Disneyland 2016… They did it again!

I start off by saying that I realize how very, very blessed we are. My parents have once again completely spoiled us. They treated us to a wondrous, magnificent, amazing vacation once again. First whisking us away in a Limo to the airport and taking us all to the “happiest place on earth.” We spent four jam packed days in one of our very favorite places…Disneyland!

We stayed in the glorious Grand Californian. We rode all of our favorite rides (most more than once!). We completely gorged ourselves on decadent food. We played with some of our most beloved character pals (thankfully both A and a embraced the magic and still loved the character experience!) Most of all we got to spend 4 wonderful days making amazing memories with the people we hold most dear. This is what makes these times the most special.

Disneyland 2016 brought us so many, many wonderful memories; bonding memories of things not going quite as planned (a canceled flight! Craziness at LAX!), Funny memories (PaPa using the child strap in Soaring!) Sweet memories (The innocent beaming faces of A and a as they hugged their favorite character friends), Tasty memories (waiting in line almost an HOUR for the most delicious corndogs I have ever tasted!), loving memories (My Mom and Dad walking hand in hand down Disneyland main street with A and A, all 4completely brimming with pure love and happiness). Our trip may be over but the memories of Disneyland 2016 will last forever!

Big Vegas (Birthday) Fun

My Dad wanted to spend his 75^th birthday in his favorite place in the world… Vegas! I have been going to Vegas since I was six and My Dad has instilled a great love of the glitz and glamour of Vegas in me. Traveling to Vegas with my Mom and Dad is one of my very favorite things to do. It’s always a fun vacation and we have been so many times that it actually kind of feels like home away from home in a way.

We have always had such amazing times in Vegas. When I was little I loved all the lights and excitement but my favorite thing was Circus, Circus. Now that Big A is old enough to come with us he loves all the lights and excitement but I think Circus, Circus is his favorite. I love that I can share this with him. I love that he loves it too. (Secretly I love letting the kid in me out a little while I play with him, I can still kick butt on the “horse races”!

We had a fantastic Vacation. We lounged by the pool (with a Celebrity sighting! Zac Efron!), we had decadent food (Hello Serendipity! So Amazing). We can chalk up yet another amazing Las Vegas vacation.

Room Service!

Disneyland 2015

Disneyland 2015!!! My Mom and Dad did it again! They gave us the most magical experience. I know it's completely cliche but Disneyland (for us) really is one of the most magical places on earth. It's not just the rides and characters and Disney awesomeness; It's the amazing family experience that we got to share.

We started the trip off with a limo ride to the airport and had a perfect flight via Jet blue (Dad said he only ever wants to fly Jet Blue).  We stayed at the Grand Californian and Mom and Dad had the "Magic Makers"  "help"  mickey leave a huge welcome package for the kids full of awesome treats and gifts.

We spent whirlwind days in the parks, full of rides and the kids meeting their favorite "Stars". I think little a's biggest moment was meeting "Elsa". She looked so very nervous! Big A's favorite was the roller coaster, California Screaming. He is such the little daredevil (don't know where he gets that from...ahem). They both got picked to be part of the Jedi Training and got to "fight" Darth Vader. We did Character Dining (amazing!) and played in the hotel's beautiful pools. The entire trip was perfect. It's cheesy and cliche and all of that but it was pure family Magic.

 I hope the kids will never forget it (little a is only 3), I hope Mom and Dad had an awesome time (rides are NOT their favorite), I know that I will never ever forget it.

 

Boo to the Zoo

Everyone I know has taken their kids to the zoo. I have heard nothing but raving reviews about the zoo since Big A was a Baby. It’s supposed to be AMAZING. For Big A’s Birthday my Mom and Dad decided it would be fun to take us on an excursion to the Zoo. They too had heard nothing but raves about it. A and A were So excited when we told them that was where we were headed.

 We went, we saw and ehhh. I will preface this with the fact that I have never loved the Zoo, even as a little kid I hated it. The heat, the smells… not my thing. But I was going with a total open mind, I hadn’t been in years and years and was excited to see A and A experience it.  Maybe it’s because it’s fall or something but there were not a LOT of animals really. Lots of big beautiful areas that were empty. The merry-go-round was fun but A and A do that all the time at the mall (and for ½ the price). The Train ride was literally like 2 minutes long and SO not worth the $10. Our Zoo is set at the base of a canyon and it’s a vast sprawling place…. Really a little too sprawling, Big A said “We’ve been walking for EVER!!!” He was totally pooped by the end. Speaking of… The kids FAVORITE thing at the Zoo???? The Elephants went to the bathroom…#1 and #2 right in front of us….

I’m sure one day we will look back fondly at our Zoo trip. It will be remembered as a fun adventure for Big A’s 6^th birthday, but I don’t see us going back anytime soon….

The Elephants in "Action"



All tuckered out

 

40 Years Deserves a BIG Celebration

 

My parents celebrated their 40^th wedding anniversary over the weekend. In this time where divorce is so easy, so prevalent it is such an accomplishment that anyone can make it work for 40 years. Something this big deserved a big celebration. We planned a big, fun and festive party at their favorite restaurant. It was so fun planning, getting flowers and photos framed, a cupcake “wedding cake” and party favors. It was almost like planning a mini wedding.

  The party was amazing with lots of Mom and dad’s friends and family there to wish them a Happy Anniversary. My favorite part was when Mom and Dad gave a little impromptu speech about how they first got together. They told the story, back and forth, weaving their tale with a comfortable perfect banter that 40 years together creates.

I am so amazed by my parents. They are still so much in love and have such a warm, fun playful relationship. It seems like “the thing” to say that your spouse is your best friend but in the case of my Parents I truly believe it.

 

The Flowers were by Floral-Essence, The Cupcakes By Mrs Bakers Bakery and I made the Favors.