Disneyland Just Doesn't Get Old

 
It seems to other people like I go to Disneyland all of the time but not to me!  I have only been twice this year, I am sure there are many people who have gone that often in one week.  Regardless, what people don't understand is that Disneyland just doesn't get old.  There are so many things to do that no one experience is ever the same.  For instance, on this trip Fred and I started off with the Aladdin show.

The Aladdin show is a 45 minute musical production based on the movie.  It is pretty incredible and it is a nice way to break up the day.  

After the show my sister and nieces had arrived.  

We greeted Marla with a refreshing glass of white wine.  You just have to love California Adventure.  

After crossing the border to Disneyland we had to stop by City Hall to watch the Fireman band (which none of us have seen before).  

I am the only adult out of the three of us that can handle the tea cups.  It is hard to get the cup going by yourself (my dad must have gotten a work out with us three girls) but at least there is plenty of room to get into it.  

It was a pretty busy day (one DisneylandKnowItAll informed us that the place was at 65% capacity) but there was practically no wait at the canoes.  

Marla and I have not done this since we were kids, and Fred and the girls have never done it.  

Would you believe that we actually had to paddle and there is no track?!  The workers are actually sweating real sweat.

After the canoe work out we caught a ride on the ferry over to Pirates Lair.  

Marla, who has a pass, had never stumbled upon this tree house! 

Ruby loves Tarzan's Tree House.  Although the name has changed since I was a kid little else has.  

The first year that Disneyland opened the guns were real and it cost 1$ for admission.  

Now it costs 1$ to play with fake guns, and I won't even mention the price of admission.

The churros at Disneyland are delicious.  Fred just had to indulge.  We like to pretend like we won't be back for a while when in actuality we will probably go again this year.

Until next time Disneyland... when Car Land is open and hopefully the Matterhorn!

Thanks for coming Marla, Elle, and Ruby!  

Bunny ears on Nancy Reagan, not so funny

Fred and I drove straight from Palm Springs to Camarillo to visit our family.  We wanted to do something  Memorial Day-related but since we got a late start and military folks tend to wake up and get going pretty early we missed most festivities.  While eating the tofu scramble and potatoes that Don made, and the biscuits and strawberries that Shirley baked we decided we were just going to have to go with patriotic-related instead.  

We decided to check out the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.  

Fred is admiring the 9 1/2 feet tall, 6,338 pound a piece of  the Berlin Wall.  The painting gets touched up occasionally but it is original from the west side of the wall.  

"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"- Reagan in 1987

The grounds and the views are absolutely gorgeous.  It was the perfect way to spend the day.

Apparently some people don't think it is funny to give Nancy bunny ears.  It ALMOST makes me feel guilty about doing it.  Fred said he kept making eye contact with the docent who was shaking his head.  Meanwhile, Don (who was taking the picture) was telling me that my peace sign almost look like ears.  Sorry but this just makes it all the funnier...

If you have never been to a presidential library (as I had not) it is full of memorabilia from their life.  Reagan has a long line if history considering his career changes.  His whole life he had wanted to be an actor. After going to school in Eureka,CA and majoring in economics (while in a fraternity, playing football, doing the yearbook, and acting in the drama club) he went on to radio, and then acting, followed by being elected as CA governor and then a two-term president.  

Reagan absolutely adored his wife, Nancy, and between them there are over 700 love letters and telegrams.  

We got to tour Air Force One (although we could not take pictures or touch anything).  It was rather large but everyone had certain areas/ seats/ little offices that were theirs.  The president was confined to one area, along with a small sleeping area that we couldn't see.  We learned that any news reporters who wanted to board had to buy a first class ticket in order to do so.  

Reagan is quoted saying while aboard Air Force One "I go knowing we're witnessing an awakening to those self-evident truths to which our forefathers pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor".

Fred, who loves history, could not help but walk away from the Presidential Library with more respect for this president.  He was an admirable man.  

After the Library we went to a new ice cream spot called Sub Zero.  It is a chain from Idaho that uses Nitrogen to freeze the ingredients for your ice cream right in front of you.  I chose custard with a citrus tart base and raspberry mix-ins froze medium hard.  I have to admit, I was skeptical but it was delicious.

