DISNEYLAND!!

We went to Disneyland on Sept 23rd!! The kids were both super excited to go! Aedan was little when we took him so he doesn't remember it and Cali had never been. We still don't have passes (shocking, I know!) so our friend Jonathan signed us in. We had such a great time and the kids ask every day if we can go back. :) I think we might just have to splurge and get those passes. I know it's not surprising but I took a million pictures while we were there. So, I'm gonna have to break up my posts. This will be the "everything but all the characters we saw" post.

The Castle:

When we walked down main street and the kids saw the castle they both got super excited. They insisted that we go inside. They were so excited we could barely get them to stop and take a picture. Cali refused to until I explained we'd go once we took a picture. :)

inside the castle:

Dumbo:

We got the movie Dumbo right before going to Disneyland so when the kids saw the Dumbo ride we had to go on it. :)

The Mad Hatter:

It is THE place to get hats. :) We went in to get the kids some hats. They tried on a bunch and posed.Even Geoff and I tried on a few hats. Aedan picked out a few and then finally picked one. Cali couldn't decide so she didn't want one. I think she lost interest. 

The one Aedan chose:

(it lights up!)

Teacup:

We took a picture in the teacup and then a nice lady asked if we'd like her to take a picture of all of us. So, we got one of all of us together.

The Little Mermaid:

We went on the little mermaid ride. Cali LOVES Ariel so she was absolutely amazed by this ride. I tried to get her to look at the camera and she just wanted to look at the ride.

Naptime:

Cali fell asleep while walking back from The Little Mermaid so while she slept (and I rested for a bit) Geoff took Aedan on the train. Aedan LOVED the train! While they were on the train the parade came around and I watched that. It was awesome and luckily didn't wake up Cali so she could sleep.

Back from the train:

Pixie Hollow:

I was like a kid in a candy store walking through Pixie Hollow! There was even a lady who said "You look like you belong here" to me. I was super bummed that we didn't find out what time Tinker Bell would be there because we totally missed her by like 45 minutes. I was so sad!! Cali was still sleeping and I wanted to wake her so bad to see where Tink lives but we let her sleep. Aedan and I had fun though. :)

Autopia

Aedan was super excited to go drive the cars. He got his "license" and drove his car. It might have been the highlight of his day. :) Cali (who was still sleeping) and I went to stand in line to see Princesses while the boys went there. 

A sword and THE hat:

They made it back in time to see the Princesses and after that we went to the little store to walk around. They had swords and Aedan instantly started playing with one. Cali walked around looking at all the super cool Princess stuff and found a hat that she decided she wanted! So, we got it for her. She also found a Princess seat that she had to sit in. She IS a Princess afterall! :) 

This cracks me up!

Toon Town

We went into Toon Town and the kids loved all the toony stuff. We went inside Mickey's house (where the kids saw Mickey). Cali and I went while Aedan rode the roller coaster and then Geoff and Aedan went. I got some pictures of Cali with some toon stuff.

Then Cali found this car and jumped in to drive. Aedan did the same thing after he left Mickey's.

Aedan teasing Cali:

Aedan picked up this phone and then got all excited and said "(intake of breath) I that Mickey??"

We all went to the "jail" and escaped...

I told the kids to try to lift this. Aedan's face is awesome!

They saw the firetruck and ran over...

Buzz Lightyear

We knew we had to go on Buzz Lightyear because the kids love the Toy Story movies. While we waited Aedan said he was cold so Geoff held him and he was OUT super fast. We had to wake him up for the ride which took some effort. :) Both kids loved the ride!

After the ride both kids wanted to go home (they were tired and they knew it) so we took them home. Aedan fell back to sleep in the stroller right away...

It was such a fun day!!

THE BEACH

On Thursday night we headed out to the beach. It took Geoff longer to get home than planned so by the time we got there it was chilly and getting dark. Bonny and her family had been there for a little bit so they went back to their hotel and we stayed. Aedan was SUPER excited to be there so Geoff and him got their feet wet and played a little while Cali and I snuggled on the sand. It was fun and the sunset was beautiful!

Cali was pretty chilly:

(she tried to say cheese but this is all I got. Love her faces!)

Aedan was very excited and energized!

