Disney Day

Oh Disneyland I love and miss you.  I made us reservations for the character breakfast a few weeks ago and it was so much fun.  The one we did at the actual hotel at Disneyworld was a lot better, but this was pretty cute.

I was so excited to see Cole's reaction when he saw Minnie, but of course I was getting food when she came over.  Ash took this picture and I think its hilarious.  Cole wasn't really into the characters like I thought he would be, but he was also so tired.

Eeyore was grabbing everyone or maybe just the girls and giving them these giant bear hugs, haha.

Alex was excited to see Captain Hook since thats who he was for Halloween :)

The weather was perfect and the lines weren't bad either, score!!

Alex's one request was to go on the teacups!!

Alex trying to kiss Saige, our request, haha.

We went to Toon Town and let Alex and Saige play at the playground while Cole slept.  I thought he might stay asleep so we decided to go on It's a Small World.

He didn't stay asleep, but he loved that ride and wanted to go again.

I bought them a Toy Story gun souvenir which they were obsessed with.  

Saige sticking out her belly.  I was dying because that's her real stomach, nothing is under her shirt.

Such a great day at Disneyland and a big thanks to Ash for driving us and being such a great friend.  The castle turning to winter is one of my favorite holiday Disney attractions, so pretty.

and our last ride of the night.  Winnie the Pooh along with some chocolate peanut butter pooh bars afterwards, yum.  I'm hoping we can still go to Disneyland or World (we are in the middle now) once a year.  I also hope Alex will remember us going when we lived in California.

California Sunshine

Our first morning in Pasadena I opened the front door and instantly remembered how beautiful Pasadena is. The sunshine, the cool mornings, and the yummy smells. It seriously smells amazing with all the flowers and plants, I miss it.  We met Laura at Brookside Park and just hung out and soaked up some sun.  

Ash had a funeral to go to in Burbank so after the park Laura and I went on a mini eating tour.  We tried a new breakfast burrito place I read about on a blog and was literally 10 minutes from our apartment in Glendale.  

Laura is probably the best eating friend I've ever had.  We still text a lot about food and recipes, but it's just not the same.  

Our 2nd stop was a donut shop in Eagle Rock.  You can build your own donut or try their specialities.  We had a goat cheese and honey donut and it was so delicious.

We went to Manhattan Beach that afternoon and spent a couple hours there.   The pier was lined with Christmas trees and lights.  

Back in their element.

We were at the beach during nap time and Cole was tired and cold so I changed his diaper, wrapped him up in a towel and he fell asleep in my arms, so sweet.  

These two are the cutest and play so well together.  It feels like we've been gone so much longer than 7 months.

We knew traffic would be bad on the way home since we left at 4, but it took us over 2 hours to get back to Pasadena.  I DON'T miss the traffic :)   Luckily we made it back with 30 minutes to get ready, bathe the kids, and hand them over to Ashlee's mom Marcille who watched all 3 of them for us, so sweet of her.   We met at Kim's house and carpooled to Fig and Olive in Hollywood.  It was so much fun to see all these girls and catch up.  Life changes so quickly, but I'm thankful to have friendships and memories with all of them.  Miss you all!!

Back To La La Land

I planned a trip to Los Angeles in September when I found out we were going to Utah for Coby's wedding.   I had a free flight I needed to use on JetBlue and since they don't really fly out of Dallas I figured out it would be cheaper than buying a roundtrip ticket from Dallas to SLC.  It's always a little nerve racking traveling with the kids by myself, but I really wanted to go back to California to see our friends.  I had 2 huge suitcases, 1 carry on, 2 car seats, my stroller, my purse, and 2 backpacks for them with iPads, snacks, and toys.  It was crazy!!

The flight turned out to be pretty easy.  They are both getting to good ages where they can entertain themselves and just eat snacks.  

Cole decided to take a nap the last 30 minutes and then cry after we got off the plane until we got into Ashlee's car.  At the baggage claim he was laying on the ground screaming and I was waiting for my pile of bags which I had no idea how I was getting to Ashlee's car.  I had to laugh because it was so insane and everyone was just staring at me.  That's one thing I don't miss about California.  People are so unhelpful and rude.   I saw some young Asian guys sitting down playing on their phones so I asked them if they would help me out to the curb and wha la just like that I made it to Ashlee's car :)

It had been 7 months since we moved, but in a way it still felt like our home.  Kind of bittersweet, but so good to be back in the beautiful sunshine!!   Our first stop was Americana which also kind of made me teary eyed because I spent so many days there wandering around, haha.  We had lunch at Din Tai Fung and I'm drooling over those green beans in the picture right now, yum.  Cole warmed up to Ashlee and it was just like old times.

Alex and Saige picked right up where they left off and Cole was the 3rd wheel again, haha.   Our favorite trolley ride around Americana.

We stopped at my favorite Lululemon and picked up a few sale items.  Thank goodness for iPads.

The new Sprinkles opened and I was so excited to sit outside and eat cupcakes and their amazing cookies.  It was a perfect afternoon!!

That evening we stopped at Amber's house for the kids to stretch out a bit and then met Laura at Tacos Ensenada!!!  Man do I miss our lunch dates there.  Best fish tacos and peppers ever!!

Random November

One of my favorite things to do is try new restaurants.  I've heard so many people rave about Jaspers so I made reservations for us there one night.  The waiter told us they had crab legs from one of the boats on the show Deadliest Catch which Al happens to watch.  It was a little over priced, but it was amazing and we savored every bite.  You Only Live Once, right!!

Al 5 & 6

Taking selfies on my phone during Sacrament.

Hugs and kisses from my little lover Cole.

I took my friend Heather's maternity pictures at White Rock Lake one evening and it was so fun.  She's gorgeous and the lake was beautiful so it kind of impossible not to get a good shot.

Cole and Mom mall date on the Carousel.

Lunch date at Pei Wei eating his California Roll!!

Dinner in Dallas celebrating Diane's Birthday!!

Breakfast with Santa at the Willowbend Mall.  Each kid got a free breakfast at Chick Fil A, face painting, balloon animals, and to see Santa.

Cole makes me laugh.  What 2 year old sits still to get their face painted!!

Proud of their new Olaf face paintings :)

Al was in Arizona with his parents volunteering for the Arizona Ironman so they can do the race in 2015.  My friend Lauren and her family were with me at the mall and while we were waiting in line to see Santa, Cole disappeared.   The entire thing was fenced in so we were all so confused, but Lauren's husband Rich went into the big snow globe before you meet Santa and Cole was just standing in the middle the snow looking around.  Talk about heart attack and not to mention I was almost in tears, worst feeling ever.   This snow was on everything and wasn't easy to get off.  I definitely prefer real snow :)

Snow angels in the fake snow

Al and his parents made a stop at Last Chance for me which I've been dying to go to.  Everything that doesn't sale at Nordstrom Rack goes to Last Chance.  Al said it was like the worst Ross he's ever been to.

Al handing out water bottles to athletes on the bike portion.

And Lexi went into labor 6 weeks early, 1 week before I was going to take maternity pictures of her!!   Here is sweet little Hadley, can't wait to meet her.