our trip to sunny So Cal...

We just got back from a fun-filled trip to sunny and HOT So Cal.  We planned a trip to San Diego for two nights and a three night surprise trip to Disneyland for Colden's 7th birthday!  My mom aka Gigi was able to join us this time!  We all have to admit we are shocked with her inner-dare-devil!  She went on every single ride at Disney and CA Adventure!!  

SAN DIEGO

San Diego was beautiful!  We stayed downtown on the harbor, went to Sea World, toured the  Midway Naval ship, explored Coronado and even drove by my childhood home!  

We also had the pleasure of seeing my sister!  She picked a fabulous place to have an early bday celebration for Colden!  Sammy's had great food and the best desserts ever (a mound of cotton candy and doughnuts)!  She brought wigs and props to complete the night and we had an absolute blast!  Not to mention...she really spoiled the kids!  Thanks for a fun night Diana!  

 So excited to be on vaca!

 Had to have a pic with the Gigi Sea World Bug!  

 Breakfast with Shamu!

 Touring the Midway

 My two adorable jail birds!

 Ejection seats-yikes!

 Ahh the beach...

 Brindley rockin' the pink wig!  

 I'm loving my inner Ariel coming out!  

 Still laughing...

Sisters!

DISNEYLAND

Keeping a secret about going to Disneyland was quite a challenge...in fact we slipped up many times, but covered up quickly.  We did not tell the kids at all that we were going until we got to our second hotel (the same one we stayed at last time we were at Disney).  

We knew Colden would recognize it, but we didn't really have a plan because what if he didn't or what if it was late and he couldn't tell, etc.  So when we were unloading our lovely rental van, he asked, "isn't this the place we stayed at when we went to Disney last time?"  I replied with yes, it is.  He then said, "well, I know we aren't able to go this time."  And I couldn't keep it in any longer...and practically, jumping for joy, said, yes we are, it's a surprise for your birthday!!! They were beyond excited...it was the best surprise ever!

We walked, rode, walked, rode as much as we possibly could at Disneyland and CA Adventure!  It was blast!  We were also able to take advantage of the trick o' treat party that Disneyland does! It was so fun for the kids to wear costumes and get candy at Disney!  

Birthday boy-7 years! 

 Halloween at Disneyland!

 So happy!

 One of his birthday presents!

 Ready for some trick o' treating at Disney!

 Princess Ariel and Scary Darth Maul!

 Special affects! 

 Last ride of the night-Brindley was sound asleep!

 Cars Land!

Our last day!  = (

tooth fairy time!

Colden finally lost his first tooth!  He has been waiting so patiently for a tooth to fall out!  

Turns out, he has "shark" teeth on the bottom front.  This means his adult teeth have come up behind his baby teeth (just the front two).  Sometimes you have to have your baby teeth pulled, but in his case, he lost the first one!  We worked for quite awhile on that tooth, and finally I pulled it out (turns out Daddy is quite the wuss when it comes to pulling teeth out)!  

So the going rate for our tooth fairy was $5 with glitter!  = )  That is only for the 1st tooth!  

We are working on the 2nd one!  

soccer begins!

Soccer has started again for Brindley! This is actually the second half to her season, the first half is in the Spring.  

So fun to watch her out there!  She is most excited because Paige and Chloe are on her team!  I think most of the time they are discussing shoes and hairstyles!  

my baby is off to kindergarten...

Today was my girl's 1st day of Kindergarten!  She was ready and excited!  She had met several new kindergarten friends over the summer at the parks in our neighborhood, so there were many familiar faces!  

I got a little emotional as she stood in line with her cute little name tag on and grabbed the hands of her new friends, it's hard to believe they are so grown up and ready for school!  

I'm looking forward to a great school year for both of my kiddos!

 A proud big brother and excited to have her at Grand Ridge with him!

Brindley and her new friend, Cassidy!  They even get to sit next to each other in class!

off to 1st grade...

Colden is a first grader?  WHAT?  First off, it's hard for me to believe that I have a child that is now in the grade that I taught!  Second, how can he be gone all day now?  Third, how am I old enough to have a 1st grader?  All of these questions have overwhelmed my head in the last couple days!  

I may have shed a tear or two as he walked in to the building in a swarm of kids and parents, but I'm so very happy for him.  He was so very excited to start his first grade year and he's so ready!  And from the sounds of it, Ms. Hirst, is going to be fabulous!  

Okay...is it 3:40 yet????  Don't even get me started on tomorrow...Brindley off to Kindergarten! 

 Pinterest idea!  (I totally forgot to have this ready, so I quickly wrote and put it together, not as cute as it could have been)...name, grade, and what he wants to be when he grows up!  

I snuck in the building and took a pic!  Yup, I'm that parent!  

viva las vegas!!!

Brian and I went to Vegas!!!!  This was the first time that we've had more than one night away since having our kiddos...and the first time in a different state!!  So needless to say, we were very excited.  The kids went camping with Gigi and Aunt Cindy so they were having just as much fun!  = )

Even though it was a quick two nights, we had a blast!  We lounged by the pool, ate GREAT food, saw "O," got an 80 minute pedicure, and drank lots!  

 On our way and very excited (thank goodness Brian is a frequent flyer gold member, we got upgraded to first class)!

 Our last morning at the pool!

 The only pic I took of the strip!  Hoping to visit NY for real!!!!

 Drinks before the show!

Gettin' ready to dance!

 Ahh...

 Lunch poolside!

 Cooling off!  

 Dinner at Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill!  YUM!

Tram ride!

lincoln city 2012

We got back from a fabulous trip to Lincoln City a couple of weeks ago!  We had such a great time as usual!  Seemed like we had lots of beach time this year since our house was right on the beach!  The weather was decent for July and we were even there on the 4th, which was fun on the beach!  So blessed to be able to spend time with our cherished college friends, the Fontaine's and Glem's!  

 Kiddos ready for the parade to start!

 Doing some smoke bombs!

 Brindley and Addie!

 All the munchkins!  

 My sweet college friends...love you guys (ps...we were FREEZING)!!!  

 Ahh...my sweet boy!

 My beau and I!

 The boys!

 Ready for some smores!

Beauty!