Himes' Disney Magic - Day 1 of 2

We had the joy of going to the Disneyland Resort for 2 days when Brant's family came into town!  The last time we had all been at the park together was 12 years ago; granted, we've been since with almost each individual person while we've lived down in SoCal, but going as a big family again, was pretty magical!

Our first of two days was spent at California Adventure.  We maneuvered the crowds with ease, and hardly had to wait more than 25 minutes for any one ride.  It really could not have gone any smoother than it did, especially with a group this size.

These two wasted no time with their autograph books -- the first sighting of the day: Dapper Goofy!

This little cutie and I got to hang out, while the "big kids" all rode on a few big rides.

Lucky me -- I was able to take her on her first ride; King Triton's Carousel! 

Taking a ride on Toy Story's Midway Mania

Adalie was my ride partner - we're ready!

The pictures shown in this post are definitely just highlights of the day...they may not be in perfect order, nor did we capture everything on film.  That being said, we did get this documented - our first ride on the California Screamin' roller coaster (with Seth, Adalie, Kylia, Zoie and Dale - although my hand is covering his face).  I haven't been on this ride in a few years, and I was super pumped to get to go on it twice during this trip -- thanks to my fearless niece, Adalie, who insisted we do it again!! :)

The first time on the ride, I rode with Zoie!

Pretty much the best feeling EVER.

For the 60th Diamond Celebration, there are several of these photo-op props set up around both parks, which were great.  These are fun :), although they really work best with the professional photographer edits, making us appear upside down -AND- my knees wouldn't be peaking out...oh well!  

Although they didn't ride it, these two monkeys insisted on getting in on the picture fun, too!

Next up, was a ride on Mickey's Fun Wheel.  This was the crew that decided to stick with the non-swinging cages...we made a very wise choice.

Two years ago, I took a mental note of the Mickey Mouse "graduation ears" that people were sporting, and knew we would return for Brant to get his pair for his monumental graduation.  And with great pride, I picked up these bad boys, which he proudly wore both days we were at the park.

After lunch, we made it over to Radiator Springs, where we had fast passes all lined up for the most popular ride in the park - Radiator Springs Racers.  It was a smashing success and later in the day, most of us snagged a second run!

Geoffrey's first time on the ride.  He LOVED it - no surprise there!

My ride partner - Kylia! 

Happy to be together, and having a blast!

Route 66, and all smiles :)

You might be able to detect a theme...Jackie likes to make everyone stop and take pictures, all.the.time.  Well, as I always tell people, "You'll thank me later!"  And I think it's safe to say, I made a good choice.  What can I say?  I like to capture memories!

Just chillin' with Lightning McQueen.  You know.

And then we met another fun character - Red, The Fire Truck.  A cast member saw Maddie's button that said, "I'm Celebrating!" and asked her what we were celebrating, to which we replied, "3 birthdays, and a graduation!"  As soon as we started posing for a picture, Red began to play "Happy Birthday" on his horn. :)  Ah, Disney.  You always know how to keep the magic alive.

Cousins!

The Himes' Men.  And Red.

Next on the list was to visit Queen Elsa and Princess Anna, and attend the wildly popular sing-a-long.  But Adalie, Seth and I made a stop at the Hollywood Tower of Terror, first.  I love when visitors come along with us, because I get to go on some of my favorite thrill rides with other people, not just by myself!

Anticipation before the ride...

Just before the second drop - I totally know it's coming, Adalie is just fearlessly excited, and Seth...well, I think he was deciding whether he had passed out, or not.  

Conquered!

After the sing-a-long (which I swear is happening LIVE in our house 14 hours/day), it was time to meet the beloved Ice Queen...

Geoffrey passed on the opportunity to meet them again...this time, it was just the girl cousins. ;) 

Such sweet joy.

"Hollywood!"  (And, in case you have been paying attention, Maddie's creating frozen fractals with her Elsa hand...no joke.  She's been on this kick, now, for weeks -- and mostly in posed pictures.  Now you're curious, and going to take a closer look, am I right?  Yeah.)

