Details of Disneyland- Top seven

I don't know why the details are always what get to me, but they are. The thing I loved most about DL (aside from the delight on my children's faces and the little jolt of adrenaline I got from some of the rides) are the intricate details at every turn. No matter where you look there are amazing works of art. Even the bathrooms are a work of art in my opinion, it's downright amazing how clean they stay when there are like billions of flushes per day. Everything is so clean and safe and no detail is to small. The expressions on the pirate's faces, the bugs under the bum at the Bug's Life show, the smell of oranges on Soarin', the half eaten donut on Grizzly River, the possums hanging upside down on Splash Mountain... you probably get the point. Every ride and show is amazing in it's own right. I get a huge smile on my face just thinking about it!
McCade & Katelyn straight into the whale's mouth.

One of the many lights I found fascinating at "It's a Bug's Life."

Matt & Tana's top seven favorite rides

(not in actual order of favoritism but in order of frequency ridden)

Splash Mountain

Pirates of the Caribbean

Indiana Jones

Grizzley River

Soarin'

Tower of Terror

Screamin'

McCade's fav's

McCade loves to be Matt's "buddy". The reason this trip was so much fun for him could be because he got to hold Matt's hand 8 hours a day for 6+ days.

McCade's pants kept falling down because they were so wet. He said, "Whose pants are falling down? Raise your hand."

That radiant smile is because he is having a cupcake for breakfast, complete with chocolate Mickey topper and enough sugar filled icing to meet his quota for the day.

"Dad, we are buddies, huh?"

"I MISS MY BUDDY! Call Dad and ask him to come home. When is the next "Daddy stay home day?" McCade cried the day after we got home.

McCade checking out the ocean from our hotel room in San Diego. (I thought he looked a little like Peter Pan, hands on hips, seeing all he could see)
I know it's a horrible picture of a picture, (this isn't the one we bought) but check out the expression on McCade's face. He was so amazing on all the rides. He is an adrenaline junky already.

He LOVED getting wet. He didn't even cover up when we were in the Soak Zone at Sea World, he walked straight into the ocean nearly to his waist, he sat as far forward as they would let him on Splash Mountain (one of his only meltdowns on the whole trip was because he was so far towards the back one time on Splash.) A couple of times he was literally soaked through and through. He never complained. All he said was, "I love getting wet!" (with that cute little grin on his face.)

Disneyland- The happiest place on earth

This is no joke, Disneyland is the happiest place on earth. At least it is officially my happiest place. Here we are, the first day of our trip. Me, Grace, and McCade's first time to Disneyland. Our first day we got to the park EARLY (6:30ish.) The weather was beautiful, we couldn't have asked for a better day. Sunshine, slight breeze, mid 70's. We hit all of Fantasyland (rides geared more for the younger rider) the first half of the day. We were way ahead of schedule (a special thanks to Val and Tami for booking the trip and showing us the ropes.) I won't bore you with every last detail of our trip. (Because believe me, I could go on and on and on.) I will just hit the highs and lows. There were a few times when I wondered what in the heck we were doing with all those people. (So much for the theory that it would be less busy in October.) But after the second day we started getting more into the flow, by the 5th day, I never wanted to leave. One of the best things about going with Val and Tami is they are practically experts. Just when we were hot, tired etc. We would go to a show or eat, sit in the air conditioning and come out refreshed and ready to...get in line. Strangely, I actually kind of liked the lines by the end. It gave us a chance to get out of the throng, have a little snack, visit, and never be disappointed with the ride at the end of the line. The bottom line... we can't wait to go back. We drove to Salt Lake the first night of our trip to save some time. Matt got us some sweet rooms at the Grand. When we went to Val and Tami's room before going swimming Val answered the door in a robe. It was pretty hilarious, he was trying to get the slippers on but wasn't fast enough. The next morning we set out for Anaheim.
Matt and Val, decked out, notice the slippers.
Katelyn. Sadie, McCade, and Grace waiting for the awesome Bug's Life 3D show to start.

More on the trip later...

