Disneyland Day 3 (1/9/15)

We started our third and final day at California Adventure. Tim and I had never been on the Toy Story ride because it always has a really long line, so we started there first. You get to wear these cool 3D glasses and shoot pretend balls at targets.

 Next we enjoyed kiddie rides with no lines!

 The Bugs Land was pretty fun for Ty!

With no line, we did the Bug's Land Chew-Chew Train twice!

Then we headed to Cars Land to enjoy it in the daylight.

 The picture below isn't great quality, but you get the idea.

 Ty explored Luigi's Tires.

 And Mater's tractors.

 Then it was back to Mater's tractors. I loved hearing Ty's giggles each turn!

 We got to meet the cars at the Cozy Cone.

 Just a boy and his best friend! Ty's second time visiting Lightning, he was ready to talk to him. He said "Ka-Chow" and Lightning said "Ka-Chow" back, then Ty gave him a high-5 to the headlight, and Lightning blinked them. It was pretty cool!

 Ty said "Dad-gum" to Mater, who also said it back. He sure knows these cars' personalities!

 The cars would switch every half hour, so we saw them drive past us several times.

 Ty knows the sign below says "Route 66"

Family Picture (you can see how VERY pregnant I am!)

Next, we headed to Hollywood land to see the Disney Jr Show. The first one we hoped to see was cancelled, but we made it into the next.

By now, this boy was sleepy.

We thought we could get away with not going back to the motel for a nap and hoped he would fall asleep in the Animation area that has couches and dimmed lights, so I went to the Animation Academy while Tim and Ty rested. The whole area had been temporarily taken over by Frozen. We were upset the only drawings they were doing were from Frozen, but I still drew an awesome Olaf and Marshmallow (snow monster).

Though he didn't fall asleep, we all got a little rest and energy. We let Ty get a Cars Book with his money from Great Grandma and Grandpa Larsen. It was a hit right off.

 Waiting for the Ferris Wheel:

 We caught a fun show with the army men from Toy Story while walking along the pier.

California Adventure was a little disappointing at this point because the rest of the things we wanted to do were closed. The kids play area was closed, as was the airplane area :( When we had tried to do a few other rides, they were temporarily closed or had long lines when we went back, so we said goodbye to Radiator Springs.

  We headed back to Disneyland where we ran into Pluto right at the entrance. Although Ty had already seen him, it was a happy reunion. Ty told him "You're the best dog ever!" and gave him hugs, kisses, high fives, etc. It was adorable!

The park was getting busy (on a Friday evening), so we just finished the trip by letting Ty play in Toon Town and watched the Mickey Map Show again while eating dinner. After leaving the park and wandering around Downtown Disney, we splurged on treats (I got a caramel apple, Tim got a churro, and Ty got to pick out a little lego car from the Lego store), then we headed back to the motel early. Our flight left at 7am the next morning, so we were able to relax a little and pack.

As the trip came to an end, Tim and I were just so happy we could enjoy time together as a family of three (before baby comes). We decided weren't sad to leave, we were just so happy to have these fun, memories. It was a perfect trip!

Bowling

On a cold, very snowy day, we met up with our friends the Newson's and braved the snow to get out and try bowling for Ty's first time ever. He wasn't so sure about it and didn't understand why we couldn't just walk up to the pins.

 Ty and Elizabeth

 Bowling is pretty easy when they have ball roller tracks AND bumpers!

 The bowling alley had a little arcade. Ty was in heaven pretend driving the race car!

And one more picture of these boys wearing "helmets." Crazy boys!

Merry Christmas 2014!

 We were so excited to have Christmas here with Tim's family visiting this year. Aubrey flew in early on the Friday before Christmas. We had a weekend of fun events planned starting with archery at a nearby sports store. It was fun to test our skills (or lack of)!  Other events included lunch at the Duchanbe Tea House, shopping on Pearl Street, a holiday laser show at the Fiske Planetarium, and looking at Christmas lights. 

 

Grandma Diney and Grandpa Rod got here the following Monday, the next day, Ty gave them his gift, which was a ride on the Georgetown Loop Railroad Santa Train!  At first, Ty didn't even smile because he was so busy taking everything in. Eventually, he warmed up and just enjoyed the ride. We received delicious cookies on the train and Santa even stopped by and talked to Ty for a couple of minutes and gave him a bell.  Aubrey wasn't feeling well, so she and Tim stayed back.

After the ride, we detoured to Denver to visit the train store, then headed home.

Because it was Christmas Eve-Eve, we competed in my family's tradition of drink tasting.  We all picked fun drinks out then tasted and rated them. Even Ty got in on the action. After tasting, he would tell us if they were yummy or yucky. I have to say, some were "yummier" than others.

 Unfortunately, my choice for chocolate soda was not on the "yummy" list. The winner ended up being a Huckleberry Soda Grandpa Rod had picked out, with Ty's Orange Cream a close second. It was a fun end to a fun day.

I had organized a Jingle Jog/Walk with friends from the ward to get everyone out and doing something the morning of Christmas Eve. We had a good group turn up. Rod and Diney stayed back to make the cocoa, and the rest of us took off toward and around Harper Lake. It ended up being a beautiful morning! That afternoon, we all went to the movie "Penguins of Madagascar." It was only Ty's second movie in the Theater, and he was really good. The movie created a lot of laughs!

For dinner, we ate clam chowder and cornbread, then celebrated by discussing the nativity, singing Christmas carols, and opening one gift each. It was a nice evening.

 The next morning, Santa had come!  All Ty had wanted from Santa for a long time was a "Budo" dog and candy canes, but he accidentally saw a lego firetruck and quickly added that to the list. He was not disappointed on Christmas morning (but has since created a never ending list for Santa for next year).

 Grandpa Rod made this nice table for Ty for Christmas, and all gifts were quickly used.  We all got so many nice gifts. Ty enjoyed each and every one of them.   Ty was so spoiled by having his aunt and grandparents there. He loved the attention.