Mommy & The Boys Play Day...

Personalize your own digital scrapbooking design

D23 had a special screening of  "Jake and the Neverland Pirates".  It's a new show coming to Disney Junior.  I thought it would be fun to bring the boys...AND IT WAS!!!  I wasn't sure what to expect, but we started with signing in at the theater and getting a picture with Captain Hook.  Luke was the only one who would do it (Brody was scared and Gav was being too cool.)  Next, we headed into the theater and got to see 2 episodes.  They were really cute!  Then, there was a panel with the creators and 2 of the voice actors (Smee & Capt Hook).  Gavin got to ask a question.  It was really neat.  When it was finished, we headed outside and each received our own backpack full of "booty".  The boys really wanted to meet Colin Ford, the voice of "Jake" and Luke got his autograph.  Gavin walked over to Jeff Benett ("Smee") and got his autograph.  He's been in a lot  of Disney movies and shows and was the voice of "Pip" in "Enchanted".  He also voiced some characters in the video game "Kingdom Hearts".    We ended the afternoon with a pic on "Pluto's Corner" before heading back to the car.
Down the street from the studio, is the oldest operating Bob's Big Boy in the USA.  Not the first, but the oldest still in business.  It was packed and still looked like an old diner.  We had a yummy dinner and a fun time just hanging out! 
It really was a great day!  I LOVE my boys!

Crazy Hair Day

 CRAZY HAIR DAY 2011!

PRESENTS!!!

Cali's necklace

 Daddy missed us enough to get us presents!

T-Shirts and flutes

Mommy's Prizes

Jeremy's trip to the North Shore (finally!)

Make a free slideshow design

Peacock - Waimea

 Jeremy got to spend all of last week visiting his friend Matt Kester on the North Shore of Oahu.  He only took 15 pictures-What the heck?!  But they are beautiful.

He had an awesome time and I am so happy it all worked out.

Pipeline

Wiamea Valley

And I'm so happy he is home again.  We missed him!

"50 and Fabulous"

 This time, the Walt Disney Studios was celebrating 50 years since "101 Dalmatians".  This time, I took Cali.

 Cali in front of the Fantasia Theater

 Mickey Bush

 Inside the theater

 After the show, they interviewed the voice actors of "Anita" and "Sargeant Tibbs". 

 Then we headed over to the Studio Store for some prizes.

We loved browsing the items and did get some little things.....but Cali was so excited because the nice lady at the counter gave her a free Mickey pin!

"your FIL loves you..."

 Last month, my in-laws were visiting my SIL and her family in Ohio.  Those lucky guys got to go to the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton.

AND- knowing how much I LOVE football AND how much I LOVE my 49ers AND that I have a crush on Steve Young-

THEY GOT ME PRESENTS!!!

My MIL kept texting me when they were there and sending me pix.  Then she sent me a text when they were leaving:  "your FIL loves you." 

I love him too!  That was so thoughtful that he wanted to get me a prize.  AND - I LOVE MY PRESENTS!

Thanks Papa!

P.O.L.

 P.O.L. = Presentation of Learning

At Gavin's school, the last week of the semester, all the students are required to present what they have learned so far this year.  They have to dress professionally and give a summary of all their work and detail out their projects. 

 This was our first one and he did a great job.  He is an excellent public speaker.  There is a panel of other students and us, the family, who have to observe and check things off a checklist to make sure he covered the required topics.

At the end of his presentation, it is a Q & A session from the audience.  I really enjoyed it and took a video, but I deleted it on accident (dangit!).  I really like the way this school teaches these kids.  Gavin loves it too!  And, after the Q & A, the teacher kept us and Gavin in for a few minutes to let us know that he did a great job and that he passed!

Our Disney Adventure:

 Monday, January 17, 2011

The kids had no school, due to MLK Day and Jeremy left for his trip to Hawaii, so I decided to take the kids and Gammy to Disneyland to get our annual passes and have some fun!  We checked into the Ramada Maingate (I highly recommend-cheap, very comfortable, and right accross from the main gate-easy walk).

 We couldn't use our passes Monday night, because it was a black-out day.  So, we headed to Downtown Disney and did some shopping, playing, and eating!  The kids had the most fun at the Lego store and the Disney 365 store.

