Present from Heaven

I can't believe we did it. I can't believe how precious today was. The Carpenter's invaded Disneyland. We got my Dad to Disneyland! My husband must be beaming down on us from heaven. He worked his butt off the last 2 months of his life to pull this off for me. He will get a great big hug and kiss when I see him.

I bawled like a baby coming off of Haunted Mansion (Mike's favorite ride), and once the waterworks started, I could not contain them the rest of the day. I enjoyed the drive down to Disneyland with my Dad. I am blessed to have him in my life. My favorite part of the day was when we rode Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. My Dad LOVED it. He laughed and laughed and laughed through the entire ride. By the time we got off, I couldn't help but be giddy with joy.

I was fortunate enough to meet up with my dear friends, Jason & Sherida, for dinner at ESPN Zone. After dinner it was off to the Hotel Ménage (YES, that is the REAL name of the hotel we stayed at...hehehe), where the kids were tucked in by 10.

On the downside of the day, my dear Auntie Shelly became violently ill last night, and remained in bed for the remainder of today. I was so sad she couldn't enjoy the time with us.

Disneyland (Project 365/2010)

I can not express how grateful I am that Hubby worked his bereavement out for a total of 2 1/2 weeks off. This morning we dropped the boys off to school and took an impromptu trip down to Disneyland (perks of having annual passes). Peyton had a wonderful time and it was nice to see part of the Christmas season invading. The ride home, however, was dreadful. We got a flat tire on the freeway, which made us EXTREMELY late picking up both the boys from school.

Disneyland (Project365/2010)

We had to take an impromptu trip to Disneyland this month, due to wrong information given to me (for the 2nd year in a row) by the Annual Passholder's ticket agency. I sent in my renewal at the beginning of the month, but before doing so, I called to inform them that when I printed out the contract, not all the information was on there. TWO different ticket agents told me to write in what was missing and send it it. Wouldn't you know it, two days after our passes expired I got a call saying they could not honor the contract because of the filled in writing. OMG! Fortunately, the 4th person I spoke to was able to give me an extension to come down and straighten it out. We had until September 30th. This SERIOUSLY throws a kink into our payment schedule, as teacher's get paid once a month, at the beginning of the month. So I'll have to draw the money out, and put it back in at the end of the month. UGH! To top it off, Peyton turns 3 in November, and she'll need her own pass then too. Good grief.

After Cameron's orthopedic recheck, we loaded the family up in the van and headed down to Disneyland. The humidity down there was almost unbearable. We straightened out the annual passport situation, and went in to the park, because ... Halloween Time at Disneyland is my FAVORITE time at Disneyland. I'm such a Fall person, however, last night didn't feel very Autumny (Is that a word? It is now!) We jumped on the train (due to Cameron's ankle/foot) and headed to It's a Small World. Then we jumped on the train again and got off at New Orleans Square where we took in Haunted Mansion Holiday, and my favorite ride, Pirates of the Caribbean. After Pirates, Hubby took to the 2 little one's to the Jungle Cruise, while Cameron spent the rest of his birthday money in Pieces of Eight.

We were out of the park and on the tram by 7:30! We ate dinner at my favorite place to eat in Anaheim, Bubba Gumps, and back on the road, headed home, by 9:15. NICE! Once we hit the desert, the clouds opened up and it was raining. OMG! I <3 RAIN!


Cameron and I showing off our new Jack Skellington hats!


Peyton found this stuffed Jack Skellington and would not let it go. Of course Daddy bought it for her. She hugged this thing ALL over Disneyland. He is affectionately known as Jackie, courtesy of Pretty.

Magical Memories (Project 365/2010)

We took a trip down to Disneyland to cancel our hotel reservation and return the outfits I bought for our Disneyland 55th Vacation this weekend. I didn't want to go. I know, right? Me not wanting to go to Disneyland? I was just in a funk about having to cancel this weekend. I had decided we would catch Fantasmic while we were there. My family had never sat and caught the entire show before, so we squatted in front of the Rivers of America and waited 40 minutes for the show. While walking out of Disneyland at 11 pm, Peyton was throwing a fit, "I go Disneyland!" I saw Minnie Mouse on Main Street and instructed Mike to get in line. The CM closed the line behind us, despite a few very rude families trying to get in. Peyton was SUPER excited to meet Minnie.



When we were done grabbing our picture moment, the CM's asked if Peyton would like to walk Minnie to the gate to say Goodnight. I walked with so that Peyton would know she can't walk away with a stranger.

Peyton and Minnie took some time to smell Minnie's flowers.

Goodnight Minnie! Thank you for giving our daughter a truly magical memory.

Minnie Mouse (Project 365/2010)

During our trip to Disneyland in May, I saw this Minnie Mouse purse. I figured since Peyton loved her Princess purse so much, I'd pick her up this one too. However, when I hit The World of Disney there were none on the shelves. While I waited for a CM to check their back inventory, temptation hit and I picked up a little ensemble to go with the purse. Now all I need to do is find some Minnie Mouse sungwasses and her outfit will be complete.

Disney's Electrical Parade (Project 365/2010)

I don't know where I had been...under a rock perhaps, but Thursday it came to my attention that Disney's Electrical Parade was leaving DCA...NOW, like THIS weekend! Disney, in it's infinite wisdom, has decided to move the Electrical Parade to WDW. Not much notice, I know, but Peyton had never seen it, and Dylan was Peyton's age the one and only time he saw it. I texted Hubby, and we decided to go Sunday afternoon. Honestly, what good are the passes if we don't utilize them for occasions like this. It was SO worth it. Peyton was clapping, smiling, and even let out a "WOO!" here and there! Dylan tugged on my jacket, and said, "This is the best parade EVER!" I only hope, years from now, my children will look back at times like these with love and affection.

