Disneyland- Part 2

Wowzers. I am far behind on my blogging.

The next day started out with a trip to Build-A-Bear where Becca chose to get Super Dino. Although, I think she was more excited about the backpack she got. We hit up Soarin' Over California at California Adventure then headed for lunch at Boudin.

After lunch we checked out the new Little Mermaid ride.

Then we went to check out the new Toy Story ride and I was so glad to be with Becca and not have to wait 2 hours in line. It was a super fun ride. I can see why it's so popular.

Then poor Becca fell down some stairs (no injuries) but it kind of ruined the day for her so she and my dad went back to the hotel to take naps while my mom and I hit up the stores.

First I made my mom walk all the way back over to Disneyland to get Danny this special treat I had read about online. Then we had dinner at the Bengal BBQ followed by crepes at the kiosk at Downtown Disney. With full stomachs we decided to walk all the way down to the far end of the shops after which I felt it was important to give my mom the experience of going to a rave and made her walk all the way to the far end of California Adventure for ElecTRONica. For some reason the last couple of times I've been to Disneyland I've really wanted to check it (ElecTRONica) out but no one would go with me. Thanks, Mom, for being a good sport!

The next day we had the super long drive back to Sacramento. There was tons of traffic in LA and it took forever!!

Disneyland - Part 1

The weekend before Thanksgiving my family came into town and we went to Disneyland. Sunday night we had dinner at the Rainforest Cafe. We sat at our usual table and enjoyed the gorilla. Becca loved it of course and left with another new t-shirt to add to her collection.

The next day we checked out Disneyland. We started with the Jungle Boat, Indiana Jones, then Winnie the Pooh. Near Pooh Corner we ran into Tiger and he shook Becca's hand. She was so excited.

Then Becca saw a toy she could not live without, Jack. I don't even think she's ever seen Nightmare Before Christmas. Then as we were walking to lunch Jack actually walked past us and Becca was thrilled!

After an hour wait we finally got to eat at The New Orleans Cafe. It was absolutely delicious. I love a good Monte Cristo.

Becca was excited about her "CELEBRATE" button

Becca was so enthralled with Buzz she couldn't turn away to take a picture

Finding Nemo

 Waiting to ride It's a Small World

 I didn't realize they decorate the ride. It was so cute!

 We ended the night with the holiday parade.

Happy Anniversary

Danny and I celebrated FIVE years of marriage in the beginning of November. We had big plans to go out for a fancy meal but then he was out of town, I had a huge project, and he had to work the weekend. LAME! We still haven't really celebrated. The night of our anniversary Danny was able to leave the office in time to eat dinner with me and he picked up some take out so I didn't have to cook. I was worried I would spend our anniversary by myself so I was so glad he made it home for dinner!

Some things we've learned over 5 years (I seriously can't believe it's been 5 years)

• It's not dinner unless meat is involved.
• There is no rushing Danny time. Ever. No matter what.
•  Liz really does think she's a princess.
•  Liz has just as big of a sweet tooth as Danny.
•  The kitchen runs more smoothly when Danny is the head chef and Liz is the sous chef.
•  Danny is high maintenance.
•  Liz is cheap.
•  We do everything together.

AND.... Danny finally puts his hair and contact products away in the morning.  It only took five years to train him.   LOVE YOU DANNY!!!! 

Thank you for letting me be your bestie. I appreciate you always taking me along to your boys lunches and even the invite to tag along on your shooting trip.

Halloween

I did a couple of things to celebrate Halloween this year. Unfortunately none of them involved Danny.  First, I made a big fuss and took the YW to the pumpkin patch and hay maze in Half Moon Bay. This turned out to be a learning experience. The girls had fun and that is all that matters right?

Second, Lightening McQueen decided to make an appearance at our ward Trunk or Treat. I don't really know what I was thinking. I went by myself and was the only person there without children plus I was one of the only adults dressed in costume so I felt really stupid. All the kids really loved it but I felt so awkward the whole time. Oh well, it is probably the last year we'll have my car around to do it.

Cha Chow!

New Hampshire

The month of October was a little crazy for us. It was midterms for me which stressed me out since I hadn't had a test in 5 years. They went fine. Nothing to stress about. Danny was in the midst of writing his first essays for his MBA applications (cat's out of the bag officially) when he got staffed on a huge project at work which resulted in long nights, working weekends, and business trips. Poor guy. It was the last thing he needed. Fortunately he was able to make a quick trip back east to visit Dartmouth in Hanover. One of Danny's co-workers is now in the MBA program there, and he and his family were nice enough to house Danny for a few days.  Danny had a great time and the trip went really well. A huge relief!

 Danny made sure to get a picture of the stores in town. He knows me well!

Stress Eating

This pretty much sums up our October thus far.

In the last 10 days Danny and I have eaten THREE 9x13 pans of brownies and a bag of 100 Hundred Grands. Let's hope the 150 piece Costco bag of candy makes it to the Trunk or Treat on Halloween. Heaven help us.

The Secret Garden House

For years my favorite house in Palo Alto has been, what I call, The Secret Garden House. It is magical to say the least. It is a tasteful, large, English cottage with a magnificent, magical garden that peeps out from behind it's lovely fence. Every time friends/family come(s) to visit I try to make time to drive them down Santa Rita to show them my favorite house. I've even thought about borrowing a small child on Halloween so I could trick or treat at this beautiful home. I pass it every week when I walk with my friend, Kathryn.

A couple of months ago I learned that it's Steve Job's house. I guess the cute apple trees out front should have given it away. It makes sense that such a magical house would be the product of a creative genius. It was a little somber going on my weekly walk today. We stopped for a few moments to admire the make shift memorial and talk about how much we love our apple products.

I'm not a mac-fanatic. I own a Dell. But I love love love my new ipod touch. It's user-friendly design made it easy for my techni-phobe Mom to use facetime so I could "talk" to my little sister (who has mental disabilities and is nonverbal) for the first time since leaving home 10 years ago. It's brought our family closer.  That is a gift I will never forget.