Going Back To Cali, Cali, Cali!

First things first...thank you, Joe for fixing our IPhoto on the Mac Book. Now I can blog again with a purpose. What is that purpose? Showing off my cutie wife and daughter!

We left on a Thursday after work. Having been at work all day since 7am and having a very busy and stressful day, I was ready for some time off. Unfortunately, I was also tired and so my Mum, who came along with us, drove for a bit and gave me a chance to nap with The Lou. The Lou slept the entire way down which meant she did not sleep again until 4am. Guess who had to stay up with her...you guessed it. I was tired the next day too.

First on the list of things to do in Cali was to visit the little angel we call Grace. Well, I call her Gracey Grace. We also visited with her Mom and Dad. She is talking and giggling all the time, Grace, not her Mom...although she is talking too.

Gracey Grace makes the cutest little grimace. She reminds me of John Gruden when her nose scrunches up like his. The Lou really liked Gracey Grace too though she did show some signs of jealousy.

Scott and Cynthia got a new dog. Unfortunately, Virgil, their previous dog, died a month ago after battling illness for so long. Virgil had such a great demeanor and so does Wyatt. He is a bull mastiff and is already a big dog. he will only get bigger.

Second task on the agenda, visit Jim, Sam and the girls. We were so grateful for both families' hospitality. We stayed at S&C's house for two nights and at J&S's house for two nights. Both fed us way too much and showed us all the love we could stand. Unfortunately it was under tough circumstances that we visited as they just lost a mutual friend far too early in life. I was very impressed with their approach and understanding to Ian's death at the age of 21 (I think). Due to Ian's death we were also grateful to visit with Sam and Jeanette who came down to say their goodbyes.

One of the places we wanted to eat was at The North Woods Inn, but the wait was too long so we had to find an alternate restaurant.

The Lou loves visiting her cousins. They give her soooooo much attention.

Gracey Grace gets her fair share of loves too!

The Lou joined in with her cousins as they entertained us with their talents. Hailey and Mady are very talented choreographers and dancers. The Lou proved to have her fair share of rhythm too as you can tell in this picture.

Pooh joined in the festivities and performed the dance she learned when the girls stayed with us last Summer. We are looking forward to their visit again this year hopefully.

Uncle Jim taught The Lou how to rock the guitar. She is a natural.

At the end of her number, in true rocker fashion, The Lou smashed her guitar on the amplifier.

The next morning while Q was on a work call, Pooh, The Lou, her Grandma and cousins all went to the park.

They had a ton of fun!

The Lou loves to swing on the swings.

So does Hailey, Mum and Pooh.

The Lou had some static goin' on slide.

Cousins Love!

Crazy Girls!

After a few days visiting family, we headed to Disneyland. The first night we hooked up with my Niece, Nikki and had dinner at The Rain Forest Cafe. The Lou did not like this place as there were thunderstorms every fifteen minutes that caused the animals to come alive. Apparently she does not like Gorillas.

THEN IT WAS OFF TO THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH!!!

First stop...our first long line of the trip to wait for the princesses.

The Lou tolerated the lines fairly well, for the most part. She was so excited to see the princesses.

Belle is by far her favorite.

She was so excited, shy and polite when she met Belle. Everywhere we went, she would pick out the yellow princess.

The Lou Loves Belle

She was polite to Tiana too, but not as interested as she kept looking back at Belle.

Same with Ariel

But she LOVED "It's a Small World Afterall"

On this trip The Lou made lots of funny faces. Here is funny face #1

She was excited to meet Mickey too. She did really well with all the characters.

Here is The Lou having a tea party at Minnie's house.

My what big feet you have!

Funny Face #2

Funny Face #3

Once the Holyoaks arrived, The Lou was excited to play with the kids as they planned their next stop on their Disneyland map

The Lou and T-I-Double-Guh-ER!

Here she is with Eyore!

She is as sweet as honey. Funny Face #4

Q and Pooh. What a lucky guy I am.

Funny Face #5

She is even cute when she is just standing there.

Q, Pooh and The Lou

Her future's so bright, she has to wear shades!

After riding this carousel, she kept telling everyone, "I rode a seal!"

Lou and Pops on the Story Book Land ride

The Lou looking for Nemo

Kisses for Pops while waiting for Captain EO (which Leah DID NOT LIKE AT ALL).

NikNik joined us again at Disneyland and somehow we didn't take any pictures of her! She was sitting next to me on Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blaster ride when I took this picture of Pooh and The Lou. Thanks for coming Nikki. We love you!!!

Leah's favorite ride by far was Dumbo's Flight. Here she is holding his black feather before take off.

Mom and The Lou on Dumbo

What are we up to? Funny Face #6

In the "Disney Junior Live On Stage" they dropped these gold coins from the sky. Here is The Lou showing her love for the filthy lucre! You could call this Funny Face #7

She so badly wanted to play in the water, but this was the closest we let her get. It was tempting as it was warm. 74 degrees the first day, 85 the next and 94 the last day!

So we opted for some shade.

Leah had some new pants that kept falling down as she walked. This time they fell down as she posed for a picture with Scott and Emily.

She loved this apple.

The Holyoaks crashed D-Land with us. We had a blast with them. Thanks, Holyoak family!

The Lou and Pluto

Another 3D movie The Lou would rather do without, "It's Not Easy Being a Bug". She freaked!

All week long she was equally excited about going swimming as she was about going to Disneyland. Though she always called it, "Schweeming".

This girl was born to be in the water.

So was her Daddy

Busy days at Disneyland and Schweeming mean quick naps whenever we could fit them in.

The Happiest Family at the Happiest Place on Earth.

The Holyoak Clan

California Adventure Land. We also had the opportunity to join up with my cousin, Philip. For some reason we didn't get any pics of him either! Or of Candice, Dee Anne, Jeff or Jennifer whom we also got to visit with! So sorry. My memory needs those pics. What was I thinking.

Of course it is impossible to even think about walking past a carousel without riding it. The Lou would not have it. Speaking of which, while she was cuter on this trip than I ever remember, she was also the biggest pill ever. I think we are finally working our way into the terrible twos I have heard so much about.

The Lou and Dumbo again

And Again

Peek a Boo!

The Lou doing her best impression of E.T.

I love this little girl

She fit right in with the younger crowd in So Cal, with her britches sagging way too low while watching the fountain.

We topped off the trip with a great meal at Las Palmas with the whole clan. I love my family. I am so wonderfully blessed with the greatest Mom, Dad and Brothers. Those blessings have spread to include the greatest Sister-in-laws and Nieces. We found out another special little girl is heading our way soon. Congrats to Scott and Cynthia. Thank you all for the wonderful time.