M-I-C-K-E-Y...M-O-U-S-E

The true second leg of our summer vacation was a visit to the "Happiest Place on Earth"! The place where all your childhood dreams can come true.
John and I love to ride roller coasters and such; I mean looooove to. So much so that it was a part of our honeymoon. Of course we are going to pass this passion along to the girls. We will at least try to pass it on. The girls had a blast. This year Lauren was old enough to appreciate everything so much more than the last time we went when she was about 10 months old. Each time we come, we break Tahlor in just a bit more for riding some of the more 'big kid' rides. She actually went on Thunder Mountain of her own free will. After our last visit I wasn't sure that she would ever step foot on a roller coaster again. You see, the last visit was the first time she was finally tall enough to ride just about all of the rides in the park. She took a ride with John on Thunder Mountain then and was very, very upset afterwards. John and I do not get to ride on the rides together as one of us stays behind and Tahlor is now a qualified companion.

Lauren was excited to see Mickey Mouse; that is until we actually came into his studio in ToonTown to say hi and get a picture. Here she is trying to hide...she would have crawled into John's shirt if she could. Maybe next trip she won't be so scared.

Here we are riding the train which takes you all the way around the perimeter of Disneyland Park.

This year we picked up Mickey ears for Lauren. When Tahlor was about her age we got her a pair. I hope they have their ears for years and years.

Keepers and outtakes

The photo shoot was a lot of fun. We had several great shots (incidentally those were the ones that were sent to print) and even some not so great, but funny shots. Take a look at a few more moments...

There's definitely a "cheese" in this picture.

I think she heard the ocean. Oh wait, it is the ocean, right behind her.

Sea stars.

Does she look excited or what?

These two look like they are trying to do the macarena.

Go horsey, I mean elephant, go!

I am way too serious for this shot...

Sweet first grader :)

Such wonder.

Greetings from gorgeous Fiji

Ahhhh Fiji...the second leg of our summer vacation. I know it probably didn't fool you but this is a close as we are going to get to Fiji: this year anyway :)

So, the 'fam' stepped into the studio for a set of fun summer pics. More to come soon!

Sunshine and sandy cheeks

Huntington Beach. summertime. perfect weather. Ingredients for a spectacular sunny vacation. California is a convenient destination getaway, perfect for us desert dwellers (and many from the rest of the nation I am sure). This is the first leg of our summer vacation. It was so nice to be able to enjoy the sun (without melting), ocean breeze and our family.

Tahlor enjoyed running through the beached tides. One caught us by surprise and ended up taking her out while mom hung on tight. She even played nicely with little sis and all of the sand toys.

Lauren enjoyed many attempts at making sandcastle components. She was intimidated by the ocean but even though she did not hang out at the shore, mom made sure she at least gave her little piggies a dip in the Pacific. Lauren expressed to me a couple of times that she was dirty because of the sand that was sticking to her skin - so cute! I assured her that we would clean off after our visit at the beach.

John and Tahlor shore side.

I took a bunch of pictures while Tahlor played in the surf...reminds me of the last time we were at the beach. I can't explain the pose(s) but she is such a cutie.

Lauren - don't you love that smile?

Oops! :) Don't you hate it when sand ends up in places it shouldn't be?