I'm going to Disneyla-a-a-and!

So after a fabulous time on the beach we headed to Disneyland.  We spent two days there and had the best time but ohmygosh it’s exausting!  The kids loved all the rides, with Nemo and The Little Mermaid being the faves.  It was so nice being able to take Jack on most of them and to have the in-laws help when we couldn’t.  I’m not sure I could ever go back during a busy season...the most we ever waited was about 25 minutes and that was only for like Splash Mountain and The Materhorn.  Most of the rides we were able to walk right on, it was ideal!  Sophie was a little timid with the characters at first, but her and Mady had a fun time filling up their autograph books.  We ate lunch with the princesses and bought the girls each their own princess dress for the occasion.  Mady was so cute...she wanted to be Rapunzul so we got her the dress and this long braided wig.  She didin’t want to wear the wig during lunch except when each Princess came out.  “Hurry Mom, put on my hair so they think I’m the real Rapunzul”.  Pretty sure this will be the Year of Disney at our house...Halloween, Birthdays, Christmas...they are pretty into it right now!

The only thing that went wrong the entire trip was that I left my camera charger in Newport.  So the entire second day of pics are from our phones...boo.  But other than that it was a super successful family vacation, can't wait to go back! 

Toon Town.  They LOVED Mickey and MInnie's houses!

Mady loves Tangled, she was so happy to meet these guys!

The Parade

Family pics in front of the castle

End of the 1st night.

Sophie meeting her favorite princess.  She was pretty excited:)

Mady as Rapunzul

Lunch with the Princesses at Ariel’s Grotto

Breakfast in our hotel the day we left.  And Sophie was so tired she slept in my arms...that was a first!

Newport beach (cont)

I fell in love with Newport on this trip.  So much so, that if I go missing please don't look for me there.  Curled up with a blanket and a book right next to water on the corner of 32nd street...nope I won't be there for sure.  But seriously, York and I were crying tears of joy (ok maybe that was just me and maybe it was due to the ocean breeze) watching our kids play in the sand and have the waves chase them.  They were happy, content, and carefree...what you want for your kids everyday.  We were up early every morning...at 5am.  Luckily so were the employees at the donut and coffee shops, and each morning we started with a walk up the boardwalk.

 We got in and settled at our place at about 6pm on Friday evening and headed straight for the sand.  The kids were hooked immediately.  That evening, York's parents put them to bed for us and we headed out to meet Ty and Sue, and some friends who live in Newport Beach - Bryan and Kristin Martin (see Lately post), and Laura (a college friend whom I haven't seen since!) and her husband Greg for dinner at Javier's.  It was a super fun night and a great kick-off to our trip!

*Also, Kristin picked up the keys to our place since the office closed before we arrived, and let us borrow 2 pack-n-plays and her bumbo chair for Jack to eat in, a HUGE help in reducing the amount of gear I had to bring with us.  Thanks again Kristin!

Saturday morning we were up and at 'em early, hitting the boardwalk for some parental wake-up help (the coffee) and breakfast (the donuts) then straight to the beach.  Going to Newport this time of year was fabulous, not too crowded and a little on the cool side in the mornings and evenings.  That afternoon York, Chip, Ty, and Sue headed to the Utah/USC game and Colleen and I stayed with the kiddos.  Sunday was more of the same, but instead of the game, that afternoon we headed to Kristin's parents place and watched the boys fish in the ocean.  The girls loved watching them catch fish, such a fun way to end our stay at Newport!

The girls loved collecting seashells, chasing the waves, and just running to their heart's content.  Jack loved crawling in the sand...and eating it.  We rode surrys up the boardwalk.  The girls chased birds, and loved seeing all of the dogs that ran along the beach.  They caught crabs and saw a freshly caught starfish on the pier.  Love and joy and happiness were gushing from my insides.  Thank you Newport Beach, I hope to see you soon!

Does anyone remember this guy?  It totally reminded me of Jack the whole time, he always had this sand-made facial hair look going on!

