Disneyland....

is also known as Heaven in my opinion. This week was just that. HEAVEN! It was a lovely week chuck full of family, fun, laughter, and magic. And it was exhausting!

Us with the big man himself!

{Disclaimer: I do not scrapbook, but I take A LOT of pictures. A LOT. So therefore you are going to see a good chunk of them on this post. Forgive me, and feel free to skip this post if you don't want to see them! :)}

here we go.

We have been planning this trip with my entire family for a loooong time. It was almost impossible figuring out a time that was good for all 15 of us. (Yes, you heard right 15.) It ended up being the perfect week to go, the weather was lovely. Warm, but not hot. The crowds weren't bad, and it was a perfect getaway from our crappy inversion here in C.V.

The ladies first flight. They dug it.The first day we got to the hotel, grabbed a very expensive bite at the neighboring Quiznos, and were off to the park till it closed. Yes, we were tired by the end of the day. But it was a very good tired!

I love this one of Sienna-she is just such a goof ball!

And here she is at the end of the night, Totally wiped out. But the next morning they were all refreshed and ready for the day! Grandma hooked them all up with Mickey Mouse ears and autograph books. Both were huge hits. I didn't know how into meeting the characters my kids would be, but they were totally star struck! Sienna would run right up to them and just squeeze them, and Adyson made sure each of them signed both of their books and introduced her and Sienna to all of them, like a big sister should.

Notice Grandpa had to wear some too. Yes folks, he is a kid.
One of the best parts of the trip for us was having Adyson, who is usually so scared of everything, decide she was brave. She went on every ride she was tall enough to go on, and laughed her guts out on all of them. I will never forget her holding her cute little hands up on "Big Thunder Mountain." We are so proud of our gutsy kid!

Tired kids, Tired Daddy and Grandpa.

Ahhh, it was warm enough for a swimsuit. I miss that.

Adyson sitting on the "A", Modeling. Always the Diva.






The ladies all dressed up waiting to meet the Princesses at the Princess Fanfare.

I will not ever forget how excited my girls were for this. It was pure magic to watch, and made the trip for us. Normally at the Fanfare you stand in line to meet 3 princesses. They are really sweet to the girls and chat with them for a few minutes and pose for a picture. We got really lucky because we went through and met Sleeping Beauty, Ariel, and Cinderella, and by the time we were done they were just switching Princesses again. We waited for 10 more minutes and got to meet Jasmine, Snow White, and Belle. Belle talked to them for a good 10 minutes, making her a favorite of the ladies! So much fun! But we did get to meet others too. Pooh, Tigger, Chip, Mickey and Minnie, Pluto, Buzz lightyear, Goofy, The Fairy Godmother...you get it right?Here we are at the fantastic Pixar Parade, eating fantastic Ice-cream...
We also did the Princess Lunch at Ariels Grotto. The Ladies loved this. At one point Adyson was tearing up a bit. When I asked her what was wrong she said she was just happy and that her eyes were "watering..." It was such a cute grown up moment! We also stood in line for a good hour to go into the new addition, Pixie Hollow, and meet Tinkerbell. Sienna has a deep love for Tink and was beside herself with excitement. Adyson was pretty thrilled too!

I could watch these 2 play all day long! They are quite the pair!

And this is a new little friendship. Sienna followed Tray everywhere. He was allowed to push her stroller when no one else was...she sure loves him!

Mom and PopCody, Amy, and SimonJody, Heather, Breje, Trayson, Kutter, and Brielle. The whole group. Still enjoying each other after a full week together. A Disneyland Miracle...

