Disney, the other stuff (PART II)

As much as Disney is all about the Characters there was LOTS more to do. Classic Castle photo. Anna LOVED "Sleeping Beauty's Castle" did you know you can go inside of it and see scenes from sleeping beauty? We even got to see where the evil queen lives (in the dungeon where she made her spells) Anna keeps talking about that!

It was Halloween time at Disney...

These aren't the best photos, but you get the idea.

RIDES...

Anna has said that this was her favorite ride... see how excited Katelynn and Anna were to come tell us how it went? Ha! Dumbo... I actually got a little nauseated, dang prego stuff... but we had a Great time. The lines we fabulous. We highly recommend going in September. We averaged 15 minutes in lines (perhaps even less) Peter Pan was still a joke, but Anna LOVED it so it was worth it for her.
This was Anna's first roller coaster and she loved it. Katelynn loved the Matterhorn, so we took Anna on that next... perhaps she is a little too young, she was really scared, especially of the "snowman!" The rest of the day was spent telling her it wasn't scary... Katelynn took it upon herself to tell Anna as well! (:More parade photos. Or I should say "Dance party"

We were able to go to Disneyland because my fabulous cousin, (or second cousin or cousin once removed- whatever you want to call it) Whitney invited us. We had an annual tradition to go visit them in Northridge and then go to Disneyland. It was awesome. Now everyone is in Utah except us and James. Now I am a "California cousin"...weird! Katelynn and Anna had a great time together. They are "Cousin's twice removed" I think. Here Katelynn is telling Anna her philosophy on life or so it seems.

All three girls, Jeff I think you got a better photo. They were so cute together!

The infamous and annual photo... What a great day!

Anna's meets the characters... (Disney Part I)

Anna was in heaven meeting all her favorite characters and seeing many of them in the parade and Fantasmic show. It was so cute to see her little imagination soak it all in. This was the part of our trip I was most excited for. We were definitely the proud parents taking as many photos as possible and now being home we wish we would have taken more. (Anna asks to see character that we saw, but didn't photograph because Anna was not near them) Note to self, take a little more "scene photos" in the future.



(Note: All the photos are in reverse order of the day, but I am too tired to switch it all.)

POOH BEAR...



JESSIE... Anna has yet to see Toy Story, but loved the Characters. Jessie was really cute with Anna and Katelyn. She gave them hugs then came and pulled them out to dance with her a little while later. Katelyn was in heaven which helped Anna be a little less nervous!

WOODY... (and Anna loved seeing Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Daisy, Peter Pan, and "Princess Wendy" in this dance party parade)

EEYORE...

TIGGER... We have been collecting characters and I just bought Tigger before the trip. Anna loved taking them around with her and was very good and keeping track of them, despite their tiny size. When we were about to meet Tigger and Eeyore she asked for them. When she met Tigger she was so excited to show him. He was cute with it.

MARY POPPINS... probably the highlight for Anna (and/or Mommy). We had just missed seeing her as she walked by during our lunch break. Then I just happened to hear the band playing "Spoon full of Sugar" and I walked over to see what was happening, just then Mary Poppins and Bert ("a different Bert as Anna called him... she is too smart!) came out. We watched them do a bunch of dancing to all of Anna's favorite songs. Anna watched very intently, then I pulled her out of the stroller for one number. Mary Poppins must have noticed her and came up to her before she left took her hand and spun her in a circle. It was the cutest thing in the world. I loved seeing how Anna just trusted her and took her hand. Afterwards we saw her again and she stopped to "thank" Anna for dancing with her!

Anna waving goodbye and Mary Poppins coming to dance... The twirl....

Driving Mickey's car... We went through Mickey's house, but didn't meet him as he was on break. We probably should have waited the 15 minutes to meet him, but oh well!

Inside Mickey's house... Anna saw some other kid taking this picture and thought she should too.

MINNIE MOUSE...
Inside Minnie's bedroom... (Anna would have played in Minnie's house all day)

AND FINALLY, THE PRINCESSES. September is the time to go! We went straight for the Princesses right when the park opened at 9:00. Dave and Anna went on the Carousel while I waited. We really only waited for maybe 20 minutes with only about 6 families ahead of us. Anna loved it. She REALLY wanted to see "Sweeping" Beauty, Snow White and Belle, but got two see Ariel and Cinderella her two other favorites. (I guess I should show her that she did meet these other Princesses back in December, perhaps that would help... probably not to a two year old.)

ARIEL... Lately Anna make me sing "Ariel's song" before bed. She also asks what Ursula, Flounder, and King Triton sing. (If anyone knows the latter two could you let us know?) She also sings "Sha la la" all day long (Kiss the girl).

