After wallowing in my winning glory of the
Just Spotted Holiday Giveaway, it was time to claim my prize. We attended a special day at Disneyland to celebrate the holidays. I have gone to Disneyland several times for the Christmas season, and it's a sight not to miss. Mr. Man had never gone, and kept saying, "even *insert random ride or object* is decorated!" Everything is decorated down to the last detail, I love it!
The gorgeous Grand Californian hotel was our
home base for the day. The lobby is a site to behold in itself, but all decked out for the holidays it is crazy beautiful. Then we did our traditional pic in front of the letters outside California Adventure. We chose F for Fabulous, Festive, or Funk... you pick.
First on our list was the new show "Princess
Tiana's Showboat Jubilee". It was a high energy show all about the new Disney movie "The Princess and the Frog". The kids loved it and I have a feeling AK is going to want every Princess
Tiana toy this Christmas. I know what Auntie Laura is getting AK for Christmas!
We took AK on Star Tours for the first time, she LOVED it and laughed the whole time. She is a daredevil, completely opposite of her brother. Mr. Boy spent the day pleading with us to avoid most of the rides that inolve a villian.
It's a Small World is all decked out for the holidays both inside and out. It is such a classic, and I love seeing it transformed for the holidays. We had passes to go on this ride, and when we approached a
cast member to show them, she said, "
OK hold on... because *dramatic pause*
you... are... special." Then she walked away and started waving her arms at the other
cast members... announcing to all of them that they were in the presence of special people. It was hilarious, and nice to be made to feel.... well... special. The rest of the day we were joking about if this was a "special water bottle" or a "special napkin".
The parade was great and I can not believe these guys march in these outfits. Look, I'm gonna confess, I was a total band nerd in
Jr. high. It wasn't pretty, and it wasn't fun. The band uniforms itched like
nobody's business, but I'm suddenly
grateful I didn't have to march and play in this outfit. It looks heavy and hot, and I would so screw up sticking my instrument in that little hole for the mouthpiece. These guys actually play their instruments and walk in formation.
If I had it my way, Mr. Boy and I would go on rides all day long, each and every day. I never tire of this face.
Then we went to a special dinner reception at the Grand Californian hosted by none other than Mrs. Claus. AK asked her, "Does Santa know you're here?" She also proceeded to tell Mrs. Claus about all the times Mr. Boy had kicked or pinched her that day. Way to throw your brother under the bus...
They had a kid's buffet, and then a handful of characters on hand to PLAY WITH YOUR KIDS. Technically, I think they were there for pictures, but Goofy and Minnie played with AK while I ate dinner in peace with Mr. Man.
Mr. Boy played
Wii and visited the cookie decorating table. He decorated cookies with the help of Mrs. Claus, and then acted like that was "no big deal" because everyone gets to do that.
The kids got decked out to go see the Special Holiday fireworks show thanks to Studio 365.
The fireworks show is also different for the holidays and so good. SPOILER ALERT: At the end of the fireworks show it "snows" on Main Street. My kids are such beach bums, they have never seen snow. To see their faces light up and try to catch a snowflake on their tongues after having THE MOST AMAZING day, just put me over the top. I actually got a little misty eye-d!
I owe a big thanks to
Just Spotted &
Disneyland for this once in a lifetime experience
and to all the folks who voted! Oh shoot, I'm getting all misty again. THANK YOU!
It doesn't look like much, but do you see what's behind that house.... Nothing... that's right... just hillside and a large flat backyard. It's got potential... LOADS of potential. 
And I love this kitchen, even though it's old. It's charming and I think I'll look just like Donna Reed making dinner in there. Also, out that Kitchen window is a spectacular view of Los Angeles! So we bought this place, got the keys a few weeks ago and move in a few days. For those of you doing the math... that means Christmas looks like this.... (note the moving boxes)
And instead of Christmas Cards, I'm working on these... 
It's plans for an addition on to this little house. Psst!! See the blue striped paper, that's a pool! Christmas + Moving + Planning for an addition = Worst Timing Ever!
