Another Great Afternoon at the Beach

A quick trip to the beach the day before we left. The waves were the highest I've ever seen them.

The Happiest Place on Earth

(more vacation pictures :) ).

Also, one of the most crowded places. We hoped to beat the crowds by going after New Years when most people were back at work/school. However, there were large crowds and 70 minute waits until about 10 pm. We tried to take Ansley on as many things as possible, which meant the less popular ones like Snow White (kinda scary with minimal story resolution) and the Casey Jr. Train that I don't think I've ever been on. It was fun to see the Christmas version of Small World and the Nightmare before Christmas Haunted Mansion. Somewhere between the Rockets, Gadget Roller coaster, and Space Mountain, Tyrone lost his keys. We retraced our steps and went to lost and found. I silently prayed that we'd find our keys and felt immediate calm, calm that it would be okay. I didn't know how it would turn out but eventually our keys made it to City Hall. I am so grateful. We had a more fun time once the keys were found and Fantasmic was getting ready to start. The line for Pirates of the Caribbean was nice and short. I love how Ansley would hold onto our arms. Oh and as you can see I did sew the sash on. I sewed the width of it on the side seams and just tacked it down with a few stitches in the front at the bottom of the sash.

The bus from the parking lot to Disneyland.



Checking out the map.



Isaac with a nice looking haircut, perhaps one of my best.



Rockets.



(Ansley was really sad that she couldn't climb out of the rockets by herself b/c other people needed a turn and we didn't have time to wait. Snow White told her not to cry and sadly that was the only princess she "met.")

Waiting for lunch b/c we were all hungry.



The Parade- wish I'd known how much Ansley would like it.





Waiting in line for her first roller coaster. She loved it!















Awesome.



Ansley was so excited to meet Mickey Mouse she ran past all the people into the room. She was very good when I told her she had to wait her turn. She was the only child who wanted to hug Mickey. Her eyes are closed b/c she closes them when she gives hugs.









And then it got dark and I found a better setting on my camera than the one I'd used first, which is good. I will definitely have to practice more.







Love this picture of my parents.



Check out Isaac's awesome face.



Dumbo.



Waiting outside of Pirates.



Wide awake at midnight.



The drive home (to my parents' house) was super quick. Wish we actually lived that close. :)

An Afternoon in Balboa Park

It was getting kind of dark and Ansley threw an awesome tantrum b/c we wouldn't let her push her stroller into people but we still had a fun time. I'm pretty sure there's a picture of me and my sister, Jen, by this same fountain! If my dad finds it, I'll post it. :) I wish we had more time to explore and hike some of the paths.

I made Ansley's dress using Me Sew Crazy's Julie's Dress pattern. I love the full skirt, the multiple tiers and the slit and button closure in the back. I made my own bias tape b/c I couldn't find any that matched enough. I also didn't buy anything to make this dress- everything was from my stash. The lining is from a clearanced bed sheet, bought the same time as the bed sheet I used in this dress.









I think I need a haircut.







Following directions to pet the bird from behind.



Looking for fish and turtles.









I didn't even know this path was there.