a magical birthday

My dear friend Kate, will be celebratied her 26th birthday on August 18th. This year myself, our other friend Libby, Libby's husband Marc, Kate's boyfriend Brian, and another friend from high school Mike aka Franchi, thought what would be a better way to celebrate our dear friend then by driving her down to Anaheim on Friday (the weekend before her birthday) after work and suprising her with a day in Disneyland on Saturday! So that's just what we did. (On a side note, Disneyland is one of my favorite places in the world! I love seeing the children's faces and excitement with each new thing, and cannot wait for when I can take my own children. I like how I get a nostalgic feeling being there and the memories from my many childhood trips come flooding back.)

Friday Kate, Brian, Libby, Marc, and Franchi (Mike), drove south arriving at the Portofino Inn & Suites where I had already checked in and was anxiously awaiting their arrival. While waiting I enjoyed the Friday nights fireworks from our hotel room, it was a perfect view and crowd free!

We had a champagne toast alongside the Sprinkle's red velvet cupcakes I made from the mix! After playing some cards and drinking a few beers we rested up for the big day ahead!

Make a wish!

The Birthday Princess!

Saturday was spent at the "Happiest Place on Earth" Disneyland and neighboring park, California Adventure.

Walkin' down Main St. just after the park opened!

Franchi and Brian had not been since middle school and Kate not since we had our senior trip after high-school were Libby, Kate, Alli and I all went.

The girls

 A favorite ride for the trip was California Screamin' at California Adventure which we went on 3 times,

Waiting to get on California Screamin'!

and the water rides at both parks were a nice cool down to a hot day although Libby was not too excited after she got drenched on Splash Mountain.

Before getting wet...

and after!

We enjoyed many rides, churros, pineapple whip floats, and the awesome World of Color show at California Adventure. This show was absolutely amazing with lights, water, and music. Later we celebrated with a nice dinner at Ralph Brennans Jazz Kitchen. I had been there before to celebrate my mom's 50th birthday and after remembering how fun the live music was and how good the food was I thought it would be a great place to go for her birthday dinner! This time was a little different as we were seated upstairs and had a more quite private area in a corner of the resturant which was just perfect for us after a loud, crowded day at the parks. The food, drinks, and of course the company were all fabulous!

The gang after a great dinner!

Brian and the birthday girl!

Make another wish!

Sunday, after sleeping in, we packed up and it was time to head back to our respective homes, my friends all piled in the Explorer for the bay area and myself to visit my grandparents nearby. It was such a fun trip and needed much more recovery time than should be allowed! I already cannot wait to go back!

Thanks guys for a fun trip to Disneyland and Kate I hope you had a magical birthday!