Magical Mary Moments

Sunday morning we left bright and early for Mary's first trip to Disneyland. Mom and dad watched Teresa so we could go enjoy two full days of Disneyland fun with Mary. We got down to the hotel, Main Gate Ramada, at 8. Got checked in and walked our way over to Disneyland. We were a half hour early, but not the first ones there, of course. We found a new line opening and got first in line for that one. Mary was getting anxious and kept saying she wanted to go in. It cute how excited she was. When we finally got in there wasn't much of a reaction. I don't think she really understood the whole thing yet. We walked down main street and she could see the castle ahead. She thought that was pretty cool. We made our way into Fantasy land to start with those rides. We started with Pete Pan. She did not like it. It was too dark for her. So then we went to Snow White. Again, she did not like it. All those rides are too dark for her. She is scared of the dark, so that didn't help. So we decided to do the carousel, she loves that at the mall. Her and daddy rode that. That was a hit.

We then did Dumbo. That was one of her favorite rides she says.

After that we did It's A Small World. She LOVED that one. She had a smile on her face and danced in her seat for that one. So, we ended up doing that one twice. By that time we were hungry so we headed to Country Bear for lunch and ride the Pooh ride. She liked the pooh ride.

We then went on the Jungle Boat ride. She loved that one too. Anything not dark and noisy she loved. She also loved the Tiki Room. I love that one too, so that was good. We did that one both days, along with the Jungle Boat.

We went and met Mickey and Minnie. Mickey she wasn't too keene on, but she ran up and gave Minie a great big hug. Of course, I did not have my camera ready in time for the big hug. It was super cute though. We walked through Minie's house. She sat on her bed. And then she loved her kitchen. She spent lotsa minutes in there playing with all the cool stuff. After that we headed over to California Adventure. It wasn't as crowded over there. The lines for the kiddie rides were a bit long, but we were able to get on the Monsters Inc. ride quickly. She didn't care for that one either. Boy this kid is hard to please. haha

By the time all that was done her eyes were barely open. So we went back to the room to take a family nap. Boy we needed that. After our nap we ate dinner and then back to the park to get ready for fire works. Before first works we did It's A Small World again and drove cars in Autopia. The fireworks didn't start until after 9, so it was a bit tough to keep the little one awake. But once they started she was awake. Then she asked to leave half way through because it was too loud. Again, my sensitive child. We made it to the end, which was a fabulous show, and went back to the hotel for bed. That day, my favorite ride was my head hitting the pillow for the night. We all slept hard that night. Mary slept with Daddy. Ended up falling off the bed. After she fell off, somehow, she climbed back on and slept as close to Kevin as she possibly could. She was NOT going to fall off again.

Monday morning she had more of the concept of Disneyland and was ready to go back. We got some yummy breakfast and was off for more Disney fun. She kept saying she wanted to go on more rides. The first thing we did was head to the new Nemo ride. We were close to first in line, BUT, the ride was not ready to be open yet. So we had to wait for them to get ready and then we got to ride. She wasn't too big on that one either. Again, it was dark and enclosed. It was cute overall though.
After that we went and saw Tinkerbell and her friends. That was really cute. They really spent their time with eatch kid and made it personable. Mary was caring her new toy purse around and Tinkerbell went through the purse with her and put on her sunglasses' and talked on her phone. It was pretty cute.

We then went on Story Book Island boat ride. She liked that and wanted to back again. It seemed she liked all the boring rides. haha I hope she gets braver for next time around.

We were able to get her to go on Pirates. We caught her in a good mood and got her on. At first she did not like it because of the dark. Then because of the first drop, in the dark. Kevin was holding Mary and she turned to him and said "hold me tighter daddy". How cute is that?! Then because of the scary skeletons. Once the pirates were fighting and Yo Ho music came on she was happy again. In the end she made it through the ride and was happy about it. So, we got one 'adult' ride in.

After that we had to do Jungle Boat and Tiki Room again. = )

Then we were off to California Adventure. It was a lot less crowded over there. We got on all the rides really quick. We went on the Farris wheel. Well Kevin chose the bucked that swings. BAD choice. Mary and I didn't like that when it happened. I was queasy for a few hours after that .

