Something smells good....Oh wait, its me!

So, Brian comes home from work yesterday carrying a Bath & Body Works bag. He had gone on his luch hour and bought both the Sugar and Spice and the Twisted Peppermint 3 in 1 - bubble bath, body wash, & shampoo. Yay for my thoughtful and wonderful husband. Last year he bought me the Gingerbread kind and I loved it sooooo much. So, he went looking for it again this year. Sadly, they no longer make the gingerbread. They had replaced it with the Sugar and Spice. It's pretty much the same thing.

Anyway, I'm at work today, and I kept smelling this really good smell. (My hearing and vision are gone, but my sense of smell is acute as ever.) Anyway, this is an unusual thing, because re-grouting a fireplace is a really dirty job. I usually end the day covered in dirt, grout, soot, you name it, I'm dirty. So, I was surprised by the smell. I kept getting little hints of it. After a while, I realized it was me. I had used the Sugar and Spice body wash this morning and the smell was still lingering. I kept sniffing my arm all day. I smell yummy!

Thanks Brian! I so love Christmas and now I smell like it.

On a side note - rain today - woohoo! I had almost forgot what it looked like. I'm having a happy day!

The Rest of the Trip

Ok, so day 2 at Disney continued....

After lunch we went back to Disneyland. Darrion wanted to get picked for the Jedi Training Academy. We had gone the day before, and he was devastated when he didn't get picked. So, that night at the hotel he decided he would wear bright orange today and he practiced all the light sabre moves on Joe. It worked! He was chosen. He was soooo happy and he was the first one to fight Darth Vadar.

By now, Disneyland is wall to wall bodies. Apparently it was the first day of the Holiday Season at Disneyland. Everyone came to see the parade and the fireworks show. So, we parked it on a bench in front of the castle and took turns saving seats and taking the boys on rides. Here are some "art" pictures Brian took while he was waiting. The first one is called "Joe's tree". When were at Disneyland earlier this year in March, Joe took a picture of this same tree for Addy. At the time it was covered in pink blossoms. We actually ended up enlarging Joe's picture. It is now hanging over our fireplace. I realize now that I've told that story, I should have posted Joe's picture too. Oh well!

The parade was very Christmassy. It put me in the holiday spirit. It was cold (which I love), and they made it snow afterwards. Here are some parade pictures:

After the parade we stayed on our bench and waited for the fireworks show. The boys were freezing, so we got hot chocolate. They gave us candy canes too. I melted mine in my hot chocolate. Again, very Christmassy. I was happy. The fireworks show was awesome - totally worth waiting for.




Ok. That was pretty much it for Disneyland. I'm not going to do a Day 3 beach day. I'll just tell you now, that the next afternoon we went to the beach. Yes, it was cold and I loved every minute of it. I am happiest when I'm sitting on the beach with my toes in the sand. The cold didn't stop the boys from getting in the water. In fact, they stayed in for a couple of hours. Of course we had to stay for the sunset over the water. It did not disappoint. The picture doesn't really do it justice. As fun as Disneyland was, I have to say that my favorite part of the trip was the beach. It makes me so happy!

We packed up and went home the next day. That's it for the trip.

A note to Elise. I know you tagged me, and I'm taking a while to post about it, but I will soon. I had to finish the trip post first.

California Adventure - Day2

Ok, as I was trying to decide what to write, I realized there is way to much for day 2. So, to avoid an extremely long blog, I am splitting up day 2 into 2 parts.

Friday we started at California Adventure. Joe had been dreading Tower of Terror, but I told him last March when we planned this trip, that there was no way I was going to spend the money if he wasn't going to try everything at least once.

So, we decided to do Tower of Terror first, so he wouldn't have to dwell on it all day. To ease his fears, Brian tried to explain that it wasn't scary, you just get happy, butterfly feelings in your stomach. It's not a Tower of Terror, Its a Tower of Happy Butterfly Feeling Time. Luckily, there was virtually no line, so he didn't have time to think about it and back out. Guess what! He loved it. As soon as we got off the ride, he and Darrion ran to go on it again. To see a picture of just how happy butterfly feeling time they were, see Joe's blog.

