Disneyland and 2 sets of grandparents

Oh Disneyland!  How we love when we get to go.  We didn't think we would be going this year but there were some deals and things we just couldn't pass up so we decided to go in September and invite my parents along.  They have never been able to join us because we like to go during the school year and my dad was a teacher.  But since he is retired, it was perfect!
We met up in Las Vegas with my parents and stayed at the same hotel.  It was fun to have them all to ourselves and for the kids to get some quality time with them.  We decided to do Disneyland mid week to try and avoid some crowds so we left Vegas on Monday morning and drove to Anaheim.  We stayed in a very new hotel called the Courtyard Theme Park Entrance.  It was INCREDIBLE!  The rooms were huge, it had a set of bunk beds, two bathrooms and a breakfast nook.  The kids were ecstatic to be there.  Mark had told them it was our anniversary celebration as well and they brought us champagne and chocolate...it was tempting but we just enjoyed the chocolate.

Ever since this trip, these boys want bunk beds...so that is what they are getting for Christmas.  I am so excited!

We unpacked and got settled and then went to enjoy the hotel water park.  It was so perfect for the age of my kids.  They had a blast.  Once they were tuckered out we went back to shower and get ready for dinner.  Mark's parents were also in town and decided to spend a few days at Disneyland as well so we met up with them for dinner at Mimi's cafe.
We all slept well but were super excited for the next three days in the parks.  My parents stayed at a hotel next to ours so meeting up with them in the mornings was super convenient.  I love walking down main street and get almost emotional!  It was perfect weather too so life was pretty great.  We had the best three days and my parents even took ACE for her nap two of the days so we could stay in the park with the boys.  We were able to spend time with each set of grandparents and I even got to meet up with my best friend Joslyn for a quick hug.  We did all of our normal things like eat Monte Cristo sandwiches, ride our favorites, enjoy main street shopping and stayed until the park closed.  The kids were AWESOME!  We did a couple of new things like the Guardians of the Galaxy ride and Turtle talk with Crush.  That one was soooo fun...both Shortstop and Fullback got to talk to him and ask him questions.  He nicknamed them Luau Luke and Shrimp Shack Jack.  It was so magical for them to talk to a cartoon that was talking back to them.
Not being pregnant and having so many other adults I rode rides I haven't in forever!  I love that place so much. On the last morning when we woke up Mark and I seriously considered just ONE MORE day in the parks but knew we needed to head home.  Can't wait until next time!

 Ready to go in new Disney themed shirts the first day

Let's get going already!

Cute grandma and grandpa.  These two ran circles around us!  They never wanted to take a break, they stayed late and were like little kids!  Fun people to go to Disneyland with, that's for sure

Family pic

These two have the BEST relationship.  She adores him and I think the feeling is mutual

Breakfast nook

Boys in plaid

Keeping everyone in line entertained

Seeing Disneyland through her eyes was a blast!

I refuse to do this ride so I am glad their dad is fun and willing

ACE was nervous to meet Pluto so we got out of line after Luke met him but then she started crying.  Pluto left the line and came over to kneel in front of her until she was happy.  Magical moments

Last day

This Girl!

Cars Land is my favorite and it was decorated for Halloween which was so awesome

Fullback was at such a PERFECT age for this and was so much fun.  He was so energetic and excited about everyone and everything.  ACE and Shortstop were not as in to meeting characters so I love that Fullback wanted to

ACE was napping but I am glad I snagged this pic of Mark's parents.  It was fun to see them for a bit too.

And since we were driving home on our actual anniversary, we toasted with cupcakes and reminisced about the last 11 years

Classic Halloween

Oh Halloween with kids...how I love thee!  We had such a great Halloween this year and went with a Classic theme.  We had a vampire, ghost and pumpkin and oh how cute they were.  Shortstop got to dress up for his piano teacher's Halloween party, for school and then for Halloween night.  We loved seeing him in his school parade and he just grinned at us in the stands.  We were lucky enough to have Nana and Aunt Emily in town as well and they joined us for my Mystery dinner.  It was a HUGE hit with the kids and of course I didn't take pictures.  But I had 18 menu items with sily names (Cheetos- troll clubs, Powdered donut holes- spider sac eggs, fork- devil's pitchfork, etc...) and everyone ordered what they wanted and got random things for each course. So much laughing and eating and guessing and memories.
Trick or treating was wonderful!  ACE lasted for a few houses walking and then was content being in the stroller.  We love seeing our neighbors and friends along the way in our safe little neighborhood.
And of course the next morning during breakfast Shortstop started cataloguing and making an inventory of his haul...this kid's mind never stops and I love it!

I mean...that face!!

Fullback fun

This little blue eyed boy of mine keeps me busy and smiling every single day.  He is sort of in love with me and reminds Mark all the time that I am HIS sweetheart and not Mark's.  He loves to snuggle cuddle and adores his baby sister.  He even calls her "baby girl."  His best friend is his brother and they love wrestling and getting into as much trouble and mischief as possible.
He really enjoyed itty bitty football again this year.  It is crazy that next year he will be in kindergarten and won't be able to do itty bitty.  Why is he growing up?!

Soccer this year has been so fun and good for him.  He is really aggressive and focused when he plays and has quite the sense for the game.  He knows where to be and how to defend.  And he has even made a few goals!  He loves to play and it made it even more fun because his cousin Nick was on the same team.

Hooray!!

At home during the day we are still using ABCmouse for our preschool learning.  I love this program!  It is much cheaper than regular preschool, he doesn't have to leave home, but he now knows his letters and numbers and so much more.  He wasn't even interested in this kind of stuff about 6 months ago.  I can't wait until he can put sounds together even more and starts to read.  I have a feeling he is going to LOVE reading.

Nails

First day of school

As much as the first day of school makes me sad and nervous, I love the traditions we have surrounding it.  We enjoyed back to school night and seeing his classroom.  His amazing teacher from last year moved up to 2nd grade and he got her again for this year!  We are all so beyond happy.  She really saw my boy for who he is and his goodness last year so I know she will be just what he needs this year.  The night before Shortstop's first day of 2nd grade we had our traditional caveman dinner of spaghetti, jello and garlic bread with ice cream for dessert).  We all loved it as usual.  Mark gave Shortstop a wonderful back to school blessing and of course Fullback wanted one too. 

ACE got in to the spirit of things...but food in her hair isn't unique to this dinner

The ice cream was too cold to pick up with hands so Fullback found a good solution

So handsome

Super pumped

So silly

We will miss our big brother during the day but will be excited when he comes home to tell us all of his adventure each afternoon.