Disneyland with Dada

Once again, I was dying to go to Disneyland.  Jason, being the good Dada and husband that he is, surprised us with tickets while he was in China.  When he came back we picked a day for him to ditch work and hang out at the happiest place on earth.  Our first stop was Small World.  The minute we get in the boat, the boys hold on for dear life...umm the ride goes a mile an hour boys.

...still holding on

We seem to always need a family pic in front of Small World

Trevin got to meet a celebrity!  Ry wanted nothing to do with Pluto.

Waiting in line for the Toon Town roller coaster...it was a little loud for Trevin

 ...and a tad sunny for me

Mickey's house.  We got a picture with Mickey but it was on my phone and turned out horrible.

 Buzz Lightyear

 On to the cars.  I let Trev steer until we both got instant whiplash from him running into everything....then I took the wheel.

 Someone looks thrilled to be on the Jungle Cruise

 Next, we headed over to California Adventure.  They had this new cool play area that the boys loved.  Trevin must've lost his shoe a half a dozen times on these rope climby things

McQueen!

 Man...I love CARS land at night.

 Tractors is so dumb..

 We were waiting in line for the Mater ride when someone started getting a little over it.  The ride broke down so we decided not to wait anymore and high tailed it out of there.

 Asleep in the car with his $7 sword

Jason is the best and upgraded our tickets to a season pass.  You know what this means?  Never ending Disneyland posts.  #sorry

Flashback Friday- Aug-Nov2008

Mel was ready to make a move to California, so we got several more visits from her to test the waters...Teresa was always happy to have her kiddos together

 Couldn't come to Cali without doing some karaoke!

 ...and some exploring

 ..followed by a snorkeling trip (and a traditional sunburn for Melinda)

Jason and I made a trip up to Paradise to see his grandparents.  It was my first visit and I fell in love with them both the minute I met them!  His grandpa was crusin' around on his bike like he was a 15 year old.

 ...and this picture...love love love

 We got to hang with J's cousin's also

 And show off our karate kick skills...

...to which Hayden copied immediately

 Brody has always been a character

 We got one hike in before we had to jet home.

 This has got to be one of my favorite candid pictures.  I was walking with Jason's grandpa and he was telling me story after story.  My laughter is very sincere in this photo.  I could sit and listen to him talk for hours.  He was such a caring and funny spirit and I am glad I got the chance to meet and know him.  I remember we went for another visit about a year later.  I ended up sitting in his living room with him and we watched the whole 'Sound of Music' movie.  His eyes lit up when he saw how excited I was to watch it for the first time.  He was giddy through the entire movie and kept looking over at me to see my reactions to each scene.

Jason's grandma was also very kind and welcoming towards me.  I could see her admiration for her grandson and also her husband.  She is missed dearly as well.

 Shortly after we found out we were expecting, we took a weekend getaway to Santa Barbara.  I remember feeling not so hot on this trip.

 We went to tour Hearst Castle which was pretty amazing.  Not so amazing?  Riding up a long winding hill in a bus and dealing with morning sickness.  

And back at home...Oceanside almost burned down.  I remember not being able to go to work because the freeway was closed.

 The Davies came to visit..

 ...and Ben figured out the dog door

 Little Jacob!  And Molly looking the same as she does now.

Seesters

 Good ole' Chuck E Cheese...

 And another wedding to attend.  My good friend Marilyn got hitched..

 Thus concludes my flashback fridays.  I have now caught up to when I first started our blog. 

French toast fridays!

I felt I had to document the tradition that is FRENCH TOAST FRIDAYS.  For the past year or so, Jason has declared this special day.  He wakes up and the boys help him make breakfast.

They each get to crack an egg (which involves several shells to be picked out of the bowl)...

Ryden hands him the pieces of bread...

...while Trevin samples the goods

This is such a fun thing for the boys to do.  It is so cute when Trev comes running into our room in the morning and says "Mama...french toast fridays!"

36/52

FUN FACT:  I told Ryden he needed to eat his green beans before he could be done with dinner.  "Yeah!" he said.  "I'm already tall enough for Splash Mountain so I need to eat more vegetables so I can be tall enough for Trader Jones ride".  (Or Indian Jones)