The Merriest Place on Earth

Once again we were blessed to get to visit

the Merriest (Happiest) Place on Earth

during Christmas vacation.

As soon as everyone was home from school

we got serious about packing

so we could leave early Saturday morning.

Isaac wanted to pack his own suitcase.

I let him but told him I would be checking.

This is what he packed....Stuffed MAC (his dog),

stuffed Clifford, pajama pants and pajama shorts,

a red dress up Fireman shirt and

a whole lotta Super Squad guys!

Jade and Zack fight more than any other sibling combo,

yet put them in the front seat of the Pirate's ride

and they manage to put their crap aside

at least for the ride.

Usually while everyone who is over 40" tall

goes on the "big" rides,

my dad and I take those under 40"

to see Santa and his reindeer.

We decorate cookies, watch the shows,

take pictures with Santa and just relax.

The cookies usually only get one or two bites

taken out of them but the fun part is the decorating.

The Character Magnet, Zack with Chip

Naissa and Isaac on the Winnie the Pooh ride

Naissa, Isaac and Pooh

Zack and G-ma Sharon are behind Jim, Leesha and Jade.

Leesha had just splashed water in Jade's face.

Goofy's Kitchen

In keeping with tradition,

we had brunch at Goofy's Kitchen.

I always find it odd that it is Goofy's Kitchen

and yet we always get our picture taken with Pluto?!

I guess it's because Goofy is IN his kitchen?

Anyway, we always have fun watching

how the kids will react to the characters.

Naissa for some reason has not liked the chipmunks

for the last 5 years!

This year she remembered how she didn't

like them before but took a picture with Dale.

The food is always good and

it's probably the meal the kids eat the most.

PB&J pizza, mac&cheese, mini hot dogs,

mickey shaped chicken pieces and

all the wonderful breakfast foods

and lots and lots of desserts.

As I was taking the above picture

and looking to my left,

Baloo the bear came up behind me (on my right)

and as Jim called my name

I turned towards him,

only to see a big bear schnozzle in my face!

Yep, I let out a little "AHH!"

and Jim laughed and laughed.

Baloo laughed too and then hugged me.

Then Baloo decided to mess with Jim.

He took off his hat and teased him.

When we first came in Baloo had taken Zack's hat

and posed for a picture with him.

Alice (in Wonderland) also came over and

flirted with Zack,

making him take off his hat for a picture.

Zack blushed.

He was our Character Magnet this trip...

attracting Characters throughout the park.

A little blurry but Naissa took a picture with

this previously feared Chipmunk, Dale.

We learned that dentists refer to a big gap

in your teeth as a dale

and that is how you tell Chip from Dale.

Dale has a gap, Chip doesn't.

Santa's Elves Workshop

My mom sent Naissa and Isaac to the Santa's Elves Workshop.

For several weeks they made Elf hats, aprons, necklaces

and Christmas cards and such.

They then dressed up and went with Santa and Mrs. Claus

to the Tree Lighting Ceremony in Clovis.

They rode in on a trolley covered in Christmas lights.

Beforehand Santa gave all the little Elves a

certificate of "Elfenticity" (yeah, I just made that word up-ha!)

and bags of goodies.

They didn't have to wait in a long line to tell Santa

what they wanted for Christmas either. (an Elf perk)

After the Tree was lit there were cookies and hot cocoa

and a really long line to see Santa.

It was a lot of fun for the kids. (and us parents too)

and he shoots....and he scores...and the Spartans win 42-40 over the Panthers

Isaac started Preschool in December.

We thought he would begin in January

but they were ready for him before Christmas,

which meant he got to sing in their Christmas

(Winter...whatever) program.

Only thing is he didn't want to sing.

So he just stood up there with all the other kids looking cute.

(Isaac's 1st day)

OHIO

My mom, my son Isaac and I went to Ohio to visit with my Aunt Thelma and Uncle Bob.

Thelma is my Grandma Ruth's sister. My grandma died in 1984.

I think the last time we were in Ohio Zack was Isaac's age!

This was Isaac's first plane trip and mine since before 9/11 and yes I was a little nervous. Last time I flew I didn't have to take off my shoes or remove my portable dvd player. Last time I flew I didn't have to fit all my liquids into a small ziplock. Not knowing if we would get stuck somewhere and being the *what if* person that I am, I had to pack *extras* in my carry-on. Extra clothes for Isaac, extra snack, extra book, extra batteries,

extra little things to do *if* this or that happened.

Our flight left at 6 something AM and we were told to get to the airport 2 hours earlier. Glad we did. There was a ginormous line at the *take off your shoes and dump your bags* stop. I was tired of carrying those bags before we even got to the front of the line!

We all made it through inspection and were waiting for our bags and shoes when the inspection guy pulls our bin off the belt and digs around, pulling out Isaac's shoes! I thought Oh crap Isaac's wearing shoes that aren't allowed on the plane, he's gonna have to fly barefoot! But then I saw the guy laugh and share with the other people behind the belt...turns out Isaac's light up shoes were setting off a warning...due to the blinking lights!

Isaac got his shoes and we boarded the plane!

We pretty much slept all the way to Texas.

We went to the park that we go to every time we visit. We walked around the pond with my Uncle a few times. Isaac loved getting to run after spending a day in airports and on planes.
We tend to eat at the same places whenever we are back East. Bob Evans is a staple for my Aunt and Uncle who eat out for dinner every night. We ate there a couple of times as well as Cracker Barrel, my favorite for good country cookin'!

It is absolutely gorgeous in November! The leaves were falling in so many shades of browns, reds and oranges. It was all I could do to not run up into people's yards and grab up their leaves and throw 'em in the air or jump in 'em! This is the street my Aunt and Uncle live on.

We had a great time visiting and I wish Ohio was closer to California so I could see them more.

Isaac loved getting to fly on an airplane and see the top of the clouds.

He watched for our plane to come in and our luggage to make it on - which it did! :)

(Don't ya just love the bruising near his eye? That was a gift from Zack before we left.)

Gracie and Kaya

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

So true, I had to copy

God is sovereign.
God is good.
He will provide just as He always has.
Everything is going to be alright.

http://stufffchristianslike.blogspot.com/2008/11/432-election-post-you-have-to-write.html

Favorite past pumpkins

pumpkins

We took the kids to pick out pumpkins.

I think we'll grow our own next year.

Naissa decided to *paint* Isaac's pumpkin

with Zack's face paint

and the brush that goes with the hair clippers

Here are daddy's glasses

Naissa's reflection

NAISSA

REFLECTING on the SCRATCHES she made on my CAR

with a STICK

Jade on Tenor

Jade is playing tenor drums this year.

She got to play with the high school at one of the football games.

First Grade to the Fair

Jim, Isaac and I got to go to the Fair with Naissa's first grade class. We spent some time playing in the stinky farm animal area. I can't remember if we went to the fair last year or if it's been two years since we last went, but there were new things to see and smell this time. A musical section - very cool! They even had a "Super Dooper Pooper Scooper Station" where kids could use pooper scoopers to pick up fake poop! Not sure that made the top 10 list with these kids but Hey...it made us laugh!

The girls tried milking the fake cow and came out giggling.
The girls and Betsy the Cow (the boys had already moved on to the next station)
Isaac in the play area....before we lost him.

Naissa panning for gold.

Naissa after the lady said there was NO GOLD and that they were just panning for rocks!

Naissa with some friends.

The girls at the top of the Tree Fort.

As the girls walked away from Smokey they asked

"How's he gonna tell us about fire if he can't talk?"
good question.