We went for a ride on the Zephyr - always an easy hit!

And as if that wasn't enough of rides-that-only-go-around-in-circles, we followed it with a ride on the swings!  Whew!

We also took a ride on Goofy's Sky School roller coaster... Wow.  That was not a huge thrill ride, but it sure was jerky and fast!

Kylia and I, about to get Goofy.

We caught the Pixar Play Parade by accident, and some cast member sort of thrust this sign into Geoffrey's hand to take a picture.  Well, okay then!

After dinner, Adalie and I snagged another ride on California Screamin', and after a second turn for all of us on the Radiator Springs Racers, we met Tow Mater and managed to see the lights turn on over Route 66 -- always a fun highlight!

We made it onto Soarin' over California (for a second go-around), before closing a wildly successful day with the World of Color show.  It was a perfect display of Disney Magic, which we held onto as we drove home late, slept for a little bit, and woke up early to do it all over again, only this time, we would head over to Disneyland... stay tuned!!

June Triple Birthday Party!

The month of June is a big deal in our family, because of one spunky, vivacious little girl's birthday.  Well, this June was no exception, and it became an even bigger deal when we added two more special birthdays to the mix.  The beginning of the month brought with it family members from the PNW, who were primarily in town for one big reason (which will be posted about in the near future), and that was Brant's graduation.  But prior to this, we had other reasons to celebrate as a family and that was for 3 June birthdays - Maddie, her cousin Zoie, and Grandpa Dale!  Shortly after the family arrived, we jumped into party mode, and had a fun little ice-cream sundae party for the Himes' clan...and when I say, "clan" I mean 17 people!!

Grandpa Dale, with his two youngest grandchildren - Leilani (1.5) and Geoffrey (3.5)

Maddie (6 -- almost) and Zoie (9) 

Two birthday beauties, with their new matching pajamas!

This girl always has a smile on her face!   

Geoffrey was enamored with Leilani when she arrived.  I think he liked being the "older" one for awhile!

The Himes' clan has arrived for the week of celebrations!!

Maddie's spring dance recital snapshots!

One of the big highlights of our year was watching Maddie grow as a budding ballerina and tap dancer!  She was involved in a local dance studio for 9 months, and with weekly practice, she cemented her love of dance and blossomed into a confident dancer.  Her Spring Recital was the capstone of the season, and it did not disappoint.

The day before the recital was the dress rehearsal which is when parent's are allowed to take as many pictures/videos as they wish.  So the majority of the pictures in this post are from that rehearsal, but it still gives a good glimpse on the cuteness of it all!

She clearly knew exactly where I was!

Nailed it!

They are supposed to be "cotton candy" for the circus theme of the recital. :)

Maddie asked me more than once, "Mommy, don't you just want to eat me??  I'm cotton candy!" 

So sweet!!  Here they are practicing getting their flower after the finale.

This was after the recital.  Maddie got a rose from us and a carnation from her teacher.  She was VERY excited about the flowers!

I loved watching you grow this year, my little dancer!!

My Mother's Day

Mother's Day is obviously an important occasion.  I cannot, nor will I ever discount the fact that it should always be celebrated!  However, what I do enjoy is being flexible with said celebration.  Each year has proven to bring on new outings for us; be it Disneyland, a nice restaurant for lunch, The Getty, a bike ride in the Netherlands, or a quiet family day at home...it has never disappointed me, and I manage to end "my special day" feeling loved, cherished and taken care of.  Sappy and sweet, I know, but I only speak the truth.

This year, after a wonderful morning at church, we set off for a drive up the mountains to Lake Arrowhead (which is in the range just behind our house).  We have only heard wonderful things, but had yet to make it up there.  The weather was gorgeous, the drive stunning, and the time meandering through the adorable town and seeing the lake was picture perfect.  For all of my Oregonian readers, Lake Arrowhead reminded me a lot of Lake Oswego in nature, particularly because it is all private access only.  In other words, we only were able to enjoy the lake with our eyes. ;)

The two that made me a mama!

