Disneyland + Christmas Recap

Happy week after Christmas! I truly hope you experienced joy & peace and were able to celebrate with friends and family. This was a really sweet holiday for us, since both my brother and I (and our spouses) were all in town at my parent's house this year. But before we celebrated Christmas with family, my husband, parents and I went to Disneyland last week! My husband has never been to Disneyland or World, and our family hasn't seen the park decorated for Christmas, so it was a blast. 
I thought I'd share a few pictures from our trip and give some of our favorite rides!

Of course we had to take a picture by the beautiful castle! It's even more pretty at Christmas time! No detail is spared. PS. I picked up this shirt the night before we went to the park in Downtown Disney, because I couldn't resist Minnie Mouse's bows all over it!! I'm not much of a character-shirt-wearer, so this was perfect for me.

Me and my mom:

McCann was LOVING the park. He couldn't get over how many details there were from the rides to the different "lands".

 My cute parents:

My Star Wars loving husband just had to stand in line to meet Darth Vader. The loving wife I am, stood in said line for 20 minutes with him, even though I've never seen a single Star Wars movie ;) We got up there for his picture, which I was just going to take, not be IN, and Darth Vader came over to me and got up in my face, called me a "rebel" and told me to get in the picture!! I couldn't believe it...ha! This picture is so awkward...why are we so far away from him?!

We enjoyed wayyy too many snack and treats at the parks. Everything just smells SO GOOD.

Every square inch of the park is decked out for Christmas. I love main street where they have these beautiful buildings and shops, along with the garlands stringing across the street.

One night, my best friend and her family met us at downtown Disney for dinner. I met her in college and we've been friends for over 8 years now. They live in Southern California, so it's a rare occasion we get to see each other. I was so thankful for our time together!! I can't wait to meet the little girl in her belly :)

This picture was taken in California Adventure, which we went to on our second day there. We got hopper passes, so we could go back and fourth between parks. We loved a bunch of rides here, too!

The castle lit up at night was so magical!

This is It's a Small World, all decked out!

After the firework show at night, it started snowing (peppermint scented soap bubbles!) on Main Street. Kids were yelling "It's snowing!!" which was so cute, but we get real snow in Michigan soooo... ;)

Farris wheel in California Adventure:

Incase you're planning a trip anytime soon, here are a few of our favorite rides and restaurants:
RIDES in Disney:
- Big Thunder Mountain - Indiana Jones - Star Tours - It's a Small World (we liked the Christmas version WAY better than the normal one) - Haunted Mansion - Space Mountain (if you get easily motion sick, this is not a ride for you!)
EAT in Disney: - Bengal BBQ in Adventure Land - Corn dog stand at end of Main Street - Carnations Ice Cream
RIDES in California Adventure: - Soarin' over the World (we liked it when it was Soarin' over California better, but still beautiful and fun. If you get motion sick (like me ;)) you may want to sit it out or go, but close your eyes through some of it!) - California Screamin' (my favorite rollercoaster ever) - Cars (by far our favorite ride ever!)
ATTRACTIONS: - Frozen (sooo incredible!) - World of Color 
EAT in California Adventure: - Trattoria
STAY:
Sheraton near Disney (it was a really quick 8-10 minute walk to the park. Great pool and hot tub)

Once we got back from Disneyland, it was all things Christmas! My brother and sister in law got into town the night we got back from Disney, so we had fun catching up with them.
My mom did an amazing job decorating! Usually I'm there to help, but this year she did it all by herself and I was so impressed. Our hand-stitched stockings (from my Grandma) are some of my favorite pieces of Christmas decor.

My mom has always given us Christmas PJs on Christmas Eve, and this year the tradition continued, even on to our spouses! You can find mine here. Runs a little big, so size down. Worth every penny!

Also on Christmas Eve, my mom and dad hosted our whole family for a party! It was so fun to gather with everyone and play games. We played Fishbowl (like catch phrase) and LCR (a dice rolling game)

The amount of laughter in this photo is so great. Fishbowl always somehow makes me cry laughing so hard!!

Christmas morning came and we all opened our stockings then opened our wrapped gifts. A few of my favorite things included Aveda Shampoo & Conditioner, this Kate Spade pot holder, warm socks, a Swell water bottle, new work out pants and a new lipstick. 

We enjoyed our traditional Christmas morning breakfast that my mom makes each year-- egg casserole (recipe here) and this delicious cinnamon coffee cake. Whenever I smell either of those things, I can't help but think of Christmas!

While in town we also went on a family walk with Hope to Starbucks. Of course she wore her Christmas collar ;)

 
My mom and I also enjoyed a tea luncheon out, just the two of us. I am a total tea lover, so this was a highlight!

Hope you had an equally wonderful holiday weekend! How'd you celebrate? xoxo

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