TSO came to town

Today we went to see Trans Siberian Orchestra perform at Arco Arena. We went with some of Jeff's siblings and parents. We have their music and love it. TSO had an incredible light show. Their music was good, but I just couldn't stop laughing at the violinist who was head banging....and the electric guitarists who had a foot span of at least 6 feet. It kept me entertained.

Lisa & Todd

Cory & Alyson

After TSO's concert, we went to Chevy's on the river and ate a delish dinner, not to mention baskets and baskets of chips and dip. Yum!

Drew and Grandpa

It was a nice visit with my parents and brother. I caught a special moment with Drew and Grandpa. How cute are they? Drew really loves Grandpa!

It's fixed

A few months back, I kinda broke the dumbwaiter. I put in a 12-pack of soda that hung over the side a bit. I did not realize that there is a wood panel inside the shaft that comes out at least 1 inch. As I sent up the soda it got stuck and when it came back down the side had broken. Soooo, we have been without a dumbwaiter and I have been carrying my groceries up 2 flights of stairs. When Amy & Cory came for Labor Day, he took dimensions and our old one and he worked very hard and welded this steel dumbwaiter for us. It can hold up to 1000 lbs, but I don't think the motor can hold it. The kids have been tempted to hop in, but thankfully they have not yet.

Isn't she a beauty?!!!!!

Thanks Cory! We love it!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! Yesterday we drove to my parents home in Paso Robles. We fought all the holiday traffic and finally got there 5 hours later. We met Amy & Cory at Mo's BBQ restaurant. We ate yummy homestyle food.

After dinner, I joined Amy and my Mom for their first showing of New Moon. It was fun to go with someone who had not seen it yet and get their ideas and perspective of the movie.

This morning I went with my dad to pick up my grandma from her home to bring her to Thanksgiving dinner. My sister's in-law family joined us and we had 20 people and the food did not disappoint. I made yummy mashed potatoes and cranberry. All the food was so good, especially the desserts, my personal favorite. After dinner, the kids played Thanksgiving bingo a couple times and had fun. We ended the night with full stomach's ready for bed.

I wish I took photo's of Thanksgiving, but I disappointed myself this year. It is a wonderful time to reflect on what I am thankful for. I am thankful for my family, the gospel, prayer, priesthood, my education, my home....I could go on and on. What a wonderful blessed life I lead.

Disneyland at night, Day #2

Tonight after going to California Adventure, we went back to Disneyland for the evening. It was such a magical night. We first rode the train from the front of the park to New Orleans square and headed straight to Splash Mountain.

Riding the train

Sydney and Kristen in the back on Splash Mountain

After Splash Mountain we ate some dinner in New Orleans Square. We went on a few more rides then I staked out a few seats for the Fantasmic Show. While waiting, Drew queitly took a much needed nap.

Here is a picture of Sydney and myself while waiting for the Fantasmic show.

Haley and Jeff went on Splash Mountain 2 more times while we waited. Sydney and I were just chillin waiting for the show.
After Fantasmic, we waited a few minutes for the snow to fall. Disneyland really goes all out to make this a memroable and magical moment. We really loved the snow (bubbles) fal out of the sky.

Sydney was less than pleased up until that moment. She kept saying she wanted to go home because she was so tired. She got a burst of energy after the snow fall and was on her second wind after that.

The castle in all it's Christmas glory.

After Sydney's burst of energy, we woke Drew up and waited 15 minutes to ride Peter Pan's Flight. We had been wanting to ride it, but the line is usually about 1 hour long. It was worth it.

Jeff and Drew on Peter Pan's Flight

We then went on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.

After that we walked right on the Teacups ride. Haley got her own cup.

After that, we went on the Storybook boat ride. It was a great way to end our 16-hour day at Disneyland. We were so exhausted, and on the tram ride back to the car, Sydney fell asleep. The kids had such a fun time and I'm so glad I was able to go this time of the year when Disneyland has all the Christmas trimmings.

Total count: 12 hours on the first day + 16 hours the second day = 28 hours of pure delight!

Favorite Rides

Drew: Tower of Terror - yes he rode it and LOVED it. Everyone gave him hi-5's for riding the scary ride.

