Disneyland...again...

We drove down to Disneyland this weekend for a quick visit. We left right after school on Friday, stopped in Brea for dinner, and arrived at our hotel around six. We headed right over to Disneyland. We rode several rides and stayed late for the fireworks.

All of us at Mr. Toad's Wild Ride...

Carsyn was so excited because she was finally able to go on Thunder Mountain. However, once we had boarded the train, she had second thoughts. But, she ended up liking it somewhat because she wanted to go again.

"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea..." said Carsyn.

We spent all day at the park on Saturday. The girls found some newborn baby ducklings in the pond outside of the castle. They spent forever watching them and trying to entice them to come.

Duck watching...

with Ariel...

The girls wanted to see the princess so we went over to the Princess Fair. We were approached by a cast member who asked the girls if they would like a private meeting with Princess Minnie and Belle. Would they? They were so excited. Carsyn would not stop talking to Belle. We must have been in the room with them for twenty minutes. It was so great. Maren even branched out this time and gave Belle a hug. She was still a little nervous about the over sized mouse. Afterward we saw Belle walking away with Mulan and she was telling her about the cute little girls she just met and some of the things that they were talking about. It was so neat.

Five princesses: Minnie, Logan, Carsyn, Maren, and Belle...

After a few more rides, we headed over to California Adventure for dinner. We ate at the Napa restaurant and it was really good. Right after dinner the girls wanted ice cream. But they fell asleep in the stroller, so we just went back to our room.

We got an early start Sunday morning so we could go to mass before going to the park. We stayed at Disneyland until about three in the afternoon, before we had to get in the car and head home. It was a great weekend and a great Mother's Day.

The carousel was up and running again...

Is that a celebrity?

Gotta have a castle shot...

Happy Mother's day to our Mom, Nana, all other Mom's out there!

Hey Hoosiers...VOTE!!!

Who would have ever guessed that Indiana's primaries would actually be important! And, of course it happens the year that we're all registered to vote (and already have) in California--go figure. Hope everyone that is registered to vote in Indy (or North Carolina) gets out and votes!

Mother's Day Brunch...

Our base housing recently became privatized. The new management has been doing some really great things. Today we went to a Mother's Day brunch at the Irwin Street Inn in Hanford that they put on. It was really nice. We actually went there last year for Mother's Day, but this year it was FREE!!! They also gave each mother a corsage and a $25 gift card to either Panera Bread or Bath and Body Works. We met our neighbors there and the kids had a great time eating, doing crafts, and posing for the camera.

They think they own the place...

Sophie, Leo, Maren, Carsyn, Grace, and Logan: what a good looking bunch of kids...

Girlfriends...

Maren's Cinderella moment...

Sweet...

Happy Mother's Day, Mommy!

Piggies and Paws...

Logan's teacher invited us to a Piggies and Paws party at her house today. It is a really neat concept. They take real prints of your children's hands and/or feet and turn it into super-cute art work to hang on your walls. The girls had fun and thought it was cool to see Mrs. C outside of school. Click on "Piggies and Paws" to check out their website.

First Farmer's Market of the Season...

Tonight right after gymnastics, we drove to Hanford for the Farmer's Market. It runs every Thursday from May until October. We try to go every week, as long as it's not too hot. Tonight the weather was fairly pleasant. The girls love sampling all the cherries, berries, and peaches. We bought a lot, but I'm sure it will be gone before next Thursday. A big mistake, however, was letting Maren have her own bowl of strawberries while we were there! She was covered in juice. We ran into several friends and neighbors while we were there too. It's always a good time at the Hanford Farmer's Market!

Maren, Kendall, Grace, Logan, & Carsyn...

We LOVE fruit...

Logan...

Carsyn...

Maren...what a messy eater!

We're in first place...

Go Cubs Go! What an awesome game! Even though it's still very early, it's great to be in first!

Birthdays, Bowling, and Bouncing...

What a fun and busy weekend we had. Daddy returned home from Fallon late Friday night. So when we woke up Saturday morning, we were so excited. Right after breakfast we had to get ready to drive up the Fresno for a birthday party. Our friends, Leo and Sophie had their party at a giant bounce playland. We had so much fun--running around, jumping, going down the slide, and eating pizza and cake! What a great party.

