Disneyland Trip - Tuesday

Disneyland is really so magical because I still remember how I felt being there as a child and now I take such pleasure in watching my kids discover that same magic. We started off this day with getting in line for Peter Pan which is always such a long line but wasn't more than 10 minutes for us. Most rides were 10 minutes or less.

While waiting in line, Reagan and another little girl found they had something in common and had to chat about their dresses. I thought it was cute.

Dumbo flies with Mommy, Lyndsee and Reagan at the helm.

You gotta ride the merry-go-round (again!). Notice how similar my mouth is with the horses.
Taylor discovered some of the big kid rides at Disneyland including Indiana Jones. This is her face at the end of that ride. It was really so much fun to enjoy some of the thrill rides with Taylor and hear her reaction of "that was awesome!".

Though most lines were shorter than we've experienced in the past, the Princess Fantasy Fair was a dreadful hour long waist of time. We did it for Reagan though and she loved having a chance to see some of the princesses (not her fav-Cinderella). Lyndsee used this time to get out of the stroller and do some running around. She loved this opportunity.

Reagan having a heart-to-heart with Ariel.
Reagan and Tiana

Reagan is SUCH a princess girl and loved being able to hug and visit with Ariel, Belle, and Tiana.

I loved being able to go on "Its a Small World" ride for the first time since I was little. In the last 3 or 4 times I've been to Disneyland, its been closed. My kids of course enjoyed this ride and both Lyndsee and my neice Megan particularly loved it.

My three mouseketters

Still more to come...

Disneyland Trip - Monday

Our first ride of the day was the Merry-Go-Round at California Adventure. I love the pictures produced while my kids are on their first ride as the smiles say it all.

With buddies Matar and Lightening McQueen. We can't wait until "Cars Land" opens up in 2012.

Mommy with her baby girls

Daddy and Will having a great time in the bumper cars.

Daddies and the big kids enjoy a river run. Don't get wet!

The ferris wheel was a pleasant surprise. If you go on the moving carts, there is more thrill in the ride. All the girls screamed and loved it but Will wasn't enjoying the extra movement. Will was a brave boy (OK so maybe I made him) and went on Tower of Terror though.

Will and Kyle with Woody and the army guys. These green guys were so funny to watch. They were my favorite characters I saw in the park.

After eating her World of Color picnic, Taylor is anticipating the show.

Loved the World of Color show. Hated that we had to stand around for an hour waiting for it to start after the kids bedtime. Standing room only. It was worth it though!

More to come...

Disneyland Trip - Sat/Sun

Its been 2.5 years since we last went to Disneyland! I really thought we would visit Mickey far more once we moved within 4 hours of his resort, but life brought other opportunities. Needless to say, we were all rearing to go! We headed down Saturday night so as to avoid the traffic jam that occurs leaving Las Vegas on Sundays. We made sure to hit Chick-fil-a a couple of times while in So. Cal as they don't have those at home and its my favorite fast food.

Sunday we went to sacrament meeting and saw that the nursery at the church had an outside section (only in sunny California). This must be a nice thing for the nursery teachers as all the little kids can create a pretty stinky room sometimes. (sorry but the outside nursery was sort of a highlight for me).The weather was gorgeous and the sun was warming without being the least bit hot. After church, we drove to Newport Beach and walked out onto the boardwalk. The kids thought this was unbelieveably fun. I would have let them walk on the beach and put their toes in the water but I learned my lesson from our trip to San Diego. They can't stop there and before I know it, I'm trying to scrub sand out of their hair. In case you think my kids are deprived, look back at recent posts and you'll find they've had plenty of beach time in the last several months.

We also stopped at the Newport Beach Temple. I loved its mission style look. The picture below shows Eric with a real 5 o'clock shadow mustache.
Part of the fun we had on our trip is being with my sister Erin and her family. We love hanging with the Shifletts!

Will and Kyle are excited to be together again.

My Little Valentines

I have to do a little backtracking and talk about our Valentine's evening. I had wanted to do something really fun, creative, and exciting for the kids but the day got away from me as usually and the only stop I made was at Walmart that morning. I grabbed a $2 plastic hearts tablecloth and got a few things so we could get out the chocolate fountain for the second time ever.

I had lots of ideas in my mind for dinner but I ended up calling Eric to stop and get some sushi on his way home. I put the table cloth on and set the table with our every day dishes and some flowers that Eric ended up bringing home to me and that was it. When we called the kids downstairs for dinner however, you would think they had died and gone to heaven. Taylor kept saying this was the best day ever and they all showed geniune excitement in just the little things. I hadn't even gotten the chocolate fountain and its goodies set out yet! I love this stage my kids are in as even the little things (a $2 tablecloth) can bring smiles and good times to our dinner table. I hope it lasts for a long time to come.

Coming Back Thru

We enjoyed having Aunt Tamie and cousins Emma and Madison stop by for another visit on their way back home. I especially enjoyed it since Eric was out of town this week. I wasn't paranoid at night like I can usually get and it was just nice to have another adult around to chat with. Aunt Tamie got us all to the park with a picnic in hand. It really was a nice day for it and although Taylor was in school, we still managed to have a good time. Lyndsee hadn't been on a swing in 3 or 4 months so she acted very hesitant when I placed her in one for the first time on this outing. She loved it though of course and had fun running around on the playground for her first time ever.

She also enjoyed the slides. The orange shirt and cheeks are a result of ONE Dorito. Unfortunately, I forgot to bring the wipies.

I love this picture of Madison!

Swings are Reagan's favorite part of any park.

Its All About the Hair

Will has developed a vain streak that has him insisting on styling his own hair. Apparently I don't do it like the other boys at school.
I took this picture of Will on the way out the door to school one morning and Reagan insisted I take one of her as well. Good thing!This was the last shot I took of her before she started chopping at her hair later that night.

I was practicing piano and happend to look into the kitchen just as she took a chunk out of her hair. I screamed and started to tear up when I saw what she had done. I thought for sure we would need to cut it really short but the hair dresser talked me out of it and I'm glad because she was able to hide it with a cute bob style.

All the short pieces are hiding thank goodness.

I love this girl!

Children's Museum with Cousins

My kids are growing up!

Taylor

Will
Reagan

Lyndsee

Playing with bubbles

Taylor surrounded by a bubble

Flying a plane

I spent half of the time here at the Children's Museum out in the car.

I felt bad because our family ended up with the stomach flu this weekend so Aunt Tamie spent the first week of their vacation taking care of us!