Friday, August 10, 2007

Amusing amusement parks.....

Okay, I realize I am totally "lifting" Kristi's idea of grouping my posts, but is really the only way I could manage. Thanks for the idea, Kristi! I took way too many pictures. How many have my children's face in them? Not many. They were the most uncooperative, but who wants to look at Mom and that camera, when they could look at Mickey?





Hopping between Disneyland and California Adventure.


At the entrance of Disney, Charles and Tyler were so excited to explain where they were.
She finally understood!

Poor kids, it seems there was alot of this going on this time around.


Natalie's first ride on the carousel. It is always the first ride they want to go on...anywhere.


Tyler "goofing" around in Goofy's House.



Lindsey got to meet him!




And Mickey too. She did not meet or see 1 princess while she was there. We always seemed to just miss them.


Out of nowhere, Minnie runs up to Natalie and in a flash, she was gone again!




This was a recurring theme with Tyler the whole time we were at Disney. He was so upset that we did not get to go on the new ride, Finding Nemo. There was a 2 1/2 hour wait everytime we went by it....and it was just too, too hot to stand for that long. Maybe next time.

Waiting in line for Dumbo.
After playing in the water area, the kids entertained each other while waiting for their lunch. She loves her big brother so.

CUTE!




We had to go on the other carousel that was at California Adventure. Natalie's an old pro now!
She is smiling so hard in this pic....look at those cute hands.
One more of the sweetie on her whale.


It was so hot.....that watermelon hit the spot!





Lindsey had grapes instead.
Daddy and daughter time.

We decided to try the Sun Wheel. Not our best choice. Inside, there was no where to hold onto and Tyler really couldn't handle it. The rest of us did enjoy the one full turn we got on it, before we had to ask to be let off. It was too much for him. I am proud of him for trying though....that says so much in his progress.





Lindsey with her first ever cotton candy! Which is sweeter? I'll go with the girl:)
We all went on the teacups together, but Tyler didn't want to come with us....you know, we are so embarrassing;)

A few



action shots.
Waiting for the Muppets movie to start.



Tyler couldn't wait for the pep rally to begin.....he is all ready for High School Musical 2 to come out on Aug 17th...are you? I have to confess, I do love the music.
Another family ride on the ladybugs, which are just like the teacups. They had so much fun!



Water play.Her first ears!
Playhouse Disney on Stage.



Tyler could NOT wait for it to start.
Racing off to the next adventure.
Posing so pretty! Notice Tyler's thrilled expression? Uh, pre-teens are fun!

She couldn't take it....some of the lines were that long~


Michael reacting to the Pooh ride. I have like 1o more, but didn't want to overdo it.....insert laughter here!



Amusement parks just aren't that amusing if ice cream is not involved.



One of my main requirements when you go to Disney....the Penny Arcade. It has always been my favorite.
Yes, it is true, my 17 month old chooses a rat in a store with so many other options. Other recent choices have been a hippo and a peacock. What can I say? The girl likes what she likes~ On our way back to the hotel, Lindsey was so sweet to Minnie and let her ride in style, Natalie's hat and all.
San Diego Zoo

Had to get Dad in on the act in the Children's area!



This pic cracks me up. They are my two little bugs....my 2 sweet snugglebugs.











Without sounding like a complete downer, I have to say that the zoo was not all that fun for us. Not sure if it was the time of day we chose, the time of year, or bringing the children was the reason. No, really...there were some amazing animals and the landscaping was beautiful, but it just wasn't what we envisioned I guess.
*All of us LOVEd the reptile house, but it was Michael's favorite.
*While we were all staring at the pygmie hippo, Michael was squealing about the itty bitty duck paddling past it.
*Fish make Michael happy. I don't even think he knew we were there with him. He was watching their every move.
Legoland.

Tyler could not believe Thomas was there

or Spongebob. I swear, they are taking over the world!



