Tuesday, October 23, 2012

California Part 3: Ojai

After Disneyland Friday night we had a lovely dinner with Margaret and Mariah and crew and then drove through LA traffic up to Ojai. We got a hotel in town for the night and enjoyed a nice respite from the crazy fun day at Disneyland. 
 Here's Eli playing chess with me at breakfast at the hotel. He is both a gentleman and a scholar. 
 Getting ready for a soak in the hot tub. 
 After our night at the Blue Iguana we stayed with Shaun and Tamara (Crystal's son's family) and their sweet boy Zaydrian. Eli and Zayd played so well together and had such a great time. We were especially amazed at how chipper Tam was to have us there...she delivered their second child (a little girl) the morning after we left!
 Sunday we went to the beach. This picture was taken the moment Sammy touched sand for the first time. He LOVED it. 
 Getting dressed for the beach. It takes time. 
 Eli and Zayd build castles. 
 The water was pretty chilly. 
 Sand beard. 
 Our little fam soaking in the sun. 
 Daddy and Sammy share a laugh. 
 Octupus Eli.

Our California Adventure Part 2: DISNEYLAND!

When I was a kid we lived about 2 hours away from Disneyland. Some of my earliest memories are of riding the Dumbo ride in Fantasyland or of standing in line to see Donald Duck. I think it's for that reason I went to such great length to get my little family inside that magical gate. Andy boy was our efforts worth it. We had a BLAST. Because we were staying in the hotel on site we were able to get into the park just as they opened in the morning. We rode Pirates and Haunted Mansion before there as anyone else in the park. It was amazing. As the afternoon filled up with people we took it easy and watched a few shows, ate lunch, and took in the sites. All in all a perfect day. 

 Eli and Daddy wait in line to ride Pirates one more time. 
 Lil' Indiana Jones
 Talking to Goofy. 
 Watching a parade.

 Dumbo!
More sharp-shooting
 At the beginning of the day; all fresh and ready to go. 

 Being there at Halloween time was definitely as cool as everyone said it was. 
 Jungle Cruise!
 Playing pin ball. 
 Eli and Pluto
 Hanging out. 
 Lil Man all tuckered out. We were going to leave Sammy with my niece but because we ended up staying at the park we just took him along. He was soooo good. He loved everything and went on quite a few rides. His favorite may have been the Jungle Cruise. 
 Watching a parade. He got pretty tired out by the end of the day but held it together really well. The hardest part of Disneyland with Eli was trying to teach him how to wait in lines. He HATED lines. But he loved everything else. Pirates and the Haunted Mansion were his favorite rides by far. 
 Waiting to watch Jedi Training. 
 Sammy was sleeping in the stroller and Eli was pretty tired at this point so we just snapped a quick one of the tired but happy parents before we left the park. 
Chilling with Goofy. 

California Part 1: The Hotel


We have returned! What a trip. I'm still amazed we were able to get everything in we wanted. I'm going to try to document it all here...but I'll probably miss a few details. We drove in late Wednesday night and stayed with a friend in Orange County. Can you believe I didn't take any pics of our time there or with my niece and her cute baby the next day? Oh goodness. (PS...Mariah if you have any pics of the kids together would you send them my way?)

SO...I have to move on to Thursday. Thursday I decided that since we were headed to Disneyland the next day and who knew when we were going to be down there again and all that I threw a fiscal hail marry and booked ourselves a room at the Grande California. It was lovely. I'm so glad we did it. I've wanted to stay here for so long and I can say it does live up to the hype. So much fun. 

 Dan wasn't feeling great Thursday night so I headed out single-mommy like with the kids. We ended up at Goofy's Kitchen Buffet. It was a great time and the kiddies were pretty good. I'll say hoofing it around a buffet with a baby in arms and a 2 year old keeping up the rear was an experience I might not venture into soon again but it was well worth it. We had a blast. 
 Eli got to meet Cinderella. He was speechless. Mostly because I don't think he's ever seen that movie and had no idea who this frilly lady was. 
 Despite his facial expression here he was much more excited to meet Dale, who he kept referring to as Chip. Oh well. 

 Sammy crams it in.
 Eli meets Mini. He was happy about this one for sure. 
 The view out our hotel window. Eli and I went swimming and had a great time. The pools were a little chilly though...but I guess it was October so I shouldn't complain. 
 In the lobby of the hotel they have all these little kid-sized rocking chairs set up around a tv. Its great for when you check in and don't want kids hanging off your legs. 
My little cabana boy. 
 The lobby. 
Heading to Disneyland!

Monday, October 8, 2012

Cornbelly's

Last Friday night we made our way over to Cornbelly's. Usually people go here for the corn maze...because we got there a bit late we decided to bypass the maze and just let Eli run around in the fall festival area. He had a blast. We all did. Fall FUN!





 Daddy and Eli go on a horsey race. 





Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Sammy at 9 Months

Sammy turned 9 months last week. I can't believe how big he's gotten in the last little bit. He can walk around furniture, pull himself up and sit back down. He says Dadadadada and Mamamamamama. It's adorable. He weighs about 22 pounds and is 31 inches long. 
 Everything goes in his mouth. 
 Little teeth. 
 Oh dear me. This kid is cute.