Happy Un-birthday to me

We always get together for either a birthday lunch or dinner. Obviously it gets a little tricky with scheduling conflicts, since this was my birthday lunch and it is October. Oh well, the food was yummy (Rustic Moose) and the company is always fantastic, no matter how late we may be. One excuse to do lunch is as good as another, Lucky for me this excuse comes complete with a gift. Me, Michelle, Mindy, Shalece, and Jenn

The previously mentioned gift. A few years ago we started this compilation gift giving thing. The best thing about it is that we always give/receive things that are frivolous and fun and that we would not necessarily buy ourselves. No gift is complete without a homemade tag and a lot of cellophane. Thanks girls! Sure do love ya!

The magic minivan

Love the Stow and Go Seating! We can have a dance party if we want.

Look at all that cargo room!
McCade, jumping out of the car after he pushed the "magic" door button.
Isn't that a great color! It won't show dirt or snow.

Our saga with the minivan started a few years ago when Matt bought us one on eBay. We had to replace the transmission as soon as we got it (eBay insured it, but still). The drama has continued accordingly. Every few months something has to be fixed or replaced. It got so bad that my friends joked about getting me a gift certificate to Elbie's (our local repair shop where the guys know me by first name) for my birthday. A month ago we were on our way to Shelley and it overheated in the Arco desert , we had to replace the radiator a week later. That was the straw that broke the proverbial camel's back. (I would like to point out, for the record, that in the seven times I traveled to and from Billings in the last year it never gave me any trouble when I was on the road alone. Matt on the other hand has had it pop a hose and start smoking just on his way to Albertsons.)

So now the extensive debate about what vehicle to buy begins anew. Matt wanted an SUV, (more masculine and cool, 4x4, and boat pulling ability being the main things, A "But, it's a minivan" thrown in for good measure.) It's no secret that I LOVE my minivan. (better gas mileage, easy to get in and out of for the kids, lots of cargo room, and I am so comfortable behind the wheel because it drives like a car.) I have taken more than enough heat for my undying love and devotion to my van, but I wanted to be open minded so we test drove a Tahoe (loved the way it cruised, hated the lack of cargo), an Expedition (loved the automatic flip down seat,), and an Acadia (loved every single thing about it except the price tag), and an 08 minivan. I took each of them to Albertsons to see if I could park. ( I get sweaty just thinking about parking a big SUV, I know it's illogical but that's why they call them phobia's, their illogical but still very real.) Anyway, I decided I could drive an SUV if it would make Matt happy, it wasn' so bad, why was I fighting it. . . Then the shopping began. And that is the long story of how I got a new "magic" minivan, with stow & go seating, DVD player, dual automatic (magic) doors, and automatic hatch. The bottom line is... it costs less, especially with gas prices factored in. So cool goes out the window and practicality wins.

McCader Alligator

During the "shorts in winter" phase

Dad's hat, jammy shirt, swim trunks, Grace's church shoes
Grace's flip flops, lei, potato head flower on the hat, surf's up!

"Mom, Take a picture of me with underwear on my head!"
Jammy shirt for pants

I don't know if all little boys are as silly as McCade but I know that daily he says and does things that crack us up. There was a jammy phase when he wore jammies everywhere he went. At least in the morning he changed into fresh jammies. The thought did cross my mind, "What will people think when they see him in the middle of the afternoon." But it was quickly banished by the sheer fact that a) "Those who mind- don't matter, and those who matter- don't mind and b) this, like many of his other hilarious phases will soon pass. Besides, he absolutely charms me with his impish, infectious smile and his sweet way. The boy's creativity knows no end.

Nana's broken ankle

Right before school started my sister Wynn came for a visit. My mom was scheduled to come as well but she fell off a ladder the day before she was supposed to leave and broke her ankle (at 11:30 @ night). Wynn came into my room after I got home from work to tell me that Tim (her husband) had taken mom to the ER and was waiting for the x-rays. She said she wasn't in too much pain but it seems like it has gotten worse with the swelling and everything so she has pretty much been laid up in bed for almost 2 weeks. It is broken in at least 3 places and fairly stable. If anything moves, she might have to have screws put in. I am hoping after her next doctor visit that she will be able to come here so I can start feeding her like 6 times a day (since it seems like that is all we do all day is eat, eat, eat.) And also everything at our house is on one level, unlike her house with is 3 floors seperated by 24 steps. (I counted one time after I had done a really hard work out and my legs were killing me, each step seemed like agony.) Obviously, not the best place for an injured Nana. (I had to add this cute picture of my mom and Bella pre-ankle fracture)