Honorable Mentions: Toy Story the ride, California Screamin', Watching the cousins play and laugh together, shopping in downtown Disney and being able to spoil the girls, Fantasmic the last night from comfy chairs, the soup at Carnation Cafe, the 3d movies, Kutter and Ady on the bus, Simon as the sleeping frog, Sienna on peter pan, spending a whole week with 15 people and missing them when the week is over, Grandpa crying during Fantasmic on the last night, Sienna hugging Goofy right on the behind.., mom going on the water ride, hot cocoa from the hotel, walking 10 miles a day, having housekeeping make my bed for a week (heaven!),Playhouse Disney on stage (watching Brielle, Sienna and Simon soak it all in), Sienna following Trayson everywhere, Breje shopping with the girls (she's so grown up!), the smiling flowers (huh Jody?), Cody and Amy's awesome tour guide skills (they went 2 years ago and knew the good spots)...there are so many more. We really had such a wonderful time! I wish, so much, that we were still there!

Tea Party Anyone?

For Valentines Day Grandma Lorraine gave Adyson this darling tea set that she could paint herself! It was a hit (to say the least). Adyson loved painting it, but was a little dissapointed that she had to wait to use it for 24 hours, and after it was baked and cooled.

Oh, the problems of a young child!

It's tough.

No need to panic though, yesterday the girls put it to use. Their favorite part? The milk in the kettle. They thought that was wonderful! Thanks Lorraine!

While they tea partied it up, I was doing this. Packing for the trip. Tell me how in the world we are going to lug all this around?? And more importantly, how in the world do I convince Trav that we NEED all this stuff?? Heaven help me!

New Do

Remember these long locks?
They got a little trim. Adyson begged me, and begged me to get her hair cut as short as her cute friend Hannah's. I couldn't bring myself to cut it that short! After doing hair for so long and telling people not to get so attached to their hair, I've gotten too attached to hers...

For all my hair doin' friends, I do realize that I cut her hair to "grow out length", but I pull it up so much I didn't want to go too much shorter. I really love to pull her hair up! I am excited that it looks so healthy again, and pleased that it is so much easier to do, and I think she looks about as pretty as they come!

*LOVE*

Long time readers and friends already know that I have a love for all things Holiday related. I love a good reason to celebrate, I love the anticipation, the excitement, the food, the surprises...and I love-love. So this Holiday is another favorite of mine.

We love spoiling the ladies with a few fun Valentines. This year they each got a little surprise, and some fun things to take to Disneyland (5 days!).

Raincoats-check.

New sunglasses-check.

Water bottles-check.

They are officially ready. I'm really hoping I don't think of something else they need for the trip...

We sure love our little valentines.

And while I'm talking about how much we love the ladies, I have to add how much I love my husband....because I'm sappy like that, and didn't even buy a card. (I suck.)

I've thought about our life together a lot lately. I've remembered back to when we met. We were young (I much younger than he, I like to rub that in), but we were young. He made me smile and laugh, and feel beautiful. And before I knew it I was in love. No turning back love.

I remember when we got married and began our life together. I saw a new side of him. He still made me smile and laugh, and feel beautiful. But I saw his responsible side, his very hard working side. His getting up way too early even on Saturday side. Those early marriage days were full of learning new things about each other and just enjoying being newlyweds.

Then along came Adyson and Sienna and again I saw a new side of him. He still made me smile, and laugh, and somehow feel beautiful, even after 2 kids. But I saw him being a daddy. And not just a daddy, but a daddy to two daughters. We quickly became a 2 stroller family, and he became very outnumbered. (2 girls!) They had him wrapped. Tightly. Very. around their fingers as soon as they were born. I saw his soft side. He was mush for them and for us. I saw his tender even at 2 a.m. side, when I was nothing but tired and grumpy. Those new parenting days we learned even more about each other, and I loved what Travis taught me and still teaches me.

And then came cancer. Boo. And I saw yet another side of him. He still makes me smile and laugh, and feel even more beautiful. But I've seen him get sick. I've watched as he's heard the worst news I hope he ever hears. I've watched him fight. And I've seen him rely on his faith. I've watched as he's has taken every challenge he has been given, and faced it head on. He faces it strong, and amazes me with his attitude. He is still the man who made me fall fast in love with him. He is still the responsible, hard working man from our early marriage. He is still the dad who is patient, and loving, and melts for his girls. But now he does all of these things while he is battling his disease. And to me it is the most noble side of him I've seen yet. I cannot express how amazing he is to me. Not a day goes by where I am not thankful that I lucked out by marrying him. I am very happy and proud that he is my Valentine.