Wordless Wednesday: Pluto

A few years ago, before we finally broke down and bought annual passes, we stayed a few days at Disneyland. One morning we got up and ate at Goofy's Kitchen. We decided to take a picture with Pluto. While we paid, Pluto and Cameron had a knock down, drag out, wrestling match that would have made the WWE proud. How I wish we had that on video, but we always look back at this picture and smile, remembering what took place the 5 minutes before.

Check out more Wordless Wednesday over at 5 Minutes for Mom.

Honoree

Words can not express how ecstatic I am to be chosen!

Halloween 2008

We went to Disney's California Adventure for Mickey's Trick-or-Treat Party. I love watching all the costume concepts, and get a little jealous at my lack of creativity to do the same. I saw a couple dressed as Prom Bella and Edward, way cool. I think my favorite was the Scooby Gang. Mom was Daphne, little guy about 4 was Shaggy, brother was Scooby, and Dad was Fred. My favortie cartoon has always been Scooby and I was over the moon when Cameron learned to love the show too. Dylan is still a little too young yet. When it came time to take pictures of the kids wearing their costumes, Dylan was less than willing. When we were trick or treated out, we were off to Disneyland to take in a few rides. At the end of the night, and after Dylan had taken in The Jungle Cruise, he was more receptive to take pictures. Brat! LOL

Tinkerbell Peyton

Peter Pan Dylan

Boba Fett Cameron

Summer 2008

I haven't been on here much this summer, or haven't you noticed? Well, first of all, I have been fighting with my computer. I am in need of an upgrade. We have had ours long enough. I want a laptop and I just have to figure out how to make it happen.

Other than that, I have been busy playing, organizing, and spending quality time with me loosing weight. Summer seemed to end so quickly for us this year. Hubby worked summer school, which means he only had 12 days home with us before back to the grind. In those 12 days we hit the beach, twice, and, FINALLY, bought annual passes to my favorite place in the world, Disneyland! Prior to that my time was spent with all 3 of my children at home, chaos, mayhem, running amok. Okay, well, Peyton can't run, but she can scoot all over the place. As for Boo-Boo reports, well, she dislocated her arm, TWICE in 24 hours. They call it a nurse maid's elbow. That pretty much sucked. Dylan got a sunburn, never mind the child had sunblock on, on his nose the first time we went to the beach, he still has a little pink discoloration and I pray it won't scar. Cameron seemed to fair okay this summer, nothing out of the ordinary to report there. Well, except that, unbeknownest to us, his school decided to extend the day by 1 1/2 hours. It's a grant and several classes are doing this, one of which is his. This means I am up at 6:15 rather than 7:30 every morning, plus I get to hear the joyous cries of mutiny from Dylan and Peyton. Our schedule has been uprooted and there is no turning back. This time next month we should be old pro's at it. I HOPE!

As far as the house goes, WOO-HOO! Some much needed organization has taken place. The laundry room is done. The hall cupboard is done. The bathroom's are done. The playroom is next and Dylan will be graduating into a big boy room pretty soon. Don't get me wrong, there are still things that need to get done around the house, but it's so much nicer knowing just those few things have been accomplished and my daily chores run much more smoothly.

It's terrible, I haven't read one thing this summer. Scratch that, I have read Eric Carle & Dr. Seuss, does that count? I understand now why Katrina only does Spring and Fall Reading. There is just too much going on. However, Hubby FINALLY picked up Sacred Marriage and has begun reading it. I pray he gets as much out of it as I did.

As for quality time with myself. FANTASTIC! I have continued my water aerobics three times a week. I have refused to get on a scale, but I can tell you I have to buy bathing suit #3 because of the inches I have lost. They have extended our class until the end of November. A gigantic (47,000 square foot) gym is being built in our area with indoor pool, but it isn't set to open until mid 2009. By then I think I'll be ready. My goal? This is the last year Mama will be fat in our Christmas picture! It's my mantra right now.

I look forward to seeing ya'll more often. God Bless.

Disneyland

If I could live at Disneyland, I would. I swear my dream job would be to work at the Happiest Place on Earth. My favorite ride is Pirates of the Caribbean. It has been since I was Cameron's age. My grandmother use to get discounted passes when she worked at the Air Force base and took her grandchildren EVERY summer! Cameron was 4 before he went for the first time. Since then, he's been there at least a dozen times. Dylan was our souvenir from Cameron's first visit. He went for the first time when he was 4 months old. It was exactly a year before we lost Mandelyn in the accident. Peyton's first time was Sunday, the day she turned 7 months, and we went to support Mandelyn's mom. She swore last year she would go every year to the Happiest Place on Earth, rather than sitting at home and wallowing in self pity. We got there around noon, and we left at midnight. YES, midnight! Dylan hid during Haunted Mansion and most of Pirates. Peyton fell asleep on Pirates. Cameron is a big boy now, driving Autopia by himself, riding Matterhorn and Indiana Jones. Fun was had by all!

Cameron on the Tram. Doesn't he look like a young Darth Vader? He's also a big boy now, driving Autopia by himself and riding the Matterhorn and Indiana Jones!

Dylan on Haunted Mansion. He also did this halfway through Pirates of the Caribbean.

My boys hamming it up in ToonTown.

Peyton thought it hilarious to kick Loody in the face while waiting for Peter Pan.

Loody translates to "Brother", on Storybook Land.

Daddy trying his hand at the Sword in the Stone.

Cameron is having no luck pulling that Sword.

Dylan is having great fun pulling the Sword in the Stone.

Mama & Peyton trying their hands at the Sword in the Stone.

Mandelyn pulling the Sword in the Stone (April 2006).