First Day of School

Where did the summer go?  That is the question echoing around town the past week.  Even the kids were asking the same thing.  We had so much fun that it's hard to get back into the school routine.  However, this year would be a different one for us.  

Rylee
Starts 6th Grade at Sunrise Ridge Intermediate.
The bell rings @ 7:45 am.
We are joining the daily scramble in the parking lot getting inside the school on time.
So far so good.

Reganne
Starts 3rd Grade w/ Mrs Karratti
She is having to adjust to being there without Rylee,
She is now the oldest one there and  is not sure she likes it.

Ryder
Kindergarten w/ Mrs Guynn
He started a week later than the girls and is eager for a new adventure.

Found his seat and waited for the other kids to arrive.
Mrs. Guynn had them look at books at their tables until everyone arrived.
As the bell rang there were only 5 kids in the room.  As I was leaving there was a large crowd coming towards the class room.  Better late than never???

I made it Dad!!

The only way he would let me take any pictures so I could send one to Dad.

We have made it through the first of school.  Let the homework begin....

County Fair Parade

I am completely crazy and life has been crazy as well.  I volunteered our vehicle and kids to walk in the County Fair Parade and advertise our upcoming soccer season with hopes of attracting more players.  The kids were excited to be in another parade.  This must be the summer of parades for us.  We waited longer in line to start the walking the parade route.  

While we waited Dave took the kids to look at the other entries.
They even found the royalty from the last parade.

Interesting Group
We were all going to walk and hand out flyers.
Even toss candy as we went.

Decorated Hummer

The crowds went wild as we walked along.  There was cheering, yelling for more info, and yes begging for flyers.  We quickly ran out.  We all voted that this was a successful way to advertise.  We also had fun and got our exercise in for the day.

There was still plenty of time for activities.  What will be next?

New Family Member.....Dexter

After much begging, pleading, researching, and finally cuddling up to Dad.  We have a new dog by the name of Dexter.  He was neglected by his owners and a teacher at summer camp was trying to find a home for a puppy that was a poodle mix.  However, July turned into a very busy month and we couldn't find a time that we all could get together.  The biggest obstacle was Harley.  Could they get along?

They met and did amazingly well.  Dexter cuddled up to Dave when he walked outside.  The decision had been made he was staying.

He looked like a small shaggy dog.
Before being groomed.

Afterwards....Who was this dog?

When the groomer brought him out I was in for a big surprise.  Are you sure this is the same dog?  Stephen assured me that it was.  The kids were also surprised to him after camp.

While trying to find out his background he has had all his shots, been fixed, and his name was Sheek.  It then as changed to Daxter.  We voted as a family and he became Dexter.  We also found out that he is a Miniature Schnauzer.  Which is supposed to be a good breed for kids.  The only downside is he is still a  puppy at heart being only 1 1/2 years old.

The kids are trying to take care of him but the soon give up and of course Mom has to pick up the slack.  Oh well it's good for them to learn and be responsible for taking care of him and Harley.

Day Two

Morning came too early for everyone, but we were soon ready to go again.  Once again McDonald's was the choice for breakfast.  While walking in we tried to remember everyone's advice and find the Fast Track line for the Cars ride.  It was longer than the lines yesterday.  We were to return at 2:30 for our chance to ride.  We were off to see what we could find.

A Bugs Life greeted us first.

Dad had to have a picture off the hood ornament.
And of course his family.

Finally a boys dream!!!!
A big McQueen car and can his smile get any bigger.

Look who we found our friends from home.
The Williams & Ashby Family starting their vacation.

Another family shot
Dave & Ryder were in heaven with all the cool things to see.

Ryder & Zoey
They held hands for most of the day.  Which was a good thing we could keep track of them.

The perfect souvenir?
Nope but a good picture

Finally time to ride the most popular ride in both parks.
What should we do while we wait?  Have a karate match.

How do we look ?
Everyone loved it except Reganne.  She informed me that once was enough for her.  She didn't like the ending.

