Lagoon Trip

Claire's favorite carousel steed--"Fluffy Cloud-but-not-rain-kind-of-cloud Cat'o Mine!"
Classic Hannah--Anthon and Daniel are in the car just behind us as well...
Nearing the end of the day.
Claire drives the coveted lead purple boat. She actually made a pair of sisters cry by insisting that she was first, it was her boat and they could go stand in line again if they really wanted to ride the purple one. I shamelessly cheered her on.

The serious, yet safe, little driver.
Claire's *first* roller coaster ride--look at her face as she realizes what she's gotten herself into at the crest of the first hill. Could be I'm evil, but that's dang funny! She spent the rest of the ride pasted to the floor of the car while Adam tried to reassure her. I suspect that's it for Old Puff for a few years.
This is actually a picture from Island Park, but taken at about the same time.
A date on "Turn of the Century"
The "Corn Ride"--Soapy's absolute favorite!

We had a meltingly hot day at Lagoon a few weeks ago. Thankfully, Claire's favorite ride is the carousel and spinning in a shaded circle makes for a nice cool break from the sun.

Sophie "Speaks"

Sophie can now nod yes to request more food. She blows kisses to express affection and we're starting to get verbalizations like "Nun nun!" for "No" as well as an increasing repertoire of people's names.

Crafty Girl

Claire likes the feel of rice and flour and after cleaning up the kitchen floors for the umpeenth time, I had a brainstorm. I found this box in the garage and filled it part way with rice (which I dyed with food coloring and hand sanitizer--no joke!)

Disneyland Trip 2011

Claire and Hannah enjoy souveniers at Olvera Street in downtown L.A.
Taking pictures of Claire at Hermosa Beach.


Hooma on the Hermosa Beach Pier.
On the Candy Cane Inn shuttle to Disneyland for the first day.
About to enter the parks.
Disneyland California was mostly under construction (but still full price--jip!).


In line at Small World for Claire, Sophie and Adam's FIRST Disneyland ride ever!

Dinner at Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney.
Claire was sure we'd see Tianna eventually if we rode the steamboat a thousand times.
Sophie enjoyed the train ride best.

Pirate Sophie
The girls sang to beat the L.A. traffic blues.





The ocean is colder than it looks!



We had some fresh steamed baby octopi at King Harbor Pier.

Handsome Adam happy about Mexican candy at Olvera Street.

My view for most of the trip.
Serious churros are found at "Mister Churro" on Olvera Street.
Claire liked the L.A. Farmer's Market and so did Adam (he ate some excellent alligator there!).
Excited to leave the hotel in our homemade matching shirts.

Claire on Small World.



Claire asked to ride the carousel more times than anything else.
Hooma and Anthon.
Claire cuts in...
Sophie takes a break while we enjoy jambalaya and jazz in the French Quarter.
Even foodies are sometimes glad for macaroni.
Adam is delighted with lunch.
Jungle Cruise.
Claire got too excited and fell asleep waiting for Little Mermaid (we woke her up when we got on the ride).
Classic Eyeballs Burch.
Starstruck Claire continues to wave five minutes after meeting the REAL Ariel.
Adam and Laurel sneak off to ride the new Star Tours alone.
Claire bounces with joy at making friends with a goat at Big Thunder Ranch.









Brrr!