Tower of Terror is my all-time favorite ride, so I was happy.

We went on a couple of rides with mom - Monsters Inc. & Soarin' over California. Then we split up for a while. She didn't want to go on the Grizzly Run Raft ride with us. I don't blame her. Brian sat that one out too. So, reluctantly I went. I don't know what it is about water rides, but I manage to get soaked every time. Sure enough, I got soaked from head to foot(I am not exaggerating). I was the only one in our raft that did too. So, when they wanted to go again, I passed. I spent the next 3-4 hours trying to dry out. It was cool & overcast, so it took a long time to dry.

We finally made our way to the back of the park to California Screamin'. I thought Joe was going to back out, and he tried, but we pretty much made him go. And, of course, he loved it! He ended up going on it 4 times. Once was enough for me. I was starting to feel a little nauseous. I think I've developed motion sickness in my old age. So, I stood at the pier and watched them take off. This was Brian, Joe, and Darrion's favorite ride!

For more Screamin' pictures, see Joe's blog.

After they had their fill of Screamin', we went to MalliBOOMer. There was no line, and I remembered how much Alex loved it last time, and how I promised I would try it. Brian refused, as did Joe, so Darrion and I went. The minute I sat down and started to buckle up, I started to panic. I have vertigo, and the thought of being shot up that high started to get to me. Darrion couldn't get his restraint buckled, and I was strapped in and couldn't reach him. We had sat there a long time and no one came to check if we were strapped in, like they always do. Darrion freaked out a little: "I don't want to die." I secretly was thinking the same thing. Someone finally came and checked. Then, it shot us up in the air so high. It was terrifying and completley exhillarating and awesome at the same time. I pretty much loved it! Thanks Alex for suggesting it!

Ok. I'm done for today. I'll post parade pictures tomorrow. But, I had to post this one for Max. I promised him!

See ya!

Day 1 at Disneyland

So, I thought it was about time to post about Disneyland.

We left Wednesday (Nov.14th). Brian drove with Joe & Darrion (Joe's cousin). I got to ride with my mom. It was nice. We stayed at the Embassy Suites (of course). I sometimes think that Joe likes the hotel better than Disneyland.

Disneyland didn't open until 10:00 on Thursday. Yeah! We got to sleep in. It seemed like there was a lot of people there, but we never had to wait very long in line. I think our longest wait was Splash Mountian (It always is). That was 25 minutes. Most of the rides were 5-10 min. wait, except for Nemo. That was a 75 minute wait. So, we passed on it. I'm a little claustraphobic, so I didn't mind. If I want to see Nemo, I'll watch the movie.

My favortie rides at Disneyland are Buzz Lightyear and The Haunted Mansion (only when it's decorated like the Nightmare before Christmas - which it was.)

Joe and Darrion liked Space Mountain & the Matterhorn. Materhorn was a walk on, so they must have went 7 or 8 times. I lost count. I could only handle it about twice. It's too jerky for me. They like to yell at Harold (the snow monster). I think Brian's favorite was Space Mountain.

Joe & Darrion were mad because I made them go on Winnie the Pooh with me. They absolutely refused to let me take their picture on it. Hey, it was right by Splash Mountain, and there was no wait. They rolled their eyes and looked bored, but I loved it.

My mom spent a lot of the day sitting on a bench reading. They were taping a segment of "Dancing with the Stars" (one of her favorite tv shows) that evening and she wanted a good seat. It ended up being a let down though. Only one person from the show came - Jennie Garth. Her partner was sick, so she ended up dancing with Mickey, and it lasted about 5 minutes. What a let down. It was funny though, because when my mom watched the show Monday night, and they showed the Disneyland segment, she got all excited because she spotted herself in the crowd. So, we paused it to take a closer look. It turned out to be a young boy. Ha Ha! You know I love you mom.

