Nothing Like Coming Home

The next day we returned home fairly early. As much fun as we had on our trip, we were still glad to get home. Katie didn't take long to get out some of her toys that she had been away from for over a week and just enjoyed herself!

I missed playing with my dolls while I was gone!

A Long Car Ride

After we left Yosemite, we had to travel through lots of twisty roads until we reached the straight roads again. We were happy to finally be going straight, and we were headed to our stop for the night. We had a few problems with hotels though, and we ended up driving two hours longer than expected.

To pass some of the time, we played some games. Jennifer taught Katie how to play "Twenty Questions," and she was surprisingly good at the game. When it was her turn to think of something, she was really good at answering our questions and really good at stumping us.

Another way Katie helped us pass the time was to entertain us with her magic show. She showed us that she was an expert at making her water bottle disappear!

This was my magic show. You might have to turn the volume up a lot.

Yosemite National Park

The next morning, we woke up early to drive to Yosemite National Park. We had arranged a tour of the valley floor, which is why we had to leave so early. Katie did NOT want to get up and get going. While the rest of us got ready, she slept. We let her know that she could sleep some more in the car.

When we got to the car, Katie ate her breakfast as we headed towards the park. She wasn't acting herself, but we figured she was just tired. About an hour in, we stopped for gas and Katie announced she didn't feel good and she was going to throw up. She knew what she was talking about. Luckily, it was a gas station with a mini mart, so we were able to clean up, get a change of clothes, and get some fresh air. She had never been car sick before this, but I guess the early morning and the curvy road was a bad combination for her. We were so happy when she fell asleep before the roads got even curvier!

Once we reached the lodge and left the car, Katie was fine. We all loaded onto the open air truck to learn about the park. Everything was absolutely gorgeous. There are some places in this world - Crater Lake and Yosemite being two - where you just can't capture the beauty in a picture. Nothing compares to the experience.

As we went on our tour, Katie's goal was to see a deer. Jennifer actually saw a deer at some point, and Katie thought she saw it before it disappeared. She wanted to see another one though, so she kept her eyes open.

When our tour was over, we ate lunch at the lodge at an outside table. We were entertained by squirrels and birds nearby. They weren't deer, but Katie was impressed all the same. Afterward, we went to the gift shop to buy a new blanket and a stuffed animal deer for Katie.

As we left the park, I looked down a path and saw two deer. I quickly told Jennifer, who quietly took Katie down the path since she had better shoes on than I did. They were able to observe the two deer for awhile, which thrilled Katie. Her biggest question to Jennifer was, "Can we pet them?"

We made it back to the car with a renewed appreciation of nature and gratefulness that we were able to experience this park.

One of the first things we passed on our tour was El Capitan. We couldn't believe it when our guide told us someone had climbed all the way to the top in less than three hours!

We stopped by a pond to see some waterfalls in the distance and to take in the view.

Grandma waited with my mom.

It was peaceful up there!

Aunt Jennifer and I went closer to the water.

All through the tour I looked for a deer!

It was so pretty there!

My mom and I decided to get a picture. I thought it was the perfect time for silly faces.

After our tour, I had fun eating lunch outside.

This is the bird friend I made, and...

…this was my squirrel friend.

When we were leaving, Aunt Jennifer and I got to watch two deer.

You have to be a careful watcher to see them!

I wanted to pet them for awhile, but we just watched.

Goodbye, Yosemite!

A Trip to Fresno

After spending three days on our feet in Disneyland, we didn't mind the thought of  being in the car for a day. We headed up to Fresno to spend the night there. Katie entertained herself by taking selfies. She only took eighty-two of them. That's right…82 pictures of herself sitting in the car. Well, that's one way to have fun!

Once we arrived at Fresno, Katie relaxed by spending some pool time with Jennifer. It was nice to have that afternoon to just hang out and relax!

This is what a five year old looks like after three busy days in Disneyland! 

My mom always sits me back up and works until I get back in my seat belt the right way. I was almost there! 

When... 

…there's... 

…nothing... 

…else... 