On the way to the next ride Mary saw cotton candy. Ok, we got her that. She loved it, of course.

About the time we were walking down Downtown Disney is when that half a thing of Cotton Candy kicked in. She was running and hopping all the way to dinner.

The next ride I was not going since my tummy was still iffy. They went on some swinging bullet ride. Looked fun, but not for me now.

Bugs life area was next. There were three fun little rides for her to do. We were able to go on all those w/out any wait. Nice and slow rides to keep her happy.

We then went to downtown Disney for dinner then back to the park for the parade and then home. We went to Rainforest Cafe for dinner. They sat us next to a fish tank, which was nice to entertain Mary. But there was a gorilla, which scared Mary every time it went off. So, we made it through dinner and back to the park we went to get a seat for the parade. Mary fell asleep in the stroller on the way back to the park. A long day w/out a nap, she was exhausted. So we found a seat on the curb. Kevin went to go get me hot chocolate while I kept our seats. Well it kept getting more crowded and more crowded and it soon became a war to keep my seats. He came back with my hot chocolate and then wante to go get popcorn. REALLY? I'm fighting for these seats! Oh well, I made it and his seat was there when he came back. The parade started. We got Mary to wake up for it in time. It was a totally awesome parade. So glad we stayed for it. Singing and dancing and lotsa fun. At one point they pulled kids out to dance with them. Mary even went out. So brave. My camera's battery died just at that time so I didn't get any pictures of that. But I took 90 pictures overall, so it made it up until the very end.

We made it home in record time. Mary slept all the way home, of course. She had all her toys in her car seat with her. She had a great time. Hopefully she will remember it. What a fun fun magical time it was. I can't wait to do it in a couple years for Teresa's first time.

After finishing the blog, I thought, I noticed more pictures I did not put in. SOOO, I'm just going to post them below with captions. = )

Our Goofy meeting!

Yes, I was there. I was not in any pictures, but this one, but I WAS there. = )

I think this was going on Snow White.

Mary sitting in Mickey's chair in his house.

Looking at all the stuff going through one of the fantasy land rides.

Leaf Me Alone!

Today Mary was helping daddy rake leaves in the backyard. She was having so much fun. Then when it was all in a big pile daddy thew her in and she loved it. She jumped around. Teresa did not like it at all. He put her in and she made and face and crawled right out. She enjoyed just pushing her bike around.

I went out to get a massage and came back home to the baby pool blown up and Mary in her bathing suit. HELLO, it's NOT bathing suit weather. What do dad's know???? Mary did put her feet in and said "COLD". It didn't last long. Teresa wanted to get in, but didn't. The things that happen when mommy is not around. GEESH! Oh well, no one was hurt. No harm done, I guess. haha

Cousin Days Are GREAT!!

We have gotten to spend some quality time with our some of Mary's cousins this past couple weeks. Stephanie and Brianna live down in Temecula so we don't get to see them too often. They got to spend their two weeks off school up here with all the family. They were tossed back and forth from house to house for those two weeks, but we all loved it. First we had them overnight and Mary loved that. We let Mary have a sleep over downstairs with the girls Kevin said he left them all in one position when he went to bed and in the morning the two girls were sleeping in other places while Mary was still int he same spot. Too cute. I picked up the girls after the gym one more time, yesterday, and they got to spend the day with us. It helped me out a lot to get stuff done around the house while they entertain the girls. Such a big help. They were running around having a ball. They played play dough, which I HATE to do. So I was so happy someone else would do that with Mary.Cousin Jennifer, who lives out here, was coming to pick the girls up later so I just said to stay for dinner. So they all stayed for dinner too. It was so much fun to listen to the five of them playing in the back yard laughing. So nice to hear. That afternoon my order for the Big Top Cup Cake came!!! I was so super excited to get it. SOOOO since they were all there I figured we could make it immediately. YEAH!! So I had a box of cake mix and frosting. They went to work and put it together and in the oven. Mary was super excited and kept checking the oven every 2 minutes, for 45 minutes, to make sure it was cooking right. Then when it was done it was great. I put ice cream in the middle and then put it in the freezer until it was time to eat it. Then we frosted it and Jennifer decorated it with M & M's. So cute.
It was so much fun to have them around to spend time and have their help. We wish they lived closer to help us out . We are lucky to have Jennifer close though. = ) We love her too.

