Fall Break Disneyland Trip - Day 2

We were up bright and early for our big magical day. We were one of the first cars parked and we headed on the tram to Downtown Disney for some breakfast and to meet up with Logan's teacher who was also at the park for a couple of days. We met Grammy and started the day in California Adventure. We went on the new Marvel Guardian's of the Galaxy which the boys loved. Then we headed to Mater's, Cars Racers, then over to Paradise Pier to ride Screamin' twice. We also did Toy Story Mania and Ariel's before eating lunch at the Wharf. After lunch and some shopping in DCA, we headed across the way to meet up with Lisa's family in Disneyland. Thanks to Grammy running fast passes for us, we hit all of the big rides in a very crowded park. We went on the train, Pirates, Tarzan's Treehouse, Haunted Mansion, Indy, Buzz Lightyear, Space Mountain, Nemo, Matterhorn and Autopia. We also got to see the parade as well. Considering we were trying to make a party of ten happy, in a very crowded park, running on little sleep, I think we had an amazing day and tons of fun. The kids all got along very well, the weather was nice and we accomplished a lot. We crashed that the hotel that night and left to head home after breakfast the next morning. We stopped to lunch at In-N-Out in Rio Mirage because Shannon had never had In-N-Out before. I would say the kids had a great time and we wore them out because they slept for most of the ride home. It was the first time the kids have been in Disneyland with friends. So fun!

Shannon, Lincoln, Logan and Kareth on the tram to the park. 

Logan's 2nd grade school teacher, Ms. Way. She used to be a Cast Member in Disneyland prior to teaching this year.

Lincoln and Shannon on Toy Story Mania

Shannon was a trooper and took Logan on the swings with her.

The gang! Lincoln and Logan in front. Left-right: Sadie, Shannon, Kareth, Me, Lisa, Dylan and Doug

The boys sweatshirts fit in nicely with all of the Halloween decor. 

Sadie's first time on Indiana Jones.

I love these pictures of Logan and Sadie. All on his own, Logan told Sadie that they were going to be a team. He focused on moving them around to get Sadie to face all of the targets and her job was to focus on shooting. It was absolutely heart melting adorable. 

Lincoln and Grammy playing the game.

Logan on the train.

All the kids after dinner and Rancho Del Zocalo in Frontierland.

Logan and I got to ride Autopia together because Lincoln went with Shannon. I pushed the peddle and Logan steered. He is such a clown and is so animated. I loved going around this track with him. He cracks me up. I don't think I will be able to handle teaching him to drive in real life though. That terrifies me!

Sadie and Lisa were behind our car. 

Grammy took Logan on Matterhorn. The other kids waited in lined and went on the other side of the track. 

At the end of the night the kids were wiped out. We had opened the park at 8;00 am (been up since 6:00 am) and closed the park at midnight (although we got home about 12:30 am. They all managed to squeeze out a smile for the camera though. 

My precious boys at the end of the night. 

Driving home the next day. 

Fall Break Disneyland Trip - Day 1

Even though I couldn't take the full week off work to be with the boys, I wanted to make sure that we got to go somewhere fun for a couple of days. They spent the first part of the week doing chores with Ricky around the house to earn money. We also squeezed in a couple of movies and some other fun local activities. Kareth, Lisa and I had talked for a while now about taking the kids to Disneyland. Lisa was already in San Diego for the week so the plan was for Kareth, Shannon, the boys and I to drive to CA and meet up with Lisa's family for an awesome day in Disneyland.

Kareth and I left with the kids first thing in the morning. Shannon is a couple of years older than Lincoln but they love hanging out with her. I would even venture to say they think she's cute and may have a bit of a crush. Anyway, we stopped in Palm Springs area for lunch at Firehouse subs then headed in to Anaheim to check into our hotel. Later that evening we met Grammy at the Cast Member Discount store for some shopping. We ended our evening with more shopping and dinner at Naples in Downtown Disney.

A Day at the State Fair

As a child I loved going to the fair. I think it's just part of being an All American family and a fun part of our culture. Fairs have changed so much over the years. It's gone from having a focus on agriculture and country living to being all about expensive rides and games. It's disappointing and sad; however, I didn't let it stop me from taking the boys this year. We planned to spend the better part of the day, riding rides, playing games, looking at the animals and trying new foods. Unfortunately it was still 100 degrees in October and the sun was blazing. The boys got to ride quite a few rides all by themselves. It was the first year I let them ride without an adult. It's hard to believe they are old enough to do that. I'm glad because I don't love the fair rides and thankfully they had each other. If I don't think about how much it cost to get in, for the rides, games and food, then I look back and realize that it was a great day filled with lasting memories as a family.

Lincoln really didn't want to go on this kiddy roller coaster because he is far too old and cool for this but he was a good sport and took his brother who is always up for a ride, no matter how big or small.

The boys insisted on going on this ride. It absolutely terrified me that they were going at all, let alone without me. The way the seats are spaced out, there is nothing I could have done to make them more secure even if I had gone with them. I stood at the bottom of the ride, absolutely terrified for them, my heart racing and yes, even shedding a few tears, waiting for them to safely come back to the ground. They loved it...of course, and begged to go again but my heart couldn't take it again. Once was all I could handle. I know I have to let them grow up and experience things like this but I have to take it slowly!

Lincoln is always quite brave and willing to try things that others may be scared of. Logan on the other hand is scared of heights so I was especially proud of him for trying to overcome his fears and not let it stop him from trying things that he wants to do.

After watching Diary of the Wimpy kid, the boys begged to go on this Alien ride that is in the movie. 

Trying snow cones, Navajo taco and Philly Steak sandwhiches. 

Logan won the fake bags on money playing some of the games.

Loving the Arts

I love adventures and I love the arts. I hope my boys grow up to have an appreciation of both of these things. It's extra fun when the two collide. We were offered by some sweet friends from our old ward in Surprise, four free tickets to see the Phoenix Symphony play along to the Harry Potter movie. Knowing that the boys love Harry Potter, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to have a new experience and exposure to a symphony. We, of course, made an adventure out of it by finding somewhere new and fun to eat dinner at in downtown Phoenix before the show. I've heard a lot about Cooperstown, which is Rock-n-Roll legend Alice Cooper's restaurant. It was quite underwhelming but at least we tried it. Just a few weeks after we were there, it was announce that after 23 years, the restaurant was closing it's doors.

After dinner we met up with the Varley's and went in to watch the show. Logan dressed up like Harry Potter to make the most of it. They both watched the entire movie with no complaints and it was awesome to hear the live orchestra, singers and watch it all come together. The audience cheered the hero and booed the villains, adding to the excitement in the room. It was a success and a first time for all of us to experience something like that.

Fab 5 Day for Kristy's Birthday

Even though Kristy's birthday was in September, the first we could all get together was early October. Even then, Debbie wasn't able to join us. Kristy chose to do the same thing as we did for her birthday celebration the previous year, kayaking on Lake Pleasant and breakfast at the marina. We set off to the lake fairly early in the morning, kayaked for an hour and then ended up eating lunch. Bam and I shared a kayak again except this time we had sugar with us. As always, it was fun, beautiful weather, and a good workout. So blessed that I have wonderful women to surround myself with that I call my friends.