Meeting Mickey

Gage loves Mickey Mouse. He has Mickey Mouse PJ's and would wear them every night if I let him. he has almost grown out of them. He has 4 stuffed Mickey Mouse's that he plays with regularly and one of his favorite shows to watch is Mickey Mouse Playhouse. So while we were in Disneyland he got a chance to visit Mickey Mouse's house. He loved it and still talks about what it was like. I didn't go in because I was with the other two boys going on some rides and Gage had been asleep so Ryan stayed with him. When he woke up Ryan said the line was short for Mickey so he took Gage. The other two were a little jealous but oh well.

These pictures just make me smile. Ryan said he couldn't get the camera to snap any faster and he forgot there was a movie mode. I think this was Gage's favorite part of all of Disneyland!!

Disneyland

I really don't get why people like to take week long vacations at Disneyland. One day was plenty for me! We did have a blast and actually got to go on quite a few rides. Among the favorites Star Tours, Buzz Lightyear, and Pirates of the Caribbean. The longest line we waited on was under an hour and we didn't do any fast passes. We saw lots of characters and had a great day and came away spending less than we had budgeted. Yes I was one of those mom's that dressed my kids in the same color. I wasn't the only one plenty of others did too. Enjoy!!

 Gage was so cute with all the characters that we saw. He would give them hugs and stare! He LOVED it. We waited along time to see the Winnie the Pooh guys but he didn't want to get out of line. Woody and Jessie we happened to meet walking down the street.

  The stroller rental was well worth it!! Poor little guy was so tired! He slept right threw the parade and it was pretty loud. Below are a few pictures from the parade

 We left before the fireworks the kids were exhausted. Poor Coleton fell asleep on the bus back to the car. It was a good thing that the beach house we were staying at was only about 30 minutes away.

Cali part 2

We spent a lot of our vacation on the beach. I wish it could have been more!! The kids had a blast!! There is NOTHING more relaxing to me than the feel of warm sand between my toes and listening to the waves crash. I LOVE EVERYTHING about it!!

 Gage would get close to the waves and then run as fast as he could before the water could get him. He would giggle and then do it again!

 Ryan is NOT a fan of the ocean. Crazy? YES!! He was a good sport though and got in the water to help the kids on the boogie board.

 Coleton testing out the water. It was cold when you first touched it but once you were in it wasn't bad.

 I wonder what plans these two are making??

 Most of the fam sitting on the sand watching the kids play!

 Ryan helping a child get ready for the wave. The older boys got it figured out pretty quick. Coleton lost interest.

 Ryan playing in the waves with Rem and DJ!

Somewhere I have a similar picture to this one above and the one below. Only the kids are about 2-3 instead of 9-10!

 Coleton and I had a blast building sand castles!

 We dug holes to bury the boys.

 Coleton would prefer to get unburied instead of posing for a picture.

 Remington begged for his turn

 Coleton was not up for being buried again he preferred to sit in between his brothers.

Gage wouldn't look at me because the sun was in his eyes.

Oh we had a great time and made LOTS of fun memories!!

California Vacation

We were so fortunate to be able to go to New Port Beach California and spend a week with Ryan's side of the family. The kids LOVED spending time with their cousins, playing at the beach and going to Disneyland. I have a ton of pictures so I think I will break them up a little bit so it isn't total overload.

 I love that I taught him the sign for I Love You! He will just say hey mom and I turn around and he is signing it to me! He really is a sweet boy!

 Here they are on the couch watching a movie while we settle into our rooms. The boys were tired when we got there. Two days of traveling will do that to a person, especially in a little car. Yes we are crazy and took our little red Hyundai. That is a whole different post. .

 He was a little grouchy again 6 hours in the car squeezed between a door and a brother will do that to a little guy.

 Cheryl and I visiting and of course the camera comes out. I look awful but decided to post anyway.

 Yes I am a little sunburned. It looks worse than it actually was. It didn't hardly hurt I promise!

 The kids and their DS's. A staple I tell you. Heaven only knows how parents did road trips before these things were invented!

 A shot with most of the cousins. the 2 youngest were downstairs.

Must go exploring the place.

One of the best parts of the condo besides being a short walk to the beach was that there was a cool ocean breeze and no need for AC. We had fans on and left windows and doors open. I could never do that at home we'd have flies all over everything!!! The condo was big and spacious and so comfortable. There was a kitchen that was stocked well with cooking utensils. There were 4 bedrooms upstairs and 2 bathrooms. Downstairs there was 2 bedrooms and 1 1/2 bathrooms. We shared the upstairs with Ryan's sister and her family. Ryan's parents and other sister and family were downstairs. Ryan's 2 brothers couldn't make it and that is too bad.

We really missed them. We would all like to go back again. and definitely planning for it!! 

1st Day of School

Its tradition that you get a first day of school shot right?? Well this year Remington is in 4th grade. Holy Cow when did he decide to grow up?? He is at a brand new school this year. Its kind of nice knowing that EVERYTHING is new and hasn't been used before. I am diving head first into helping too. I'm starting to wonder if this is a good idea. I'm on the PTA board and co-chairing a committee. I am also room mom. If I set this precedent this year I guess that means I have to continue all through the other 2 elementary years as well. I keep telling myself it is a good way to stay involved with what is going on in my sons life. So on to the pictures which is really what you all wanted to see anyway right?