Disneyland Magic

I have always loved Disneyland. I remember as a child not being able to sleep at night I'd be so excited for a family trip to Disneyland - like it was Christmas. The entire park was just magic for me. There are so many happy memories with both family & friends there that going now is a little bit like going down Memory Lane. On this visit much of that same magic I experienced as a child was still there, but this time it came more from being able to watch the faces of these three little ones. I loved how they lit up at every turn! Magic indeed.

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This day ALMOST didn't happen! I had in my mind that if I could sense that the girls weren't going to have a good day that we just shouldn't go & I sensed major tiredness. But we did get there, we just got a later start than we intended waiting for a not so happy camper to take a nap. It actually worked out pretty well. Everyone was napped and happy, ready for the good times to get rolling. Erin, my mom and I loaded up the girls and off we went to the Happiest Place on Earth. We met Corbin and Shannon there and a good time was had by all!

One of our first rides was the carousel. Everyone loved it and Avrie was soooo cute! I'll never forget the way she waved nonstop to everyone as we went around and around! People everywhere were waving back to her! I wish I could have had video of it! Dumbo was a huge hit naturally! Also the Casey Jr. train and Winnie the Pooh ride scored big. Basically everything we did was pure bliss. Small World was closed, dang it, and we didn't make it to Toon Town. Guess we'll just have to go back. =)

The girls did get to meet Micky and Minnie but the pictures were not with my camera. Erin, can you post them so I can copy them please?

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I just can't wait to take these girls back again! There is just so much more to do and see. I can't wait for the memories to come!

Let's Go Fly a Kite...

Looking at these pictures again is making me a bit homesick. We had such a great time in California. One of our fun memories was flying kites at the park with Erin & Romney. The kids just loved it and have talked often about it since we've been home.

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A few days ago we watched Mary Poppins for the first time in a very long time. All three girls really enjoyed it. What's not to love! We watched the entire movie, right to the end where they sing "Let's go fly a kite". Clearly I'm not the only one who has that song stuck in their head. Last night in bed Annaliese was pretending to fly a kite instead of going to sleep. Kermit couldn't resist the opportunity to make her a "real" one. It was so cute. He disappeared into the basement for about 5 minutes and returned with a bright pink little kite about 9 inches tall made out of construction paper and cardboard. He attached it to the end of some long stiff wire, it was like an extra long antena or something that he had in the basement. Now she was really flying a kite and just loved it! The next morning the twins had to have their turn flying it too of course. The wire broke in half so we are waiting for Kermit to fix it. They will be thrilled. Also, they keep asking when we are going to go fly a real kite again. Soon, very soon.

A kite and a slide...what could be better!

Happy Birthday Derek & Cooper!

Our first full day back in California we headed down the hill to visit my brother Derek & his family! Shannon had prepared an awesome dinner to celebrate Derek's 30th birthday & Cooper's 1st. Of course she had a cute beach theme party. All the different food was served in buckets and pails. She had cute little toothpick beach umbrella fruit skewers and Hawaiian-like flowers hanging from the ceiling. Her cakes were adorable & delicious too! Very beachy & a fun party!

Derek is such a cute brother to have! He is a giant with a giant heart. It was a treat to be able to catch up with him a bit on this trip. I loved hearing him tell some police stories about him & his partner Renzo the K9. I love watching him be a dad. I love that he can still make me laugh. Happy Birthday Derek! If 40 is the new 30, does that make you 20?

Family in town! Zoo & Nature Museum Adventures!

My sister Erin was here visiting a few weekends ago! What a great sister I have! She flew over half the continent just to spend the weekend with us and to help me fly back to CA with all the girlies b/c Kermit would be in NYC for the week. We always have a great time when we get together! She arrived late Thursday night so when the girls woke up in the morning to AUNTIE ERIN they were so excited & were just loving her...(and the couch bed)!

It was a bit soggy that weekend, but it stopped raining long enough that we visited the zoo on Friday afternoon.

On Saturday we had an additional treat! Kermit's mom popped in for a quick 24 hour visit en route to Princeton for the summer! All 7 of us jumped in the minivan and headed to the nature museum! The butterflies as always were a big hit....but this visit was extra special...reptile day! Pythons & Iguanas, etc. Need I say more? No, reptiles are not my favorite but Annaliese and Avrie were very interested and liked to pet and touch them. Adeline & I....we watched from a safe & comfortable distance.