Our life and stuff

NY to PA to NY

 

So we are on our way to COOPERSTOWN, NY for baseball....

 

 

We spent two wonderful nights at my sisters house.  The kids swam, we sat around the table talking and drinking Kim's favorite wine.  

On Friday morning it was time to leave and head WAY UP-STATE to check in to Cooperstown Dreams Park.

 

But first, we drove 500 miles out of the way for a day trip on 78 WEST 

 

 

 

It was a beautiful drive over bridges, past a million farms and thru the rain.  

I had the camera on my lap the whole way. 

 

Can you believe he wouldn't stop and take a pic of the family in front this sign?

 

 

 

 

We were heading to Lamade Stadium to watch The WEST - our local team from Huntington Beach, CA play on ESPN in the Little League World Series. 

We weren't the only ones...

 

*Prepare for photo overload

 

 

 

There was a 45 min game delay due to rain but then the game was on. 

South Williamsport is like the Disneyland of Baseball, truly an amazing & magical experience. 

 

 

 

 

We found our seats - the place was packed!

 

 

{ The West Families }

 

 

 

 

As expected, the West killed it. 

They are an extrordinary group to watch. 

 

 

 

 

Time to leave this sleepy little town and head onto the next.

300 miles and counting... 

 

 

 

 

 

FINALLY

At about 10pm - we arrived

 

 

It was a looooong day!

 

 

Hard rider

 

Early this morning her Dad took her riding.

 

I was nervous.

She was fearless...

 
 

 

She did amazing - of course.

I don't think there is anything you can tell this girl NOT to do.

 

SeaWorld

 

 

Six Sisters + our families headed on down to San Diego for a day at SeaWorld. 

The kids had a BLAST - the weather was perfect - it was a GREAT day!

 

 
*That is a killer-whale tough kiss... ewww

 

 

 
 
 

 

There were a few brave souls in our group that hit the WATER RIDE.

I think I took a picture of about 36 other families as they ripped around the corner expecting it to be our group.  We waited forever... then finally their boat came around -

 

and we saw them get SOAKED

 

 
 

 

 

(You know when you are at Disneyland and it's super hot outside - you go on 'It's a Small World' for a 20 minute break in the AC.  Well, the Penguin attraction is the place to go if you are at Sea World.  This makes sense of course, it was freezing in there!!)

 

Beside the relief from the heat - the Penguins are pretty cute to watch waddling around but I couldn't help think about HAPPY FEET.

 

We stayed until the Park closed. 

It was a looong day and a longer drive home - but totally worth it!

 
 * SeaWorld ~ Spring Break April 2011 *

  

New Kid Pics

 

This week we bundeled up and headed to the Canyon for some updated KID pictures.

There is a new little person in our pictures this time...

 

 

[ She is a fun addition ]

 

We started with a meltdown... what's new.

Sydney was NOT happy with anything - the outfit, her bow, her undershirt, not allowed to hold the baby, the mud - basically everything.  

I ignored it and took a few quick pictures of the group without her...

(look, no Syd)

 

 

 

She eventually came around and jumped in the group picture. 

She only ruined about 10 frames with her sad sour face...  ugh, girls.

No shortage of drama.  

 

 
  

 

 Crazy to think what the next 10 years will bring with these three...

 

 

We walked about 15 minutes into the trail.

Took a few shots along the way.

We jumped and squealed when we heard movement in the twigs.

The kids argued over who got to hold Brooklyn.

Good times...

 

 

  

 

 

As much as we plan for (and secretly dread) our photo sessions...

It is worth it-

 

   

They are so stinkin' cute. 

 

 

Belize

The next day we stopped at Belize...

only the boys got off the ship

 

FIrst:  the tender is 45min to an hour ride.

Second:  the excursion booked was not 'girl' friendly.

Finally:  it was sunny and beautiful and we could have drinks by the pool.

They had fun in the mud - We had fun at the pool

(win/win)

Friday would be our last port of call.

...it's going by too fast

Princesses + Popcorn

Sydney only really cared about 2 simple things on our trip to Disneyland.

However, as soon as we walked thru the gates she became distracted.  

The characters were out... not just the fascinating ones as we 'people watch', but also - the real-deal Disney Characters.

 

(I think Donald heard me mutter to myself 'could they pick a worst location for lighting?' because he instantly decided to smother shade her.)

She would not pose until I agreed that these were Alvin's Chipmunks and not Chip & Dale - but hey, whadda I know?

 

    - A quick pose with Pluto -

 

 

Sure enough, just as we got to the front of the line to meet Goofy, he ran off - whatever.   

 

We decided we'd start to head down Main Street.  

but 

then we saw...   Miss Minnie

 

 

 

Expressions : upon MEETING  & the other SAYING GOODBYE

 

They looked so cute together...

 

Moving on

 

She had her 'magazine' (AKA park Map) and a bit of attitude as she strutted down Main Street:

 

First stop:  meet more Characters (seriously)

 

We went on a few rides, including the coaster in Toontown.  Not scared a bit!  Then we ate a late lunch and walked around. 

 

 

While about, she stopped to get pretty...

 

Is Lipstick ok Mame?

(Lady she will cry all this paint off if you DON'T put on lipstick)

 

Yes- she'd love some, thanks

 

now... for the reveal

 

and... the reaction

 

 

 

When we saw Jasmine she told Sydney 'you have got to show Minnie your outfit'

"Oh it's ok Jasmine - I showed her - and she just loved it and I said I know."

