A Star Tours Smile

Star Tours has been closed for quite a while getting a make-over. In fact, it was closed before we moved here in September, so the re-opening is a pretty big deal to us.

To advertise the newly refurbished adventure, Disney released a commercial featuring Darth Vader.


 Have you seen THIS yet? If not, you must. It is amazing. Seriously, click the link. Go now. I'll wait.


did you do it? really? 'cause if you did, you are laughing, right? (or you were while watching?) and if the answer is no....well, please exit this blog because nothing else here is ever going to be that awesome so you might as well stop looking ;)

And tomorrow, I will post a photo of us at the attraction,  since it is now open ~ we are going to ride!!! (shhh, some of us have already been on it a couple of times...not naming names, but there are some major Disneyland addicts around here...just sayin'...)

Today

Time is just flying by! (story of my life...but that's a story for another time...) I am currently trying to wrap my head around the fact that it is March. My apologies to the month of February, I am not sure where I was, but I seem to have missed you this year...?

Anyway, Hello, world! So glad you are still there! :)   (although won't it be a huge relief when it is not?! just saying)

Today, as per our usual routine (aka NON routine), my youngest two kiddos have succeeded in doing just about everything BUT their actual book work. *sigh*  However, they are playing so well together, currently with Mario Cart, I simply cannot interrupt for the sake of 'school'.  Gabby's smooth transition into a more traditional school has shown me that my lack of structure in her early homeschooling years has not damaged her. (too much...lol!)  In fact, she still enjoys school! (including math and science! yay!) So, another year or so for Ian and Evie ~ allowing them to play more than pound them with book work, seems to be the plan for now.

Funny that I got on the blog today after quite some time away, really don't have anything to say ~ and yet I am going to publish this--without a photo, without a real "point". Just simply going to put this out here ~ more to prove to myself than anyone, that I AM still a blogger. :) 

Have a wonderful day!

"It's beginning to look a lot like"...every other day!



going to have to hunt some of this white stuff down!

 Thank goodness for Christmas lights and trees (yes, even the fake, plastic ones!) ~ without them, I wouldn't believe it was that time of year! Because (to paraphrase another song)...

"Oh the weather outside is"...lovely!

This return to Southern California living does not take much getting used to in the weather department--every day is quite nice. We are planning a trip to nearby mountains, though, to experience some of the chill that really SHOULD accompany December ;)
Truly, the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas make my heart glad. I am happy to have a staircase, once again, in our current house to wrap with garland and lights. There is just something special about ascending a softly, glowing staircase at night as I head to bed.

Which is where I am headed now. *yawn*

I just wanted to make sure a Christmas"y" greeting awaited you here on my blog.  (in case you are here for the first time--welcome! if you are a return visitor, well--you know I love you and welcome you, too!)

I would promise to get back with more photos and such, but I say that all of the time---and then I usually (eventually) do--- but for now, I am enjoying just posting when I can, and reading other blogs when I can, and living life on the 'outside' with intention :)

Merry Christmas to all!  (and of course,... to all, a good night!) 

Gabby's 10th

Gabby celebrated here birthday by getting a 'rock star' make-over at Downtown Disney's 'Disney 365 Studio'. Evie and cousin, Julianna, also had make-overs, and after, we were able to play in California Adventure for a bit before heading back to the house for cake with the rest of the family.

Ian entertained himself while the girls had their make-overs.

 

may they all come true, Gab-girl. I love you!

periwinkle



seriously. don't mess with me. or my girl.

Because of our move from acreage to cul-de-sac living he has transitioned from outdoor, hunting cat to indoor pussy ~and this cat now has a serious attitude problem with everyone except Gabby.

He knows she is the one who picked him and she has hauled him around since she was three years old, so he is fiercely protective of her. They sleep together every night, and in the morning, this is the kind of unwelcome looks I am greeted with. ( from him, not her--she's a lovey!)

Sometimes he is as sweet as can be to me, allowing me to pet him, even purring --but most times he only tolerates me ...then he bites me. hard.

I miss the free-roaming, outdoor Peri --and we have actually attempted to let him go outside here (got him a collar and ID tag) but he is very afraid and does not like it even for a moment

--but, despite his new nasty temperament, I would miss him even more if he were gone.

Here's to you ~ Mr. Periwinkle ~ I love you anyway ;)

Our Disney Life

sooooo...as more and more days find us at "happyland"...well, it gets me thinking...perhaps I should have another blog...a blog specifically for our Disney life...a blog titled... ?!?!  perhaps ~ Our Disney Life?

or....? any other suggestions?

I don't love the idea of starting another blog, and yet, I find that what I most want to post is about our days in Disneyland. ~ then, those who want to follow all that crazy fun can--and those who don't...well, they can stay here :)

and~ speaking of all things Disney--check out those amazing caramel apples! (and the amazing price tag to go along with them!)

my birthday fun

 Keira and mommy (Tricia)  (my sis in law and niece) paint pumpkins

 Brennan (nephew), Evie and Ian paint their pumpkins

Special Breakfast (made by my kiddos!), Pumpkin Carving (and scooping antics by daddy!), New Camera (that's it hiding up there on the fridge--couldn't use it because it was straight out of the box--needed charging!thank you, love, for an awesome and unexpected gift!), and Yummy Food( check out those fun rice crispy treats) ~ it was a lovely, surrounded by family, birthday.

note:  There would be MANY more photos of family ~ if they all hadn't been such stinkers about having their photo taken! I see I shall have to train these ones: I love taking photos and you must learn to pose for me!!! :)   So, even though they are not pictured here ~ mom and dad gove, greg and julie (brother and sister in law), AJ (nephew), Julianna (niece), and GABBY!! (how did she get by me?!)  were also all at the pumpkin carving/birthday party.


the only thing that would have made it better: the REST of my family here and all of my Northwest friends--sooo missing you all!!!!