On Halloween day we visited our neighbor’s cute little pumpkin patch on Willetta Farm. Ada dressed up as Batgirl and had fun with her friend Caleb. Ada did a pumpkin scavenger hunt, corn maze, wagon ride, rode a draft horse, and got to pet other little critters.

That evening we went to our church for dinner, games, and candy. Then ended the night trick-or-treating around the neighborhood with some friends.

Our annual trek (2 miles) to Stoney Ridge Farm was extra special with Ruby this year. She got to experience all the fun things Ada looks forward to such as feeding the animals, getting lost in the corn maze, apple cider doughnuts, sitting on pumpkins, and so on. Sadly, this was the last year for the pumpkin patch, so we will have to find a new place as a family to explore.

A few more pictures of the kiddos while at Grampa & Gramma’s house.

Our last California excursion was visiting Joshua Tree National Park. What a beautiful place! The rock formations and desert landscape are breathtaking.

“The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;

my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.

He is my shield, the power that saves me,

and my place of safety.”

Psalm 18:2

Our last day at Disneyland, so sad!

Ada & I rode the train to Toon Town where we got to meet Mickey Mouse. All these years and I finally met him! I don’t have pictures from the rest of the day, but it probably involved lots of rides 🙂

The parade and fireworks were amazing! Definately worth the wait with tired feet and tired kids 🙂

Ada had an enchanted day meeting princesses in California Adventure. She met Anna & Elsa in the morning and then changed into her fancy dress for lunch with Cinderella, Ariel, Snow White, Rapunzel and Tiana at Ariel’s Grotto. We also enjoyed the Radiator Springs Racers a couple times that day too 🙂

Our friends from Washington also planned their Disneyland vacation around the same dates we did. Ada mades friends rather quickly with their daughter Linnea and they had lots of fun on rides together.

Disneyland was in itself a vacation while in California. We stayed 6 nights in the Anaheim area, 4 of them at the Grand Californian with 5-day park hopper passes. I wasn’t sure how it would be with a nursing 5 month old, but it went very well. It’s possible I was caught up in the magic of Disneyland to remember the sweat and tears that were shed there, but it really was all worth it 😉

Although it was worth it, it was so hot and packed! We tried not to run anyone over with the stroller but it was challenging. The rides were always an hour to 2 hour wait, including the kiddie rides. Our first day there we only got on 5 rides! We figured out fast pass and baby swap tickets pretty quickly which made some of the rides less of a wait.

Cindy flew down to spend 3 of our 5 days with us. It was so nice to have the extra help and spend time with her, it was her first time to Disneyland too! Ada was enamored by all the princesses, her favorite being Aurora from Sleeping Beauty. Ada even got to meet Aurora the first day we were there.