Disneyland 2009

So far our Disney trip is great.  Rained a little bit today so Elena talked Wendy onto the Splash Mountain ride.  I think that was Elena's third time.  We got to see several different characters besides ourselves over the last two days.  Tomorrow is the big day where we get to meet Tinkerbell.  Should e fun.

Goofy took off with Elena and Julia.  We were almost home free until e returned them with smiles ear to ear.

Pluto was so excited to see the girls again that he couldn't stop squeezing them so tight.

As always, Mickey was there waiting for us.  He was so excited to see both girls.

Carlsbad, CA retreat

While Lance was away at some training, Wendy and the girls were treated to a retreat put on by the Special Warfare Community.  They stayed at the Sheraton in Carlsbad, CA and got to enjoy everything that went along with it.  Hot tub, pool, dinner, breakfast and each other.  

Shortly (less than an hour) after their return to Coronado, we decided to make a quick trip up to Tahoe to enjoy the snow along family and friends.  This trip to Tahoe was fun.  Quick and easy was the trip up.  The trip back ended up with 6 hours of 35 mph snow conditions.  We still made it in under 11 hours.  Can't say where we made up the time we lost but we managed ok.

Skype is great!

So far so fun in sunny Coronado.  Wendy has learned how to use Skype and enjoys seeing everyone on a daily basis.  She even got to sing Happy Birthday to her niece Brandi. 

Holiday Visitors

Wendy's mom Karen and niece and nephew Nicholas and Adrienne came down for a quick visit just after Christmas this ear and had a great time on the beach.  Hard to believe Christmas and New Years without freezing temperatures, but we managed.

Holiday Festival at Hotel Del Coronado

This photo of Elena and Julia was taken in the lobby of Hotel Del Coronado after Elena performed in the Holiday Festival.  This was truly a honor because only one class from each school in Coronado was chosen to perform.  Elena's class performed several songs which wrapped up the performance part of the festival.  After the singing was completed, there were games to be played and fireworks to watch.  We stopped by the lobby on the way home to snap a quick photo of the girls.  Wendy's sister Chrissy, her husband Eric and two little girls are headed down here right now so that will be an experience with 4 adults and 4 children in a 900 square foot apartment.  Another way to put it is 5 girls, 1 baby and 2 men to share one bathroom.

Turkey Day

Had a great time visiting with everyone at Steve and Lee's house for Thanksgiving.  Was great to finally meet Brandon and is family.  The food was great ad so was the company.  Max and Shelley also made it out from Vegas for a rainy day in San Diego.  Sorry it was soggy for you.  Probably having flashbacks of the Northwest.  

Knott's Berry Farm

It all started out with a quick trip up to Knott's Berry Farm.  Only an hour and a half away it was a quick trip.  We had a great time.  The first ride scared Julia a little bit and the last ride scared Elena a lot.  When you see her, you will have to ask her about Ghost Rider and how scary it was with all those turns and us and downs.  On our way out, we stopped by the rock shop that was in the park and Julia and Elena each picked out an uncut Geode and they cut it in half right then and there.  Was kind of a neat souvenir for our first visit to Knott's Berry Farm.