First expeience they'll remember...

I am not a big fan of Disneyland for obvious reasons; its to expensive, to crowded, to long of lines, etc. However, when Cars Land came up just a few months ago I just knew I had to take the boys.
So K, J, Auntie Rae and our good friend Kent headed to Radiator Springs.

Excitedly we sat on the tram and our tour guide busted out the map directing traffic

The boy's were amazed. Who knew Radiator Springs really existed?
The lines were in fact long, but the boy's found ways in which to entertain themselves, with a few interruptions from the referee (me). To entertain we........

Played on Aunties phone

Anticipated the rides....

Hung on many rails and got lots of germs on us

And posed in silly positions for Mom

Kent wasn't just great company, rule enforcer, extra stand by RN, picture taker, 3rd set of eyes to watch the boys, but he was also an excellent tour guide. This man knew more about Disneyland and California Adventure than I've ever known. So it was awesome having him there to explain the importance behind many of the sites.

While in California Adventure we saw a replica of the original theater where Walt Disney showed his first animated movie. Can you guess the movie? It includes a girl and seven short men. The statue to the right is a display of the young Walt and young Mickey (Disneyland has a statue of an older Walt and latest looking Mickey).

 I'd have to say we went on a good amount of rides and only had to wait a maximum of one hour as our longest time.

The boy's loved Buzz Light year the BEST!

The TowMater ride was my fav

This is a before the ride and after the ride picture. J wasn't too sure about the ride. He said "it goes too high!"

We even let the boys drive

This ride required us to lean, hence the upper right picture

We went on the Rocket's after dark which was fun and neat to see all the lights. Clearly K loved it. I love seeing my son happy!

We stayed cool with lots of water and ice cream.
I was totally bothered that a Disney employee came and asked me to put my sons shirt back on him. Bothered because, he's a little boy getting wet, in decent clothing enjoying himself. Bothered because, the two women in from of us in line for the restroom were free to kiss while my son stood there looking at them as I tried to distract him. NOTE: Disney will be getting a letter from me.

This has to be one of my favorite pictures of our family ever. I love all our facial expressions.

And our physical display of love and affection towards one another!

The boy's went to a Jedi training school, and.....since I have the most timid boys ever, you better believe they didn't volunteer but merely sat timidly behind the blue line as 30 other kids around them became Jedi graduates.

The show was great and I enjoyed it....I'm trying to convince myself with this picture that the boys did too.
 
And what would be so great about being Jedi's be if we didn't experience fighting the "Dark Side" on Star Tours?!?!

Auntie Rae held J's hand and he squeezed her hand the entire ride. He's was a wee bit scared. K loved it!

Later, we ate at a yummy BBQ restaurant, compliments of or great friend Kent and planning ahead to make reservations. We love him!

And what would D-land be without the firework show and Beignets? They were divine and high in calories.

By 10 pm we had been at D-land for a good ten hours, needless to say, this is what the final product was.

The boy's had a great time and couldn't stop talking about Disneyland the next day. Although this wasn't their first visit to Disneyland, it was the first that they will always remember. It's not every day you get to see your child's reaction seeing Lightning McQueen or Darth Vader, or killing Zurg with laser power, or even the sweet awe to the amazing grand finale of the forever memorable fireworks. I have locked today's experience in my memory bank as a sweet experience with my boy's and two amazingly patient and tolerable people. Thanks Auntie Rae for spending the day with us, and an great thanks to my wonderful treasured friend Kent who is so sweet to me and my family!

The Greatest Show on Earth

Last week we were generously invited to go to The Greatest Show on Earth. Also known as, the Circus!
I have never been to the circus, nor have the boys so it was a special treat for us.
Nina and Nino invited us and we even got to visit Mommy's favorite pizza parlor...the amazing Pizzamania.

And yes, the pizza looks just as good here as it did that day.

We got to LA early and it was really nice. We were able to walk around and see the animals get carted into the arena.

It was Nino's first Circus also! We made a sign for our blog.

We wanted to fit in best we can so clown noses were a must need item.

We took some pics with Michael Johnson, and yes, we looked like tourist.

This was the first, but hopefully not the last (since we are a Laker family) visit to the Staple Center so a picture was a must.