1/2 The Cost, Double The Time

As you know, I've been seeing a trainer since August of last year. I love it! I definitely notice a difference in many ways. My parents are so proud of me and said that they'd pay for more sessions for my birthday. SOOO I went to go talk to someone about adding more sessions, since my last payment of my 6 month contract is up this month. It was the end of the year and, of course, they had a special going on. This special was only if you signed up for a whole year. That sounds like such a LONG time. But I do love it and it's not like I"m going to stop going to the gym. That hour of my life is the best. I drop off the kids at the kiddie care and get a whole hour of no kid time, just me time.
Anyway, so this deal would give me a session a week for a year for half the cost I'm paying now. I was all over it. So I call mom and tell her I'm going to do this and that they can pay for what they want for my birthday. Then I have to call and get the OK from the big guy, Kevin. After lots of talking, he said OK. So bad I went inside and signed the papers and I'm stuck getting my butt whipped for a year more. It's ALLL GOOOOOD!! I will see you next year and look HOT! Ok, pretty darn good!I may never fit back into my honeymoon clothes, but I'm going to try damn it!

Mary's Own Money

We are taking Mary to Disneyland for her first trip next week. We are so excited. Mom and Dad gave us a gift card towards going, to help with the outrageous cost of going. It was a super cool gift to get. They will watch Teresa while we go. We will make it a two day trip and spend the night down there.
Mary has many piggy banks. There is one I got at her baby shower that I have been putting money in that she has gotten throughout the year. My grandma would send a card for little holidays, like Valentines Day, with $5 or $1 in it. Every time she got that I'd stick it in there. So, we gathered up that money and all the change in her three piggy banks, and all any any change we could find around the house. Mary and I took all the change to the Coin Star at the market today. I wish I had my camera to take a picture of her, but she was helping me put in the money and watch it count it up. She made it out of the market with 42!! Add that up with the paper money already in her bank she has about $55 of her own money to spend at Disneyland. She is so proud. I found her a wallet I had around and we put it all in there for her to save it in. We shall see what she decides to spend it on.
Pictures and the Disneyland story to follow in a week!!!

Bringing in 2010

This year we brought in the new year with Corie and her fiance, Richard. We dropped the kids off at mom's, picked up Pizza, and were on our way. We had an evening ahead of WII, Patron, and crap food. What an evening it was too. We got there about 7:30 and so the shots began. Patron goes down smooth, but not that smooth. Lotsa limes to follow those shots. Then it was off to the WII bowling fun. I kicked ass at that game. I love to bowl and that was so much fun. Then we switched to golfing. I was not so good at that one. Then the boys played archery. So the shots kept coming and food was ate. Yum Yum. So much for a diet tonight. Eh, whatever, I go to the gym 4 days a week. 11:30 rolls around and my eyes are starting to fade. STAY AWAKE!!!! No more tequilla, as that is not helping at this point. Finally 12:00 rolls around and we say our happy new year, kiss our better halves, and then say GOOD NIGHT! 12:15 my head is on the pillow and I'm OUT! haha! AT least I made it to midnight.

The next day I didn't feel too bad, surprisingly. I did not have a headache or a tummy ache. I was doing good. I think I stopped in time. So it was a good New Years!!

Happy 75th Elsie Rose

Sunday we had one more Brochtrup family gathering to Celebrate Eslie's 75th birthday. Elsie is Kevin's mom. We all got together at Roy's house, Kevin's brother. It was a nice day together. A bunch of family, from Elsie's side, joined us. We dont' get to see them very often. Her actual birthday is the 28th. So, we do our best to giver her a seperate celebration for her birthday. Just as I am going to make sure we do with Teresa's birthday. So, a happy happy birthday to my second mom!