The Happiest Place on Earth

Both Steve and Emi celebrated their birthdays a week apart from eachother, so we decided to celebrate in Disneyland... and we had the greatest time EVER. Last time we went to "Disneyland," it was in Paris, and it was HORRIBLE because we went during the craziest busiest time of year, it was hot, and we just didn't plan well enough.

So, we decided that if we were going to do it again, it was going to be planned out- and we were going during the low season. It completely paid off. I seriously want to go back... it was so.much.fun.

This is what saved us- the "unofficial guide" to disneyland. We followed it to the sentence, and it was right every time. We never waited more than 15 minutes to get on a ride (except some in California Adventure that just don't have fast passes and are crazy crowded).

This is us waiting in line. At first, I was getting nervous because we didn't get in the "magical hour" where some people get in 1 hour before us, but it worked out perfectly... because magical hour people get into the futureland part, not the rest of the park... which let us be the first to Adventureland etc... we WALKED right on to splash mountain, pirates of the carribean, the haunted mansion. It was amazing. Even Maddie rode splash mountain!!

Emi and I waited after Winnie the Pooh (her favorite ride)...

A very happy girl.

The walk out of splash mountain. It was scary for sure- but she rode it twice!!

While Maddie/Steve went to Indiana Jones, Emi and I wandered around...

Sang? Goofed around...

Saw an awesome pirate show...

Loved this guy.

Watched people ride Jungle Cruise.

And then LUNCH! I've never seen them eat such big corn dogs in my life.

The were super hungry and super happy.

Off to the jungle cruise...

Our operator was so sarcastic, but made it hilarious...

Took the train to ToonTown. I think this is Goofy's house?

Hanging out.

They have some fun playhouses here. (But, everything considering, toontown isn't my super favorite for some reason.)

Off to Autopia. Maddie loved this- she loves everything driving.

We caught a little bit of the Jedi Training Academy- the cutest thing- these kids were awesome. Since my kids don't really watch Star Wars yet, they didn't really get it, but this is the best idea.

We then watched Captain EO- Hilarious and a classic. Maddie rode Space Mountain with me!!! It was awesome :) And, then the parade. Disney really knows how to do parades- it was amazing. Emi said "that was really good."

I wish I could say the kids passed out- but no! I passed out- and Steve took Maddie swimming when we got back to our hotel? This girl has energy :)

The next day we hit Fantasyland- which is one of my favorites. Here they are holding the feathers that make you fly before riding Dumbo.

My cuties.

The canal boats.

Emi loved the train.

Well, maybe not in this picture- but she really loved it.

Off to Tom Sawyer's island... super fun to let off some steam after we hit Big Thunder Railroad- which Maddie also rode twice!!

Love the performers everywhere we went.

These guys tossed Emi/Maddie bead necklaces.

Since we rode every ride at Disneyland (except Nemo), we decided to get some strollers and head into California Adventure. Saw these guys on our way out.

Ha! Emi didn't want to ride with Steve on this one... oh well.

We hit the "key to do" rides here, and it was amazing. First, we saw the "Bugs Life" show, which was seriously awesome... the special effects freaked me out (I won't spoil).

Then, we headed to Aladin- which was Broadway material- we were very very impressed. If you ever go- go to this. Don't miss it.

We didn't think the singers voices were real- but yes, they were. They were so.good. The kids LOVED this- especially the Geni who's jokes were hilarious.

Just some toys...

We loved the idea of this... but it was going to take too long before our dinner at Ariel's grotto. We bought a dinner package so we could get better seats for the night performance of World of Color. It was actually really good- and every restaurant is so accomodating to gluten allergies! They even brought me gluten free bread. Heaven.

These guys were awesome.

Emi having a good time with her piece of gum (which she can't figure out yet- only chews and then swallows.)

Maddie loves these swings.

And I love this girl!

The world of Color show was awesome- of course out of control throw in the kitchen sing disney show. For some reason, I missed the simple Bellagio performance... it was just too much.

After the show, we rode Ariel's underwater ride, and did the Grizzly water rafting ride (kind of a mistake because Maddie and I got soaked) which made us very cold, but it was the end of an amazing trip.