That night, mom ditched out early and Joe, Darrion, Brian & I stayed to see the Fantasmic show. I haven't seen Fantasmic since I went with Adam and Jared when they were little, probably 10-12 years ago. It was a little different, but mostly what I remembered. Joe loved it. Especially when Malificent turns into the dragon at the end. It was pretty cool. I wish I could have gotten a picture of it, but alas - no flash photography allowed. People cheated though. I should have too.

Well, that's it for day one. Tomorrow: California Adventure & the happy butterfly feeling ride. Also, the picture of Chip and Dale that I promised Max. I didn't forget!

Be sure to check out Joe's blog for his take on the trip, and more photos!

p.s. He loves to get comments!

Merilee...

Now for all of you not named Merilee, you can ignore this blog (or read it for all I care). Mer, I promised you yesterday that I was going to blog last night and update everyone on our wonderful trip to Disneyland. Paint the picture, if you will, on the happenings at the "Happiest Place on Earth". Well, something happened last night that changed my plans. Namely, the Suns were on TV and since it was in Sacramento it was a late start. I actually did remember what I had told you and I had to weigh that with the fact that I just wanted to sit my butt on the couch and watch the game. Being a guy, that decision was easy. Sorry Merilee, I truly am. Rest assured, though, but Kim will not let me go much longer without blogging. I know, I have a disease.

Disneyland

Hey, I thought I would check in before we left town, since Brian seems to have given up on the blogging. We are going to California today. Joe is excited about Disneyland, but I am more excited about the beach. Yes, I know it is November, and the beach will be cold. I am so looking forward to it! This has been a rough month for me. After tearing my calf muscle and being hit in the face by a giant metal ladder, and nearly breaking my nose, I think I deserve a break. I'll post some pictures when we get back!

The Yellow Boat

Tonight Joseph, Brian and I went to Hamilton High School to watch their theater production "The Yellow Boat". My nephew Adam (Stacy's oldest) plays the lead in the show. He was so amazing. I've seen every high school play Adam has been in, and this was by far the best. He was made to play the part of Benjamin Saar.

Let me give you a brief history of this play. "The Yellow Boat" was written by David Saar. It is based on the true story of his son Benjamin Saar. Benjamin was born a hemopheliac, and grew up with constant blood transfusions, and during one of them he contracted AIDS. He was a gifted artist, and nearing the end of his life Benjamin used his drawing to communicate his feelings, and as a release for his pain. He passed away at the age of eight.

This is a replica of the actual piece of artwork by Benjamin Saar. When he was young his favorite bedtime story was a story his parents told him about 3 boats - A red boat, a blue boat and a yellow boat. They all set sail together. The red and blue boats returned, but the yellow boat left and never came back. He sailed away to the sun. As a child, Benjamin always said he was the yellow boat. This is a drawing of his yellow boat sailing up to the sun.

This play made me laugh, and cry, sometimes both at the same time. It focuses so much on who Benjamin was and how he dealt with his lot in life. Adam is so perfect for this role. It must have been hard to play a 7 year old, but he did a great job. After all, any of you that know him knows that he is a kid at heart. Also, during the hospital scenes where he is being poked and prodded, I couldn't help but think that Adam could probably relate. I kept having flashbacks of him when he was a 5 year old boy in the hospital, newly diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. He was poked and prodded and tested so much.

I have to say that I am so incredibly proud of Adam. He really suprised me at how good an actor he really is. And, to any of you out there in blogland who live in close by, GO SEE THIS PLAY! You won't regret it. Thursday, November 8th at 7:00 p.m. at Hamilton High School is the very last showing of it. Tickets are $7.00 at the door. Kids 10 and under are free. It will touch your heart.

Joseph and Brian loved it too!

Halloween

For all things Halloween, make sure to visit Joe's site. He did a great job posting about all we did for Halloween this year. There are lots of great pictures. We didn't want to duplicate everything here, so we are directing you there.