good pet, then dumped the kids into bed and the bags into the house, before hitting the sack in a vain attempt to be rested (?!) for work the next day!

Seriously, a magical...and memorable...long weekend.