Kirsten and Mark

We love it when people come to So Cal and we get to do fun things. This time it was family–all my mom’s step brothers and sisters. We had a great time visiting with them at Grandma Emma’s birthday party–she turned 90 and is still as sharp as ever.

Then, a couple of days later we used our new season pass and went to Disneyland with them. Luckily we didn’t get rained on until the very end of the night.

Things started out rough with 2 barfs in the car on the way there, but thankfully I brought a change of clothes. Poor baby and his car sickness! But, once we got there I stuffed all his ickiness in a Chuck the Yuck bag and my car didn’t stink that night.

Brit had a fun time with his cousins–mine actually, but they’re closer to his age. He was a little nervous at first, but warmed up quickly. I love the “mother pass” that they give when you have a rider who is too small to go. The first people go through the line and on the ride, then the “waiter” gets to go through the fast pass line with someone else. So, I rarely had to wait in just the line.

Why wait in line to get a straight on shot? It’s still HALLOWEEN TIME!

El Dia de la muerte

This time…still no crying in the Haunted Mansion. We’re sure it’ll come.

Waiting in line with “cousins” Darby and Mandi

Unfortunately, I didn’t get any more pics of everyone.Britton and his cousin Lizzie got to meet Pooh and Tigger. Brit wanted nothing to do with Tigger, but hugged Pooh, so I got his back in the pic…on another camera. Maybe I’ll get it someday.

Go Disneyland and Halloween Time! We loved spending the day with family we rarely get to see!

So, you remember when my friend Leslie came out more than a month ago? No, well, here’s a refresher:

We had a fun week. Did fun things…almost every day. Disneyland was one of them. I still haven’t posted about it. Until NOW! Yay! I know, you’re super excited.

We always get ribbed by non-Californians about how little we go to the beach. They claim that if they lived here they’d go every day…or at least once a week. Yeah. We’re not like that. We go maybe 3 times a year…and that’s when people are in town. Go on our own? There are way too many things to do on a Saturday to make that happen.

But, on the occasion of a visit, well, that’s a different story. We’re all about the beach. Especially Britton. He loves getting his legs splashed in the waves and laying in the sand. Though, not digging or playing much because he doesn’t like the feel of it.

Another couple of reasons we don’t go to the beach much–we didn’t know we actually liked any beaches in LA county. Malibu is only good for ?, Santa Monica is a little dirty, and I don’t know, we don’t think about the rest. But, thanks to a suggestion from my beach connoisseur friend Paige we went to Manhattan Beach and it was really nice. Second reason–I burn! Seriously, I must have had defective sunscreen because I put on SPF 30 waterproof everywhere when we got there, and in a few spots a second time and 2 hours later I was FRIED! It wasn’t noticeable at first, but by the next day I looked lobsteresque. Not fun.

Next stop–the Aquarium. Sadly, we’ve severely under used our pass this year.

The birds really liked Leslie.

Britton really liked the clown fish. This is him saying “Momo”

On our trip to Vegas for the Expo Brit chilled with the Fruit Loops. Woah crazy hair. Kristie–we miss you!

Yes, this was like a month ago, but at least I’m getting to it.

When my friend Leslie came to town we had lots of fun going out and playing. Her one request was Disneyland, and since Mark wanted to go for Brit’s first visit, we ended up going on Labor Day. Yeah, we were a little nervous about the crowds, but it really wasn’t bad.

We started out in California Adventure and he really liked the Bug’s Life rides and area.

Heimlich’s is a fun little train that takes you through a bunch of food and things from a bug’s perspective. The Animal Crackers even smell like cookies!

Britton, Leslie and Me on the Lady Bug Spinner ride.

Of course, Britton had to play in the water fountain.

Family photo time…waiting for the “Bug’s Life 3-D Show”

Brit’s first time on a Carousel. He was excited they were fishes. He sat up there and didn’t even get scared.

Mark and Leslie waiting to shoot forward on California Screamin’

I just love this expression. He’s eating grapes and loving it.

It’s a small world. Very fun and exciting.

This pretty much sums up Britton’s face the entire day. We weren’t sure if he was having fun on everything or what because it was pretty much a blank wide-eyed look. But, we think he did….

Forget the baby stuff, Brit went on the big, scary grown up rides like Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean without so much as whimpering. It was surprising, because he’s usually such a sensitive little soul. Maybe our insistence that it was fun helped a bit.

Brit and Daddy driving a car in Toon Town.

So, we waiting and saw Fantasmic. People said it was the first night for the dragon, so we figured it was a must see. It didn’t disappoint. Here’s the dragon from Sleeping Beauty in all it’s fire-breathing glory.

And poor Brit was so tired he missed the whole thing!

We knew we had to get him some souvenir from his first trip to Disneyland, and if you know me, you know I hate knick-knacks and junk toys. So it had to be something more substantial that would last. He ended up getting a Disney Bedtime Story Book and after a long search, and a million “No!” answers, we found him the thing he wanted–a stuffed “MoMo” (Nemo)

Our funny little guy just will not come out with the word “yes” he can sign it, if we make him, but whenever he’s asked a question, it’s still “no” If he doesn’t answer, that’s pretty much a yes. So, when we showed him a bunch of things, it was always no. When he wanted it, he immediately hugged it to him. That’s how we knew we’d found a match with Nemo.

We had a lot of fun and we’re really glad we went. Since it was in our best interest to get a season pass (since it’s cheaper than going 2 times) we did. Now Brit and I and friends can go down whenever we want–which works out perfectly since we have family coming next week who are going….now we can join them. Yay!