Disneyland 2010, Day 1

This year we not only got to visit the Magic Kingdom for three days, but we stayed in the Disneyland Hotel for two nights as well! I haven't stayed in the hotel since I was about 7-years-old. Our first day was very full! We rode most of the rides in Fantasyland, explored Bug's Land in California Adventure, had breakfast with the princesses, ate lots of churros and ended the evening with the fireworks display. I LOVE visiting the Happiest Place on Earth!

In line for our first ride - Small World.

Pointing out her favorite dolls in Small World.

We had brunch at Ariel's Grotto and got to meet a lot of the princesses. Leila was so excited! Each princess stopped at our table for a picture and Leila got to chat with each of them uninterrupted.

The hostess: Ariel.

Leila's favorite princess is Cinderella. She was speechless when she came to our table. After a few minutes she finally started talking with Cinderella. Leila asked her if she was ready to go to the Glass Slipper Ball tonight.

Midday it got really HOT! We cooled off with the misters in a Bug's Land. We were dry in just minutes.

Waiting in line for one of the rides in a Bug's Land and being silly.

One of Leila's favorite rides this year - Tuck and Roll's Bumper Cars!

I think everyone in the family had to take a turn riding with Leila. Which means we probably rode these at least 5 times!

Getting ready to watch Playhouse Disney Live.

The view, at dusk, from the treehouse in Disneyland.
Just a few minutes before the doors opened for the Tiki Room.

We ended the day with the fireworks show. So fun!
The headboard of our bed had the castle engraved in it. Then at night, there was a switch that lit it up! It played "A Dream is Wish Your Heart Makes" too! I want one for our room at home!!! Chris just laughed...I was serious though!

California Vacay - Day 1 continued

Chris's Aunt and Uncle live right on Huntington Harbor. The water comes right up to the back patio. We had fun dipping our toes in the water and watching the boats sail by. What a gorgeous day to be chilling on the dock.

Making funny faces for the camera...
And with Papa.

California Vacay - Day 1

We just got home earlier this week after our 10 day vacation in southern California. For lunch the first day after our arrival, we decided to try the Rainforest Cafe. Last year, we took Leila and she was scared almost the entire meal. I would like to say that things improved this year, but honestly it wasn't much better. To start off with we were almost seated next to the gorillas...which would have caused major problems. We asked to move thinking it might help. Not so much. That restaurant is super loud anywhere you sit! Not my favorite place...anyway, thank goodness they employ an "animal balloon guy"! He turned her spirits right around! One look at the purple (her fave color) elephant (her fave animal) and she was as happy as could be. Thank you!!

"Animal balloon guy"...what exactly is his title??

He must have made quite the impression because, no joke, the next morning Leila asked if we could go back to "the rainforest". We will not be returning unless we are sure "animal balloon guy" is there!

Ten Years of Marriage

TEN years ago on July 22nd, Chris and I were married! Our wedding day was exactly what we had hoped! I know it is cliche, but I married my best friend and couldn't be happier. He is my calm when I am frazzled, my randomness when I am too concrete, my clear-thinker when I am emotional and my support when I am wobbling. I am blessed!

To celebrate, we stayed the night in the Huntington Beach Hilton. Chris's family gifted us the stay as our anniversary gift. Thank you! We had dinner at a fabulous restaurant, Bistango.

In the lobby of our hotel:

In ten years of marriage (wow, that sounds like a lot!) we have learned quite a bit. Last week, we traveled to Seattle and were stuck in terrible traffic. While we were waiting, we started talking about some lessons we have learned about living with someone else for so many years.

The Taverns' Tips of Marriage:

*When you are engaged, WE means the two of you. When you are married, WE means the husband. (i.e. WE should clean the cat box. WE should mow the lawn. etc...)

*Being married the longest doesn't guarantee that you will be able to stand by each other in a family photo.

*"I'm fine!" means exactly the opposite. Someone is not happy.

*Eight words that send shivers down Chris's spine: "I think I did something to the computer."

*On that note, make sure one half of the couple has good tech karma.

