Day 3

Two posts in one day ... Don't get too excited, this will be a short one. Day 3 was our day without the kids. We left the kiddos with Grandma and spent the day in and around the city. Our first stop was The Grove shopping center and Farmer's Market. There was lots going on while we were there. Mario Lopez was there filming pieces for E! or whatever entertainment show he is on. Dasani was doing a big thing for Earth Day where they had a fashion show of sorts with the models where only Leaves. It was a nice area to wander through.

Mario Lopez asking the hard hitting questions ... "So, who do you find more attractive, Vin Diesel, Rock, or Paul Wilson?"

After The Grove, we headed to the ever Famous Pink's Hotdog stand. Our consensus was that it was good, but it was still just a hot dog.




After lunch, we headed to Santa Monica for a Segway tour. This was a groupon not too long ago, that was how we found out about it. It was a lot of fun. I had no idea how they worked - I figured they had a gas button or you twist the handle or something to make it go - but it is actually just made to move forward or backward by your balance - lean your hips forward, away you go, lean the hips back and you stop or go backwards. Takes a bit of getting used to, but once you get it - totally neat.

This is us about halfway through the tour. We went along the boardwalk through Santa Monica. I am swear we passed the beach club that was used in Saved by the Bell (I think they called it the malibu sands beach club - Yes, I am a total dork)

After the segway tour, we had planned to head dowtown to the LA Live area, but the tour ended at about 4:15 and traffic was a super nightmare, so we headed to Border Grill for some delicious happy hour margaritas and appetizers. Then we headed to a sports bar called Yankee Doodles to watch the game. The food sucked, but the beer was cheap and it was crowded with Lakers fans, so fun to watch the game.

And that concludes Wade and Hallie's Day without the Kids!

Day 2

M I C K E Y M O U S E ... c'mon, you know the words, sing it with me ... Day 2 was our Disney Adventure and while it was great and we had lots of fun, it was super crowded. I didn't realize how spoiled we had been in our past few trips - the park has always been somewhat busy, but there are usually a few rides that we could just walk on all day - like the teacups, we have ridden those 4 and 5 times, mostly because there was no line! This time, it was crazy crowded, like you could totally lose your kid crowded. But we perservered. We got there just about when the park opened and were able to hit a few rides with very little line. We went on the Buzz Light year ride first, then to the Nemo ride. Keira decided the Nemo submarine ride was her new favorite - replacing the tea cups from years past. I liked it a lot too! Mallory got to meet Mickey and Minnie for the first time and she wasn't as wild about them as I thought. I don't think she really knew what to think. She didn't scream and cry, just kept her distance! Mallory enjoyed all the rides, but the waiting in line was the for the birds! A close 2nd for Keira's favorite thing was meeting the princesses - she just loves them! Below are some of the pictures from our day.

This is the girls meeting Mickey. Keira ran right up to him and gave him a hug like they had been best friends forever. Mallory, on the other hand, kept her distance.

Here we are with Minnie. If we look like we've been out in the rain, it is because we had! It rained on and off most of the morning. And don't ask me why Wade is not in these photos, he is somehow good at escaping the camera!

Mallory on Dumbo. We almost didn't make it, someone had had enough of waiting.



The ever favorite teacups!

Keira and Ariel. She was super excited about that - she had never "met" Ariel before.

Mallory conked out for about 2 hours while we were there, the excitement was just too much for her.

Keira with a Mickey shaped ice cream bar.

Mallory making a total disaster of an ice cream cone.

Keira catching bubbles at the Disney Live show. This was a favorite too!

More to come tomorrow ...

Vacation - Day 1

We're baaaacccckkkk! We had a great time in sunny (and sometimes not so sunny) California. It packed a lot of fun into a week ... though it really didn't feel like a whole week. Here is day 1 ...

Waiting patiently at the airport to go see Grandma and Papa!

Playing on the airplane on our very looonnnggg 4.5 hour flight.

Carpet picnic at Grandma's house for lunch.

Playing at the park ... no idea what is going on here ;)

More park playing ... to the left of Keira is Julie Bowen, this was my attempt to get her picture without being obnoxious! On my camera I can zoom in and really tell that it is her, but couldn't figure out how to do that on the computer!

Teeter Totter.

Malzy loved the sand, no matter where it was. She spent an hour playing in it at the park.

Swinging with Grandma!

Day 2 to come tomorrow ... Disneyland!

Digging for Treasures

Queen Bees

Spring soccer has begun. This season, Keira is the gold team - and they have named themselves the Queen Bees. Pretty cute, I thought. I think this will be the make or break season for Keira and soccer. We have moved up to the under 6 league from the Pee-Wees in the fall since she is 5 now. Last year was more about picking grass and skipping around. This year is a bit more serious. It is 5 on 5 (last year 3 on 3) and there is a goalie (no goalie last year). Like I said, more serious. I really like her coach. He does a good job of running drills and letting the girls have fun. So far, Keira still really likes it, though is probably one of the more easily distracted ones on the team. They had their first game on saturday and she did really well - even scored a goal! We are so proud of her! They don't technically keep score, but they won! (Shhh, don't tell anyone I was keeping score). Here are a few pics in her uniform.

The Queen Bee all ready to go. She's number 13.

Keira during the game. Yes, she looks like a line backer. She has her winter coat on under her jersey. It was a little cold saturday morning.

Mallory watching the game. She desperately wanted to play too.

Patiently waiting her turn.

During the game.

No reason at all

Because sometimes you can make and eat chocolate cake just because it's Sunday!

Best served with vanilla ice cream!

Keira is clearly ecstatic about having cake "just because it's Sunday"!

Mallory on the other hand has no idea what is going on!!