Oops.

I've decided to start hanging out with Jillian again.
We've been on a "break" for a little while... but even though she can be a bully sometimes,
I think she's really good for me.
Today was rough.
Even if I may or may not have peed my pants during the cardio segments today,
I already feel good about this relationship.

Hap-hap-happiest Place on Earth!

Well, I think it's been another week but here it is... Disneyland!

You know, I really truly believe that Disneyland is magical. It really is the happiest place. Every time I go I am surprised and elated that I still feel that tinge of happy excitement while walking onto Main Street. I can't wait until Jake really "gets it" and we can all bask in the magic together.

Here we are on our way to Anaheim Amtrak style. I felt like Rosemary Clooney dining with Bing Crosby... not really, but a girl can dream.

Matching Mousekateers!

"Dead Mean Tell No Tales."

Finally! A meal at The Bayou! It was great--if just for the ambiance.
{And being able to say we've eaten at that cool restaurant inside Pirates of the Caribbean}

Jungle Cruise: Still fun.

The laughing place.

Tired baby.

Happy family.

I love fireworks... and Disneyland's never disappoint.

Jake admiring his new favorite toy.

Flying Dumbo

I'm pretty sure I was much more into this ride than Jake.

Yup.

Jack.

Jacob Blaine and Jackson Brent with their Daddies.

I've always associated Dumbo with Jake.
Must be those big baby blues on that baby of mine.

We were lucky enough to hang out with Carl {Steve's brother who was in town for the day} at Disneyland for a few hours.

I love this shot... and loved Casey's Circus train ride. I don't think I've been on it since I was wee.

I love this.

Check this out... my cousin, Rob's blog. I love that he expresses himself with such conviction, respect and love. Rock on, Robby.
http://jenebby.blogspot.com/

"Meh" to Great!

Today has been pretty blah.

You know what I mean, right? Just one of those "meh" days.
So, in a desperate attempt to make it better and get out of the house, I made a Target run. I really didn't need anything at all; I had a list of things to look at: foam letters for Jake (Thanks, Christy!), Sonia Kashuk liquid blush (Anyone used this?), and pretty, feminine tops (You'll be mine come payday!)... and only spent about $10.00. Wowsers. Am I great at not over-indulging or what?

Then, I stopped by Massage Envy (where I recently bought Blaine's Father's Day gift card), spotted Blaine's car, and like a 17-year-old (giggling the whole time), I left him an "anonymous" secret admirer note under his windshield wiper.

Not a bad day after all.

Sand In My Shoes

Well, we've been back for about a week now and I'm finally getting these pictures on here. I've got a ridiculous amount of pictures (be warned) so the Disneyland ones will have to wait for now. Anyway, we had such a great time. Seriously who can ever say anything but greatness about a week ON the beach with people you love. Steve and Chris: Thank you. WE LOVE YOU!

Here we go.

 Here are the boys on the beach.
Sean, Jack, Brent, Blaine, Jake, Doug and Steve.

We became obsessed with getting Jake to enjoy the ocean.
He liked it from a distance...

But I think the "impact" kind of freaked him out.

This is actually the first attempt...

Not so great.

My boys.

Handstand contest.

Markelle may beat me up for this... but I think she's cute--especially wearing Jack's visor.

Rocking on with Uncle Sean.

Sleeping at the beach house was a little rough for Jake man. Leave it to The Baby Whisperer to get him down... This was pretty much the daily routine.

Jack was NOT afraid of the water.

But Jake LOVED the sand. Go figure.

Just playin'

Sandy toes.

Playing with Daddy.

Jake loved standing in the holes Grandpa would dig for him.

Sandy Jack. This kid was hilarious.

We thought it was fitting that the little boys destroy the sand castle the big boys built. It was pretty impressive with its moat and everything. I was told that "Helm's Deep" was their inspiration.

Who are those dorks?

Jake waving and Daddy the pirate.
Waving was the new trick of the trip.

Here's Jake's ocean of choice... the kiddie pool set up on the deck. He was in heaven here.

Nona Chris and Jacob Blaine.

Handsome Blaine.

Just taking in the view.

We braved the water with the water-proof case.
Always a crowd-pleaser.

There are those dorks again.

That's Blaine and me!

Brent and Doug boogie-boarding.

I love palm trees... must be from all the time spent in Arizona as a kid.

We took a day trip to the Capistrano Pier. It takes a lot for this group to get actual clothes on between the hours of 10:00 am and 6:00 pm, but it was worth it. Great people watching and great fish and chips.

Views from the pier.

Check out all the surfers.

Dorks.

More waving for the camera.

I love my family! Lara, Mike, Devyn and Brindley came for an afternoon to visit.

This was the view from the end of our deck. I loved how the water came up so close to the house. *Sigh* There's nothing better than sleeping to the sound of the ocean.

Beach shot.

More...

Pretty sunsets...

Cool driftwood...

Silly baby...

Check out those teefs.

Dancin' Doug.

Sunny Sean.

The whole crew (minus Dennis--taking the picture).

Markelle, Jack and Brent.

Blaine, Jake and Alicia.

More...

More... (we are pretty vain).

Steve and Chris.

Still lovebirds thirty plus years later...

*Awe*

I love these dudes.

Doug and Jen.
Their wedding is in August! Can't wait!

Brent and Markelle.

The Brothers:
Blaine, Doug, Sean and Brent.
They are very serious.

The whole clan again.
We had so much fun... it's weird to realize that the vacation you've been planning for a year is over. Oh well--next year, right?

Up next on the blog: Disneyland!