Kindergarten graduation

I just can't get over the fact that its summer break and school is out. Where did the school year go? Maeley was pretty excited about her graduation program. It was a cute program and fun to watch Maeley. 

Getting ready for the program to begin.

Maeley's part was welcoming everyone.

They did a cute little song and dance. 

Maeley's teachers, Ms. Cox and Mrs. Haugen

As much as Maeley has loved school this year she was looking forward to summer break to "spend time with family" as she puts it. I can't believe how much she has grown this year.  To celebrate Maeley getting excellent grades we went to Red Robin this weekend. One of our kids favorite places to eat.

Mother's Day

Derek and the kids got me some new pj's and some earrings. I was surprised by Chase and how he was determined to make cinnamon rolls for me for breakfast...just like last year. He is such a sweet boy. Overall it was a great day. 

Derek quickly snapped a picture before church.

After being sick Friday and still weak Saturday when I woke up Sunday feeling good I wanted to get things done. I mentioned to Derek how I thought moving the bookcases in our room to the loft would look nice. Then he wanted to move the chair and ottoman from the family room to our room. Needless to say we did some rearranging that day. 

Here are some after pictures. Simple changes but its made a big difference. 

Disneyland: day 3

We had a character breakfast scheduled for 9:30 on Main Street and Disneyland opened at 9. The girls were requesting to meet Princess Aurora that day. Derek and I decided to get to Disneyland early and wait so we could be one of the first in line at 9 to meet the princesses.

We made it first in line.

Being one of the first in the park has its perk. Pluto came up to Chase and took his hand and walked with him for a couple minutes. Chase felt pretty special after that.

Here we are speed walking to be first at the rope at the end of Main Street. 

It worked we were second in line to meet the princesses! Success! 

We've got to work with Zoe on her smile.

Fun to meet The Fairy Godmother after just meeting Cinderella.

Parker and Chase

Briar Fox was pretty entertaining. Here is is after stealing Zoe's balloon. She was a bit concerned but he gave it back.

I thought it was hilarious that all the kids gave Captain Hook a hug. 

It was a great breakfast. I ate way too much food and it was fun seeing so many characters.

After breakfast Derek, Blaine and I took the girls to see Tinker Bell and Terrance. They were pretty excited.

Zoe and I on the Winnie the Pooh ride. This was Zoe's favorite by far.

After the ride they wanted to meet the characters.

After that we left Disneyland and meet up with Chase and strolled Downtown Disney. That's where the kids got charactures done. They turned out really cute.

After that we went back to the hotel and drop stuff off then headed back to Disneyland.

Of all the characters we meet we did not see Daisy Duck who Zoe wanted to see more than anyone. Kim saw Daisy and took this picture with her phone near the end of our last day. Kim asked a cast member if she would be coming back out and they said 6pm which was about 30 minutes later. We went to the front and waited only to be disappointed when we found out she had gone to Goofy's Kitchen instead.

It was a great trip. Different from my others but still great. We learned that Chase and the girls are complete opposites. While Chase loved all the "big" rides Maeley wanted nothing to do with them after going on a few she didn't like.  Can't wait to go again someday!

Disneyland: day 2

Day 2 was a Magic Morning which meant we got in an hour early. We hopped on the Dumbo ride because otherwise the line is always long. On a side note of all my trips to Disneyland and I have never been on this ride. I don't feel like I'm missing out though.

Another action shot of Aunt Steph and Maeley. 

Maeley really enjoyed being with Steph on the rides and requested to sit by her often. 

Almost a full group shot but we are missing a few

Maeley, Chase, Parker and Uncle Marc

Zoe with Uncle Marc

By the way when our kids are talking about Uncle Marc because there are two of them they say their spouses name then we know who they are talking about.

One of the highlights of my trip was watching Zoe's excitement when she saw the princesses for the first time. Simply priceless. 

I love this picture. Zoe was so excited to meet Ariel that I'm sure her reaction is in response to Zoe.

Right after we got our pictures with Mickey he went on break. While we were still in his house he just came out of no where to head back to the front. It was neat to see him walking down the hallway of his house.

You can see Kim in orange in the middle of the screen with Chase, behind them is Derek with Parker and then Tama (aka Grandma) with Zoe.

After spending a few hours at Disneyland we headed over to California Adventure for the afternoon.

This ride was definitely more intense than I anticipated. Chase and Parker were completely oblivious to how intense it was. They enjoyed being up so high and looking out and seeing everything. Zoe enjoyed it at first but then she went from having fun to this is a bit scary to daddy hold me because I want off right now. Kim and I were taken back but its intensity that we were holding onto the bottom of the seat because there is nothing else to hold on to. We were also laughing so hard we were crying. Good times. 

Zoe got to have some fun with just Marc and Kari for a little bit in Bugsland.

Zoe was given that red lobster by a nice teenage girl while we were in line for Toy Story Mania. Zoe has played with it pretty much everyday since and loves it. She named it Crabby Crab.

Maeley, Chase and Parker with Jake from Jake and the Neverland Pirates

 Back to Disneyland to watch Mickey's Soundsational Parade.

One thing I love about Zoe is she always shows her excitement. 

Then back over to California Adventure for the World of Color show. We hadn't seen it before and we loved it. It's incredible! Wish I saw it again the following night.

It was a long day with getting in early and staying up late to watch the shows but it was so worth it. Chase and Zoe both fell asleep during the World of Color show.