Greetings from Dana Point

When I can't choose a favorite picture to share, I just share them all.

(Thank you nice jogger lady who offered to take our picture all together as a family when she saw me bouncing Lizzy on my hip while snapping pictures of Donald and the girls.)

Disneyland

Disneyland is a place that I've always known by heart; every nook and cranny. My grandpa worked side by side with Walt to create it back in the 50's and so it's a big part of my heritage. As a mother, I love sharing that heritage with my children. As we walk through the park I explain to them who their grandfather was and what he did to help bring Disneyland to life.

One of my favorite traditions is stopping by Grandpa's window on Main Street (see above). The shops are made up to look like old fashioned store fronts, but really, they pay tribute to Disney's greatest artists and imagineers.

Saturday was one of the most brilliant days I have ever spent at Disneyland. The temperature was perfect and the crowds manageable. Every moment was filled with magic. The most priceless of all came as we sat near the castle and watched fireworks explode above us. The look on Elisabeth's face will forever be engraved in my memory. Amazed, she gazed at the sky with wonder and joy, her face illuminated softly by the bursts of color above her. I watched Lorelai wrap her arm around her baby sister and then lean over and give her a kiss. This is a moment I will forever treasure; me and my family, perfectly happy, in a perfectly magical place.

Classmates

On Friday evening I met up with some old highschool friends for dinner.

It left me wondering how 11 years have gone by without any of us aging?
(lol) ((but seriously, how?))

Heidi, Emily and Carrie ~

It was great to see you all again!

The Beach

Why I love the beach:
It's warm.
It's fun.
The sound of crashing waves.
The smell.
It's free.

We're going back again today.

Mother and Daughter

Fun in the sun.

Elisabeth with Daddy

Having fun at the beach.

Donald, meet Donald.

More Disney pictures later; I'm off to the beach.

Lanterns

I scored an awesome deal on these lanterns that I used to decorate my mom's house for Donald's birthday.



And I think they will be lovely hanging on my back porch back at home, don't you?

Discovery Science Center

August 4, 2009

The Discovery Science Center provided an afternoon
of fun and interesting activities for our family.

Alexandra on a bed of nails:

Lorelai on a dino and Lex's impression in a giant pin board:

Lorelai was chosen as the star of story time:

Hard at work pulling themselves up a (pretend) cliff:

And more. So, so much more.

IN-N-OUT

A visit to California is not complete without a trip (or two or three or ten) to In-n-Out Burger. It's hamburger heaven. It is divine.

I remember when I was 11 years old and I was taking an orchestra class at the local community college here. My dad picked me up after my final and took me out for a Double-Double. He told me that back in his college days he would always treat himself to a Double-Double after a final.

How do I take my burger?: Cheeseburger, animal style.

In case you were wondering.

The Birthday Boy

Baseball cap. Blue t-shirt. Plaid shorts.

And 32
years old
today!

I love you Donald.

Love, Me

(Off to Disneyland we go.....)

Aunt Jennifer!

After almost a year, we reunited with my younger sister, Jennifer.
[Living far apart is a bummer]

She greeted us with delicious food.

[I love her kitchen]

And a good time was had by all.

Especially Elisabeth.

[E's new ruffled skirt, courtesy of Oma]

My Old Stomping Grounds

We arrived at my mom's house a little past 4:00 yesterday. After being couped up in the car for 3 days the children had a lot of built up energy to release, so they spent the rest of the day (and on into the evening) exploring their new surroundings (my old surroundings).

As Donald and I unpacked we relished in the fact that we have two whole weeks before we hit the road again. Two weeks to soak in the sun, play, swim, shop, and reminisce. Going home is like taking a trip down memory lane. It's such a big part of me; but it's starting to seem like a long time ago. I walked into my old bedroom and looked around; I told my children that that was my room when I was little like them. Later on I tucked them into bed in my old room and thought pleasantly on life. I love how it works; how life moves on, but still stays the same. It's just perfect.

En Route

We spent the night in Sacramento and are hoping to get out early to finish the final leg of the drive. The children are travelling well and are excited to see Oma (my mom) later today. More later....