Fun at Disneyland!

Our friends from San Francisco traveled down to spend four days at Disneyland and CA Adventure.  They were down to celebrate their son's 4th birthday.  We were able to join them for two of the days on Friday and Saturday.  Tim took Friday off, which was great.  Trent went to school in the morning and then we headed down to Disneyland at 11:00 a.m.  We were so excited to see our friends.  We met Eric and Jen while we were in Connecticut.  They have become great friends to us.  Tim actually married Eric and Jen way back when, which is pretty special.

Trent was excited to see their little boy and show him around Disneyland.  The first ride we went on was Soarin'.  Trent was so excited to go on Soarin' and was hoping Eric and his son would like the ride too.  They did and everyone was all smiles.

Posing with Mater and Lightin' McQueen.

Of course, we had to go on Toy Story Mania.  First, we played a few boardwalk games and then waited in the 45 minute line for Toy Story Mania.  The wait is always worth it.  We took a ride on the carousel, while Tim and Eric went on California Screamin'.  We also made our way over to Bugs Land and went on the bumper cars.  Eric was lucky to be driven around by Trent.  

 Handy Manny and Trent.

We spent the evening at Disneyland.  We went on the ride Autopia. Trent drove the car around the track, which was a bit scary.  We also had a good time on the Buzz Lightyear ride.  In preparation for the ride L warmed up his targeting skills.  We also saw the fireworks show, which was amazing.  I was so happy I had my flash because in my opinion the shots came out great.

Cutie pie!

Getting ready to blast Zurg.

 All smiles while driving around the track.

 Again, all smiles while eating some popcorn.

Getting in some DS before the fireworks started.

 

The Gang.

 The Fireworks show.

 Trent enjoying the show.

 Relaxing in the hotel room after a long and fun day.

Day Two started off around 9:00 a.m.  We made our way over to Disneyland on the Monorail, which is the best way to go.  Since it was Saturday, the parks were quite busy.  Our first ride of the day was Small World.  It's always a cool and relaxing ride.

Buddies.

 Small World ride.

 The boys making their way across the bridge to Tarzan's tree house.

Eric took the boys up to Tarzan's tree house and then we went over to Tom Sawyer's Island.  Eric was such a great sport to run around with the boys.   

Trent happy to go on the Jungle Cruise.

 That look he got from me.

Like I mentioned before, Disneyland was crowded.  We waited almost an hour to go on the Casey Jr. train, which is usually a 15 minute wait. It was a bit ridiculous, but we were committed to waiting because Trent really wanted to go on the train.

 Finally on the Casey Jr. train.

 Typical Trent...shooting something.

 We ended a great two days swimming.  Not too bad for mid-February. 

 I am glad we live in California.

 Eric and the monkeys.

 Trent had to get a picture with Mickey as we were leaving.

We had a great two days with our friends.  I am so glad they came down to spend a few days at Disneyland and that we were able to meet up.  Also, I am so glad that while we lived in Connecticut, we met Eric and Jen and became such great friends with them.  They are great people, have a wonderful son and we are so lucky to have them in our life.

Love Day!

I love celebrating Valentine's Day...now.  In high school I hated it, but now I love it and it's all because of Tim and Trent.  I had two long term boyfriends in high school and whenever Valentine's Day came around it was always a let down.  Maybe that was a sign that the relationship was doomed.  I am glad in my almost 13 years of marriage to Tim that I have always had a good Valentine's Day.  Then Trent came along and it became even better.  Just another day to express how much I love my boys. 

I was surprised a few days before Valentine's Day (Tim cannot keep a secret) with a Shutterfly photo album made by Tim and Trent (with lots of help from my sister in-law April).  The 74 page album is filled with over 300 pictures of our crazy love.  It is such a wonderful collection of pictures that range from Trent's birth to the most recent of pictures.  I was in tears looking at it.  I am always the one making the albums for people and it was so nice to receive one.  I will cherish it forever.

On Valentine's Day we went about our day as usual.  I helped out with Trent's class party, which was a lot of fun.

 Trent enjoying his cupcake and plate of goodies.

 Mrs. Chung and Trent

Then I took Trent to a very early dinner (3:00 p.m.) at Casa del Rey.  It was just me and him in the restaurant.  Next, we headed over to my parents house to pick up some yummy cupcakes my Mom had made us.  Then we headed home to bake some brownies for Tim.  

 Trent and Choco Heart (stuffed doggy).  

That was his Valentine from Tim and I.

 Yummy brownies!

Trent had a great time going through all his Valentine's from his classmates.

Trent's poem: Roses are Red, Violets are Blue.  God is special; You are too!

 

A classic up close picture of me and Trent.  Check out the awesome visor Trent made me in Sunday school.

Tim finally made it home and Trent wanted to surprise him with the brownies.  Tim was thrilled to see that we made him brownies.

 So surprised!

We had a great day celebrating our love for each other and others.  

Celebrating my Grandma's 90th Birthday

On January 28, 2011, my Grandma turned 90 years old. Wow! My Grandma lives in a home for those who are suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's.  She has been in that home for about three years.  Before that my grandparents briefly lived in an assisted living facility, but having only lived there a month or so my Grandpa had a stroke and shortly after that passed away.  My Grandma's Alzheimer's was still in the beginning stages, but we all knew she would not be able to live in the assisted living facility for very long.  Not wanting to change her life too much after my Grandpa passed away, she stayed in the assisted living facility for about another year.  They moved her to a different room within the facility where there was more assistance given, but eventually her Alzheimer had progressed to a point that she needed around the clock care.  She moved into a facility close to my Aunt and Uncle down in Sun City.  My Aunt visits her a few times a week and my Mom gets down there as often as she can.  She still recognizes my Mom and Aunt, but I am not too sure if she recognizes me anymore.

It is definitely sad to see someone you love suffering from the disease of Alzheimer.  She does have moments of clarity and see tries to jump into the conversation, but for the most part she just enjoys your company.  She has always loved having company.  My grandparents did a lot of entertaining in  their life.  My Grandma loved to cook and I think that's where my Mom got her love of cooking from.  I can still remember playing in the front yard of my grandparents house like it was yesterday.  I drive by their old house everyday on the way to our house and I remember all the fun times we had there.  I was lucky that my grandparents lived so close and we saw them often. My Grandma and I had a tradition of going shopping for pretty clothes for my birthday, I always looked forward to those shopping trips.
To celebrate my Grandma's birthday my Mom, Aunt, my Aunt's granddaughter and I went to see my Grandma.  We arrived at their lunch time and we had with us flowers, balloons, presents and a giant carrot cake (my Grandma's favorite) to celebrate this special occasion. I think my Grandma knew it was her birthday, but she didn't really let on she knew.  We sang happy birthday to her and everyone enjoyed the carrot cake.  After the festivities in the lunch room, we went to her room and opened presents.  Madison loved helping Great Grandma open her presents.  She got a few new pretty blouses to wear.  After we opened presents we took a nice walk outside.  I asked Grandma if it felt good to be outside and she said, oh yes.  We took some pictures and finally at the end Grandma smiled for the camera.  We had been asking her smile all day, I guess she wasn't ready to smile then, but outside in the fresh air and sun she was all smiles and so were we.  

Celebrating 90 years.

 Present time.

 Grandma's room all decorated for her birthday.

 Picture time!

 My Mom and her sister.

 Grandma with her granddaughter and great granddaughter.

 Finally a smile from Grandma.