Zoo pics

Before we headed to the zoo, we stopped at the beach for about 5 minutes so the girls could touch the water.

Sea World pictures

Weekly Quote 1/10/11

"His wealth is quite useless to him, really. He doesn't do any good with it; he doesn't even make HIMSELF comfortable with it." This is from A Christmas Carol, though it's from the movie version with George C. Scott. Surprisingly, I've never read the book. I plan on getting around to it since I've been on a big Dickens kick lately. New quote up.

I have had issues with Blogger lately and have been unable to change the quotes. Sorry it has been weeks! Looks like I'll have to open up a new internet browsers every time I want to change the design now. Boo.

The Land of Disney

Last month we decided to take a trip to Disneyland. We heard it was a good time to go because the crowds aren't so bad at the beginning of December. Apparently everyone was wrong. It was really crowded, but we had a blast nonetheless. We also drove down to San Diego and went to Sea World and the San Diego Zoo.

Highlights

Tyler:

-having his mom meet us at Disneyland one day to take the girls so we could go on rides. It was so crowded that we only got to go on Indiana Jones together, but it was so worth it
-finally getting a turkey leg (though I don't think it was as good as he hoped)
-getting an awesome score on the Buzz Lightyear ride (like really, really awesome score)
-a hotel within walking distance of the park
-walking on to rides at Sea World
-the ribs he ate at Mimi's Cafe
-Belle, Jasmine, Tinkerbell and Tiana
-seeing the world's largest golden nugget at the Golden Nugget

Alison:

-seeing the girls light up with all the magic and fun that Disneyland has to offer
-being with Tyler for a whole week
-World of Color at California Adventure
-fireworks show followed by "snow" falling over Main Street
-all the beautiful Christmas decorations
-peppermint shake at Chick-fil-A

Ada:

-Soarin' Over California
-Playhouse Disney Live on Stage
-Muppets in 3D
-It's a Small World--all decked out for Christmas
-meeting Minnie and all the princesses
-steering the car by herself on Autopia
-seeing the giraffes at the zoo
-touching the Pacific
-touching the starfish and bat rays at Sea World

Kate:

-Playhouse Disney Live on Stage
-the teacups
-Snow White blowing her a kiss as we ran into her on our way to the bathroom
-meeting the princesses and Tinkerbell
-It's a Small World
-the parade on Main Street
-the Jungle Cruise
-the Pet Show at Sea World. She was thoroughly entertained and quite entertaining to watch!
-seeing the elephants at the zoo
-hugs from Aladdin

Lowlights

Tyler:

-the crowds
-having to share a bed with Kate on the night she wouldn't go to sleep (she slept really well all the other nights)
-not enough sleep
-almost getting in a wreck on the freeway
-getting lost at the zoo. He's usually a whiz with directions, but the map didn't quite fit with the terrain
-Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Ariel
-watching the Oryx drink each others' urine straight from the source (if you know what I mean)

Alison:

-seemingly everything going wrong at our first day in the park: forgetting diapers & wipes, miscommunication with Tyler on the Toy Story ride, leaving my purse on Soarin', etc.
-too many people
-having to wake up early every day

Ada:

-Hollywood Tower of Terror. She INSISTED on going on it, but was not happy afterward. At least she didn't cry
-throwing up one night in the hotel and after we got home
-having to say goodbye to such a magical land

Kate:

-the "scary rides": Pirates, Haunted Mansion, etc. She didn't cry but was very nervous and clingy































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I've always liked Disneyland, but I absolutely love it now that I have sweet little girls. I was so impressed with how good they were the entire trip, even though we drove. I can't wait to go again!

Kate vs Santa

Encounter #1: the ward Christmas party. When they announced that Santa would be coming, I snatched Kate up and ran to stand in line. As soon as the big fella walked in, she became very frightened. She started yelling for Daddy. We had to leave Ada in line and go find Daddy. Any time we tried to get her close to him, she would scream. No lap sitting, but she did somehow walk away with a candy cane.

Encounter #2: the Lisonbee Christmas party. My MIL's family party actually took place at our church. This time Santa had presents for all the kids. When Kate's name was called, she slowly inched her way over to Santa and reached for her present while standing as far away as she could:


We made her sit on his lap, and this was the result:


On Christmas Eve, we kept asking the girls who was coming that night.

Kate: "Angie and Hyrum!"
Ada: "Santa!"
Kate: "No! I don't wanna see him!"

Christmas morning, Kate woke up before 7:00. She acted like it was any normal morning, but she was super grumpy. Ada slept past 8:30, so we put on a show for Kate and tried (unsuccessfully) to keep her happy until Ada got up. When it was finally time to go downstairs, Ada ran with excitement while Kate kicked and cried. As she saw the spread, however, her eyes got big and she got very excited. She didn't know quite what to think, but she was happy and remained so the rest of the day.

Perhaps there's hope for next year after all.

Weekly Quote 12/20/10

"You told me you would bring presents and treats,
Cheering my spirit with homemade sweet meats,
Here I sit waiting beside the tree all by myself."

This is from the song "The Christmas Song" by Weezer. I do love me a little Weezer now and again. Sorry I've been such a slacker! We went to Disneyland last week and I've been trying to play catchup since we've been home. I have to apologize to my neighbors for the ghetto gifts (with the ghetto wrapping). I threw them together quickly, and Tyler was making fun of me for them. Shoulda started before I left.

Anyway, new quote up!

Weekly Quote 12/6/10

"Keep your foot out of my eye...clumsy ox." and "Out of my way, assassin!" are both from Dumbo. They are spoken by the deep-voiced elephant when they're making a pyramid at the circus. This is Kate's new favorite show and she asks to watch it every day!

New quote up! I've been a slacker with the posting, and I probably will next week too. I'll do my best.