I hope that someday soon, somehow I can see the side of him that doesn't have to go through all he is going through, but am so proud of him and the man that he is.

I love you T. Much.

I hope you all had a Happy Valentines Day chuck full of love!

Simon, Paula, Randy, and Kara

Really?

Terrible Two's and Thank you's

Terrible Two's:

The Terrible Two' have hit. Hard.

I was thinking that we might escape them being that the little lady is almost 3. But alas, they are here. For the last few weeks Sienna has been a little less than happy when she doesn't get her way, she isn't a fan of the word "No". At times by the end of the day I am about ready to pull my hair out, but then she turns around and says something that makes me laugh my guts out and gives me a sweet little kiss, and I remember it is just a stage...

It is just a stage, right??

If any of you have any ideas on how to survive this, lmk! :)

A few Thank you's:

A friend of mine went to Disneyland a few weeks ago and brought back some fun surprises for the girls, including these fantastic Hannah Montana wigs. We busted them out tonight and just had to smile. Look at Sienna with all that hair! They are just such cuties. Thanks for picking them up for me Natalie!

Also this weekend my Aunt Lois came up for a visit. We don't get to see her very often, and sadly I forgot my camera when I was able to spend the day with her. We are headed to Disneyland in a few weeks (YEAH!) and she brought the girls the most darling Mickey Mouse purses, Valentine Stuffed Animals, and CANDY galore! She is such a kind and thoughtful person and I only wish I got to see her more often! Thank you Lois!

And one more...My darling and Oh-so talented friend Melissa has started making these darling felt Tea-Party cookies and brought some over for the girls. They have had such a fun time playing with them, and it was so thoughtful of you for doing that Melissa! Thanks a bunch.

Gosh I have good friends!

My kids make me smile.

Reason #1

Last night Adyson drew a picture of her Grandma.

Here it is.

Look closely.

I was a bit nervous at the sight of this, worried really. When I got up the nerve to ask her about it, she said, "Don't you love her princess sleeves?"

Princess sleeves. I feel better now.

So if you are the recipient of one of her many, many, pictures she draws throughout the day, don't be offended. They are only princess sleeves.

Reason #2

The other morning Sienna crawled into bed with me to wake me up much earlier than usual. She snuggled right into me (which I love), and asked me to scratch her back. When I started scratching she said, in her very dramatic voice, "Ahh, now that's what I'm talking about!"

I love that kid.

Reason #3

Today at the grocery store they didn't fight once. Not once.

That will get me through the week.

Chinese New Years Celebration

The other night our cute friends invited us over for a Chinese New Years get together for FHE. Candice went all out to make it a great night, delicious food, soothing Chinese tunes, paper lanterns, and she even printed off our Chinese Zodiac signs.

I am the rooster, (From Wikepediea) Acute, neat, meticulous, organized, self-assured, decisive, conservative, critical, perfectionist, alert, zealous, practical, scientific, responsible. Can be over zealous and critical, puritanical, egotistical, abrasive, opinionated.

I sound like fun.

T is the rabbit, (From Wikepedia) Gracious, kind, sensitive, soft-spoken, amiable, elegant, reserved, cautious, artistic, thorough, tender, self-assured, astute, compassionate, flexible. Can be moody, detached, superficial, self-indulgent, opportunistic, lazy.

At least he's not the rooster.

There was no shortage of cute kids here. Adyson and Sienna were thrilled to play with all the fun toys. And Peyton (the very out numbered boy) put up with all the loud screaming girls just fine. I was just excited to hold new baby Alivia! Goodness she is as pretty as they come!

I guess in China the kids get red envelopes filled with money for New years, so the kids all got red envelopes filled with chocolate candy. They were thrilled, the proof is on Sienna's face. Chocolate everywhere!

Thanks for the fun night guys! We had a great time ringing in the CNY with you.