When we drop you off at the vet for a check up, you get so anxious. Your anxiety level is so high it makes the vet nervous, and she has found that you are happiest laying on a dog bed in the corner. No need for a kennel, or a gate, you will stay where you are asked to go. All you need is to feel like you are involved. That is just like at home, you are always in the middle of it all. Tonight the kids sang to you while you happily thumped your tail. They fed you a peanut butter filled bagel and you gave each one of them a long lick on the cheek. We could learn a lot from you, patience, loyalty, and enjoying, savoring each moment as they come. 
Well, until I got to the presentation portion. I was trying to drizzle homemade caramel sauce in a decorative pattern but it didn't work. A couple different attempts ended up with caramel on the cabinets, ceiling, my face & hair. I highly doubt my in laws had any kitchen mishaps during their pie baking. 
The judges enjoyed their tasting plates and took their job very seriously. I gave Mr. Man a wink hoping that would sway his vote. 
It worked! I won!!!
The award for the "Creamiest Pie" was mine! I was awarded a sparkley bracelet as my prize. 
Turns out everyone was a winner, those clever judges had a category for everything. Some of them were hilarious. Even my mom who passed the pesky Anti-baking gene my way, won a prize for the "Most Manly" pie. (Pecan Pie with all those nuts!) 
Thanksgiving was lovely, and the pie contest was totally worth it. It's always a good time at Aunt Deb's house. The worlds most gracious host and one of my top ten favorite people on the planet.
He was stunned to see 
I don't really know how to describe Farrell's other than it's loud and happy. They slapped a sticker on Mr. Man announcing his birthday, and told him he was in for a treat. My advice: skip the food, it was pretty much like eating cardboard.
After dinner, sirens started going off, a man with a giant bass drum led a group of "celebration assistants" who were singing, cheering, and clapping. They made Mr. Man stand up and announced to all the patrons, we were celebrating a birthday. They started to sing loudly. 
Mr. Boy was thoroughly entertained. Mr. Man proclaimed it was "It's just like when I was 9!" 
Then they served us huge amounts of ice cream which was delicious. 
AK ate every last drop of all our sundaes and proceeded to lick every last bit of chocolate. She gets super 
The misters spent most of the night perusing this awesome book, which is a must have for any Star Wars Lego Fan. 
All in all, a super fun surprise and a great way to celebrate the birthday of the man I love. 
Am I the only one who sees the resemblance?
On the occassion of your shared birthdayI write a note to let you know how much I love each of you. 
Mr. Man, holy smokes what a year it's been. I have typed out paragraph after paragraph, but all much too personal for cyberspace. However, I want to acknowledge that last year at this time you were so sick. It took a few months for you to get better, and I am so grateful for your good health. It is something I don't take for granted and I want the universe to know it. There is a lot to celebrate this month, and I'm excited to spend the next year working on projects together. I'm grateful for the amazing dad that you are, and for the fabulous husband you are. Even in one of the worst economies you have been an excellent provider, working hard to provide for our family. Being around you makes me want to be a better person, and I love being with you. 
Oh Sandy the Wonder Dog, What a year you have had! Twice this year, I have taken you to the vet to be told you had days left. There is something in you that just won't quit, and you have stunned the vets with a remarkable turnaround. You have lost 15 pounds due to illness, your hips are stiff, and we have to help you stand up in the morning, but I wouldn't change a thing. Sandy, for the past fourteen years you have greeted me with exuberance and treated me like I was the best thing to walk in the room. You've done wonders for my self esteem. 
You are the best family dog. The kids lay on you, bury you in stuffed animals, pull your ears, and you just wag your tail and nuzzle them. The kids love to sit in your spot on the couch, and watch you try to tell them to move. You nudge them over, snorting and grunting to show your dissapproval, while they happily oblige with giggles. Sitting in "your spot" is a sure fire way of getting to snuggle with you. The kids love to lay on you while they watch a movie.
You have never been the type of dog to bolt out the door. Then eighteen months ago you started sneaking out to taunt the neighbor cats and dogs. I don't like you wandering outside by yourself. You slip out every chance you get, sniff the neighbors lawns and then come home to bark and scratch at the front door. Sandy, you have more personality in one paw than most dogs have in their entire body. I know, I know, you are just a dog... There are a million labradors named Sandy in the world, but none are as unique as you. Even the vet has acknowledged your personality is not the personality of a dog and your intelligence is off the charts.