Disneyland/Disney's California Adventure

Knowing that we were leaving California, we had so many things that we wanted to do as a family before we left, not to mention all of the loved ones we wanted to visit. Because we knew that our time was short (given the short amount of notice we had to prepare for the move), it was impossible to do everything that we wanted to do. One of the things we enjoy doing most as a family is going to amusement parks and Disney finally wised up and was offering a very attractive military discount. Jay got in for free and the girls and I got 3 day park-hopper passes for $90/each, plus we got a very reasonable price on a hotel right across the street from the park.

This was the longest any of us had been to Disneyland and it was sooooooooooo great having 3 days! We also LOVED having the park hopper passes. We spent the first day primarily at Disney's California Adventure and really enjoyed exploring the park. I had only been over there once, several years ago and Jay and the girls had never been. I prefer Disneyland (although they are both fabulous) and when you are spending all of that money, I have just always been inclined to go to Disneyland. But, having 3 days we were able to explore both parks and we all fell in love with CA Adventure park.

On the second day, my wonderful friend Leisha from High School met us at the park with her son Zachary and her daughter Taylor. They have season passes, so they came and spent the day with us. On that day, we park hopped so that Leisha and the kids got to do all they wanted while they were there. On the third day, we did some more park-hopping. To make things fair, we each got to pick 2 rides at either park and we made sure we went on all of our top 2 picks and then if time allowed we got to ride our 3rd favorite.

The weather was great and we all had an amazing time. It was so great to see some friends and we laughed and got terrified together (The Tower of TERROR!) and created some memories that will be with us no matter where we go. Thanks Walt for creating such a wonderful place of adventure. I just love Disneyland, can you tell?

I just love the ice cream at Gibson Girl. It's just Dryers, but for some reason when you're eating it on Main St it tastes extra special

Walt and Mickey

I don't know why it took me so long to discover this, but we ended up on Main Street for the fireworks on the second night and what a show! I have seen the fireworks at Disneyland before, but never realized they had such a wonderful show on Main St, complete with narration by Ms. Julie Andrews and fireworks that are synchronized with music and a story about the magic of Disney

We had dinner on the second night at The Rainforest Cafe. We loved it!

We all really enjoyed the Muppet 3D movie at CA Adventure. It brought back alot of memories for me of watching The Muppet Show with my Dad

Leisha and I on the Hollywood Lot - it was so cool! That is a painting behind us, we are almost standing against the wall.

Friends and Family - it doesn't get any better than this

Kendall, Taylor, Zachary and Nicole outside of Splash Mountain

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Our first time on It's a Small World since they remodeled and added the Pixar characters - still one of my favorite rides, even if the song makes Jay a little nutso - but he rode it twice anyway, he's such a wonderful husband

We are standing inside Disney's CA Adventure. The scenery there was so beautiful.

We at at the House of Blues on the first night, at Downtown Disney. Kendall hated it, as you can tell.

Outside of Monster's, Inc. - very cute ride

One of our favorite rides at CA Adventure was Toy Story Mania. We only rode it once because the line was too long, but it was a blast and Mr. Potato Head kept us in stitches while we waited in line.

I thought this Mickey bread was adorable

Outside of the Grizzly Rapids - we got a little wet, but Kendall got a little soaked and Nicole got a lot soaked, you just can't tell in her light colored pants

Inside Soaring Over California, waiting in line. This was Jay's favorite ride at CA Adventure. Did you know they fly over Camarillo? How cool is that?

The Golden Gate bridge

Virginia 2009

A few months ago (before this move was even planned), I got an email from Travelocity advertising some great deals flying into Roanoke, VA. By the time I got some dates finalized and approved by the family, I missed the deal, but was able to get an even better deal from Expedia flying into Greensboro, NC, which is 98 miles from my sister's house. If we had known about the move at the time, I never would have planned the trip, but the timing actually turned out to be perfect. It was a great break for me from all of the decision-making, house repairs, organizing, and general stress that comes with any big move.

I flew out on Saturday 05/09 and had a 2 hour layover in Chicago. I had a salad and watched A Walk to Remember on my IPod and got into Greensboro at around 9:15pm. Mom and D2 picked me up from the airport and we went back to their home and I got a tour of the house, which was really fun for me, since I had only seen the house in pictures. We had some popcorn and I was finally tired enough to read for a few minutes and get some sleep. The next day was Mother's Day, so we went to church and then back to Sandi and Aaron's for some Bratwurst and a wonderful visit with the munchkins, who had grown tremendously since I had last seen them. I was so blessed that they all knew me (including TJ, who was only 2.5 the last time I saw him and is going to turn 4 on 06/06) and greeted me with open arms. After the BBQ, Chrissi came back with me to Nana and Papa's house and we had dinner and watched Sabrina and had a slumber party.

On Monday, Nana took us bowling and to the flower shop where she works so that we could meet her boss and co-workers. We went back to the Bunn's and TJ and I built a house out of Lego's and Sam built some planes with his Star Wars Legos that he got for his birthday Sandi and I had some great sister time and stayed up all hours of the night talking.

On Tuesday Sandi and I hung out until it was time to pick up the kinds from school and daycare and then Nana came over and we went to McDonald's and met Julie and Brian and Noah for dinner and for the kids to play in the Playland. Wednesday, Aaron took off work so he and Sandi and I went and saw Wolverine and then went shopping at the mall and then picked up the kids and hung out with them for a while. Wednesday was our big day because after we spent a little time with the munchkins, Sandi and I went out for dinner and then to the 3 Doors Down concert. They are my favorite band and just happened to be playing at the Roanoke Civic Center during my trip and Sandi and Aaron surprised me with tickets (talk about a great surprise!) Sandi and I had a great time, despite the fact that we almost saw two fights break out....besides about 3 not so nice people, everyone else we were standing near (we were on the floor) were super friendly, wonderful folks. We even met a woman who was at the very front who pulled us up to the front with her. She saw me singing the words to every song and said that I deserved to be up there and she dragged Sandi up to be with me. The show was great and we even got guitar picks and some great photos.

Thursday the kids went to school and daycare and Nana came over and Sandi and Nana and the neighbor Stephanie and I went to lunch at this cute little restaurant called, "A Fork in the City." We had a great visit and some great food! That night, Nana and Papa and the Bunns and I went to Country Cookin' for dinner. No trip to Virginia is complete without a trip to Country Cookin'. TJ was so cute during dinner, he pointed across the table at me and told Sandi, "She's our new friend." I just thought that was so cute! We explained to him that I am Mommy's sister and Nana's my Mommy and he thought that was REALLY cool!

On Friday, Nana came over and we went to Walmart to do some grocery shopping and to buy birthday presents for the munchkins from Jay and I and the girls, since their birthdays are in May/June/July. We picked up the kids early from daycare and went back to the house and made tostadas and D2's brother Uncle Terry and his girlfriend Joan and cousin Kristy came over for dinner and a little combined birthday party for the kids. We wrestled and tickled and had so much fun!!!!

Saturday we went to Sam's t-ball game in the morning. He is a natural born athlete, I just loved watching him play and getting the chance to be there for a game was a real treat for me. After the game, unfortunately it was time for me to go to the airport. I was sad to leave, but felt so blessed that I had the opportunity for such a special visit. My family may be crazy but I love them EXACTLY as they are and would not change a thing!