winter is alive and well

Where did my child come from? He LOVES the cold and snow and playing outside...he is so not mine! hee hee

it is a day to bundle up

We are back to a normal schedule, it being a week since we have been home from California. We started back into the 'Wednesday hang out' with a yummy lunch at Training Table...yum...cheese fries...

Next we were off to Barnes & Noble to try and stay warm & dry while still having a fun activity. Josh loves to read and so do I so the bookstore is a great place to spend some time together. He was very exctied to find a new joke book.

Josh also found a archeologist dino dig box that he was thrilled about. He is learning about dinosaurs in school and wanted to take a show & tell tomorrow.

I am a sucker for the bookstore...lastly Josh found a micro fliers building kit. So we came home, dug for bones and put together micro airplanes and had races in the living room. We tried on all sorts of worker hats today!

COUSINS

Josh is 6

Josh turns 6 today...am I old enough? We started the day with a present of course! Josh got a good night sleep and was feeling much better this morning. He was so excited to open his very own boogie board to use at the beach.

I was lucky enough to be the volunteer parent in Josh's classroom on his special day. They started the morning with the entire class singing happy birthday right as he walked in the door. A lifesize card of him was drawn and colored by his peers and of course there were cookies. He was so excited to be the center of attention for the day.

After school, it was time for more parties. He unfortunately decided after some lunch that his stomach wasn't a hundred percent, but was ablet to bounce back for his party. Michelle, my parents, Heidi & cousin Dylan, and Curtis all came over for pizza and cake...and of course presents! We missed you Jordan, Amy & Lee!

check out Josh's new boxing skills...

My family stayed to play games and enjoy each other's company. Overall, it was a great birthday day!

happy birthday to me

I had a few other ways in mind to spend my actual birthday day, but Josh has been hit hard with this flu bug. He hasn't been able to keep anything in his stomach and is trying so hard to sleep given he was up all last night sick as a dog.

I guess in someways, there isn't too much better than taking care of the ones you love...and I have been able to be a bum at home - that is always a plus. happy birthday to me!

we are headed home

The last view of Disneyland...we are headed home today and have a long drive ahead of us. My dad got us up at the crack of dawn to get moving. We were very sad...

We drove nonstop all the way to Las Vegas and then decided it was time to get out of the car, walk around, get some lunch, and maybe squeeze in a few more 'fun' activities. We are not ready to be down with this vacation.

We saw the lions at MGM Grand, went to the M&M store, and got one last birthday meal complete with candles.

We also stopped at the Outlets and did a little more shopping. Once we finished a quick tour of Vegas, we got back in the car and continued home.

Josh was very tired. We slept for a good portion of the remainder of the drive...then the drive got VERY long. Just outside of Fillmore, Josh got really sick. We ended up stopping at a number of gas stations and poor Josh threw up every 20 minutes all the way home. It will be nice to be in our own house tonight, especially when sick.

We had a GREAT time. The weather was gorgeous and we did a lot of fun activities. Guess I am ready to bring in the big 30. It has started with a bang. And Josh is excited for his birthday as well.

back for more

This morning was our last morning at the Marriot Newport Coast resort. We are sad to leave, but excited that we get to keep playing! It is colder today, so we bundled up with a few more layers. (We heard there are FEET of snow in Utah). We headed straight to California Adventure to enjoy that park and of course spent a few more hours at Disneyland as well.

We saw lots of characters today. Josh loved that. We also did a few things at California Adventure that we haven't before. We went through the animation building and Josh was able to learn how to draw Grumpy. He did a great job!

Michelle flew home this evening, so after a quick nap on the way to the airport, we went to the Rainforest Cafe with a business acquaintance of my dad's. Dinner was delious and the atmosphere was very cute.

Josh climbed a few trees and made friends with the locals...

After dinner, Josh and I went to a few stores in Downtown Disney and then headed back to the hotel. We are exhausted and needed some rest. We are sad our trip is coming to an end, but have a great time.

the happiest place on earth

Today is a trip to Disneyland...the happiest place on earth, especially when celebrating a birthday or two.
Grandma and Grandpa waited paitently for us to get ready and out the door, while Josh...
goofed around!
But we finally got out the door, pimped out, and ready for an amazing day.

First things first, birthday pins with a picture to prove it of course. It was a blast having the buttons because just about everyone wished us a happy birthday. Josh got a kick out of it!

We hit all the good rides and a few of the others...took plenty of fun pictures. The day was gorgeous and although the disney employees had told us they were planning on a busy day, we got on most rides pretty quickly. We all agreed it was perfect!

Josh was excited to take some pictures with the characters. Along with Tigger and Eeyore, Josh also got a pic with Buzz Lightyear, and a few extra special birthday wishes.

Next was the parade and a diet coke. It was one of the best parardes I have ever seen. Not only did we score great seats, a number of the parade people wished Josh & I a happy birthday right during the parade as they were walking. I got a happy bday and kiss from Peter Pan and Josh from Ariel. We both couldn't stop giggling and blushing. Definitely an experience to remember!

The weather did get a bit colder towards the evening. Grandpa helped Josh pick out a styling hat to keep his ears warm. And Michelle and Josh both enjoyed a hot chocolate while waiting for the firework show.

We had one of the best days at Disneyland ever. Our birthdays made it that more special. And to top it off...we get to go back tomorrow! YIPPEE!!!