Disneyland 2012

For 18 months we saved every penny (literally!) we could for our big Disneyland trip.  We love going to Disneyland in December.  Christmas and the Happiest Place on Earth... what could be better?  We go every other year and we all look forward to it so much.  This year we were looking forward to seeing Cars Land, which did not dissapoint.  But of course the best part is seeing the kids's faces when they experience all the magic of the castle, the rides, the characters, the parade, the fireworks, etc.  2012 has been a tough year on our family and it was so nice to escape reality for a couple of days and just be happy - it was an amazing vacation!

Before the trip Joey worked on signs to hopefully get picked for Jedi Training Academy in Tomorrow Land.  He had seen the photos of his big brothers fighting Darth Vader years ago and that was his main goal for this trip.  Thankfully he was chosen immediately (sign worked!) and I cried like he really became a Jedi!

We left Friday night so the kids could sleep in the car.  Unfortunately we blew a fuse right before we left and the DVD players and the radio were not working.  That made for a very looooonnnngggg car ride for the adults trying to stay awake and drive.  But for the kids, it just made it easier to sleep!

We arrived at our hotel at 3 a.m. and of course the kids were ready to head to the park.  We managed to get some sleep and headed to iHop for a huge breakfast...

When we got to the park the first ride we went on was the Jungle Cruise.  The kids were amazed by what they saw everywhere they looked.

One of Logan's goals of the trip was to go in a canoe.  He had seen a Max & Ruby episode about a canoe and was so excited when he found out Disneyland had canoes too.

Since Emmie is too small to ride most of the rides, she and I had some serious Mommy-Daughter bonding.  This pic below is some bonding over a traditional banana split from Ghiradelli Chocolate Factory. 

Face painting was also on our To Do list and Joey and Logan loved their dragons!

Of course we stopped by to say hello to characters whenever we could. 

 

Me and my little man...

My little man became a bonafide Starbucks addict on this trip.  No, not for lattes, but for chocolate milk and croissants.  Here he is in his pajamas at the hotel Starbucks with Cheri.

One of the most magical experiences of the trip was the Bibbity Boppity Boutique for Emmie.  Located in Sleeping Beauty's Castle, this boutique transforms little princesses with hair and makeup and even nail polish applied by fairy godmothers.  Emmie loved it and I cried through the whole thing.  It was like a movie montage played in my head of all we went through to have a daughter and it all lead up to this... her princess reveal.  Okay, I know that sounds a little dramatic but you had to be there... it is emotional!

Speaking of had-to-be-there moments... this is our little princess asleep on the hotel hallway floor... there is no way for me to really explain why Cheri and I were laughing hysterically at this point.  It involved being exhausted and carrying this little sack of potatoes for what seemed like miles, and then not being able to find our hotel room.... again, had to be there.

Emmie wasn't the only one passed out after a day of magical fun!

Here is the little princess performing one of her daredevil stunts - leaping to her daddy with Patrick spotting just in case she didn't make it!

Me & Logan

Mommy, Daddy & Princess Emmie

Princesses Emmie & Bella

We got to spend some time with Jeff's brother and family - think they look alike?

Love the castle all lit up for Christmas, and of course love my prince!

One of the best photo-ops in the park is the staircase at the end of New Orleans Square. 

Joey laughing hysterically - so much fun!

Here are the boys waiting for the Holiday Magic Parade sitting on top of garbage cans.  This pic was taken before Logan fell off...

Sweet sibling moment...

Cheri & Logan walking to the park in the morning...

Emmie preferred to ride backwards in her stroller like a chariot and yes, she waved at people as we passed.

Joey just before we went on Thunder Mountain Railroad for the first time...

Freelands & Sahotas - one big happy family!

Christmas Tree Hunt

This past weekend we headed to Silveyville Christmas Tree Farm in Dixon to hunt for the perfect tree.  This was our first time at Silveyville, typically we head to the ever-popular Apple Hill for a tree.  But this year we wanted to check out somewhere less crowded and closer to home. We stumbled upon Silveyville online and couldn't be happier with the experience.

