Last Day at Disney, New Years Eve

We spent the last day at Disney CA Adventures. Dylan seemed to like this better than Disneyland since it brought movies he had watched to life. Here he is at Casa Della tire shop,

 Hanging with Flick

 Linda and Dylan on the big spinning swing, I hate these rides as they make me motion sick, though roller coasters do not, weird.

 Watching the parade as Sully goes by,

 And the Incredibles,

 Dylan and Linda watching to see what is next,

 Toy Story

 We got dinner at the buffet at the Paradise Pier, a Disney Hotel, so naturally the characters came through for a meet and greet. Minny

 Mickey

 Daisy

 Goofey

 An upside down shot of Kailee, who chose to ride with Linda and I, and Dylan with my parents

 Being New Years Eve, celebratory hats were passed out,

 I found a Mike Wazowski hat that then Dylan wanted and Linda wanted to see us matching so I went back and got him one as well, needless to say he was pretty psyched.

 A very tired little one on the walk back to the hotel.

Disneyland Day 2

Day 2 at Disneyland started with a shorter walk to "Downtown" Disney and a ride on the monorail,

 After going on a Finding Nemo submarine ride Dylan got picked to participate in a Padowan training "class" to learn the Jedi arts.

 At some point one of the children up on stage had a breakdown and Dylan was move up, front and center,

After they were done with some training they each had to face off against Darth Vader, this is pretty hilarious as Dylan's lightsaber fails,

Next we headed for lunch in Mickey's Toontown where there are a bunch of playground like areas for the kids, 

 And of course a city hall since it is a "Town"

Eventually Pluto emerged from City Hall to greet his fans, most notably, Uncle Chris.

 The rain kicked up again in the afternoon and we spent some time cowering under an overhang around a food booth before all the "Big Kids" got to leave the little ones and go on the Star Tours "ride". Ride being generous in that it is more of a moving room that does not go anywhere and a big 3D screen. R2D2 was there,

 as was C3P0,

and us "Big Kids"

 It was pretty cool. Amazing how something that barely moves can feel so real.

Eventually the rain subsided and 

we headed to Disney California Adventure and headed to Radiator Springs. Really looks just like in the movie,

 There were some "stars" out to take pictures with,

And Mater has his own ride with Dylan and my parents enjoyed.

Not so Terribly Late Christmas 2012 Post

For Christmas we headed to California to visit with my family. Amazingly, after 23.5 months my parents had finally moved back into their home, though it still needed some finishing touches and many things were still on boxes of in storage. I've made several post about my parents home and the changes it has gone through.

In other news, we got to meet Jack, the son of my cousin Chad and his wife Melanie. Not sure what his super power is but Jak Jak Attacks, everything goes in his mouth, naturally and he looks good with the turtle shell hat.

 We had a chance to visit with Jing and her family. Dylan really had a good time hanging out with Theo who is 8 and also loves LEGO. Jing and Scott being the extreme outdoor surgeons they are introduced us to URBAN SMORS, who needs a camp fire and cold to have a delicious squishy dessert?

 Dylan and Kailee thrilled to have the Christmas tree up.

 Christmas day, riding uncle Chris or is it Auntie Joy (Dylan used to call Chris and Joy Auntie Joy)

 After Christmas my mom used the grandkids as an excuse for her to go to Disneyland. So we ALL headed down south, my parents, Joy, Chris and Kailee, Chris's parents and us. Naturally the kids were thrilled, that includes Linda who had never been before. Dylan and Linda getting ready to get  on their first Disney ride.....It's a Small World.

 Marketing and sponsorship at its finest, Sylvania must have provided all the lighting.

 The small world boat ride was probably a good choice since it started raining, here Dylan and Linda trek past the Matterhorn,

We headed back to the hotel because the rain was getting to us. Then across the street for some lunch at Coco's, they had a guy making some pretty intricate balloon things, though all Dylan wanted was a sword,

 Linda and Dylan headed back in during the afternoon while everyone else napped and had a blast. Then the rest of us went back in for the night shift. It really is a different place at night,

and every night there are fireworks, we managed to watch them from between the two locations they were launching from, Kailee was a little spooked.

 More night time scenery,

 Well that was day one at Disney.

21 Months Later

On our first weekend in CA last week we headed out to Vacaville to do some shopping since Linda always complains that she never gets a chance. Of course this was after riding in the morning so it turned into a very long day. My sister, Joy, her husband, Chris and their daughter, Kailee joined us as well. Dylan now plays very well with Kailee so it is great to see them together. Here is Kailee after diner enjoying so ice cream.

 and the two kids playing on a coin operated safari vehicle, with out the coins of course.

 Over the last 21 months, whenever we go back to CA to visit my family we stop by the home I grew up in and got burned when the house next door went up in flames (New Years 2011). The home that my parents are living in now is leased by the insurance company and the lease is up soon. SO here is the state of the home that needs to be done. Living room,

 Kitchen, with doors

 Kitchen cabinets...

Obviously there is still a fair bit of work to do, but it is a lot better than when it was stripped down to just the framing.

Coming back from CA

As many of you know, my parents home got burned in January 2011. They finally got trusses put up and it is almost dried in, only took 15 months.

 I'm always impressed with the food in the Oakland airport. Tasty tacos from near gate 29?, I think.

 On Friday we had a Stone Cup competition in the evening. Linda was climbing and I was working so Dylan hung out with the gyms C-team as they were out slack lining in front go the gym.

 The next day we ran a USA Climbing SCS competition. Here Curran gives the competitor intro.

Dylan also had testing for his orange belt. He did not behave during most of it and refused to pay attention, so he did not get to upgrade, he will get another chance though this week, I think. Here though he gets to "fight" off Sensei Anna.

The laughing is because Anna had told the kids to punch her just above her belt and of course Dylan goes for the middle of the chest the first time.

Farewell Grandma, Great Grandma

This past weekend we headed to California to scatter my Grandmothers ashes. She passed shortly after Thanksgiving at the tender age of 93.

Dylan travels really well when he has someone to play with. We met this boy in the ABQ airport and Dylan asked to sit with him on the plane so he did, for the entire flight. Linda and I shared the next row back so we could keep an eye on him and make sure things did not get out of hand for Lucas's mom, though they really played well together and did not require much from any of the adults.

 Years ago my Grandfather, having served in the Navy (?) during WWII was scattered at sea, so naturally that is where Grandma wanted to be as well. One of my dad's friends, Uncle Steve (not really an uncle), who officiated Linda's and my wedding, lives on the water and has a nice 40+ foot sail boat that he was kind enough to take the family out on for the occasion.

 Dylan and Linda on the ride out.

 Captain Steve and my dad. Steve is busy holding the boat in position where Grandpa was scattered while my dad gives the eulogy.

 As you can see it was a bit foggy but not terribly cold. Uncle Nelson in the background with the flowers.

 Bidding a last farewell.

 Dylan scattering flower petals while being held by my cousin Tana.

 Dad and his brothers and sister.

Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother,

You are missed...