Playing Catch Up

So it has been a while since I've really blogged. This evening I am not feeling great (I may or may not have Swine Flu, but just in case my husband made dinner), so I've spent some time on the couch . . . blogging. Please know that I really don't expect anyone to wade through this many posts! It's for me and my role as record keeper in my family! But if you are so inclined to see what we've been up to the past week plus, here's what's been going on:

• Spring Soccer (Coming soon! Technical difficulties . . . )
  
• Science Girl
• Disney, on our way
• Disney, Friday (birthday)
• Disney, Saturday
• Sunday in California, part I
• Sunday in California, part II- wrapping it all up
• Goodbye Soccer, Hello T-Ball

Enjoy! (or don't! Either way!)

Goodbye Soccer, Hello T-Ball!

G started t-ball yesterday. (In the freezing cold rain! Yay!)

He was pretty dang cute though. And, he loves it already. Pretty fun, but I'm definitely ready for the sun to come out!

Sunday, part II- wrapping it all up

After American Girl (and 2 stops at Starbucks!), the Gibson Girls met back up with the Gibson boys who'd been at California Adventure and Disneyland during the morning, and resting in the afternoon.

This boy is always doing something silly.

We headed back for more. Wouldn't want to waste our last evening of magic!

Thunder Mountain Railroad is a family favorite. I tried to keep my camera on and get some fun shots. Here's what I ended up with:

Score.

Then some dinner. This little guy. Oh my. He's sure good at playing the sweet little angel, isn't he? Most the time he is pretty easy and good. But once in a while, I have to threaten to call Mickey Mouse, and then he shapes up again really quickly!

My mom and I had to take one last ride on Space Mountain! (Excuse the cruddy pic- it's an iphone pic of the screen!)

Nighttime at Disneyland is my favorite though. It's just so gorgeous.





Our favorite new tradition is riding Thunder Mountain Railroad on the last night during the fireworks. We did it last time, and it worked out again this time. It's pretty cool.

Daddy and G heading back to the hotel after a fun filled day and trip.

On Monday we hurried back to the park for an hour's worth of rides (5!). Nana Pam and I did a little shopping, and then back to the hotel to meet the bus that would take all 28 of us to the airport. We were at the airport quite a while, but it was a fun time to chat and the kids to play- they hadn't all spent a lot of time together.

28 of us on the bus. (Allison's parents made 30, but they rented a car!) Jeff told us to make 'serious faces' . . . so we did!

All in all, a great trip and we can't wait to go again. Thanks everyone for making it happen! Who's in for next time?!?!?!?

Sunday in California (part 1)

Sunday was our day to take the girls to American Girl Place in LA. Prior to the trip Teresa had priced renting cars, vans, and limos. Lucky for us, Limos won out and the girls were SO excited! (So were the moms and grandmas.)


Once at American Girl there was much to do!
Hair to be done . . .

Kirsten was my doll when I was younger, and now is Maddy's Kirsten's 20 year old hair desperately needed some fixing. I was very skeptical that they'd be able to fix her up, but WOW, Maddy and I were both very impressed!

Lunch to be had . . .


and Dolls to be given a home.

Sissy deciding if Ruthie was really the doll for her.

She definitely was!

While we don't usually live this way- decadent and extravagent- it was sure fun for a day. Madeline kept saying, "Mom! Thank you SO much for bringing me here!" And as I watched the girls talk and laugh and smile, I thought of my childhood friend Sara, and how priceless memories like these are.

Disney, Saturday

Today we had early entry to the park (Magical Morning!), and then a character breakfast with the whole crew!

This boy loves his teacups!

For our "Magical Morning" the Gibsons went to Fantasyland for a bit and Autotopia. Autotopia is not fun. It's torture. It takes forever and is NOT FUN. No matter how much you tell yourself it will be fun? It's not! See:

Ok, so these guys are having a little fun!

We had decided that we'd meet at the castle for a group photo and then walk over together.

The lady who we recruited to take our picture had a hard time. And for some reason my camera had an allergic reaction to her and it didn't TAKE ONE SINGLE PICTURE. We had agreed as a group we'd only use one camera so the bad camera lady wouldn't have to do a bunch of stuff. Thankfully I checked my camera before we completely dispersed and we had Joel's dad redo it with another camera. I still can't figure out what the deal was with mine- it acted up for about an hour, and then no problems the rest of the time!
So here is my one group shot. I think Cb has a few more!


All the kids- this pictures makes me belly laugh out loud whenever I look at it because Mary was determined that Kayleen would not miss the kid group shot, and Kayleen was equally as determined to sit it out. Mary won, but Kayleen put up quite a fight! :)


Next was our character breakfast. Minnie greeted us.

These are the kids that started playgroup. (Plus Tyler who moved when they were all 2 or 3.) Hard to believe that they are all 8/9 now. We've all been through a lot together!

Later, we enjoyed a parade . . .




And spun on bugs.



This was also the day that G went on the super big rollercoaster. Oh, he was so excited and happy. I was so nervous about it that I couldn't sit by him- I made Joel. No worries though, throughout the whole trip G wanted to sit by Joel or Papa Bill the whole time.

(not my picture)