For dinner we went to Mongolian BBQ, which I have never experienced.  It was all you can eat buffet for 10$ and it was a fun way to end the evening.  I could finish two plates which I was bummed about because there were so many combinations to try!

Thanks for a great weekend, Don and Shirley!

Meg and Steve Say I DO

The weather in Palm Springs Does not get better than this.  It was in the mid-80's, an ideal wedding temperature.  

Steve's cousin, John, was the officiant.  It was short and sweet, and totally them.  

Look how happy they are!

Every last detail was perfect.

A traditional wedding lasso goes perfectly with the theme of the wedding; plus on Steve's side of the family it has been done for generations.  It is symbolic of the love that will bond them for eternity.  

CONGRATULATIONS MEG AND STEVE!!

This wedding is going down in history as one of the most epic weddings ever!

They walked down the aisle as Husband and Wife to live mariachi music.  

Let the party begin! 

Oh wait, we started yesterday...

Abby and Dave were another couple we spent a lot of time with.  

They are hilarious, and very reddish/orange in color.

Yay, Meg! Now you are an old married broad like me.

Alyssa and I are looking super neutral. 

We danced for hours.  The DJ started with the 40's and played music throughout the decades. 

This couple matched the earlier decades well.  

Towards the end of the night we got wind of a plan to toss Steven into the pool.  Since it wasn't Megan they were planning on throwing in I went inside to grab my camera!

Look at these crazed men, figuring out who they are going to take down next!  Within 15 minutes there were probably 15 people who were in the water, most of them clothed.  Including the general manager who apparently could not spit out that he was the manager fast enough.  Needless to say the party was immediately over after security was called.  

"There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage."  -Martin Luther

This is so true.  There is nothing better than being married to the right person.  

The Ace in Palm Springs

Fred and I were invited to our friend's Meg and Steve's wedding at the Ace Hotel and Swim Club in Palm Springs, CA.  Of course, we had to immediately check out the pool before getting primped for the rehearsal dinner.

Meg is stoked. This place is totally awesome; perfect for what they wanted, a semi-destination wedding.  Hanging out with friends while being served drinks at the pool... it doesn't get much better than this!

Steve's step-mom made everyone who stayed at the hotel gift bags which included Rice Krispies treats shaped like a tuxedo and a wedding dress, snacks, water, soda, beer, four different personalized beer koozies, an embroidered soft cooler, a personalized fan, and (now that I look at it) a box which I have yet to open.  She went all out.  

The rehearsal dinner was next to the main pool.  

ONE more day of Single Meg!  

Russel and Trish (who we met in Hawaii for Steve's cousin's wedding) with their pals Meg and Steve.  

Such happy couples!

The food was Mexican, buffet style.  It was DELISH!   So much so that I couldn't even take a picture before digging in.

We spent a lot of time with Starr and Drew.  

Meg and Steve have the greatest friends.  Everyone is so friendly and fun.  

SOOO looking forward to hanging out with everyone tomorrow!

South Carlsbad State Beach

Marla, Dan, and the girls got a campsite at South Carlsbad State Beach for the weekend. The girls love the beach and couldn't wait to search for shells and rocks.  

My aunt and uncle live just up the street and offered to make dinner for everyone.  

Thanks Aunt Kathy (and Uncle Steve)! 

Meatball sandwiches at the beach, what a great idea! Kathy bought soyballs for me (which are delicious).  The real meatballs were made from scratch (as were the cupcakes).  YUMMY! 

Just a few days ago Ruby had her training wheels taken off her bike (Dan had his taken off weeks ago).  

They are fast learners!

Just try to keep the girls out of trees.  

I feel like I am reliving my childhood when I hang out with my nieces.  

Steve is rocking Elle's accessories.  

This was totally his idea, he wasn't forced into it at all.

Love this picture. The Helton's are happy campers. :)

Ruby doesn't seem understand that she needs to hold the camera still when she takes a picture.  But since she is four we can let it slide...

My nieces... the biggest goofballs ever!