A few (or 30) more favorites

Disneyland felt much more manageable this year and I think it was because we went in with a plan and stuck with it.  Believe me, it is much harder than you would think.  I was up by 6 each morning and had us out the door by 7 for breakfast.  We were in the park when they opened and went to all the busiest rides/characters first.  After that we could lounge around with the rest of the family and head back for lunch and naps.  I cannot tell you how hard it was to leave the park.  There is always so much to do and the kids are really happy.  But I went drill sergeant on the family and it made all the difference.  We were out of the park during the busiest/hottest times and then came back after dinner and were ready to go until midnight.  I highly recommend that strategy if your traveling with any little people who naturally lean towards irrationality.  Not that I would know anything about that.  

Out of everything we did I think Ian was happiest to try out all the cars in Toon Town

Mama was just happy to finally be out of line.  Cars land was the one place where it didn't matter how early you got there.  

 One of my favorite moments was a late night stop at Ghiradelli's.  The streets were empty, the kids ran wild, and the ice cream flowed.  

 "the earthquake" 

Next time I'm definitely getting my own

The whole gang

sweet Ammie

This lovely lady made the drive down so we could get a little dinner and so I could ooh and aah over her beautiful baby girl.

 Ian was quite smitten, but I think Vianne might have been secretly laughing at his hat.

Bumper cars

I was very surprised that Ava wasn't really interested in meeting the princesses this year.  In an even weirder twist, Ian wanted to meet all of them.  So first up was Tinkerbell...

and then Merida and her little bear brothers

Trying out the bow and arrow

Me do it too!

Then he saw this guy with Goofy.  He jumped out of my arms, took his hand and was rewarded with a private meeting.  Only at Disneyland is any of this ok.

Ian talked about Goofy eating his head for about 15 straight hours, and then at least once every day since.  It was definitely a highlight.

Look at the love

And finally some googly eyes for Ms. Minnie

We went on this roller coaster four times in a row, turns out Ava's an adrenaline junky. 

Crazy asian drivers

This was the picture of the picture of splash mountain.  Ava and Elia wanted to sit up front.  I wanted to wet my pants.  Luckily everyone got their way.

Soaked!

This was the little red truck that Walt Disney would drive around the park in the mornings.  Our driver had worked there for 35 years.  I wish I would have taken his picture but here are the kiddos ringing the bell.

On our last night all the girls dressed up and we walked down to the park.  The four of them held hands and sang A Whole New World... at the top of their lungs...for...20...straight...minutes.  It caused a stir people.  I mean complete strangers had them stop to pose for pictures.  

But they didn't let it go to their heads

They had a ball to get too.

state of the union

Well Ben and I celebrated nine years of marriage on Friday and marked the occasion with two decidedly different outings.  First we loaded up on fake tattoos and wine coolers and took our new raft down to the river for a three hour float.  It's not often that I get to channel my inner Meryl Streep (in River Wild) or Kid Rock groupie but it definitely made for an adventure.  The natural scenery was breathtaking, especially when the mountain was in full view, and the people watching was top notch.  Although we never did find the infamous rope swing we found a few cozy nooks for swimming and I can't think of a more fun way to cool off on a hot day.

Setting sail

 I hired this guy to do the heavy rowing.  He was a good worker but his repeated requests for a flashing were less than professional.

 Cliff diving

 Enjoying the scenery

Our second adventure was of the culinary variety and occurred at Thistle, Oregon's restaurant of the year in 2011.  We significantly up'ed our usual 4:30 dinner time and found ourselves walking in at 8pm.

It was a beautiful space with only a handful of tables and the chef working in the front window.  There were no dinner menus and only a chalkboard with four entrees.  We started with the pork appetizer since that was the only item we could decipher and intended to split the pesto gnocchi and the beef, until I wasn't willing to share.  I have to say that the whole experience was lovely, from the grandmothers china plates to the variety of mustards to the applewood smoked sea salt butter and the melt in your mouth baby carrots.  It was all perfect.  My only wish was that they hadn't sold out of their one dessert.  I suppose that's what happens when you finish your dinner at two hours to midnight.
Yet, even with all this extravagance, the true luxury was sitting across from me.  To hold the hand of the man I love in the warmth of that space and relive our highs and lows of the past year.  To dream about the future and get a little closer to the same page.  And to remember that the "better" so often comes after the "worse."  It was a gift from the One who made our tandem bicycle and I am so thankful for it.

hook, line, and sinker

I'm pretty sure it doesn't get more commercialized than Mickey Mouse ears on a Lightning Mcqueen hat but somehow I don't think Ian minds the sellout.  I'll admit that we were all caught up in the moment.  Maybe it's the marching bands around every corner, or being chauffered from an ice cream shop to a castle in a horse-drawn carriage.  Whatever pulls you into the park, the intoxicating giggles and tight squeezes of little fingers as they take in each new surprise, keep you spellbound.

First view of the castle

 Madhatter fun

Still in shock chatting with Alice

 Reliving the excitement of the first roller coaster

 Time to fly

 My copilot

 Little prince with Cinderella

 License to drive

 Being schooled in the Jedi arts

 Practicing proper light saber technique

 Preparing to fight Darth Vader

 May the force be with you young Ava

She will not turn to the dark side

 "What do we do with this?  I don't know, I guess we're Jedi's now.  Ok."

 Who needs a light saber with these smiles?

 Glowing after Rapunzel blew her a kiss

 Celebrating with cotton candy

 Getting ready to defy some fears

 A kiss for Mickey

 M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E!

 Cars land for a transportation loving boy

 Luigi's flying tires with Auntie Annette

 Look at that smile!  She is a joy magnet.

As the kids get older the experience changes but it's just as good as when I first saw the castle through my six year old eyes.  

Blue skies and a century for celebrating

Well I think last we left off we were busy trying to keep the kiddos from desecrating a bay area cemetary.  Unfortunately, two short days later two out of five were vomiting throughout a vietnam memorial park, due to too much excitement following too much spaghetti.  So I guess we haven't made very much progress.  But we have added to our memory bank and the kids are loving and fighting and hugging and swimming their way through California.  

But before we talk about this cuteness, 

I have to show some photos of Grandma's big 100 year extravaganza.  We had multiple banquets and it was so neat to see how loved she was and how many people came out to celebrate.  In between speeches and cake we fit in a lot of swimming, a little bit of shopping and four meals at In and Out.   

Here's our little fish in action.  

One

Two

Three!!!!

I have to plug this little restaurant in Hayward called the City Bistro.  This food shot is for Jenni.  I'm always looking out for my fellow foodies.  This was the best sandwich I've ever had.  The club with apple cranberry compote and maple butter sweet potato fries.  Crazy good.  Someday I will go back.  I might even rent a car on my own so I can drive back up just for the fries.  They haunt my dreams.  Ok, I'll stop talking about fries and get back to the cuteness.

Look how cute he is.  Such a yummy guy with avocado and cranberry mayonaise dripping out the sides.  Just kidding.

Ok, here's the real reason we're at this post.  The guest of honor on her big day.  She actually played piano for the service.  I was in awe.  

Ian gave her a present and then stayed around so he could open it and probably take it away from her.  Luckily she discreetly put it in her purse.  Then she asked the person next to her who the little boy was.  I guess he doesn't make a very memorable impression.  

Party favors for everyone!

Love this photo of the three of them.  The fresh faces next the the worn hands and wrinkled brow is just so beautiful.  I hope this face is what they will both remember when they think of Great Grandma Hsieh.