*Laundry CAN be completed without reading every word on the tags. 15 piles is too many. Although it does provide great laughs to see your husband buried among the dirty clothes intent on reading the labels.

*Food is shared. Bank account is shared. Bed is shared. Cars are shared. Books are not.

*When helping decide a dinner entree, ALL options must be heard...even if the first choice is absolutely what you want.

*Keeping the butter dish stocked can be challenging to half of the couple.

That completes our list...for now...

Now a stroll down memory lane...

On our wedding day: The dapper groom!

The blushing bride:

Our "First Look" on the big day.

Dancing the fox trot to I Got the World on the String.
Our 5 year anniversary. We spent it in Rome, Italy. Behind us is the Vatican. Amazing memories!! Can't wait to see what the next ten years bring us!

Zoo Tunes

Last night we took in a concert at the Woodland Park Zoo. Our favorite band, Carbon Leaf, was playing!!!! We were lucky enough to get tickets with the help of a friend.

Traffic was TERRIBLE! It looked for a bit that we were gonna be really late. We were praying that the opening band (if there was one, we weren't sure) would play a loooong time. As it turned out, we walked in, copped a spot on the grass and then Carbon Leaf took the stage. Not a minute of their concert was missed.

In our haste to get in the park (and find a restroom ASAP), we forgot our blanket and chairs. Oh well, we managed and the grass was dry...luckily!

Our view from our little piece of grass:

Gorgeous day for an outdoor concert.
Takin' in some tunes.

The last time we saw Carbon Leaf outdoors was almost three ago exactly. We looked a little different. I actually started having contractions that night at the concert while sitting in one of those super low beach chairs. That was a Saturday night and Leila was born that Monday.

Present day us. No contractions this time around.

If you have never heard Carbon Leaf's music, check them out!!! We love them and are sure you will too.

Uh-oh, Not Again!

I've done it again. In our almost ten years of marriage, we have learned something about me. I have the ability to jinx almost everything...and unfortunately, it is usually for the worst.

I cost the Red Wings the Stanley Cup in the 2008-09 season simply by saying, "They can do this. They only have to win one more game."

Last year I mentioned to Chris how proud I was of our daughter because she had never been in time-out at daycare. The next day she had one for hitting a boy and then refusing to apologize.

The list goes on and on....there are honestly too many to write down, but most recently I jinxed Leila's swim lessons. Tuesday night of this week I blogged that there were only two kids in Leila's class. The next morning we showed up and two more kids were put in her class, one of which is not a good listener and is constantly pulling the instructor's attention and time.

You should have seen the look I got from my husband. It was my fault. We both knew it. What else could I say. Oops.

Maybe someday I figure this out...

Our Little Fish...In the Making

Leila started swim lessons this summer for the first time ever. The first three classes were torture, for kid, teacher, classmates and parents alike. She cried and screamed the whole time! At one point, Chris and I were on the opposite side of the pool from her and she screamed at the top of her lungs that she wanted to go home. We had NO idea what she was saying because she was blubbering, but she kept repeating it and finally we could make it out. The other mom kept reassuring me that it wouldn't last long. Thank the Lord, it didn't! By the fourth class she was as happy as could be.

We are so pleased with Kinder Swimmer!!!! It is right down the street from us, very reasonably priced, has wonderful, caring instructors and has awesome class sizes! They limit each class to 5 kids. Leila only has one other little girl in her class!!!! So she has 30 minutes of practically one-on-one swim instruction. We couldn't ask for better!!!

Leila gets to wait IN the pool now when it is the other girl's turn. She used to have to sit out on the wall and wait.

Waiting for her turn.
Practicing her back stroke and working on putting her ears in the water without sitting up. She is really concentrating here.
I thought I would include a picture from her first lesson. She was very nervous here. T minus 3 minutes until tears:

And look at her now!

Action shot...diving into the pool from the side.
I love to watch racing practice: "Touch your toes, arms back, dive!"
The last few minutes of class is toy time. Leila plays with Diver Dora EVERY time! She is super excited now that she can swim away from the teacher with her noodle.
Great work, Leila! We are so proud of you!