(she talks big when she's 4)

 

 

 

The lights were coming on. 

It was getting a bit chilly and we needed snacks...

We got our popcorn, I got a latte and we sat all cozy on our preferred bench.  Parked right in line with the castle for a great view :

 

A few minutes in, I leaned over to the barista near by...

'what time will the fireworks start?'

'No fireworks tonight Dear - only Friday and Saturdays this time of year.'

{fabulous}

With that heartbreaking news we decided to hit up the final ride of the night - the tram.  The way out of Main Street is equally as beautiful:

 

Where she finally spotted...  Ariel

'hello, knock knock.   Ariel- it's me Sydney.  remember?'

Her face melted in the bathtub as soon as we got home.

'Why do we have to wash it?  I could sleep careful... '

She didn't give me hassle about the fireworks. 

Maybe that is what I was looking forward to.  She got to see the princesses and eat the whole cup of salty buttery Disneyland popcorn.  All was good.

 

Feeling Lucky?

That is what my sister and I asked our husbands over the weekend. 

What surprised them more? 

Probably...  that there would be rental shoes, a loud random play-list to groove to & 4 very cute but rambunctious kids involved.

Lucky Strike... of course.

 

All 8 of us were crammed onto one lane. 

A single game took us over ONE hour.

(the couple next to us finished their whole game during our 8th frame)

I could go use the restroom and return in the time that it took the ball to reach the end of the lane when it was Sydney or Elle's turn. 

It was soooooo painfully slow.  I thought the ball would just stop right there, half way down. I wanted to go and push it down the lane.     

The kids danced... 

 

 

...and passing the camera

(photos by Elle)

 

  (photo by Sydney)

Good times all-around!

 

Ooooh almost forgot... before we bowled-

We met  Mr.Ben & Mr.Jerry : 

 

 

 

I almost forgot...

 

So, Saturday night we made plans for the next day.  The guys wanted to take themselves the little boys riding out at the track.  I reluctantly accepted to ride along. 

On the way there we saw THIS big wienie...

* it was hauling buns down the 15 FWY *

 

It was cold, windy and dirty - apparently the norm when it comes to dirt-bike riding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then there was more of this dude...

 

My initial thoughts on the way out to the track that day was to keep a close eye on the little ones.  I was so wrong. 

Apparently as the day progresses ones bravery grows, no matter the age. 

Their courage increases as their apprehension gets brushed aside.  

   

They jump higher and drive faster...

 

Suddenly the jumps are too high and he completely clears the table top.  Upon landing - his chin is forced into the handlebars.  

 

He pulls over, wiggles his chin and thinks cool, nothing's broken. 

As he pulls his hand back it's dripping with blood.  

 

So he comes riding back and asks... is my chin bleeding?

Me:  Um, YES

Al:  Like a lot?

Me:  Like... you will need stitches a lot.  Here, I'll take a picture so you can see...

 

*look away now if you are squeamish

 

 

   

 

We spent Sunday night in the ER...

 21 stitches later

 

After we picked up the kids (thank you Melanie & Damian), dropped off prescriptions and bathed our filthy children we looked at pictures. 

Al:  That was so fun...  we should go riding during Thanksgiving break.

 

Seriously? I'm shocked at first but then I realize.  It's kinda like my thoughts after pushing out a baby naturally and thinking that was so awesome!  

 

... the risk is worth the reward

  

 

Boys and their Toys

Early, way way early the boys left for a 'Man-Trip'.

They packed up their gear, layered on the clothes and drove off at 5:30am.  (Never fear, Sydney and I had our own special time together - it's called sleeping)

This manly bonding experience took them to El Mirage to give the bikes a run.  Not the little bike I posted about a few weeks ago- this is what we call an upgrade...  

 

 

 

I left a note for my love before they left in the morning...

The message was simply to have fun, be careful, have an awesome day together but please come home safely...

He followed thru- with all.of.the.above

 

 

::  and managed to have some fun of his own ::

 

 

Thank you babe for being such an awesome Dad! 

 

I know sometimes we do things like this with them to live out our own childhood dreams.  We parents all do that and that's ok- they (we) adore you!  I know that Luke will remember this morning- in his childhood- just the two of you.  You make him feel special, spending time with him.  Here's to many more man-trips* in the future! 

 

{ * Footnote reads  }  

Dear Sweet Husband O'mine-  can you look into a few that don't cost an arm-and-a-leg & don't leave me texting every 10 minutes to know that you're all alive and in one piece?   I know...  what fun would that be?  Just thought I'd ask. 

With love, Wifey      

 

~ Moving on

I was filling out some paperwork today for a summer camp for Luke and it asked what school he attends.  It then sunk in then that he is totally DONE with his first school.  He will start 4th grade at Panorama this fall and we are SO excited.  

We've gone back and forth about changing schools and we decided this is the year!  It was a little tough for Luke at first and still is hard to make changes which we totally understand.  He will miss his friends and teachers but I think he'll do great.  He already knows a couple kids there and I even know a few of the Moms.  In fact I was already put to work... here's a look at the new Panorama PTA Secretary: 

 

In August we are invited to tour the school and get acquainted.  It is a K-6 and has 300+ students.  His old school was K-5 with almost 1,000 so I think we can tour the new campus in about 3.5 minutes.