We bought some disney shirts, some disney lolipops, and hit the hot tub at our hotel. We seriously did not want to go home.

When can we go back???

Feliz Ano Nuevo!!! In backwards order!

I downloaded my pics backwards! Yikes- Oh- well :) Here it is in backwards order! At the end of the night, we headed over to a friends party which was over the top competition! The entire night we competed head on for the title of Mr and Mrs Universe. Usually, we are totally up for competition, but since we have been a little bit busy- we didn't get ourselves together. Wha Wha Wha. This ended us in LAST place! Whoo hoo!!!

The manly men.

The only reason this is year, is because I like my hair. I know, I'm so vain, but at least honest:)

It was a SUPER fun party--thanks for the invite!!

Earlier that evening, we cranked up the Wii (my Christmas present to Steve), with some Michael Jackson. This is our favorite game by a long shot. We had our good friend Chris over... and this was the funniest site I've ever seen. They were seriously rock'n it!

Steve made a food bananza (details coming), and Emi loved the chocolate mousse. Emi does not normally have a sweet tooth (I know, amazing), but she swallowed this up in about .5 seconds!! So cute.

Happy New Year!!! (New Zealand time?! hee hee)

I love this pic!

Whoo hoo!!

For the festivities, we curled our hair and...

Painted our toe nails :)

And Steve cooked and cooked and cooked. It was super delicious- surf and turf style. It was glutony at it's best that's for sure. Lamb, crab, filet minon, scallops, chocolate moose, ceviche, shrimp... what's next gold covered salad? Ah, I ate too much!

Bad pic, but the cook at his best.

New Years Eve was rock'n at our house!! Ok, you got me. As were channel flipping, we found this totally ridiculous show called "Dance Party," airing live New Years Eve dances through the ages. It started in the early 1980s, and I just couldn't believe it was real. These people were CRAZY! (or embarrasing?) The mullets, the suspenders, the bloomers. Oh my gosh. What will they think of us in 2050?

Earlier on in the day, I went on a small spa retreat with my great friend Holly- we got mani/pedis and then sat in a hot tub, and got massages. It was so relaxing... I would love to do that more often that's for sure.

A FABULOUS NEW YEARS EVE!!!

The who? The what? The zoo!

Steve worked on and off the week between Christmas and New Years, so one of the days we decided to head to San Francisco to see the zoo! It was awesome and the kids both loved it. I need to get a pass to this place.


We love giraffes. They just don't even seem real sometimes- especially on this overcast/mysterious day.


I'm not really sure why this is worthy of putting here- but there was a disaster/sustainability exhibit and I liked these water jugs and how they connected all of the spouts to one pipe-- the just collect rain water too. I need this for my food storage.

Emilie found a little elephant friend.

Every winter, we get ants in our kitchen. Where do they come from? Agh! We need this guy :) We also love ant eaters... not sure if they are super cuddly- but, they are so cool.

Sorry Maddie- bad picture- but we caught it right before we got on the little train.

I think Maddie's favorite part of the day was brushing the goat's hair. These guys were awesome- they didn't move one bit, and weren't dying for food (Happy Hollow!). Made me want to live on a farm, well, only if we had farm hands. ha!

Not so sure about this... those horns ARE kind of big!

Showing off her feathers.

Pretty proud of herself!

We also love spiders... well at a distance.

I thought this was a llama, but it is an alpaca. He gave me a stare down.

In Grizzly country.

Even though these guys are super ferocious, they are so so cute.

Speaking of so so cute!

And, the not so cute... if you ever want to GROSS me out completely, and hear me start screaming at the top of my lungs. Show me a cockroach. Yes, I hate them. HATE them. Here, this cockroach has it's own house? Disgusting.

Far.

Near!

Although she has gotten better- Emi is super timid on rides. But, she ended up liking it- and jumped around like a rabbit for the rest of the day :) (It kills me that my pics aren't the best... but the cell phone is just so super convenient, and not so much with my clunky 3000 pound camera.)

A Christmas/Hanukkah train? Ok!

We had a GREAT time today! I love these girls!! We ended the trip with some cotton candy, and then went home and made calzones. Was a fabulous day.