A Mickey of a Day!

About a month ago (yes, that's how far behind I am in this blogging business), Will's brother John got our family into Disneyland for the day. It was a day full of cotton candy, High School Musical excitement, rides galore, and walking, walking, and even more walking.

It was Lynnea's first time tasting cotton candy and I must say she enjoyed it immensely. This is amazing since she is my child who takes one bite of anything and is done with it. My most picky eater, by far! She couldn't have enough of the sugary goodness and, by the time she was done with it, she was sticky pretty much everywhere.Lynnea and daddy in California Adventure.
But the highlight of the day had to be the High School Musical Music Extravaganza. I must say that I was quite excited to see the dancing and singing of these talented artists. They were actually singing LIVE , from what I could tell! I couldn't help but envy the enthusiasm, dexterity, and all-around talent of these young kids and wished I could have gotten in there and danced the routine with them (wouldn't that be a vision). They were the highlight of the day, for sure! I think I even liked it better than the kids! Believe it or not, I sang along with the songs. Hey, they're catchy!
OK, but this girl was beyond excited to perform with the traveling High School float. She had a smile on her face the entire time, despite dancing, singing, jumping, running, and doing everything else imaginable in 90 degree heat. I had so much respect for her, especially when this look (seen below) never left her face. More power to her!
We went on many rides, including Small World. Several of the rides I have determined that I am too old for. There is a carnival-type ride, a "soap-box" car ride toward the back of California Adventure that made me scream like a 3 year old child every time it turned a corner. First of all, I just had a feeling that every time it turned a corner, it was going to tip entirely off the tracks, taking me and Mikayla with it. I felt a little too old, and heavy, to be riding such a "delicate" ride. Will had the great insight to videotape me as I rode this lovely ride but I don't think there will ever be an occasion to show that unattractive video.
Here are the 3 of my kids sitting in Pluto's bed in Mickey's house. It's amazing that they are all smiling and happy at the same time.
We waited for the fireworks that night since we don't often have a chance to visit the Happiest Place on Earth. Before the show, Lynnea was fast asleep but it didn't take long before the loud, thundering music woke her up and, because she was so exhausted, the screaming began. Luckily, the soundtrack to the fireworks show was so loud no one could hear the banshee-esque screaming coming from my small child.
Hamming it up before the show.
Trying to copy his sister, as always.
We had so much fun as a family.

YUM!

We've discovered something near our house that has somewhat become an addiction. Joghurt. So many flavors of delicious, creamy frozen yogurt, so many toppings to throw on top, and at 30 cents an ounce, it's the perfect way to cool off during these hot days. We're hoping this business stays around a while!

Where has the summer gone?

It's amazing that our summer is already more than half over and Mikayla goes back to school in only a few short weeks. (Frankly, I don't know if I'm ready for all of that homework yet!). We have been busy doing fun things here and there and have kept pretty busy (without spending a lot of money). Our garden is thriving, for the most part. We had quite a few handfuls of sugar snap peas which the kids loved. I've grown about $10 worth of cherry tomatoes, although no one has eaten them but me. I have yet to see a watermelon blossom but the plant is taking over my garden, wrapping itself around every piece of vegetation in its way. Sooner or later it had better produce or the shovel will take care of it surely and quickly. It has been a fun "project" for the summer and the kids have loved watering it and watching things grow but it is quite a lot of work. Oh, and if anyone knows how to grow cilantro, let me know. Mine ended up looking like a spindly knockoff of parsley and never grew to great heights...

The next picture depicts a favorite pastime of Lynnea, reading. She loves to be read to and is constantly picking up books and bringing them to whoever will look at them with her.
Way back on July 4th, we went to the park to watch fireworks with some friends of ours from our neighborhood. We had a lot of fun but the show was shorter than I had anticipated. Waiting for a few hours to watch 5 minutes of fireworks was kind of disappointing but the company was fun.
This photo was taken with the fireworks setting on my camera. Pretty cool I must say.
Then we went to dinner a few weeks ago with some friends of ours. We enjoyed ourselves at a place called Ricardos. I would go there for their warm flour tortilla chips and salsa alone.
Coming soon: our trip to Disneyland and visits with friends from out of town.

Wedding Bells

OK, I admit, Kate and Nate are already home from their honeymoon, probably completely used to the married life and well into their "couple" routine but I am just now posting pictures. I know, pathetic, huh? Well, everyone, life has been busy and my computer has been slow and I can't handle the second thing very well. I don't have the patience to watch the progress bar on my PC when there are other things to get done!

At least I'm posting them now, right? Anyway, on to the festivities. Here is the happy couple during the reception. We had a great time up in Washington, without kids, celebrating with the family, without kids, and enjoying delicious food and conversation, without kids. Did I mention that I was without my kids? I can't remember if I did or not. YES!! Without them (in case you didn't catch that).It was quite the trip. Cara and I didn't have to think about getting anyone else ready but ourselves so I had time to primp and style... yes, I actually had time to brush my hair!! It was a great getaway even if it only lasted less than 48 hours.The wedding was beautiful and outdoors. We were all standing for it and I guess I didn't expect Washington weather to be in the 80's but, after a while, the programs made quite acceptable sun shades. It was a little warm!
The family under the arbor. We haven't taken a picture of the 4 of us in a long time. Usually there are several people of the smaller sort in our arms or at our feet. It was really fun to just be the 4 of us for the weekend. It brought back good memories.
With Nana who looked stunning, as always.
My mom's side of the family.
With my sis. We shared a room and loved being able to talk late into the night, something we haven't been able to do since college days.
Isn't the cake beautiful? Very chic.
And here is little Ryan, my cousin Julie's little boy. He was such a trooper through the whole ceremony and didn't make much noise at all. He was the entertainment throughout the weekend and we all enjoyed squeezing him at one time or another.
We had so much fun. We did miss you so much, Uncle Bill! We missed your family as well since they were stuck in the hotel with food poisoning. A vacation we will all remember, right Fonda's?

Beach Party

I know some of you are waiting for wedding pictures (of my cousin) but I have to get through the days before that on the blog. I know it's been a while since I've written and I really have no excuse except that I didn't want to load all of the pictures and try to come up with what to say.Well, I'm ready today. A few weeks ago, my mom, my sister, and I went to one of our favorite beaches to play in the water and have some beach fun. It was a little overcast that morning and the beach was wet but we found a dry place on the grass and watched the little ones make sand castles. Of course, Lynnea just wanted to copy what everyone else was doing so when the big kids carried water in a bucket to the shore, that's what Lynea wanted to do. She's definitely an independent little thing. After a little while, her body just got too cold so I settled her down with a sandwich and a nice view of the other kids.
The kids played for quite a while in the water and then we all dried off, ate our lunch and ventured over to the playground for a little out-of-water fun. Miraculously, they posed for a picture and we got this cute one of all of them. My sister and I are so grateful that our kids are all around the same ages (one born every year from 2003-2007) so that they can become the best of friends. It was a fun day.