“Mommy, we’re the best friends ever” -Sophie

Early mornings

Fun times on the surrey ride!

“Look Daddy, I have slippers on just like cinderella!”

Newport Beach

Ahhh, Newport Beach, you had me at USC.  We have literally been planning this trip since the college conference swith-a-roos and found out we'd be playing at USC.  We usually travel to wherever the first away game of the season is and this year it paid off big time.  A trip to Newport and DIsneyland.  I know York and I were more excited than the kids, even though it was arguable.  Its just that WE KNEW what they were about to experience, and even though the thought of meeting princesses and playing in the sand sounded exciting to them, there was no way for them to completely wrap their little minds around it.  I was almost to the point that I feared over anticipation on my part...but this trip definitely exceeded even my expectations.  I love my little family (and my in-laws - a HUGE thank you for their help and company) and we have made some lifelong memories.  

Here are a *few* pictures from our first day at the beach...well, maybe a little more than a few.  We spent a total of 2 days at the beach and 2 days at Disney, so Yeahhhh.....this is going to take a little while, or at least a couple of posts.  

Catching crabs

Chasing the birds

Sand not only provided free entertainment for my kids, but also breakfast, lunch, and dinner for Jack.

Lately...

So much to blog about.  It's a good thing, but with everything going on lately I'm finding it hard to sit down and actually make time for it.  It's kind of like my new hobby, if I could work on it all day I would, but alas there's laundry to do and mouths to feed.  I do love that there are so many blog-able things going on right now, I figure the day I have nothing to post means it's probably time for another baby...KIDDING...I'll just try skydiving...KIDDING again!  anyways, I've decided to begin  with this post of randomness, so here goes...

Labor Day Weekend...

This Labor Day weekend York had his yearly Fantasy Football draft which has turned into kind of a big deal.  They start with a golf tournament to determine draft order. Then all the guys head back to our house for the Draft.  They order pizza and take care of business.  I have put York fully in charge of this event and that is why I only allowed myself to feel embarrassed for less than a minute when I went to the basement and found the boys had nothing to eat their pizza on.  No paper plates, nothing.  His comment was "we're guys, we don't use plates"...ok.  I snuck a roll of paper towels on the counter and ran upstairs hoping none of his friends saw me there because surely they would think, "where is this guy's wife that doesn't provide basic paper goods for a party?".  

York's good friend Bryan (who was in our wedding) came in for the weekend with his wife Kristin and 6 month old baby boy Will.  We went to their wedding in L.A. almost 2 years ago and were looking forward to spending the weekend catching up with them.  We were excited to meet will and have him and Jack play.  My girls fell in love with him...he is such a cutie!  It was a fun weekend playing with the babies, and I especially was glad to have Kristin's company since the boys were busy drafting.  


We're hoping these two boys end up as good friends just like their daddys!

Jersey boys

Discussing their first round draft picks.

Utah tailgating 2011...

And so it's begun.  York's favorite time of year, Utah football season!  I'm sure you've heard all about our new tailgating trailer by now - NO? Clearly you haven't spoken to my husband in the past 6 months:).  But I do have to admit its pretty sweet and will make tailgating much simpler.  We have so much fun on game days...Family, Friends, food - what more could you ask for?  The kids love it too, and afterwards I pack them up and head home while York stays for the game with the Fam.  Its pretty much a win-win situation!  The first tailgate was super fun and successful and we can't wait for the rest of our Saturdays up at the U!  I just love that York started this tradition with his family since we've been back from Missouri, its feels like we brought a piece of Mizzou with us here!

Yes, these are all the same pics...couldn't decide if I liked the edited or unedited version better.  This way I don't have to choose:)

Silly Sophie...

I just wanted to share these pics of Sophie.  We've been having a lot of fun together since Mady's been at school!  (And, yes, these are all the same pics too...I clearly have a problem of indecisiveness...sorry I'm not sorry;)