Just up behind our house!!  

These three....they drive me crazy and I'm crazy about each of them!!

There are also touches of Leavenworth, WA to the architecture -- that's for all of my Washingtonian readers! ;)

Checking out the lake...with our eyes! 

We had some fun at the park - thank goodness that wasn't restricted access!

We wandered through the shops and finally found a place for an afternoon ice cream treat.  This was wildly successful and the highlight for our kids.  Is anyone surprised?

She asked me to snap a picture of her in these cool shades, so that "I would remember them and come back to buy them for her birthday."  I guess she forgot, because I never went back. ;)

My goofy trio!

Being a mom is tough, fun, rewarding, exhausting and often, a thank-less job.  But I wouldn't desire my life to be any different, because the calling I have to be "Mom" for Maddie and Geoffrey will forever be the biggest gift and responsibility I will have.  And I cherish this!!

My solo trip to Oregon

There comes a time where every mother needs a break.  No matter how much she loves her children, her motherly duties and her husband, she needs to be allowed to escape; to catch her breath, not have to cut up food into small pieces, shower uninterrupted, and to wake up on her timetable instead of by a little finger poking the side of her face, telling her to wake up cause someone is hungry.  

Truly, motherhood is amazing! And the best way to keep it amazing, is to getaway every now and then. :)

I made a solo trip up to Oregon, the last weekend of April, with the charge from my husband to "relax, hang out with my sister, surprise my dad at his spring concert and catch my breath in an environment away from my responsibilities."  He's a good man!

I boarded a plane with my mom, who was traveling home from her special visit with us that week.  We decided to let her in on our plan the day before we left, figuring the kids would probably appreciate the heads-up that both mom and grandma were leaving town.  (Although, as soon as they were told about the donut outing Daddy had planned for them, they seemed to get along just fine!)  We arrived late Thursday night, and I parted ways with my mom, making sure she understood that my dad was not to know I was in town.  Friday I spent some quality time with my niece Ellie, and nephew Ben.  Although they are the same age as my kids, it still felt like a vacation (cause I was able to spoil them and their lunch, by treating them to cake pops and hot chocolate just a bit too close to lunchtime. :) Joys of being the aunt who was in charge!)  

Ellie and I, playing with yet-to-be-born, baby Joy's clothes and toys.  She thought it was a hoot!

We walked to Starbucks in the rain -- exciting for me, and completely no big deal to them. 

Sugar high and spoiled lunch commencing.

The entire weekend, I was blessed to spend wonderful 1:1 time with my sister, who I hadn't seen since last July.  I was also able to surprise my dad at his spring concert at George Fox University.  This was a significant thing for me to be able to attend, as he was performing a piece that was commissioned and written in memory of our close family friend, Jeff Cumpston.  The look on my dad's face when I showed up in his office minutes before the concert began, followed by the whooping, hollering, and tears, was priceless. 

Mom, Dad, me and Sarah (and baby Joy!)

Saturday and Sunday brought more special time with my family...

Daddy-daughter dates are just as important when your all grown-up!

We even celebrated my Dad's birthday while I was in town!

Ben is ready for cake and ice-cream!

Sisters at "Sister's Coffee Company"

Such a beautiful, growing family!  I loved spending such devoted, special time with each of them!

My sweet Ellie and Ben.

Love.

Missing a few key players, but otherwise, a complete, blessed and happy family!

My early morning flight allowed for some gorgeous views on take-off.  The PNW will always have my heart, no matter where my residence may be. 

I guess I was missed. ;)

What a treat it was for me to have this time away.  Brant held down the fort with donuts, and other fun treats, and did an outstanding job for sending me away for 4 nights.  I highly recommend this to mothers everywhere -- even quarterly!! ;)