Sydney: California Screamin'

Haley: California Screamin'

Kristen: Space Mountain & California Screamin'

Jeff: It's A Small World ( ha ha, lets see if he sees this post and complains). No, probably Haunted Mansion in Nightmare Before Christmas and California Screamin'

Disneyland Characters

Here are some characters we saw along our adventures.

Meeting Minnie Mouse

Meeting Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Hatter

Haley saying hello to Goofy

Disneyland 2009, Day #2

Today was our second day at Disneyland and California Adventure. We had such a fun and exhausting time. The kids had a burst of energy and we rode on more rides today than yesterday, plus we were at the park for 16 hours. Here are pictures of our exciting day.

Jeff and the kids in front of the castle

Riding the teacups

Outside a mini door

Eating snacks while waiting for It's A Small World

The love birds on It's A Small World

Drew taking it all in

The girls on It's A Small World

Yah Mon, it's Rasta-Drew!

We finally went to Toon Town. We skipped it last year, and we made sure to do it on this trip. It is weird to say our kids are outgrowing Toon Town. There is one roller coaster ride the kids can ride on, and the other Roger Rabbit's CarToon Spin was not working. They did have fun playing with the little things there, but were glad to move on to the "Big Kid" rides.

Sydney at Minnie's computer

Haley checking out Minnie's fridge

The girls looking into the wishing well

Taking a break on Mickey's couch

Haley wanting to play Mickey's piano

On the steps of the middle of Town Center. It was very bright outside.

In jail

Haley trying to pump some iron

Sydney in jail

Drew lifting some iron to build those muscles

Haley on California Screamin'. This shot was taken while we were upside down. She didn't even close her eyes!

Jeff and Sydney in the front of California Screamin'

The Ferris wheel at dusk

On Space Mountain. I'm blocking Drew's head.

We rode it again. This time Drew can be seen.

Disneyland 2009, Day #1

Today was our first of two days at Disneyland. It seems each year we have only come during summer months. This year was a nice change. Disneyland was fully decorated in Christmas cheer. The castle was quite a sight and all around the entire park was magical.

This year was especially fun at Disneyland, for many reasons. One of which was now Drew is 4 he is at a perfect height to ride most all rides (excluding Indiana Jones & California Screamin'). It was SO nice not having to do a baby swap, and our entire family could go on the ride together.

We had such a fun day. We took it easy today and only spent 12 hours at the park. Tomorrow we'll go crazy. We got a 2-day hopper pass, so we went to both Disneyland and California Adventure. We spent most of the morning and night at Disneyland, but most of the day was spent at California Adventure.

Our Family at Disneyland

Our first ride of the day. Only a 20 minute wait!
Our family on the ride

We met some of our good friends, The Moore's at Disneyland. They were there the same days as us. We hooked up for a little while. Here my kids and two of theirs on Pirates of the Caribbean.

Waiting along the Rivers of America

One of our favorite rides The Haunted Mansion. Mostly because they changed it to The Nightmare Before Christmas. We loved the seasonal makeover. Haley and her friend, Carter went on the ride together. While waiting to get on the ride they were holding hands. So cute!

On Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Sydney's Favorite)

Kristen & Haley on California Screamin'. It is a big roller coaster and it goes upside down. Last summer Haley chickened out, and she tried to this year, but we told her that she had to go because her best friend Caitlin went on it. Once the ride was over, she LOVED it and went on it a second time.

Sydney, Jeff & Drew on the carousel while waiting for us on California Screamin'

Haley on a boat

Haley, Kristen and Jeff on the swinging Ferris Wheel

The kids on the Ferris wheel. It was a moving one, and they provided barf bags for queasy stomach's. I was getting sick to my stomach, but thankfully I didn't need it.

Sydney on Jumpin' Jellyfish

Jeff and Sydney on Mulholland Madness

Drew on Mulholland Madness. He loved all the turns. What a brave boy.

All of us on Soarin' over California. Everyone loved it, but Sydney was in one of her moods for the picture. Thankfully that changed once the ride started. The kids loved smelling the orange trees as we flew over it. Drew talked about it all day. He said, "I want to go on that ride and smell the oranges again."

Drew & Haley at the Cars exhibit

In front of California Adventure

Our family at Disneyland