Can you see the sarcasm dripping off of his thumb? He went on this ride because he couldn't stand waiting for me and Lindsey on

this! My baby loves roller coasters like her Mama! Is it wrong to be so proud of that?
Waiting in line..
I love this pic of Charles. He just realized what ride I coaxed him into taking the kids on.
It's a fire academy and you race the other fire engines to the burning building and you try to put the fire out first. Whoever gets back first wins. The pumping takes 2 people and poor Charles had Lindsey and Michael to hinder, er I mean, help him.
The funniest part was that he was pumping the water alone and he still beat 2 of the parent teams! I was laughing so hard, while Charles was trying to pump the engine back to start, Michael and Lindsey were pushing down while he was going up. In the end, the kids were so proud of themselves....they put out the fire with their Daddy. How cute is that?



Gotta buckle up before you drive.



Lindsey and Michael got their drivers licenses and they were quite pleased!



Michael entertaining us while we waited to ride the helicopters. One of his new phrases is, "Honey, I wuv you". And he says it as though you are the cutest thing he has ever seen. So funny. He does keep us laughing.
Ahhh, to take a nap while being wheeled around and not care who saw my tummy, would be a wonderful thing.

Lindsey patiently waiting for her caricature to be finished.




It was a fun day

and what better way to end it? With an ice cream
Of course!























































































Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Beach days.....

Bear with me, it is a lot of photos. Here is a little photo summary of our 4 days in San Diego. The weather was perfect, the beaches beautiful, and the water was wonderful.



Michael was so happy to go to the "oshin". He kept running to the water yelling, "Crabs" and running from the water yelling, "Crabs". It was comical.
Lindsey was beside herself to "finally" be at the beach!
Natalie deciding what to do first.
Her first steps into the water with Daddy. I love this photo.

And this one.
And oh yes, this one.
You haven't been to the beach if you aren't dirty!


Our big boy overcoming his fear of the water(those crabs, ya know).

Natalie giggling in the sand.


Hysterical pic of her telling us..... No, no, no!

We had all of this fun after driving 2 hours from Anaheim.....explaining our lack of swimsuits.


Tyler and Charles hangin'
Charles and Natalie waiting for Tyler's surf time. Tyler was lucky enough to be accepted into a Surfers Healing surf camp. It's for children with autism. Read about it here.
In his life jacket and ready to go. Can you see the anxiety in his eyes? Poor kid, tried to hide it.
Lindsey found some new friends to play with.
I caught Lindsey and Michael having a tender moment.



Tyler meeting his instructor.....Michael.
You wouldn't know he was nervous once they started paddling out to the waves.
He really had no fear once he was out there....I was amazed by this. He kept trying and trying. He was so intent on doing it.
While her brother was finding the perfect wave, Natalie was running down the beach. She wouldn't look back and when she heard you call her, she ran faster. It was so funny.
I love this photo! I think it is his favorite one too. He kept saying, "I kept wiping out, Dad". All with a huge smile on his face. The volunteers and instructors were so wonderful with the kids and their families. We spent the day with all these people going through some of the same issues as us, and it felt good. Tyler was also excited because a CBS news crew was there videotaping the camp. I didn't even know it, but there was also a underwater videographer there. I have several pics of them videotaping Tyler. So keep an eye out for it on CBS. They didn't give a definite date, but they said it should be in 2 to 3 weeks. When we were done for the day, we asked him how he felt and he said "proud". We are too, Tyler, we are too



On our last 2 days at the beach there was lots of:

Brother bonding. I love the fact that Michael wanted to be with his brother.
Sand squishing.
Shell collecting.
Swimming.
Sand castle building.






Water testing.
Playing.
Splashing.
Relaxing.
Exploring. Okay, am I the only one who loves this photo? I love how the sand is in contrast to her dress.







Adorable
pics
being taken.
LOTs and lots of smiling.
Family togetherness.












Monday, August 06, 2007

California...



In San Diego. Our room was that close to the water!

Of course, it wasn't nearly as exciting as Kristi's amazing European adventure...or as relaxing as Cristin's day at the lake, but with our little family, our vacation was just right.

Friday, August 03, 2007

11:21 pm

and I am still getting ready for the party............................will I ever learn? Oh well, sleep is overrated anyway. I can't wait to fill you all in on our latest adventures. Sounds exciting, no?

Wednesday, August 01, 2007

Those of you with littles.....

There is a huge recall of Mattel toys. Here is the link with photos of the toys. Luckily, the recall only applies to toys purchased after May 2007. Please check the list to be sure here.