A Day at the Happiest Place on Earth

Trent has been wanting to go to Disneyland all summer and our passes were finally not blocked out, so we headed to the happiest place on earth. My sister in-law Ashley and nephew Jake came along with us. They have annual passes too and go quite often, so it would be fun to see how they do Disneyland. I knew it was going to be a HOT day, but I just wasn't prepared for the humidity. I hate humidity and the air was just heavy and sticky.

We started in CA Adventure and our first stop was getting fast passes for the Cars ride. We got the fast passes around 10:00 a.m. and our return time for the ride was 7:15 p.m...crazy! The fast passes were going to gone in no time since the park was closing at 10:00 p.m.

Our first ride was Toy Story Mania and the line was only 30 minutes, which was great. Terra went on the ride with us and wasn't quite sure what to make of it. She was grabbing onto me for dear life. Next up was Screamin' a roller coaster I just love. Ashley and Jake went on first, then Ashley stayed with Trent and Terra while I went on with Jake (I just love that they offer the switch rider pass when one person has to stay with back with a child). After the roller coaster we went on a few other rides, had lunch, went on a few more rides and then headed over to Disneyland for a few hours. While Terra took a nap Ashley, Jake and Trent went on Star Tours, which didn't have much of a line. We then headed over to Pirates and Terra was awake by then, so it was perfect timing. Ashley took the boys on Indiana Jones and while they were on the ride it broke down. Thankfully, after about ten minutes the ride started back up. Because of the break down they got to take another spin, which the boys were so excited about. After that excitement we were ready for dinner and then headed back over to CA Adventure to go on the Cars ride. It was really cool to go on the ride at night with everything lit up. We did a few more rides after that and then we made our way home.

We had a great day and I am so glad Ashley and Jake came along with us. We used the switch rider pass when we could, so I was able to go on some rides too. What made the day so great was that Terra was so good. She was stuck in her stroller for most of the day and she didn't mind at all. As long as she is able to see what is going on around her she is very content. She must like to people watch like me.

Terra doesn't look thrilled to be at the happiest place on earth...she fell asleep shortly after this picture.

 That's the smile I love.

The monkeys!

Brad Paisley...Beat the Summer Tour

A few months ago, Tim and I asked Trent who he would rather see in concert Taylor Swift or Brad Paisley, he thought about it for a moment and then said Brad Paisley (I was relieved, I much rather see Brad than Taylor). So, I went online to buy tickets. I decided to join Brad's Fan Club, which would allow us to buy tickets before they went on sale to the public and we would receive a t-shirt and his new CD...what a deal. I wasn't able to pick the seats, but we were guaranteed to have seats in the first 15 rows...not bad. We also got the opportunity to request a meet and greet with Brad. I sent in my request and hoped that we would get it. Two days before the concert I got an email saying we didn't get the meet and greet, but we were picked to tour the backstage. We told Trent about the backstage tour and he was excited and excited about maybe seeing Brad backstage...just maybe that would happen.

On Saturday afternoon, we headed out to the San Manual Amphitheater where it was just a few degrees hotter than it was at our house. We picked up our tickets at Will Call, received our backstage tour information and waited and waited until 6pm when the gates finally opened. The gates only opened an hour before the start of the concert, which was quite ridiculous...I was hungry!

 We are ready for the concert.

 We got our boots on and we are ready to have fun.

I love his cowboy hat!

We finally found where the backstage tour was meeting and couldn't wait to see what goes on behind the scenes.

While waiting for the tour to begin we spotted Lee Brice taking pictures and signing autographs.

We were listening so intently to our tour guide Ben that we missed seeing Brad walk by to his tour bus...bummer!

 Trent resting his feet while listening to the Ben.

 Looking out from the stage.

 The stage...so cool!

Trent with Brad's guitars.

 Trent making a funny face. Our tour guide Ben in the background.

As we were walking off stage Tim spotted Brad's set list.

After the backstage tour we waited in line forever to get some food and then made our way to our awesome seats.

This is how close our seats were to the stage, just awesome.

