Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Marching in...

I like lists and schedules, charts and calendars - all things organizational, really.

I also like the beginning of a brand new month - all shiny and bright, just waiting to be filled with goals and accomplishments.

So, look what I've found! Just the thing(s) to start March off on the right foot. Want to join me?

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Thursday, February 09, 2012

Pirates and princesses and teacups, oh my!

Disneyland was the perfect end to our sunny adventure. And that's that.

Angela and Kyle were absolute troopers; I think Disneyland doesn't hold quite as much wonder to native Californians as it does born and raised Washingtonians, but they cheerfully ran around with us for 11 hours... and they said they'd do it again!




Kyle has proven himself to be one of the best coaster buddies ever. His riding stamina matches our own - 2 or 3 times in a row, no problem! - and he quite clearly makes faces that are fantastic :)

We foolishly thought we could get through California Adventure in an hour or two, and we were wrong. Some of the fun was already shut down for the night once we ran through the gates, and certain rides closed a little bit early because of the fireworks show at 8:00, but it's OK, and do you know why? It just means we have to visit again! :)


Of all the rollercoasters we've ridden, I think this is my very favorite. Corkscrews and loops and dips and turns, especially under a night sky with twinkling lights everywhere = faces that were sore from smiling and laughing and screaming :) And, Kyle strikes again! :)

Tuesday, February 07, 2012

3 good things, a reprise

More than three, actually, but all from the last couple of days -

1. Reading myself into an afternoon nap with The Fellowship of the Ring and the sun streaming in
2. A evening run for two under a beautiful sky
3. A nice, warm bath - just for one! :) - to chase away the post-run chills
4. English breakfast tea and Pinterest recipes
5. Bright, clear February mornings
6. A town so tiny that everything is just a walk away
7. A brisk, uphill walk on a bright, clear February morning in our tiny town while a million birds chirp out a symphony
8. Party planning for 6 lovely grown-ups and 5 precious littles

Sunday, February 05, 2012

Knott's Berry Farm

Could we live in Southern California for almost two weeks and resist the pull of rollercoasters?

No, no, a thousand times NO.






Friday, February 03, 2012

California mishmash

Our trip south was actually work-related; Jan Michael had training in Tustin, and while he spent his days learning all kinds of new things and expanding his mind, I pretended to be a sloth at the hotel. Really, I'm surprised my muscles didn't atrophy. Anyway, after his training each day, we got down to the business of having fun.

Among many other things, there was a lovely walk in the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve, driving in our zippy rental car with the windows down and Def Leppard blaring (and other drivers rolling their eyes, probably), the very awesome Cirque du Soleil Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour (cameras FORBIDDEN!), laughing to ourselves at people wearing earmuffs in 65 degree weather - wimps! :), evenings spent jumping between the swimming pool and the hot tub, gigantor ice cream cones, thanking our lucky stars that Seattle traffic is nothing like the mess in Los Angeles, and...

Celebrating Angela's birthday at Farrell's with sundaes and great fanfare:


Basking in an amazing southern California sunrise:


An afternoon at the dog park with Angela and our favorite schnauzzer, Abi:


Stuffing ourselves at Bruxie's, the most delicious waffle spot ever. Between us, Jan Michael and I ate two bacon, egg & cheddar waffles, one Brussels waffle with maple syrup, and one Creme Brulee waffle. Please imagine an enormous waffle stuffed with vanilla creme, burnt raw sugar and strawberries, and you will understand my lack of self-control. I will be in big, bad trouble if they ever decide to plunk themselves down in the Pacific Northwest - but I sort of hope they do!

Wednesday, February 01, 2012

South for the winter

Two weeks ago on Friday we slipped and slid our way onto an airplane to trade our frozen tundra for flip-flops and swimming pools.
We l-o-v-e where we live, and we're thrilled to be home again, but sunshine in the middle of January is something else!
More coming on our California adventure!