 We decided to live large and hit up the Jazz Kitchen for dinner (I get a D23 discount).  The food and atmosphere were EXCELLENT!

The dinner that almost killed me.

 We were having such a great time, and were just about to head back to the hotel for the night, when all of a sudden, I began to feel very bad.  It started with my eyes-itching and burning (and swelling-but couldn't see that).  Then, my hands began to itch and swell too.  Then, I became very sick to my stomach and ....well, I needed to empty my stomach (get it?).  I couldn't move and kept having to "empty my stomach"  My mom and kids were very worried and I just wanted to get to the hotel.  But, I couldn't move.  So, security and First Aid were called in and I was forced to wait 20-30 minutes, on the cold ground, in front of the main gate of Disneyland, until they deemed it safe for me to be transferred to the curb.  Apparently, I had an allergic reaction to something I ate and they needed to make sure I didn't swell up more or get worse.  Once to the curb, I hurried back to our room and continued to "empty my stomach" throughout the night.  That was a good thing though.  The nurse said the more sick I got, the better, because I was getting the stuff out that I was allergic to and the swelling was going down.  

This was not how I wanted to spend my first night of Disneyland Fun.

THANKS GAMMY!

 Fast forward to Tuesday morning.  I was feeling OK and done being sick.  I didn't really want to go play at Disneyland, but I didn't want to go home either!  So, we headed over to the park and got our passes.

 Our first ride - Buzz Lightyear!

 After only one ride, I was pretty much done.  The night before, Cali and Luke made hair appointments at Disney 365 "Rock Star Salon" for 11:40.  I took them and hung out on the couch, which was nice.

 Rock Star Luke

 Rock Star Cali

 After our hair appointment, we headed back to the Park and met up w/ Gammy, Brody & Gav.  I'm so glad she was there to help me and make sure the kids still had a good time.

 

It ended up being a fun day for the kids.  I got to hang out in the First Aid office and get re-hydrated and take a nice nap.  That helped a lot!  I'm hoping our next trip will just be fun and relaxing!

" My name is Bad Outfit"

I'm in the kitchen, making lunch, before church yesterday-and this kid comes in and says:

"Hey Mom-Look at me-My name is Bad Outfit".

I love my Lukey!

.....A Heart Happy Moment...

These 3....
Last night, I had a horrible headache (worse than usual).  Unfortunately for my kids, they know just what to do when this happens.  They helped each other get ready for bed.  Gavin read to Luke and then read his scriptures before putting himself to bed.  Cali kept checking on me and got herself off to bed.  We have a nightly ritual, where I read to each of them and pray with them, before the go to sleep.  It was so sweet to hear them helping each other so that I could rest and get to sleep early.  It made my heart happy!

Ringin' in the New Year-Rose Parade Style

 This year, we returned to Pasadena for a traditional New Years.  We descended onto the corner of Oak Knoll & Colorado for a night full of marshmallow throwing, silly stringing and just good old fashioned family fun!

 The kids had a blast throwing marshmallows at the cars.  Christian wins the award for "Best Arm". 

 Shaney got to celebrate his 5th birthday on the street! 

 The Parade is sentimental for us.  15 years ago, Jeremy proposed to me on (about) this very spot!

 Uncle Gavin being silly!

 It's Midnight - HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

 Woo Hoo Lukey!  The only one of my children that made it to midnight!

 Some Happy New Year Love!

 Time to get cozy for the long night.  I bought this mask for Jeremy, thinking he would love it.  But, he didn't.  But it sure kept my face nice and warm while (trying) sleeping on the street.  It was actually a quiet night night compared to years past.  I think I got a whole 2 hours of sleep!

 Good Morning 2011!

 Cody got himself a rose!

 Cali got some petals.

 During the parade, there was the yummiest smell coming from the street corner.  So, after the parade, Jeremy went over to the little vendor and got himself a delicious bacon-wrapped hot dog.  He was so happy!

The best way to do the parade-the after party!  We return to our parking lot and eat and play games and nap, while all the traffic heads out of Pasadena.  We start home around 4 or 5 and miss all the hassle.

  It was another successful year and so much fun!  A great start to a new year.  Here's hoping 2011 is a good one!