Really, the Happiest Place on Earth

During our last week in California, we of course had to do one last full day at Disneyland hoping to get our fill for a while. It didn't work. I could never be sick of this place! Especially at Christmas time.

They even had Santa's reindeer

We convinced the Ericksens to come with us and we didn't get sick of them either!

The kids were so good and by far the best part of the entire day, the fireworks. So magical. Of course I cry but seriously who doesn't! The snow starts falling as they play "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" after a spectacular production only Disney can produce. It just makes you feel like a little kid again.

Love it

Goodbye Disneyland! We will miss you too! (Spoiled, I know)

Board Walk Bike Ride

Something we wanted to do for a long time now was take a family bike ride on the board walk in Santa Monica. Finally, we did it. It was kind of a cool day but still very fun. Look at this kid so excited to go.
And this cute boy (Don't mind the butterfly helmet we barrowed!)

A big thank you to the Olsons for letting us barrow their car and bike rack! Another big check on our to do list made.

Whale Watching (kind of...)

The past week we have been all over the place but we are doing well and are starting to get settled. I should still be unpacking and organizing but I needed a break so I decided to start catching up the blog. Earlier in December we went whale watching with some friends in Long Beach. It was definitely an adventure and the only whales we saw were dolphins, but we had a memorable day. Here is the picture of the dolphins. I couldn't move it down in order so you see the highlight of the trip first;)

Here is Matt with the kids before we took off.

Here we are just taking off. Look at us all out on the deck, feeling good and ready for whales

Shortly after we took off, the fog came flooding in.

Jordan, Lila, Crew and I. After we cruised out of the harbor, the water got pretty rough. Take that back, the water got really rough! Kids were flying all over the deck, babies were crying, people lined up for the bathroom, it was crazy! The kids actually thought it was awesome and loved trying to walk on the rocking boat. Graham thankfully fell asleep and I was so close to losing my stomach.

Jake and Tom managed to make it through still smiling.

Finally, the sun came out and the waters calmed. Still no whales though.

The sun brought new hope of finding whales. That is when we finally saw the dolphins.

I love this picture of the boys

Graham woke up as we were coming into port

After the boat ride, we let poor Stacey go home with Tom (she was one of the ones who lost her stomach), we kept Jake and Abby and went to get some food in our weary stomachs at Famous Daves. Yum

After lunch we walked along the boardwalk in Long Beach and found a little bonus, snow! Crew got to go sledding and loved it. It wasn't much but not bad for Long Beach

Don't mind the frizzy hair but we loved the habor

Love these two

All in all it was a really fun day and definitely an experience we will always remember!

Merry Christmas

We want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas but since we are moving on Monday, we will not be mailing out our Christmas card. So print this off and hang it up on your frig if you want to see our smiling faces this holiday season! ;) Also, our address for the next few months is 1845 E. Laurel, Mesa, Az 85203. Merry Christmas!

Lila

This is Lila. She is darling, funny, and oh such a good friend of my Crew...
I think they really just understand one another...

or maybe they just both really enjoy goofy dancing...on a rock... in public...

Regardless, they really know how how to have fun together...

And just enjoy one another...

We love Lila... and Jordan... and the rest of the Daines family too...

I also think these boys are pretty wonderful...

What a great morning

Thanksgiving

I know this is way late, but we really had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year so I need to do a post even though it is delayed. My parents were so great to come out to Maren and I this year and of course Christian flew out as well. We spent the week in Oceanside and here are a slew of pictures in totally random order, but I think they capture some of the fun and relaxation we had during the week.

We did a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning. Everyone participated even these guys!

Sprinting to the finish

Making his "Turkey"

This is probably the only picture of me all week thanks to a random eye infection! I woke up the first morning there and new I was in trouble. Thankfully, Maren's bishop is an eye Dr and works just a few blocks away. Oh I was so grateful for him this Thanksgiving and got to sport some seriously awesome blue blockers all week long. Stylish, I know.

I am so grateful for all of my family and loved being able to spend Thanksgiving with my parents and siblings. Thank you mom and dad for such a fantastic week! I am also very grateful that this foot is healing well. We have another Dr. appt. Monday but he is looking good!