Cheezy smiles while the preshow was going on.

Watching the boys expressions while the show went on. I should of took pictures of my own face, I was more animated.

They piled four motorcycle riders into this ball, then added another, and another up until they were at a count of eight riders riding all at once. Amazing! I was surprised they all came out alive.

Its so precious when your child searches for your hand to cling onto.

•  What was your favorite part?

                  Joshua: "All of it!"
                  Kaleb: "The tigers"

• The boy's quote of the day

               "Are we still in Corona California Mommy?"

We had a great time. I was thrilled to have gone and experienced the circus. It was an amazing show and I was awed by all the performers and animals. Nina and Nino had a great time too. Its so wonderful to enjoy something like this with family.

The Greatest Show on Earth was truly a great show. Our company, dinner, drive, show and snacks were all wonderful! My boy's ate more than anything, they were more set on the food then the circus at one point (their mothers family in them); with caramel apples, popcorn, caramel corn and drinks! The boy's were in heaven. 

We had a memorable time and we will never forget our first time to the circus.

Special thanks; Nina and Nino for the invitation and Uncle Jose for the tickets.

                

Rafting away (Last year experience)

{I'm blogging about an experience from last year but it was exciting and the pictures are amazing giving just a glimpse of the exciting experience.}

Dear age 32

 This past weekend I turned the great age of 32. 

Woop~dee~do!

Here are 32 fun, weird, unique and crazy fun facts about me:

1.  I don't like dairy products, melted mozzarella is OK sometimes. 
2. I wear contacts.
3. I can stick my whole fist in my mouth.
4. I can pick things up with my toes.
5. I was an 10 lb baby.
6. I was home schooled for 8 years.
7. I didn't get my drivers license till I was 18.
8. I hated dogs till I met Cabo.
9. I wasn't able to listen to the radio till I was 13 and it was limited to K-Earth.
10. My nickname is Leenie Veenie.
11. I love the color orange.
12. I'm afraid of large bodies of water that I can't see my toes in.
13. I always fall asleep on my tummy.
14. As a child I sang on Cable TV with Pat Boon.
15. I can still do a cartwheel at age 32.
16. I was voted most likely to turn grey first in High School, yet to this day have only found one grey hair on my head and I saved it.
17. I'm avidly known to run into curbs with my car.
18. I stuck a crayon up my nose at age 4 because I wanted to paint my boogers green. And I remember it clearly.
19. I hate running long distances.
20. My favorite movie is 'When Harry met Sally'
21. I didn't live alone until I became 30.
22. I can eat/clean ribs better than anyone else I know.
23. I was known as the "trouble" child growing up.
24. I've been boy crazy as long as I can remember, starting from when I was in preschool.
25. I've only been in love once.
26. My favorite thing to do is be with my family.
27. My first plane ride was when I was 18 and I was alone.
28. I still watch, and laugh at I love Lucy.
29. I love hats!
30. I can spontaneously dance and/or choreograph any song.
31. My son's are my life.
32. My favorite bible verse is Psalm 139:14.

Over the past couple years I don't anticipate my birthday, for multiple reasons, but this year I was looking forward to spending the day with my boys.

I, a woman who has worked every weekend for the past five years wanted to go the beach on a Saturday. What was I thinking?

 It was so crowded people were literally sitting on our laps.

We went with our sweet friends the Daya's and had a wonderful time despite the crowds. My friend Liz knows how to pack and is my kinda girl to travel with.

  

The boy's were make a base, and yes, the first part of the day was overcast.

The base completed.

My little man playing in the sand.

Playing chase with the waves.

Lugging water from below for the base.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

After the beach the boy's and I rushed home to get ready for dinner with the family.

The kiddos, yes Uncle T is included in this comment.

My beautiful Momma

A conversation between J and Papa and I love both their expressions.

And it wouldn't be a complete family get together if J and L didn't fight.

Age 32 here I come ready or not.  

Age 30 was brutal, 31 wasn't so bad, and so I'm really anticipating new things this next year. I'm looking forward to the lessons I'll learn, the experiences I'll have and the way's in which I'll grow. Please be kind to me and my body.