Last LA Trip

After much dismay, I told my parents we couldn't make an LA trip this year.  Much to my surprise, they made the trip happen for Hudson and I.  Hudson and I LOVE our time together in LA with Uncle Joe.  Joe and Hudson are so similar in so many ways.  

The purpose of our trip was this:

Sibling bonding!  We love seeing Joe down in LA and having him take us to fun local spots.

We arrived late Friday night, I had to work so we left after work which made for a late evening.  The next day we jumped up with excitement for a day at Disneyland!   Ok the people above us woke us up early but either way we were up!

I was limited on rides this trip but one thing I've never done was the submarine.  Nana said she did it when I was little and she got cluster phobic.  She did opt to go with us because they redid it and turned it in to a Nemo ride.  

Pops and Hud waiting in line:).

We brought a stroller for Hudson so that Pops wouldn't put him on his shoulders but alas he still did.  Hudson would always turn around and smile at me when on his shoulders and say "He said I could mom!"   Stinker!

We all LOVED the ride!  It was a very fun, animated ride.  Even Nana liked it:).

Our favorite ride was probably the Buzz Light Year ride.  

Here's Hud with Nana shooting it up

I ironically got top score...that will never happen again I'm sure.  Yes the ride did stop I was buy like a 10,000 point target but hey I'll take it!

One of our favorite stops was The Lego Store.  

Hulk Smash

Mamma was Hulk tough and into it...

Last year the one ride Hudson didn't get a chance to do was this rocket ride.  So we made it happen this year!

We had a great time!  It was a lot like Dumbo:).

More Buzz Light Year fun!

Evidence of the stroller...yes he's almost outgrown it but he sure loved it at night:).

It was so sweet because I bought him this pencil box with markers, colored pencils, a ruler and a note pad.  He would write letters to all his friends as we'd push him around the park.  Such a sweetie!  We taped them to all our neighbors doors when we returned:).

On this particular day, it rained in LA.  What?  Rain?!  So we were cold and went home and changed into warm clothes for our evening trip back.  It poured hard but the crowds diminished:).

After a long day, this kid was asleep within minutes in the car:).

But he perked up for some ice cream!

The next day it was SUPER hot and sunny!

One of his favorite rides is the Bumper Bugs in Bug's Life Land.

 I couldn't do this one so Pops opted to help out:).

Then it was time for an ice cream treat.  Are you seeing a theme?  I was all about the food!  I tripled my medication to enjoy the trip:).

Then we saw Red in Cars Land.

Then Uncle Joe took him on the Mater Junkyard ride.  It's like the scrambler.  All I saw and heard were giggles from these two!

We ended the night on the pier riding the swings.  Since I couldn't ride every ride, Hudson was really sweet and asked to ride with me on the rides I could.  These swings are becoming a family favorite!

Then we did a family rocket ride!

The next morning we took a break from Disney.  We had a relaxing morning in the hotel where Hudson continued his letters:).

Nana and her blue tooth/alien contraption.  She walks around listening to book on tape with these.  Such a nut but a cute one!

Then we headed to Huntington Beach.  

This beach is a favorite!  Hudson was ready to play this year!

We stopped at Target and got a beach towel and a few sand toys.  

Digging in the sand

Then they walked out a ways into the waves

They were getting super wet and having a blast!

Then we took a break to play in the sand.

But Hudson wanted Nana to join in on the fun.  Hudson is blessed to have such wonderful grandparents in his life.

Ninja warrior Hudson

After a while in the sun, it was rest time.  

After the beach we head to dinner at Fridays, Pops favorite.  He loves his chain restaurants:).  

We had full intentions of ending our evening the pool but we were tuckered out from the sun.  Come to find out, I got burned pretty bad.  With the breeze, I didn't realize how hot the sun was.  

We had a quiet night of relaxation in the hotel.

The next day was our last Disney day.  Mom and I bought matching shirts, so cute I know:).  We also bought ears that we can't wait to wear next time!  This is ht only pic I got of our ears.

We headed to Buzz again:).

And then Hudson proceeded to conquer all the mountain rides starting with Space Mountain, which he loved!  Then he did the Thunder Mt. Railroad roller coaster and ended with Splash Mountain.  Hudson kept asking if there were any other mountains he could do.  He had pure joy.  It was fun to wait and watch him on the rides.  His face was priceless.  I love how adventurous he's become:).

He ended the night picking out his Lego set, which was a gift from Nana and Pops for his birthday (along with the trip!).  He couldn't stop holding it and wanted to put it together the whole time.  Sweet boy!

The day we left, we had most of the morning/early afternoon to hang out.  Nana & Pops went to help Joe pack up and clean but Hudson and I got to play at the pool.  It was the perfect way to end our trip.  We played in the pool and in the sun.  Since I was still burnt from our beach day, I was super careful with the sunscreen.  I could feel myself burning more, it was so hot!  There was a little sandwich shop in walking distance so Hud and I walked to lunch.  Then we swam, ate and headed back to the hotel to back up.  It was a perfect time to just enjoy my boy and play with him in the pool.  

We opted to head to the airport early and Hudson just wanted to head home so he could put his Lego set together:).

Well we arrived in town...late.  So while we waited for Pops to get the car, Hudson rode the escalator up and down.  Funny kid:).  At least he's happy at 11:30pm!

We walked in the door at midnight.  Hudson had school the next day and I had to work but luckily it was the kids Nana day so Hudson could sleep in.  Nana took him to breakfast with Hannah to Gigi & Gpas, then she took him to school:).  

It was the best trip ever!  Hudson is such an easy traveler and has become so adventurous.  I will cherish this  last trip with my boy before baby #3 comes.  We hope to take Hannah when she is 5.  I had brought up a few times that Jared and Hannah should join us but I was reminded why they didn't Thursday morning when I was back.  Hannah had 5 meltdowns within 1 1/2 hours!  There's a reason she didn't come.  While I was sad and missed my family, I cherished this time with just Hudson.  

***PS Later Joe told me "How did you pretty much get a carbon copy of me?"  I said I had not idea.  Then later he tells me "Well I guess we were both raised by the same mother, you Katie."  Say what?  Ok I was a bit of a bossy, assertive older sister, but hey!  LOL.  It made me laugh.  Joe and Hudson have a few similarities: hoarding (toys, junk, pieces of paper, notes, I could go on...they can't throw things away easily), Lego love, silliness (they are so silly together and can laugh about nothing), ropes (both carried/carry ropes), backpacks full of supplies everywhere they go and piles (they both pile things in spots until its unbearable and I clean it).  I know the list could go on but these are just a few that come to mind off the top of my head:).