Day 3 - Disneyland!

What a day we had! We got up super early, packed up and headed to Disneyland- rain gear close at hand. We were giddy with excitement as we arrived! We had just walked into the park when is started raining lightly, no worries- we were prepared! On came the ponchos! Then- we were in Heaven, walking right onto the rides! We had a wonderful morning thinking being in the rain was actually great, we were all staying comfortable with our rain gear and absolutely loving having no lines to wait in!


Madi LOVED meeting the princesses! (and we loved it too as we did not have to wait in line for 2 hours to meet them)


After lunch, the rain really started coming down! It was POURING! We decide to head to the hotel (Kenny and Erin were smart to get us hotel rooms for the one night) to get dry, and got completely SOAKED just walking out of the park!

Shortly after getting everyone into dry clothes, the rain cleared up, and I went to work blow drying all of our shoes. The evening was perfect! The rain had cleared the park and we were so happy to be back in dry clothes.

We love the Monsters Inc. ride and because there was absolutely no one else around they let us go again! It was great! We caught a few rides in "Bugs Land" and then headed off to find the "Toy Story" ride, which was new to all of us.

Pierce & Ellie all ready for Toy Story

Madi & Addie

The Toy Story ride is for sure my new favorite! Pierce LOVED it, more than the Buzz Lightyear ride, which says a lot! I couldn't believe we hadn't know about it before. For sure the cutest thing and a must for anyone heading to California Adventure.

Rain and all,it was a magical day for all of us!

Trip Day 2 - Sunday

I was really glad that we had a day of rest in between our big Sea World and Disneyland days, and we definitely enjoyed ourselves. We attended Stake Conference with Kenny and Erin - which was a minor bummer because Pierce and Madi were so excited to go to Ellie and Addie's primary, Pierson had said the week before," I finally get to be a visitor somewhere far away!" But was great for us, as we had the opportunity to hear Elder Holland and Pres. Uchdorf speak, 2 of my favorites! (It was a broadcast for S. Cal.) I also enjoyed some great bonding time with Addison.

Here are all the kidos in their Sunday best

We had a great relaxing day and the kids played, played and played and we talked, talked and talked. We had a yummy BBQ and celebrated Ellie's birthday early as we would be at Disneyland on her actual birthday.

Pierce and the birthday girl! What a cute pair of 6 year olds!

I had to include these in my post, I was snapping pictures quick of this little frosting sneaker! Cute Addie, what a crack up!

Enjoying family and friend time

Enjoying some more bonding time with Addie, what a doll! I was so happy she warmed up to us so much.

We had a wonderful day and got to bed early in anticipation of a very early and very busy day at Disneyland!

"Sandy-Ego" Trip - Day 1

We finally made it to San Diego to visit our fabulous friends- The Rollins!

Kenny and Erin are 2 of our favorite people in the world and we have such a special friendship with them. Ryan and Kenny have been BFF's since high school and as Erin put it, "any trouble Ryan got in was because of Kenny, and any trouble Kenny didn't get in was because of Ryan." And since Kenny and Erin dated in high school they all go way back- and now that Erin and I have bonded when the 4 of us get together, well, we just have way too much fun! It also works out nicely that their two cuties, Ellie and Addie, are the same age as Pierson and Madi, and they have become such cute friends.

On Christmas we told the kids that we were going to get to go to California and stay with Ellie and Addie and they have been SO excited! For 2 weeks before the trip that was practically all we talked about, it also worked nicely as an incentive for Pierson to be good, all I had to do was mention "California" or "Disneyland" and I had instant good behavior. Pierce asked me, "Is it really sandy in San Diego?" I thought it was so funny he was totally thinking of the word as "Sandy-ego", (thus the post title.) We always see them when they come to town (luckily both of their fams are in the area so we usually get to see them a few times a year), so getting to go to their house was building major excitement!

We arrived Friday night after bedtime and were greeted with a pile of notes that Ellie had written for Pierce and Madi. Ellie and Addie were just as excited for our arrival as we were! The kids were beyond excited to get to sleep in the playroom and were practically drooling over all the fun toys they could see and could not wait to wake up in the morning and start playing! Pierce woke up around 3:30 and came in and found us announcing, "I'm awake Mom." Luckily he went back to sleep, until Miss Madi woke up around 5:30 and could no longer resist, they were up and playing and it was only a matter of minutes before Ellie and Addie ran in to join them. They were so excited to see each other and had such a fun morning playing together. We all enjoyed some yummy waffles made by Kenny that morning, and getting everyone ready and out the door before 9:30 to make to it Sea World early was a breeze. (I know, can you believe it, I was ready, the kids were ready and we were out the door on time! I guess that's what happens when the kids are up at 5:30 AM!)

Sea World

Addie, Ellie, Pierce, Madi

Sea World was great! It was my 1st time and was more intrigued than the kids. We had a grand time checking out the polar bears, sharks, walrus, whales, and all kinds of amazing animals. The Shamu show was so incredible! WOW!


Pierce & Ellie were so adorable together, cracking up at each others silly jokes and running all over the place holding hands.

One of my favorite shots from the trip, I'm thinking we'll have to frame this one for their wedding

Shark Teeth! Erin & Me with the kids

Checking out the Sea Stars and Sting Rays- way cool!




The whole gang- Kenny, Erin, Ellie & Addison, Ryan, Josie, Pierson & Madilyn (The kids really were having fun, not sure why it's so hard to capture in a group photo!)

We had to hit the rides to wrap up the day, the kids had a ball!


Kenny- what a man, taking all 4 kids on the "Sea Star Spin"

We had an awesome day at Sea World, loved it! After some yummy dinner and getting the kids in bed we had some good talks and great laughs. After checking the weather for Monday, which we planned to spend at Disneyland, they guys headed out to pick up ponchos for all of us. Kenny was convinced that it really wouldn't rain, little did we know! And we all got a kick out of checking out the book, "The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland", all I can say is, wow! Rather hilarious, but worth checking out. It was Ryan's kind of book.

My Toothless Boy

Pierce lost his 3rd tooth today, but this was a top tooth, seriously big kid stuff. I'm so not ready for that.
He let me pull it out again, after much convincing, again. But, he was very excited once it was out and couldn't wait to surprise Dad.

And of course he had to get his Wolverine pose in there, (it wouldn't be a complete experience with out it.) He went to bed a happy boy, anticipating a visit from the Tooth Fairy.