Hotel Knight

All too soon our vacation came to and end and the drive home loomed in front of us.  We all had a great time and can't wait to return.  Maybe sooner than we think???

Disneyland Day One

After a good nights rest everyone was ready to go to the park.  However, one stop was still needed and that was breakfast.  McDonald's was the request of all the kids.  We were soon across the street, in the park, thru security checkpoint, and finally we were there.  We hopped on the train and headed for our first ride.  Something was missing.....The crowds.  It was perfect!!!!!

Waiting for The Haunted Mansion
Ryder loved the ghost sitting on his lap.

Splash Mountain
Dang my secret is out!!!!

Tigger and kids
He gestured to Ryder to wait a minute, pulled a leaf off the tree, signed his name, and gave it to Ryder.

Small World
Mom, will the song ever end?  Nope, not until we are off the ride.

The Boys
Nemo's Submarine Ride.....Longest wait of the day @ 45 minutes.

Mary Poppins
The girls were excited to see them in the parade.
They remembered them from the Tuacahn play earlier this summer.

Watching the Pirates of the Caribbean.
After riding the ride 3 times imagine finding it on tv.

Everyone was tired and worn out after a busy day in the park.  At one point Ryder asked when we were going to get to Disneyland?  We are in Disneyland.  No we aren't were in Frontierland.  The logic of a 5 year old can't be beat.

We missed the fireworks that night since we were already in bed.  What will tomorrow bring?

Ocean Cruise

We only had about 45 minutes to kill before they started boarding after wandering around we headed back to the dock and patiently waited.

NOT!!!!!

We had to sit on the top deck.

The Queen Mary
We got there too late to do a tour.

Sea Lions...Fred & Ginger and friends

Oil Island

Moocher
This seagull followed us pack to the dock.
It couldn't have been that the kids were feeding him Cheez-It Crackers from their hands.

Time for dinner and get to bed early.  Tomorrow we hit Disneyland early.

Vacation Time.....

We're off to Disneyland....

Ryder has been counting down the days till we would leave that he could hardly sleep the night before.  My alarm went off and before I could get out of bed Ryder was right there telling me to get up so we could leave.  We were finally on the road by 9:00 and after a few stops for food we made it to the hotel by 3:00. We were a little hesitant about the hotel since we let the kids pick.  We were all pleasantly surprised except Rylee who was very confident in her choice it was really nice. 

Swan Towels

Nice comfy beds and even a flat screen TV.

The Pier @ Long Beach
We had time to kill that afternoon.  It was time to find a beach.
Oops wrong dock, this one is dumping.

Look Mom who is here?

Should I be worried?
Or turn her in for the reward?

Or this one?

How about this one?
I think we will keep them.

We found a beach!

A small one but it had shells to collect.

Mine! Mine! Mine!
A Nemo Flashback...Seagulls & Pelicans

We found a port cruise still open with one more run for the night.  What would we see out on the ocean?

Bubbles, Bubbles, and More Bubbles

So much for getting my house clean and running errands.  BubbleFest Saturday was here.  Everyone was dressed in swimsuits and Mom held the towels, shoes, and projects.  We were off to have a good time.

Tinkerbell showed up to party.
Who knew that it was Olivia from church.

Sponge Bob
Are we allowed to talk to him? Nope but a picture will be fine.

Here comes the bubbles.....

Look at me and I have bubbles.

They burn like soap.  Where's my goggles?

It's like a washing machine.
And a good big sister giving a smelly little brother her goggles.

Friends Colton & Chloe
Washing the bubbles off in the pool.

Sliding into the pool with a slide to make it great.

Water walking bubbles.
Crazy mom who stood in line for over 90 minutes so they could have a chance to play.
Ryder waiting patiently for it to fill with air so he could be off.

We can't standup....We can crawl

I'm pooped, ride over.

Please don't let the fun end.

But it did and it was time to go home.  Everyone had a blast and were squeaky clean.  Even my stinky sandals got a good cleaning.  The verdict is still out on whether they smell better or not.

Time to rest up before our next adventure to Disneyland.