Geoff had fun too! :)

P.S. Notice the big bruise on Aedan's head? A few days before this Aedan fell on the blacktop at preschool and smacked his forehead. YIKES! He was very brave (I hear) and went back out to play but that sure left a mark! 

SOME LUNCH & THE PARK

On Thursday we went to the mall for some lunch and a bit of shopping. Then we headed over to the park and let the kids run around...

Hot Dog on a Stick! YUM! :)

When we got to the park the kids wanted to check out the pond with the ducks. Aedan thought it was cool but stinky. Then the kids ran around and played.

Cali is starting to pose:

I love pics of Cali on the swings!

IRVINE SPECTRUM

My friend Bonny and her family came to CA for a visit!! They were here for a few days and it was so fun to see her! The kids had a great time playing together! On Wednesday we went to the Irvine Spectrum and had lunch, let the kids play, had some Cold Stone and did some shopping. :)

Splash Pad fun:

(Aedan & Mya got pretty soaked!)

Cali just chilled:

Cali had to potty so we all went into the Target. Then all the kids walked around looking at all the toys. They all had to push something...

and Aedan & Liam raced down the isles...

Yummy ice cream!

I'm sitting there enjoying my ice cream and I look over and see this...

I was like um... what's going on over there? She was massaging his shoulders! I started cracking up!! Then they switched so he could massage hers...

Should we be worried? :)

The kids had more fun than I thought possible in Old Navy (and I think ON is pretty fun!). This was while Mya was in the dressing room...

FIRE & ICE

Geoff and I went out to dinner with our friends Ian & Liesl to a place called Fire & Ice. It was a pretty cool place (we recommend it as a date night or if you don't have little kids) and we had a great time with Ian & Liesl, as usual. :) Liesl and I love to laugh at Geoff and Ian because whenever they get together it's all geek talk! They love it! Luckily Liesl and I have plenty to talk about ourselves. :)

Geoff, me, Liesl & Ian

Liesl & Ian

(We love these two!)

Geoff and I

MUSTANG!

Last week Geoff needed to drive out to Vegas for the day to see some clients. He didn't want to put miles on our cars or spend a ton in gas so he rented an economy car. It's pretty sad that it was cheaper to rent a car AND pay the gas then just take one of ours.
Anyway... he got to the place the night before to pick up his car and all they had was a pretty new red mustang. He was a little disappointed that the gas wasn't going to be as cheap but didn't complain... especially since he didn't have to pay for the upgrade (and it was still cheaper). :)
Aedan is a HUGE (and I mean HUGE HUGE HUGE) mustang fan! Every mustang he sees while we're driving anywhere he points out. He even knows the older mustangs. It is crazy. So, when he heard Daddy had a mustang he had to go see it immediately. So Geoff drove them around the complex really quick and they called me from the car to tell me how cool it was. While Geoff was gone the whole next day all Aedan would talk about was the red mustang.
The next morning Geoff took Aedan to preschool in the mustang (Cali went too) and never have you seen a happier kid! He was trying to talk Geoff into keeping the mustang. When Geoff told him we don't need a mustang because we already have 2 cars he said "We can keep it and only drive it to church!" like that would totally make Geoff change his mind.
Well, I ran out in my jammies that morning to take a very quick few pictures...

Geoff with the mustang

(he actually said "I didn't do my hair!" which was only because of the car)

Never have the kids put their seat belts on faster!

A very excited Aedan!

GRANDPA & LAURIE VISIT!

Every year my grandparents come to So Cal for the Disneyland half marathon. This year Grandpa had an injured ankle so he couldn't do it but Laurie still did and her sister, niece and their 2 neighbors came to do it with her! (Geoff and I were going to sign up for one of the events this year but it filled up too fast) They drove out on Saturday so we went over to spend the day with them and then went back over on Sunday where my Mom made a HUGE lunch for everyone. All the runners did great and got some awesome medals! It was fun to spend some time with them. :)

Look at these impressive ladies!

Laurie, Jane (Laurie's neighbor who ran the Mud Run with us), Deet (Laurie's sister), 

Jackie (Deet's daughter) and Tracy (Laurie's neighbor)

Cali being all cute:

Aedan being silly:

4 generations:

Grandpa, Mom, Cali, me and Aedan