Disneyland

We had the best week in Disneyland this week. We told the boys two weeks ago that Daddy had to go to California (for work) and that we should get up early in the morning to drop him off at the airport since it would be longer than his usual 2 day trip. I asked Oma and Papa to come capture our surprise on camera. After Ken was all checked in he pulled the boys aside and said, "guess what! They have extra seats on the plane, Let's go to Disneyland!" To which Nathaniel replied, "Yes! Go get tickets to Disneyland!". We said we already have the tickets and by the way, give this note to OMA (which invited her to come to California also). Best Surprise I've ever pulled off! We had a great time. On our first day we got ourselves oriented to Disneyland and enjoyed watching a Jedi Training session and experienced Astro Blasters, Space Mountain, and driving around in Autotopia. Nathaniel LOVED Space Mountain and went on it at least 3 times a day. The second day, Oma and Papa Jim joined us and we took them all around Disneyland and California Adventure. Nathaniel got to participate in the Jedi Training Academy. He was the most serious trainee on the platform. When Darth Vader showed up, he was ready to fight. Of course we came home with our own light sabers. CarsLand was awesome. We loved seeing Lightning McQueen and Mater. Radiator Springs Racers was Super fun! We went on the swinging Ferris wheel. Logan LOVED this one! Oma and Papa not so much. Toy Story Mania was a super fun as we whirled around and "shot" darts, balls, and rings at carnival game screens. Nate got Oma on Goofy's Sky School roller coaster. I think Oma should have read the tip from the grandparent section of our tour book... "Being a Senior at Disney requires courage! Things that used to be easy take extra effort. Half the time grandchildren treat you like a jungle gym and then turn around and trick you into getting on a roller coaster with them. Be alert and if your grandchildren want to go on a ride don't follow along blindly like a lamb to the slaughter. Make sure you know what the ride is all about." Ken and Dad were brave enough to fall 13 stories in the Hotel of Terror and go on California Screamin. Mom and I went on California screaming too after a little coaxing. A trip to Disneyland would not be memorable with out going to It's a small world, Alice in wonderland and Storybrook Lane. I must confess we didn't see any of the princesses....even Ana or Elsa! We caught all the important characters though (to us!) Chip and Dale, Pulto, Goofy, Donald, and of course Mickey. We saw the parades in both parks and Fantasmic light show. Pin trading with not only cast members but Disney guests as well! Indiana Jones was a bit bumpy and the boys were not tall enough to ride. Pirates of the Caribbean the Tiki Room and the Jungle Cruise were not to be missed. And all the food we consumed... Ice cream for dinner, corn dogs, pasta, pretzels, burgers and fries...I think Mom and a weight watchers salad for one meal... does that count? So glad we were able to make the trip! The boys have been saving their money and collecting pop cans for 2.5 years. It was worth the wait! So thankful that we were able to share this special memory with Oma and Papa Jim.

Science Fair

Nate participated in his first science fair. I will admit I was less than enthusiastic when he brought home papers about it 6 weeks ago. Parents usually end up carrying the weight of these projects right? But no matter how much I tried to dissuade him he persisted.... and I caved in. And I'm glad I did. He has been having lots of fun with experiments ever since we made our science labs at the build and grow Saturday morning clinic at the local hardware store. He wanted to make a volcano for the science fair. (I'm thinking what a huge mess this is going to be!) But we pressed on... and actually had lots of fun with baking soda and vinegar. Logan had fun too. Putting together the board for the fair was not as much fun, but we got through it. There was only one other kindergartener that participated in the fair. He got a "participant medal" and is convinced he took first place. I overheard the other kids telling him how awesome his experiment was. It was so fun!

Missing Teeth

All I want for Christmas is to lose my two front teeth! Those teeth were wiggly! They fell out a few days later. The first, eating a cheeseburger and the second two days later eating a sandwich. Such an excited boy! Growing way too fast.

Happy New Year!

Ringing in 2015 with Oma and Papa Jim. Cupcakes and sparkling apple juice! Le Chaim!

Beach Day!

The boys have been wanting to go to the beach, so we took a family day. I was a bit optimistic as we were driving out to the coast that the blue sky would stick around. Alas, as we pulled in to the "D" river parking lot it started to sprinkle. I figure, we are natives, we should be fine with a little sprinkle. I got the buckets and shovels out of the car while Ken and Nate went to look for "sea jewels" ie. sea shells. By the time Logan and I found our way down to the shore we were being pelleted by rain and our jeans were literally soaked. So we did what every Native in their right mind does. We ran to the car to wait out the rain! It took a bit longer than expected so we drove down to Mo's for some clam chowder. Shortly after the sunshine came back out and we enjoyed our 15 minutes on the beach before getting cold and ready to go home :-) We did manage to make a sand angel, build a sand tower, find a big stick to throw in the water, and catch the sun right before it was time to go. It was a nice family day.

Christmas

Time with my family. What a wonderful time!

Christmas Eve Morning

After morning snuggle time we went downstairs and began our family Christmas. The boys got to open two gifts. One was a make your own robot kit... The boys loved this and had a robot wrestling contest after they were built. Then we took a trip to the mall to build a bear. Nate picked out a Yoda bear and Logan chose Darth Vader Bear. It was really a cute process having them pick out the bear, putting the heart in, sewing them up, giving them a air bath, and finding an outfit.