More Vaca Pics....

I left with day three of Disney. On Thursday of our trip we had wanted to go somewhere fun but cheap...I thought we could head over to the Santa Monica Pier for the day...somewhere I had never been. Google said it was about 40 miles from our hotel...we figured cool! 45 min is fine...

Yeah um...how could we have forgotten about LA traffic!!?? Let's just say the drive was ridiculous. The way back to the hotel was especially terrible and yeah...overall not the greatest idea. 

Not to mention the fact that we forgot beach towels and I forgot my bathing suit.

Sigh. 

But we got there and ate our packed lunch on the pier and watched the CRAZIES float by. Why do piers always bring out the crazies?

Eating Lunch on the Pier

Looking out at the ocean at the end of the pier

Hi mama!

We were done with the pier pretty quick. Esella did want to go on some rides, but the line for the tickets was long. Plus...remember we wanted a CHEAP day?? Ha. On our way out we noticed a teeny tiny little aquarium had just opened for the day...so we went in to take a look. It was a whole $10 donation for Justin and I (kids free). It was a cute little place but Esella was acting afraid of all the sea life. She did end up coloring and making a fishy puppet tho! 

 When we FINALLY got back to the hotel...we took a dip in the swimming pools (indoor and outdoor) and the hot tub before heading to dinner. It was Everett's first time swimming!

Esella liked the hot tub the best 
 

Taking a dip indoors....

 
Sorry for the poor picture quality...somehow my camera setting got a bit messed up by the 4th day of our trip! Hope you all enjoyed seeing a little of our family vacation...ext up...fourth of July and Esella's first day of school!

Oh and here is my favorite pic from the day. Me and my girl. I almost am never in pictures...always behind the camera!

Disneyland: Take Three

Day Three at Disney: We ended up sleeping in a bit and not arriving until nearly 10am. We had a few things on the "to-d0" list...including heading over to meet Winnie the Pooh and his gang...

First here is Super Dad wearing Everett in the Ergo while pushing Esella in the stroller with the bags...while I..um....took pictures ;)

Winnie the Pooh was the only character that really scared Esella. But we still had her go up and get his autograph. She was ok with Daddy and Everett with her.
 

Then it was off to Eyore and Tigger. 
 

After meeting the characters and riding the Pooh ride we headed over to New Orleans Square for some lunch...we attempted a family picture but Esella was SO not into it. Oh well!
 

After lunch we all felt MUCH better (well...except Justin who was still in shock of how much our lunch bill was...ouch...exactly why we brought our own lunch every other day of the trip!!)

Esella wanted to ride in the Ergo (again...MUST buy a second one of these!!). We headed to Tarzan's Tree House. This was QUITE a workout for Justin who was carrying Esella on his back (25lbs) and the backpack on his front! (while I...um...took pictures again...)
 

Off to meet Pluto! One of Esella's favorites!
 

After this we decided to head over to California Adventure. On the way over, Everett fell asleep in the Ergo yet again...and soon after we discovered Esella OUT as well. 
 

So Justin and I took a nice stroll (we had never been) and then found a nice shady spot to sit for a while. Everett soon woke up...
 

This was the tired parents picture....ha ha ha

When Esella woke up she wanted to take a tour of the park...so off we went!
 

And then she saw it.

The carrousel. 

Yes she LOVED it and had to ride it twice. It was the happiest I saw her the whole trip. 

Then we headed over and had dinner...and then headed over to ride the Monsters Inc ride. On the way there was a little TRON performance Esella wanted to watch...
 

And then.....it was time to head back to the hotel!

Overall...even though E wasn't a fan of most of the rides...and we had a couple fits...it was still a fun experience! And I am sure she would be happy to go back soon!!!

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Everett stats: 18lbs, 27.25 inches (tho the doc thinks he may have been measured wrong since he dropped a bit on the curve). He is healthy and strong and we go back at 9 months! He got four vaccinations today but is doing fine. Need to start doing solids regularly...not sure I'm happy about that...ha! More work! ;)


We had a GREAT 4th...will post pics soon...

Disneyland: Take Two

Day two at Disney...We arrived around 9am, had breakfast, and headed back to Toon Town to meet Minnie and Mickey (again) and start getting autographs!

Ellie definitely loved Minnie and Mickey. 
 

Here we are on the train (that Ellie BEGGED to ride). Unfortunately Ellie was afraid when it went through tunnels...
 

Mommy and Everett. My sweet sweet boy!!
 

With Jessie from Toy Story
 

 

With Woody from Toy Story

 

Say CHEESE!!!!
 

Momma and Ev...he spent probably 75% of his time in the Ergo. He took all his naps in it also. 
 

With Briar Fox

Everett in the stroller
 

Sweet girl wanted to give her brother a kiss! Love this girl!
 

 On our way out of the park Captain Hook was hanging out in front. He was QUITE the character! Justin was wearing his hat backwords and he flipped it around...then he dropped Ellie's autograph book...it was funny.

 As I am sitting here typing this post Esella is next to me commenting on all the pictures. She informed me that she "wants to go on the boat and see Nemo again." We went on the Finding Nemo ride (in a submarine....I remember this ride from when I was little but it wasn't Nemo...). The girl who was afraid of all the rides now wants to go back and ride them....ha ha ha.



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In Everett news....he is 6 MONTHS OLD!!!! He has been sitting up since 4 1/2 months....but he does not roll much. He currently is trying to "butt scoot" and is desperately trying to get on all fours. He has succeeded in getting on his hands and one knee with his other leg stuck under him. Once he gets the leg unstuck he falls on his belly and gets mad. HA! I need to get it on video...he seems to forget that he CAN roll from belly to back on his own. 

He continues to be a happy and fairly easy baby. He is jibber jabbering non stop...mamamamamamama is his favorite right now...tho he also says bababababa and papapapapapa. He is busy busy and always playing. 

We have been cloth diapering now since we got back from Disney and so far so good! I LOVE how cute they are!!! And how I can put him in JUST a diaper in this heat and not look like white trash! HA!

OK off to make lunch...after nap we will be decorating Esella's bike and maybe the stroller for the 4th of July Neighborhood Parade! Then its BBQ time with the neighbors. Looking forward to good food, wine, and watching the kids run around being CRAZY. 

And....funny story....this morning I told Esella today is the 4th of July and we are going to do a parade and BBQ and do fireworks...she said "And sing happy birthday?" The funny thing...is that today would have been Gunga's (my grandmother...my mom's mom) 104th birthday! So to celebrate Esella and I will make cupcakes and sing happy birthday to Gunga and the USA. :)

Have a GREAT Fourth! Have fun and stay safe!