Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Girls' Trip 2012 aka The Time I Totally Blew My Fitness Plan

Last week, Sammie, my mom and I went on a short girls' trip to Southern California. We met up with my sis-in-law Sarah and her daughter Kate. Both Sammie and Kate got American Girl dolls for Christmas so the point of the trip was to visit the American Girl doll store in LA. Wow. It was fantastic!



We flew in Wednesday night and ate at California Pizza kitchen. This was no small victory for me because my mom has never been a fan of CPK. But I think the chopped BBQ chicken salad and tortilla soup won her over.



I am going to divide the trip into two parts--Disneyland and LA (lucky you!)



Thursday morning we woke up bright and early and headed to Disneyland. (First time ever without a stroller!) I was able to talk a worker into letting us into the park an hour early even though we didn't have the early entry passes. There may or may not have been some deceit involved.



I have always wanted to eat lunch at the Blue Bayou...something about being on Pirates and looking up at all those lucky people eating in there and the sound of the silverware tinkling. Since we didn't have my other kids, we ate there. It was good but very expensive.



Our favorite thing was the salad...delicious. I didn't realize the Monte Cristo sandwich was deep fried and I had to kind of pick my way through it.



The rest of the day was really fun. My brother Rex and his family joined us.



Sammie loves the big rides like California Screamin' and Space Mountain. The park was really empty and we walked on most of the rides.



The weather was perfect. I am sold on Disneyland in January. The best part was that "It's a Small World" still had the lights up and the "Christmas overlay" which was adorable.



And we happened to catch a parade right at the end of the night. Disneyland doesn't do anything half-way:



On the way out of the park I got the most delicious almond hot chocolate...probably the best treat at Disneyland next to the peanut butter cookies at Pooh Corner! Tomorrow I will post about LA!

14 comments:

Hansens said...

I wish you would have posted a running total of the cost if Disney Land, we are going in April and I'm wondering if it's going to cost $150 or $550 inside the park. Good tips though.

Lauri said...

To the Hansens.. more like $550. Disneyland does everything superbly, including the cost of everything! (definitely worth it though!!)

Greg said...

Whatever the cost, it definitely looks like you got your money's worth at the park!

Elizabeth said...

Cant wait to here about the rest of your trip! What a great way to catch up with family and the little girls look like they are in heaven.
PS I have never seen a deep fried sandwhich!

alexandra said...

That looks like such a fun trip! It really is so relaxing to just have one pretty mature little kid to take around. She is so cute, too. Btw, I am really liking your bangs. I know this means I am going to end up copying by the time summer rolls around.

The DeVito's said...

Looks like fun! Hansens - we just went to Disneyland in the fall with my little family of 4. We ate lunch every day at a place in California Adventure (it looks like an airplane hanger) it was actually a good lunch for about $12.00 a piece (that was for the adults). That was the only thing we spent money on except the souvenirs and that's what ever you budget for. We took in lots of water bottles and Diet Cokes.

Jill said...

That's hilarious that you got the Monte Cristo! That reminds me of a time years ago I thought I was eating light by getting Fettucini Alfredo! My co-worker about peed herself when I told her!

Linda said...

First, I really hope you have a pic of me in something other than that blue polka-dot sweater! (I took your dad's advice, traveled "light," wore the same thing two days and now I'm about to go tell him that I will NEVER do that again!
I don't even want to add up what we spent inside the park, but whatever it was, it was minimal compared to what we spent the next day at the American Girl Doll store.

Em said...

I am so homesick for Disneyland, it is not even funny. I somehow feel I can say that about Disneyland even though the last time I was there was probably my senior year of high school.

It looks like you had a great time, and I am so glad you got to go to Blue Bayou. I love Monte Cristo sandwiches, although I've never had one deep fried...must be a Disneyland thing.

Noelle Perkins said...

I'm so glad you are out having fun. You are one smart girl!

Good to know that January is a good time to visit DLand.

Heather said...

I will be there on Friday...so excited!!!! Your post got me all warmed up for it...

Linde said...

Looks like fun! When you get a minute I need to pick your brain about Disneyland. We are planning on going at the beginning of October...want to know what you think are the best rides etc. :)

Jaime said...

Ok Brooke! How fun was that! So jealous! No boys or nothing. You look so good in every picture.

senofhans said...

Come on! The Monte Cristo at the Blue Bayou is the best! I go there every visit just for that sandwich and a mint julep.