CINDERELLA ... (Anna's favorite Princess) Ariel told Cinderella she should get shoes like Anna, then she wouldn't loose them! Anna got down and danced for her with her "Squeaker shoes." It was hilarious!

TIANA... (or "Princess and the Frog" as Anna refers to her). Anna dances to this music all the time. Prego Mommy should not have been in these photos, but Anna was a little hesitant.
AND that is that for Characters. More Disney photos and stories to come!

Is blog commenting dead???

If you check my blog right now, read this and comment.... if you wish :)

I made it a goal at the beginning of the year that if I was going to be blogging I needed to leave comments. That way people who I like to check up on would know, I am not such a "blog stalker," and that way I could only check blogs if I had enough time to comment... so as to not take up my evening in blogging.

I did really well for the first few months or so. I am not 100% now, but mostly I leave a comment. It is fun to see conversations people have a a great way to keep connected.

I love it when people comment because it reminds me to check their blogs and lets me see who is out there reading my personal life. Now I see that 22 people have checked our blog since last night and there are NO comments. (Some of you are from NJ and Bakersfield, CA and I have no idea who you are...)

Not that I NEED a comment on every post. Nor do I need one to feel good about myself or posting (because honestly this blog is for me), but I challenge people to make a comment every now and again on whatever blog you are on. It makes it a little more interesting!!!

I love the blogging world because it is a great way to keep connected. Let's not be lazy and just read it like we do the paper and try harder to actually keep those connections that have drawn us to each other's blog in the first place.

There I said my piece.

What are your thoughts? Am I the only one who feels this way? Why DON'T you leave comments on blogs?

Living it up and other random thoughts

So many posts have been about what we have been DOING lately and I have neglected to put some actual thoughts out there. As this is basically my journal right now (along with some other random things) I thought I better be better at saying more meaningful things. So as of today here are some of my random thoughts.

*I have been thinking a lot lately, and today especially, about how important each day in life is. Each memory we make is important and finding happiness where we are is essential. We have moved quite a bit in our marriage and each time I shed tears over the things or people I was leaving behind, but each time I have found happiness in where I was the next time around. Sure I miss things, but I have gained so many memories and experiences I wouldn't trade it for anything.

* I have learned the importance of relationships, that you cannot only hold on to old ones, but it is important to make new ones as well. I think of the song, "Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other's gold." I used to think that the old friends were gold and new ones were silver, but I am not so sure that is always true. I think the Gold ones are the ones that you keep close to your heart and that means that the newest friends can be Gold as well. Perhaps all are Gold because you literally cannot change from metal to metal... okay that was a tangent.
What I mean is that no matter where I have been in life I have made new friends. Many have been in my life for a long time, some just at moments. But the relationships whether long or short have meant a lot to me. I am thankful for the moments I have shared with amazing people and the things they have taught me.

* No matter what, family is always there. I am thankful for a great family both biological and in-laws. They mean the world to me. Being away from extended family has made me especially grateful for my little family of Dave, Anna and our soon to be baby. We have grown so much and I am thankful for the memories we share. I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ which allows me to be sealed to them for all eternity and know that I will be with them forever.

* The baby inside of me is growing. I was thinking last night that at this time (in pregnancy) two years ago I was put on bed rest. Then little Anna came 3 weeks later. I am hopeful that won't happen again, and feel grateful to know that the baby is safe inside. She kicks all the time and though it can be a little uncomfortable I am grateful for it.

* We need to decide on a name. Anna seems to think her name should be Tuna Fish. My doctor said to take the T and the F and name her something from that in Anna's honor. So perhaps Tina Fey. Ha! We have a couple names we have tossed out, one I am more excited about (and have been the whole pregnancy) , but we'll see what comes up in less than 2 months!

* I am getting more excited to see her sweet little face.

* Anna is hilarious. She makes me laugh all day long and surprises me with how smart she is. She makes connections and applies things that I never thought a two year old could! She is my little buddy. I cannot believe our time just as us two will come to an end so soon. I have loved this special time of just playing and relaxing together.

*Anna will be an amazing sister. She is so sensitive, gentle, and loves babies. We'll see what happens when jealousy kicks in, but I think she will love having a little sister!

"Happiest" weekend on earth...

... okay probably not, but we did have a great weekend in southern California! We have many more photos to come but thought we would let you know what Anna thought of the weekend...

Yes, look a little closer, she did this all on her own! ROCK ON!!!!
Man, we love you Anna!