After Christmas we renewed our Disneyland passes! (!!!) Exciting for us, because we've really, really missed our spontaneous trips to Disneyland over the past few months. Mom Frandsen was here and went with us... which was a special treat.
The submarine ride has been converted into a Nemo adventure... which was our first stop...
Disney still had all the Christmas stuff up and running, which made for a truly magical time. Seriously... the Christmas atmosphere was everywhere. Small World was super fun, the castle was amazingly done up in white lights, and the fireworks were fantastic! We highly recommend seeing Disney for the holidays.
I'll never forget the end of the fireworks... after a great finale the air was suddenly filled with white "snow" as "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" played.
We didn't get a good picture, but it really was a sight. It was one of those moments for me as I sat back watching Paul, Michael, and Mom F frolic in the "snow," Bekah had conked out in the stroller and Abby was in my lap... all just seemed so peacefully right in life. Just one of those moments, you know?? What a fun day.
Since then, it has been back to the exciting routine of life! But here are a few "extras" that have made the days so fun...
To me, it seems that Michael, Abby, and Bekah have all grown up quite a bit over the last month. The girls are saying new words each day, communicating so much more. They love, love, love singing--especially Abby who seems to be humming or jabbering a song all day long. Her favorite is probably the ABCs right now...
Of course, there has been a lot of dancing...
Between Steven's gift to our of the Star Wars trilogy (to which Paul and Michael have been bonding...) and Mom F's "reward" Star Wars figures, there has been a lot of Jedi talk and play in our home. It all makes Paul feel like a great dad (which, of course, he is...).
There have been many spontaneous baseball games since Michael observed Lafe's baseball skills on the Wii...
And the couch cushions have been transformed into forts, star fighter jets, mountains and caves on an almost daily basis (there was a way cuter video that I couldn't get to download... oh, well.)...
Michael had a "Drive In Movie Night" at preschool where could make their own car to sit in during the movie.
Paul took him as a "boys night out" complete with Frosties afterward. They had a blast together... and check out the sweet ride!
We went bowling on Saturday. It was a fun night, and although we were not able to get a lane with bumpers, Michael used a ramp that made it fun and productive for him...
It took a whole 2 rounds before the girls were relegated to their stroller to observe instead of terrorize the bowling alley...
The weather has been a bit cold and really rainy (which means Californians basically shut down). But today we went to California Adventure, and enjoyed almost no lines and a really relaxed atmosphere!
We didn't even get rained on, but Paul did have an unfortunate mishap...
It happened first thing, and we have no idea how. But oh, we had a good laugh, and it was pretty necessary for Paul to get some new pants. After that, it was another fun and magical day...
So now that we are fully equipped with our Disney passes once again... do come visit, will you? It's a guaranteed magical time...
***********
this is paul shamelessly adding to amy's post. while i was waiting for her and michael to come out of soarin' over california i thought i saw peter and stephen. i took a picture of them to bring a bit of the nyc hipster sunshine to the blog.
20 comments:
Looking at these pictures and videos sure makes me grateful for America and family. Your kids looks so happy. Great post, Shmaimus.
Wow you guys have been staying busy and having lots of fun! When Ella say your girls dancing, she said "Ella", she thought it was herself, not quite but they do look a like from a distance.
What a fun post! You've been doing a lot of fun things! Aunt Pat told me about the magical firework night, who can beat fireworks, family and Christmas music!?
When do you find out what you're having?
thank you disney for being such an awesome, family-minded corporation.
hearing you comment reminded me the nyc hipsters i saw at disneyland yesterday. i will post the picture of them that i took as it made me think of you and petey...
i just glad a had on presentable underclothing for that rip...
paul, i think think we're all glad for that.
Things like that don't just happen. What really happened?
And, Mom was having entirely too much fun while I stayed home to work.
Aaron just erased my whole comment....let's see....what was I saying?
We need all your tips for Disneyland with kids. Joe will be there with me for 1 day and then I'll be with my family for the rest of the time.
The split pants are all too familiar here. With Joe's muscley behind, he is always ripping them somewhere....we've had to retire 2 suits that were new this year for ripping reasons, somehow he usually doesn't get a seam split, it's always in some odd place. This last time he was fortunate enough to get a seam split and he was so tired of it, he decided to wear them to work anyway split and all....thinking no one would notice. A lady from our ward is one of his CNA's and she had to tell him. She told me she was mortified to have to tell a member of the bishopric that she could see his whitiess and then said, "I promise I wasn't looking, I just saw it!" We all had a very good laugh!
Yes, Disney has been great to this family, Stevie. Amy L... email me your questions, and I'll answer them and more! When are you going and where are you guys staying?
Jill... just had to reschedule my ultrasound appointment and it isn't until the 12th. I'll be 21 weeks by then... hope it's not too cramped in there to get a good peek! We're thinking about bringing Michael to see...???
Paul... I can't believe you ganked my post! Cheeky.
And we honestly don't know the reason Paul's pants split. Somewhere between the car ride and arriving at the front gate/security check... who knows with all that unloading/loading what with the stroller, kids, elevator, "Disney Train," etc. They were thin pants anyway... but some of his favorites. I thought we'd have to have a memorial service for them.
Wish the green pair with the hole in the crotch would split down the back. He just refuses to stop wearing those things...
Guess I should just sew them, because I'm loosing that battle.
But the end result of this splitting scene was a sweet new pair of WAY overpriced "sexy shorts" (as Lafe would say). Very hip and nice.
Amy L... we'll have to look into some industrial strength suit fabric for that man of yours. Gotta be something out there...
Ganked?
Sure! We need to rotate some "urban dictionary" words into Dad F's vocabulary cards.
amyjo: joe must work out! that's pretty impressive.
disney pretty kids friendly, most of the rides allow you to have two kids on with you at one time. your oldest could probably go by herself as well making it possible for you do be on you own, but it sounds like you'll have family and that will make things really easy...even fun:)
at california adventure the things you shouldn't miss are soarin' over california, talkin' with crush, monster's inc., the river run (only if you want to get wet), bug's life movie (this is pretty good, but probably second tier on the list of things to do). we have cars fan and he LOVED seeing mater and lightening in their life-sized glory over by the pier (there are times published on that days brochure for when they show up for pictures.
things are better left unridden? all but the 'chew chew train' in bug's life area, the ferris wheel is a LONG wait for far too little in return, the whoopi goldberg movie is a 'no go'. the singing in the high school musical is not stellar, but our kids still enjoyed it. alladin was 'okay', but we had twins under a year at that time who were trying to cry their way through the production. michael enjoyed it.
there are a few california adventure thoughts. who else is going, where are you staying and how long will you be there?
matty: you're a great american.
sharlene: we'll take ella's comments as a compliment:)
stevie: you're so cute. did you like my picture of you?
jonny: i knew you would appreciate that photo of me.
dad: mom was certainly having some well deserved fun. and since she is always working, her hours certainly rival your for providing..:)
amy: sorry about the gank.
has anyone seen the light with my 'girlpower' playlist..?
Oh my goodness you guys lead an eventful life with all those kiddos! You two are so great. I love the singing and the dancing and the baseballing, and I'm totally jealous of the Disneylanding! How funny about Paul's pants.
Today, Michael has been teaching Bekah the finer points of being a Star Wars fan. She can say "Vader," "Luke," and "Ewok" when shown the appropriate figure. Such an impressionable apprentice.
carolyn: you have you hands full yourself with those super-cute kids of yours...you are always welcome to come join in the disneylanding...
Post a Comment