Trent not looking too excited. He just wanted the concert to start. It had been a lot of waiting around all day...the fun was about to begin.

The Henningsens performed first and then Lee Brice.

 Lee Brice sings one of my favorite songs...Hard to Love.  Tim and Trent stood next to the catwalk for Lee Brice's performance.

 Lee Brice taking a sip of his beer.

After Lee Brice, Chris Young was up. I am not a huge Chris Young fan, but I realized that I knew most of his songs and he was a great performer. Trent is a fan of Chris Young and he played his favorite song, so Trent was happy.

After Chris Young's performance there was about 30 minutes before Brad was going to come on stage. Trent and I goofed around with the camera, he loves taking funny pictures. Trent was becoming a bit impatient with waiting for Brad and the long hot day was catching up with him. We had been at the concert since 4:30 p.m. and Brad didn't come on stage until 9:15 p.m...it was a long day for all of us, but well worth the wait.

 Nutballs!

I will never forget the look on Trent's face when Brad walked out on stage...it was priceless, he was in awe. It was awesome! Brad opened with Southern Comfort Zone, which is Trent's favorite song.

 Brad singing Mud on the Tires.

 Trent just taking it all in.

Brad sang a few songs out on a stage in the crowd, which was cool.

 Carrie Underwood was on the screen singing Remind Me with Brad...Tim's girlfriend.

It was almost 11:00 p.m. and Trent was beyond exhausted. We ended up making our way out of the amphitheater during the last two songs, so we could beat the crowd. It was the best choice we made because it gave Trent a few minutes to shop for souvenirs, go the bathroom and get to the car. Trent made quick choices about what he wanted as souvenirs...a Chris Young camouflage hat and Brad Paisley neon sunglasses. We made our way to the car and out of the parking lot in record time. We were home in an hour and in bed soon after that. I am so glad we went to the concert, we had a great time and I will always have the picture of Trent seeing Brad for the first time in my memory bank. The concert bug has hit Trent because he is already talking about who he wants to see next.

Trent's 9th Birthday!

I still can't wrap my head around Trent being 9 years old...where did my baby go?  Trent turning 9 years old is crazy and starting 4th grade is even crazier! For two months prior to his birthday and birthday party Trent had been looking forward to turning 9. The week of his birthday he was so excited as the 24th got closer and closer his excitement was hard for him to contain, he was so giddy, it was so cute. The day of his party, which was the day before his actual birthday he could not wait for his first guest to arrive. His classmates and close friends were coming over to celebrate his birthday. A video game truck would be parked in front of our house for 2 hours, which is heaven for 9 year old boys. They all cheered when they saw the truck coming down the street and then lined up outside the door waiting for the video game playing to begin.

The front yard is ready for the party...it was only about 90 degrees at 4pm...hot!

The theme of the party was Skylanders, a favorite video game of Trent's.

Open, open, open!

 All smiles!

 Don't get in-between boys and their video games.

 Terra was enjoying herself at the party too...she had plenty of attention.

 She loved playing in the wagon.

After 2 hours of video game playing the boys were hungry.  We ate pizza, the kids ran around like wild animals, then we sang happy birthday to our birthday boy and had cupcakes...and the kids played some more.

 The birthday cake.

 Just a few cupcakes...

 Happy 9th Birthday to Trent!  We love you!

Trent and his friends had a great time playing. After his friends went home, the family stayed to watch Trent open his gifts.

 Trent had to wear his cowboy hat while opening presents...he loves his hat.

Everyone was so generous with their gifts to Trent. He was so excited to open his presents. One of his gifts was a guitar. He really is a country boy.

 Zachary and Terra

 Jake, what a cutie!

 Zinnia just chillin'.

 Terra totally photo bombing Auntie Ashley and Todd.

 Goof ball Tim!

 My Dad

Jeff just chillin' too.

 The day of Trent's birthday...he is officially 9 years old!

Just a few gifts...his real gift was going to the Brad Paisley concert in the evening.

My cuties!

We had a wonderful time celebrating Trent's birthday...I still can't believe he is 9!