A couple of weeks ago we survived round six of lay offs at Kev's work. We decided to celebrate by taking a vacation to California. The kids were very excited to spend a few days at Disneyland. It had been three years since we had been there last. It was Hayden's first visit and basically
Halles since she was only four months old last time.
We started off by spending some time in
tomorrow land. The kids really enjoyed the A
stro Blaster ride. They were excited to see Buzz as we were leaving the ride. We tried the
Nemo ride for the first time. It was very similar to the old submarine ride but also fun. We used the stroller switch pass so Kev and I could take turns riding space mountain. It has always been one of my favorites and it did not disappoint. They actually added some demon projections to the ride in honor of Halloween. It was
Mckenna's first time on a big roller coaster like that. I laughed so hard when I saw our picture. She was ducked down so far in her seat you could barely see anyone was sitting next to me.
The kids enjoyed all the rides in fantasy land. Here is a picture of the boys on the dumbo ride. It was nice when Hayden could join us on the rides.
The teacups was another favorite with the kids. We went on them every day that we were there.
I thought this picture of
Halle and Hayden waiting in line was so cute. Hayden was really happy anytime we let him out of the stroller. He loved having the freedom of running around and exploring.
Halle was so happy to meet Minnie Mouse. She was all dressed up for their picture together. While we were waiting in line she asked me why M
innie never closes her mouth. I laughed and told her that M
innie must always be happy.
Halle had a lot of fun exploring M
innie's house. She was having a tea party in this picture.
Here is a picture of us on the Alice in Wonderland ride. It was nice because we could all fit in the same caterpillar together.
I had to include this picture of Parker riding the teacups. It shows what a great time he was having. Parker was brave and tried all the rides this time. He even liked the bigger rides like splash mountain, thunder mountain railroad, and space mountain. He was willing to try a new ride as long as he got to ride with Dad.
The three of us girls waited in a really long line so
Halle could meet "
Tink". She has always been
Halle's favorite since she was old enough to say
Tink. She prefers her over all the princesses. She looked so cute sitting on this toad stool waiting to meet her.
The characters were great and they talked and interacted with the girls for quite awhile. We thought it was funny that Kenna ended up matching the other fairy as well. I tried to get
Mckenna to dress up for a picture but she didn't want too. She is clearly too grown up for the princess thing anymore.
We got this great picture of the whole family with
Tigger and
Eeyore. I think it is cute how Hayden is pulling on
Tiggers ear. He loved all the D
isney characters and was not afraid at all.
Hayden was most excited to meet pooh bear! He just ran right into his arms.
I loved seeing the huge smile on his face. Aunt Heather gave Parker this adorable hat when he was a baby. She worked at
Disneyworld as pooh bear one summer.
It was our first time visiting the California adventure theme park. We had to get a family picture by the F for Foster. We really enjoyed the
pixar parade there. The kids were excited to see all the characters from their favorite movies. Parker was dressed up in his Woody costume. Woody spotted him on the sides and pointed at his costume and then back at his own. We also really enjoyed the
Aladin show. The costumes and scenery were amazing. The genie had all the kids laughing with his jokes.
Here is a picture of Kev and Hayden waiting for the world of color show to start.
We were really impressed. It is incredible how they can project color images right onto the water spraying up. It was fun to see all our favorite D
isney images with the familiar music in the background. They even played the theme song from pirates with images from the movie.
Mckenna had fun on the rocket ride in
tomorrow land. She was old enough that she could go on her own.
We were able to watch Mickey perform up close in the streets of D
isneyland. The kids loved marching along with him.
We got our
famiy picture with the giant Mickey pumpkin on main street. It was fun being there at this time of year. The weather was great and not too hot. It was fun seeing all the Halloween decorations. It was awesome how they decorated the haunted mansion. They transformed the whole place to look like the nightmare before C
hristmas.
We had to get Parker's picture taken with lightening
mcqueen. Cars has been his favorite movie since he was one year old.
We really liked all the shows that we saw at California adventure. We went to a 4D show called bugs life. It was fun seeing all the kids with their bug eyes. I thought it was funny that Hayden was trying to pull Kev's glasses off in this picture. The tower of terror was the scariest ride that we went on. Parker hasn't stopped talking about it. If you have a phobia of being in an elevator the ride isn't for you.