…to... 

…do,... 

…take... 

…selfies! 

The cool water felt good in the hot weather! 

After I got out of the pool, I dried by the pool. 

It was a good afternoon!

Our Last Evening in Disneyland

After seeing the Frozen play, Katie wanted to go on as many rides as she could. We hung out in the California Adventure Park for a lot of those rides before making our way back to the Autopia ride to drive our cars, now that it was reopened.

We were planning on leaving the park after that, but we ended up staying for the Paint the Night Parade that was just beginning, and then as we left, the firework show was going on. It's an amazing place to be.

I convinced everyone to go on Luigi's Rollinkin' Roadsters, where the cars move around in a dance together! 

While we waited for everyone to load, I warmed up with a dance. 

I loved this new ride! 

Then I somehow convinced everyone - including my mom - to go on Mater's Junkyard Jamboree. My mom thought she'd get too dizzy, but she did okay. 

I asked Aunt Jennifer to go on Francis' Ladybug Boogie again. My mom wouldn't even consider this one, but I sure like it! 

When we watched the parade, I waved to all of my friends, and... 

…they waved back to me! 

Disneyland, I love you!

A Hot Afternoon

Did I mention it was hot when we were in California? The heat just seemed relentless, but you still can find ways to have fun in Disneyland.

After lunch, we decided to try the ride called Autopia because we had never ridden it. We went to wait in line and wait a little more, and wait a little more. Part of the wait wasn't too bad because it was sort of in the shade. The end of our wait was in the direct sunlight. Of course, that seemed like the longest part.

We finally got to the end of the line, and we were directed to the place to wait for our car to drive. Jennifer and Katie were going to be in one car, while my mom and I were going in another. My mom and I had a waiting place in the sunlight. Jennifer and Katie were lucky enough to have a bit of shade. Once we were there, our line came to a standstill.

After waiting on the curb for about twenty minutes, and after waiting in the twenty minute line to that point, they announced that they had to close the ride. Although it was disappointing after waiting that long, we were all able to get a Fast Pass to any ride in the park.

When we recovered from our disappointment, Jennifer took Katie on the Alice in Wonderland ride that she had been wanting to go on. After that, we made our way to see Frozen Live at the Hyperion. Katie loved seeing the live action play, and it was nice to sit in air conditioning for awhile!

My sun hat sure helped me with part of the heat, but it was really floppy after I had squeezed it in my suitcase!

I was excited to drive a car with Aunt Jennifer. Too bad they had to close the ride! 

After we left the Autopia ride, we sat down to reevaluate our plans. While we sat, Aunt Jennifer got very happy to see the stormtroopers walk by us! 

When we were waiting in another line at the Alice in Wonderland ride, I just decided to squat and wait under my hat! Even though we had hot waits, the rides made it all worth it.

As we walked to the Frozen play, I saw Ariel! 

She was my first favorite princess, and she still has a special place in my heart! 

She was smart to be standing in the shade! 

When we got to the auditorium, I tried to make do with my seat. It was sure hard to keep the seat part down! 

I loved watching the Frozen play!

A Morning with Friends

After starting our morning with Oswald, Katie went to catch up with lots of other friends.

Of course, I wanted to visit Anna and Elsa since I hadn't seen them yet. 

I really do love them! 

Before I left, I gave each of them a hug. 

Thanks for talking to me! 

After seeing Anna and Elsa, we went in search of Olaf, and we were surprised to find Nick and Judy Hopps from Zootopia! 

Olaf was close though! 

Olaf is Grandma's favorite!

A little later, Aunt Jennifer took me to meet Doc McStuffins. 

She was lots of fun! 

It was nice meeting you! 

I just had to get a picture with Mickey! 

What would a trip to Disneyland be without a visit with Mickey?

As we left California Adventure and entered the Magic Kingdom, I was thrilled to find Jasmine and Aladdin! 

Even though I used to be really, really shy around Aladdin, I was ready to hug him on this trip! 

After our busy morning, we got to stop and enjoy lunch at the Plaza Inn. Yum!