Carsyn on the big slide...

Logan and Ashley going down the slide...

Jenna, Ashley, Carsyn, Grace, Logan, and Maren with more icing on their faces than in their tummies...

Today was Daddy's birthday...the big 31! (Just kidding!) After mass we went bowling on base. It was our first time ever. It is smaller than a regular bowling alley, but it's quite nice (no smoking!!!) Logan caught on pretty quick and bowled an 89--woohoo! Carsyn needed a little help, but bowled a respectable 69. Maren need the most help of course, and was pretty much done by the fifth frame. We had the bumpers up for the girls, but not for mommy and daddy. It was a lot of fun. The girls were even talking about what kind of balls they wanted when they got their own ball... Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Mommy trying to help Logan...

but, she didn't want help...

Daddy helping Carsyn...

Way to go Carsyn, you knocked down four whole pins...

Maren also thought she could do it alone...

even though her shoes were two sizes too big...

They had so much fun...

Dad's home for the weekend...let's go to Pismo!

Daddy drove home from Fallon, NV on Friday to "visit" us for the weekend. The forecast had been calling for temperatures in the low 90's, so we decided to head for the coast. It's a pretty easy drive to Pismo Beach, and a family favorite--so we couldn't pass up the chance for one last trip there. The weather was so warm. We were actually able to go to the beach...in bathing suits. Our hotel is on the bluffs and has it's own private cove that you have to walk down to. The water was still very cold, but it was really sunny and gorgeous. The girls just love the beach. We collected all sorts of colored sea glass, rocks, and a few shells. After spending most of the day at the beach, we climbed back up to the hotel for a quick dip in the pool.

Pretending to be mermaids...

Logan hunting for shells...

and posing...

Carsyn has taken lessons from Logan...

This is what you get when you say, "Don't smile."...

Maren had a blast...

Hanging out with Daddy...

Check out the cave...

Sometimes they do like each other...

Enjoying the pool...

Once we were all cleaned up and hungry, we walked down to our favorite pizza place in Pismo--Del's! The girls are usually so good there, with eating and behavior. No trip to Pismo would be complete without a quick stop at the outlet mall.

Family shot at the hotel...

Carsyn, deep in thought...

Maren has learned to pose too (sort of)...

Logan, what a natural...

at Del's Pizzeria...

Sunday morning we had time to go to mass, but then had to head straight home because Daddy had to return to work in Nevada. It was a great weekend. Everyone had a good time. It was a very nice "last" trip to Pismo.

I Want to Ride My Bicycle...

As part of the Month of the Military festivities at Carsyn's school, the kids were all allowed to ride their bikes to school and have a bike parade. She was so excited for this. There were a few minor collisions during the "bike parade", but no serious injuries. Carsyn had a little spill, but took it like a champ. She was so tired after school--hopefully she'll go to bed early!

Carsyn pausing for a pose on her bike...

"Watch where you're going, Carsyn!"

We miss you, Daddy...

We have been pretty good while Daddy's been gone. But, we sure miss having him around. We are trying to keep busy, but it's hard to get out and do things minus one adult. Mostly we have just been playing outside, riding bikes, drawing with sidewalk chalk, tumbling, blowing bubbles, and playing with our hula hoops. The weather has been really nice, so lots of our friends have been out to play with! We had our cheerleading party last weekend--that was really fun. It was at Ashley and Jenna's and we got to jump on their trampoline! We also went to the movies this weekend to see The Spiderwick Chronicles. We've been following the Cubs and watching them on WGN--finally we're at .500! Can't wait until Dad gets home!!!

Carysn, Maren, & Logan getting ready for mass last Sunday, March 30th...

Maren and Kyle playing at the cheerleading party...

Abbey, Logan, Delaney, and Ashley just hanging around...

Carsyn and Logan getting ready for school...

Maren wishes she could go to school too...

Last cheerleading game...

Carsyn didn't feel like cheering...

Logan and her "boyfriend" Nick...he's just a few years older