Day 4

I know I am a few days behind but anyone who has been to Disney understands why. (up early and out late)

We were up early and packed to hit the road again.  We were all so excited to be heading to DISNEYLAND!!!!!  We checked in and headed to the park.  California Adventure was up first.

Carson was so excited to see a new Disney friend.. Jake from Jake and the Neverland Pirates

After a few character sightings, it was time for some shows. 

First up was Muppet-Vision 3D

Then we saw a mini Broadway type show of Aladdin. It was awesome!!



Next up....RIDES

The kids loved the Monsters Inc ride.  We are also excited about the new Monsters movie coming out next year.

More rides in Bug's Land

PARADE TIME....

Enjoying our favorite snack during the parade... Mickey Ice Cream Bar

Love Slinky Dog...

Off to the new Cars Land...  This place is AWESOME...

Mater Ride

We really wanted to ride this but the line was 2 hours all day long.  Fast Passes were already gone so we will try to come back early one day before we leave.

We love the Toy Story Mania ride and since the new section was open, this rides line wasn't too long so we were able to ride it twice

Next up Little Mermaid Rides

When we arrived, we got in line for Soaring.  As soon as it was our turn, everything went dark so that meant no ride for us.  We were given a FastPass to come back later in the day.

Cars Land at night

We had a great day!!!

Day 3

We started our day early but it was just to relax at the pool.  We had a great time playing in the water and we were the only ones there.

Then we headed to the Commemorative Air Force Museum.  Last month we went to watch the Air  Show in Mesquite and the kids loved it.  So we thought they would enjoy seeing similar planes up close.  Here are some of the cool things we saw...

We left there and headed towards Phoenix.  Since it's the state capital, I decided that we needed to go see it.  We have to mix some learning in there with all the fun.  Unlike Texas where there are signs telling you where to find the capital, no such luck in Arizona.  Finally.....

The kids enjoyed looking at the state's symbols.  Carson wasn't too sure if the cactus was real or not and if he really wanted to touch it.

We also visited the  House Assemly Room from the early 1900's.  Notice that they are sitting up on the platform and not out on the floor.

Carson was listening to someone tell their story, but he was getting frustrated becuse she wouldn't answer him when he was talking to her.

LUNCH TIME:  We always to try eat at local places.  We just happened to get a book about the area that told about a pizza place that was on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.  We love that show, so that was the place we had to find.

Their specialty is pizza cooked in a brick oven, so that is what we ordered and it was AWESOME!!

Since this was the temperature after lunch....an inside activity was in order.

So we deciede on a movie.  The family, friendly choice was.....

It was a very good movie. Even Carson sat still during the entire movie.

Now its's dinner time and an early bed time is in order.  We have about 5 hours to drive tomorrow and I think we are all super exicted about the next few days of fun. 

Day 2: Driving, driving, and more driving

We spent more than 12 hours in the car driving today.  We left Sweetwater about 9:00 and crossed into New Mexico about 3:00.

We spent a little time at the Welcome Center.  Haylee and Carson were just glad to be out of the car.

Carson enjoyed many snacks in the car including cheetos and then mini oreos.  Whatever it takes to make a 4 year old happy in the car all day.

We finally arrived at the resort in Peoria, AZ at 9:00 which is 11:00 Dallas time. 

Our room:

The kids were most excited about the bath tub.

The rest of the room... It's really like an apartment..

Not sure what our plans are for tomorrow but it will include very little time in the car.

~ Erica





On the road again...

Back by popular demand....  Our Summer Vacation Blog

We decided to take another road trip this summer.  This one isn't quite as long and we won't visit as many states because we are heaading west.   David had to work today, so we couldn't leave until he got home.  The kids and I made sure the car was packed so we were ready to head out when David got home. 

Carson is exicted to go on 'vucation.'

Haylee is ready to hit the road.

We waited until we got out of the DFW area before we stopped for dinner.  The only problem is that if you wait to long, you don't have very many choices.  We were starving and decided we would stop at the next place and the winner was... Dairy Queen.  This was the first time the kids had steak fingers from the DQ.

Carson appears to be enjoying his steak finger.

Haylee gives the steak fingers a thumbs-up.

We have made it to Sweetwater for the night.  Tomorrow will be a day of driving.  Our destination tomorrow night is Peoria, AZ.  We will spend a few days there before heading on.

Our plans later next week have changed due to the recent fires in Colorado Springs.  David's dad has lived there since April and was evacuated earlier this week.  He was able to see pictures that were taken of his house and the Flying W Ranch (he worked there) by a fire department and nothing was left but the concrete slab, not even ashes.  He lost everything that he wasn't able to fit into his car.  We ask that you remember him and others in the area in your prayers. 

~ Erica





John Deere

Carson's class at school has been studying about the farm.  Luckily the librarian at his school loves John Deere and brought his tractor to school for the kids to have their picture made on.

Carson's class

The tractor was loud when it was started.

The principal driving the tractor.

Carson enjoyed watching the tractor.

I wasn't sure I was going to be able to climb on the tractor, but as you can see I did.

Carson was excited to get on the tractor.



2012: New Year's Eve & New Year's Day

I have gotten way behind on our blog.  One of my resolutions is to do a better job on keeping the blog updated.  Since there is too much to go back and add, I'll start today and go forward.

We visited David's family in Arkansas for New Year's.  The kids had fun on New Year's Eve.  We stayed up long enough to watch the ball drop in Times Square. 

We only let them blow the horns for a few minutes... we couldn't take it.

They had a great time!!!

Then on New Year's Day we ate our cabbage and black eye peas for good luck and then went to see Alvin and the Chipmunks:  Chip-Wrecked.  It was a pretty cute movie.  Carson even sat still and watched the entire movie.