Will these vacation photos ever end?

I don't know about you but it's been a ding dong circus around these parts.

Don't even get me started on the laundry and the mail pile.

Coming home after a whirlwind few weeks on the road and then packing up two nights later to camp with our small group homies and Ben and I being a mere five hours away from our great adventure across the ocean has left more than a few butterflies in my stomach.

First of all, it's an embarrassment of riches but I still like to carry the, I'm freakin exhausted card, in my back pocket.  And of course the mom guilt of leaving my kids for twelve days rages hard and has led me down a path that causes Ben to reconsider being married to me.  All the crazy seems to have been checked off the list and only the final goodbyes are left.  They are in the very capable hands of their Tia and grandparents and obviously they're pretty distraught.

But before we get our adventure going I wanted to post the last of the cousin cuteness.  We finished up our family time in San Diego and managed to fit in a wedding, Mom's 60th birthday party, a trip to Sea World and some frolicking on the beach.  It should be enough to hold all of us until Christmas.

Gettin their nails did

 Mom's reaction after Dad sang her celebration song

two beauties

 Shamu show!

 They had no idea how much water was about to come their way

 Sammy the sea lion, definitely nature in its purist form

 Madagascar live!  Because nothing says ocean education like dancing lions.

 Sesame Street land rides

 Elmo's flying fish

 This is what we like to call, Sea World burnout

 We don't let a few clouds spoil our beach fun

 All gussied up for the wedding.  Seriously, when are they not in matching outfits?

 Ok, this one surprised me.  At the reception each table had to send up a representative to say something about the couple in order to get dinner.  So Ava decides she wants to sing Love Story by Taylor Swift since the bride's name was Taylor.  Daddy gave her the lyrics on his phone and she sang it beautifully in front of a hundred people.  Who knew?

 And then it was time to party.

Another great family vacation stored up in the memory banks.  I think the littles must be getting used to these gypsy summers of ours because they took each day as it came and impressed both of us with their ability to adapt to all kinds of crazy.  Let's hope the streak continues...

A little bit Disney and a whole lot of insanity

We coasted into town Wednesday midnight after a marathon eleven hours straight from San Francisco and it was a good thing since Ian was wearing his last diaper and mama had enough angry pms hormones to fuel a small city.  After 23 days on the road and nearly every night spent together in the same room we were all happy to be back in our own beds.  We had such an amazing trip and very few bumps in the road which is kind of miraculous considering all the coordinating it took.  Both of the kiddos counted Disneyland as their fav California memory and it isn't hard to see why.  As manufactured and commercialized as it is they love every minute of our time at that park.  I have friends who say they will never go to Disneyland and I have friends who go every single year.  It's definitely a personal decision every family must make for themselves.  It's hard not to get into the spirit of it when your there.  Once you figure out the timing of it and go all in with the crazy six am wake up call to hitting the pillow well after midnight it's a ride you love and then are happy to get off.  Here's some of my favorite moments.

Our first morning heading into the park.  The girls were beaming with excitement.  Ian was probably still sleeping in the stroller.

 After taking Ian on pirates of the caribbean we decided to do splash mountain.  Probably not the best idea since I know Ian is tall for his age.  He hit the mark physically but emotionally it was a whole nother ball game.

I felt so bad since he was waving to all the characters and singing along the bouncy path.  And then boom, out of nowhere he sees the drop.  "I'm never going on a ride again!  Bad ride!"  I had to take him on the Winnie The Pooh train twice before I regained his trust. 

This gang on the other hand...

 Then we ran into this lady.  Who was the first evil queen I'd ever encountered at Disneyland.  The kids were excited and terrified at the same time.  She sent them off with a, "And please, have a horrible day."

 Autotopia is one of our favorites!

 Even the shuttle plays disney movies

 After naps and the pool we headed back to the park in full costume.  

 They always cause a scene with their cuteness.

 Proud grandparents

 Meeting the main mouse

 Ending the night in style

 The next day we were up bright and early again so we could get Ian into cars land before the really crazy began.  We learned our lesson from last year and got our fast passes early so he could get on all the rides.  He was one happy boy.  

First stop was the Mater ride

 And a little meet and greet with Red

 and Mater

and Lightning.

 Then Luigi's flying tires, which Mama thinks is a little lame, probably because last year she waited two hours to get on.  This year there was no line and not surprisingly, a lot more fun.

 Of course, Ms. A wanted to show her stuff and pose in the tires.

 We love Cars Land!

 Only here do you get five gallons of lemonade for breakfast.  They even top it with pomegranate whipped cream for a little Disney flare.

 Then we took it easy with a few shows and got to meet the new girls in town, Doc McStuffins and Sofia the First.

I thought Ian was going to charge the stage when Jake showed up but he showed a little restraint.

Then they got a little time with Mr. Mouse

 Until next time!