It was an easy drive and once there we didn't have to fight for parking - always nice!  The farm had various activities for the kids including a room full of hay bales and slides to play on, a table full of magnetic blocks, rocking horses, and makeshift musical instruments.  All activities with the exception of the Santa sleigh ride and the wagon ride were free (though even those were very reasonably priced).  There is even a fire pit with chairs around it to sit and drink complimentary coffee, apple cider, or apple juice or munch on the complimentary popcorn. 

The Christmas tree lot is one where you cut down the tree yourself.  Once cut, you just drag it to the nearest road and a staffer comes by with a flatbed for it.  They tag it for you and take it to the front to shake it ($3 extra) and net it ($3 extra).  They have tons of trees and some varieties are a flat rate regardless of size.  We went for that option since we were in the market for a 12' tree! The trees were nicely spread out so it was easy to walk through and even if you have a toddler like Emmie who runs all over the place, you can still see her. 

I heard they also have a duck pond, but after Joey got a splinter it was pretty much downhill for us and we headed home.  All in all I definitely recommend this location for a wonderful Christmas tree hunting experience

The kids creating magnetic towers.

Joey and Logan riding the rocking horses.

Logan was SOOOO excited that Santa was driving the sleigh for our sleigh ride!

They loved the slides in the room full of hay bales. 
Just expect for them to be covered in hay when you finally convince them to leave this room!

Emmie running around the tree lot.

 

 

The TREE!!!

Back at home, after baths to clean off the hay, it was time to decorate our HUGE tree.

Joey got to put on the angel this year!

The final product!

Soccer is Over and Turkey Day is Around the Corner

Soccer season has officially ended!  I love that soccer starts in the heat of summer and ends in the pouring rain.  It makes me feel like we have really accomplished something to have played through such dramatic shifts in weather.  I realize that it has only been four months, but that is still pretty impressive.

The last games of the season were this past weekend and it was right in the middle of a rainstorm.  Logan's game was cancelled but Joey's game was held on schedule.  Really only the parents were complaining about standing in the rain for over an hour, the kids thought it was great to play in the rain and mud!  I wish I had pictures but I stayed near the car and was too far away to get a shot with the iPhone.  I do have pics of Logan and Emmie with their umbrellas.  This didn't really last long since they both got cold and wanted to sit in the car instead.   

 

After the game we had the obligatory end-of-season soccer pizza parties to attend.  Logan had a blast playing in the arcade and was very proud of his first-ever trophy! 

And today, on this final day of school before Thanksgiving Break, Joey's class had a Friendship Feast.  A full Thanksgiving meal was prepared by all the parents (we were in charge of brownies) and all the kids had Thanksgiving hats to wear.  It was adorable! We are so thankful to have found such an amazing school that still believes in a well rounded education.  

Joey literally stuffing his face!

The first grade class of pilgrims and Indians!

It always cracks me up that all the parents whip out their phones.
Obviously I do that too, but I like to turn and get the "proud parents" pic!
This is only half the room - proud parents everywhere!

The "silly faces" shot!

Snow Trip 2012

Last weekend we were holed up in Lake Tahoe enjoying a much needed vacation with the little crew.  We drove in Thursday night amid a winter storm warning and arrived at midnight, bound and determined to wake up in Tahoe Friday morning.  We were greeted Friday morning by a gorgeous view of the lake and just enough snow for the kids to be amazed.  It snowed most of Friday and the rest of the weekend was cold but sunny.  Overall it was a wonderful trip full of good food, tons of sledding fun, snuggling by the fire, and uninterrupted family time.

Emmie watching snow fall Friday morning.

View from the back deck.

Logan ready for the snow!

Playing in the backyard...

View of the Viking Castle

Sledding by the lake

Playing Sequence at the house.