Get Away

We stole the kids away from their real life and took one more trip to Disneyland before our passes ran out.  The weather was bliss and I'm so thankful we were able to be together just the four of us.

I'm so blessed to have this sweet girl.  She is so helpful and obedient and a wonderful example to her little sister!  Plus she loves Disneyland the most.  On the way home we were talking about what trips we would like to take in the future.  Tom said we probably wont be coming back to Disneyland in a long time.  She said "how long Dad?"  he said "oh I don't know 3 years?"  Cassidy said with a sad little voice, "but that means I would be 15!" I just love her!

The girls didn't want to leave without seeing the princesses.  If Cassidy knew I was posting this she would die but I can't help it, even Tom and I love to see the magic that Disney has to offer and those Princesses are the most magical of all!


Abby wanted to dress up for our fun day.  This is the costume she found out in our costume box.  I think all the other dresses have been worn to death or are too small.  Cassidy did a fantastic job on her hair and Abby saved her chopsticks from lunch the day before to put in her hair.  (she thought of it all by herself- clever girl)  We were in the park all of about 15 minuets before she was sweating to death and asked if she could take it off.  Good thing she wore clothes under it!


The firework show was amazing.  I'm not a fan of the new policy that Disneyland has where they make everyone stand up in the designated areas for up to an hour before and squish you in like sardines to see the show.  There was no parade this year and luckily we rode rides while everyone was in line and then walked almost to the exit to see the fireworks.  We were among the first to leave and miss the stampede.  (just kidding, it wasn't crowded so we were fine)



















 I love this picture.  Tom loves these girls so much!   And he is the #1 BEST Disneyland Dad ever.

We found a new place to eat this trip.  Big Thunder Ranch BBQ.  You get all you can eat and a fun little show and a TON of food.  How have we missed this before?   I'm talking all - you-can-eat-and-drink!  unheard of at Disneyland where you can't even get a refill on your soda.  Plus we got a skookie for dessert that could have fed 8 people instead of our 4.  Don't worry though, we ate the whole thing!  (I gained 3 pounds on this trip thank you very much!)  The portions are HUGE, the food was fantastic and the service and atmosphere were perfect!  Will do that one again (when Cass is 15 of course - wink)

It was a fun trip, I'm thankful for my sweet family and for their wonderful teachers who didn't curse my name when I told them I was taking them out of school.  Sometimes you just need to make family time and this was one of those times. 

(thanks blogger app I loved posting this from my phone! - pictures are from my phone too! Who said iphones where the only cool phone........Droid has got it going on!)

Staycation Day 2

Today was another beautiful day in the Valley of the Sun.  They High was 84 and it's still 80 degrees outside at 8pm.  Gotta love it!  I just don't know what I would do with snow.  I had a dream the other night that we moved somewhere and it snowed - A LOT and I panicked.  I didn't know what to do, how to drive in it, shovel it, walk in it.  Yes, I have lived a very snow sheltered life.  In fact I have only seen it actually snow once.  True Story!

Anyhoo.....back to our fun day.  Here is our itinerary and how it played out:

Tuesday
Val Vista Lakes Country Club
(my in-laws are members)

Taco Bell for lunch

Slushies during happy hour at Sonic for a treat

Playing with the endless friends in the 'hood till dinnertime

Gymnastics for Miss Amberly

Baked chicken, salad, corn on the cob and sourdough bread for dinner

Cassidy made her first batch of lemon bars - YUM!

 This place....it's my sanity away from the desert.  It looks like you are in a lush green oasis even though you are right in the middle of it.  The main pool is heated all year and is where we have the girls birthday parties (every other year).  The Lagoon as we like to call the beach area has a zero depth pool with sand, play equipment, fountains and you have the most gorgeous view of the waterfalls!

 Sand castle heaven!

 Yes, we can have a little beauty in vast-land ♥

 We had our wedding reception here and have been coming back ever since. 

Have I mentioned that I ♥ it?

I didn't take any pictures of the flowers but man are they amazing right now!

 The crew

Cass made lemon bars for dessert 

She is pretty proud of herself since this is one of her favorite treats.

We had to do something with all the lemons we have!

And they turned out perfect!

Fantel Party

I'm too late for the Fantel (Fall Mantel) Party but I thought I'd post mine anyway even though I'm not linking up.  Each year it looks a little different but I always love it.  I don't decorate very much throughout the house.  A little on my counter, out by the front door and always....my mantel.  It's the easiest way to bring some holiday cheer without spending a lot and adding clutter to the rest of the house.

Check out the Fantel Party going on over at the Nester!

Top 10 Tuesday (on Wednesday)

My favorite Fall Photo's This Week:

(thanks to my tumblr page- click to see more of my favorites)

(via french knot)

(320* Sycamore)

(320* Sycamore)

(Tracy's Trinket's and Treasures)

(the french knot)

 

(the graphics fairy)

(sofie haus)

(house of smiths)

(room to inspire)

(skip to my lou)

Fall Front Door

It sure doesn't feel like fall around here, it's still in the high 80's!

But it is starting to look like fall at our house.

I love these spiders crawling up our door.
They really do freak people out when they walk up. Kids love 'em!

The spiders go up from the corner crack,

all the way up the door, through the wreath and to the queen spider!
Spooky!

I'm not one for "spooky" decorating. in fact the large pumpkin with his evil grin is a little much for me. I love that I can take down the spiders and change a few things inside the house and it can last all through the month of November.

What's your front door doing this holiday season?

Do you like spooky-scary Halloween decor or more of a fall festive type theme?

Just For Fun Friday - Autumn Morning

I did this cute little number this morning while I was up at 4:30am(had a slumber party in the bed last night and Cass woke me up with her snoring). I have already had my first cup of herbal tea of the season - so yum, watched Private Practice online at ABC.com (love that!) and scrapped my 1st Autumn page and new desktop picture.

I think I'm going to send this off to be printed and have it in my "picture of the month" frame in the kitchen. If you are wanting to try a little digi-scrap project this is the one for you! All you have to do is add two pictures and you're done. Get yours here at Shabby Miss Jenn Designs. Enjoy! And go get some herbal tea! There's nothing that says FALL like a warm cup of yummy tea!