We drove to San Diego to spend a couple of days there. We went with some friends to the
mormon battalion visitor center. They have recently renovated and it was really impressive. They had pictures on the wall that talked and told stories. They had you move from room to room learning more about the history.
The kids got to pan for gold.
Hayden even had fun digging in the water for rocks. The sister missionaries were really sweet and had fun helping the kids.
We had our picture taken at the top of the tower in the visitor center. It had a great view of San Diego.
We stayed with my good friend Liz and her family. It was fun to hang out with them and see where they live. She has two boys that are Parker and
Halles age. It was fun seeing them play together. I was so happy to meet her newest addition. I loved holding him and hearing all his cute baby noises.
We took a stroll down memory lane. We walked to the condo where my Grandma and Grandpa used to live. I have such good memories of being there. I am glad that Kev got to experience it with me while my Grandpa was still alive.
We went on walk around the San Diego temple. The kids loved having some grass to run around on. It is such a beautiful temple.
Kenna took this picture of us swinging Hayden as we walked around. It almost looks like he is going to fly right over our heads.
We went to La
Jolla shore to spend some time at the ocean. It was a lot cooler that I had expected. I am used to coming in the heat of the summer.
Mckenna wandered off to explore and came back with this. She had found some strange seaweed and dragged it back to show us. I am glad she didn't insist on taking it with us.
It was Hayden's first time experiencing the ocean. He dipped his feet for a little while and then had enough.
We walked to one of my favorite lookout points by the cove. The walkway goes right out into the ocean. It is cool to see the waves splashing around us. It is also a great place to see all the seals. We watched them swimming and hanging out on the beach. We had a very fun vacation. The kids haven't stopped talking about it since we got home. We have lots of pictures to remember it by. I only posted a quarter of them. There was so many good ones it was hard to choose.
Parker was Iron man this year. He told me about a month before Halloween that was who he wanted to be. He looked impressive with his big muscles and suit that lights up. We had fun watching him strut his stuff at the school parade.
Mckenna was dressed up as Hermione from Harry Potter. She really looked like Hermione with her wild crimped hair.
Halle was our little bumble bee. I made her costume which was a first for me. I made the tutu and glued gems that said "cute as can bee" on her shirt. We had fun watching her preschool program. Her favorite song was the mean old witch with a hat. 
Halle loves her teacher Miss Marci and was happy to get their picture taken together.
I helped out with Mckenna's classroom party. We had a lot of fun. I was in charge of this game. We had them suck up paper Halloween cutouts with a straw. We had a contest to see who could get the most and carry them across the room.
We had a great time carving pumpkins this year. The kids were so excited to see them glowing on our front porch. Kev helped Parker carve the boogey man design on his pumpkin. It was inspired from the movie the nightmare before Christmas.
Here is a picture of the whole fam out trick or treating. Luckily, the rain let up and we didn't get soaked. We were really cold by the end of the night. The kids didn't complain though because they were too busy collecting candy.
This is a picture of all the nerdy boys in the neighborhood. (Napoleon included)
Hayden wore the pooh costume that was Parker's when he was little. He actually looked chubby in it thanks to all the padding in the tummy. Hayden really enjoyed trick or treating this year. I fed him chocolate all along the way. He was running around the house with a treat in each hand.
Halle is showing off her favorite part of her costume. I thought it would be funny to put this on her bottom. Halle is our child with attitude and we thought it would be fitting.
Parker was running around the yard in the dark having a great time. He said he could fly at super speed because he was Iron man. It is funny because in this picture he looks like a small action figure on our lawn. 
The kids enjoyed counting and sorting their candy at the end of the night. Mckenna said she got a 101 pieces of candy. 
On Sunday we dressed the kids up again for Uncle Dan's b-day party. They had fun hanging out with their cousins. 
I thought this picture of cousin Aubrey and Parker was so cute. They were watching a movie together. Parker was looking cool wearing his Iron man mask.
I really enjoyed holding my nephew Ethan. He is getting so chubby. I thought it was cute how he looked right at the camera. Hayden is admiring his lobster costume. We had an awesome Halloween. It was great to be able to wear our costumes so many times.
