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Deadlines are approaching! Contact Denny or Mary ASAP! See REUNION-under labels!

Asa's 9th Birthday...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ASA!

I can hardly believe Asa is 9 years old, already! Good grief, they are ALL growing so fast!

We took Asa, a few of his friends, and some of their siblings to see Madagascar 2 and then we went home fore cake, ice cream, and Presents! Let me tell you, it was an experience taking 8 kids to the movies!

But, they all had a blast-all 8 of them sat in the Very FRONT row (I don't know how they do that and not get a headache from the angle and the motion that close to the screen!)

Final Stop!

The EARS have it!
This is my FAVORITE picture of Denny-the Ultimate Disney Tourist--the camera and the Ears and the GOOFY smiley on his face!!

Sophie is her Princess Ears, what a doll!
Ben in his Pirate Mickey Ears-Jack Sparrow did a double take, and questioned Ben on his ears when they met (picture below!)


Asa's Wizard Ears!

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Katy in her Girl Pirate Ears!

The first day we spent in Disneyland, going to nearly every ride. There were not a whole lot of people, so there was hardly any wait for any of the rides! The second day we spent completely at California Park, again no waiting, except for the New Woody Ride!

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Some of the characters we 'met': the Queen of Hearts-one of the NONE posing characters-man can she walk FAST, we literally had to run her down for this 'quick get up next to her and look at the camera' picture!! And Mrs. Incredible did a great POWER pose with the kids--notice Ben's still pouting, he didn't get a Tower of Terror t-shirt because he didn't want to ride a 2nd time, & the t-shirt was the deal for a 2nd ride! Remember, I mentioned we were AWFUL parents-making our kids ride the 'scary' rides?!

The 3rd and 4th days were hopped from California Park and Disneyland, repeating the 'best' rides. We finally made it onto the Woody Ride in California-rode it twice, actually. It was a BLAST!!

Here Ben got to 'meet' Jack Sparrow. This character was NOT a pose and photo guy. He was CONSTANTLY moving-he'd pause every now and then, speak to someone and then move on. He was FuN to watch, he was very much IN character!

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DDenny & Robert & all the kids!

Robert & April and their kids went with us on our California Vacation. Their daughter Katie is also on Katy's soccer teams! It was tons of fun having friends with us!

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While Sophie, Katy and I waited in line to have pictures taken with 3 of the Princesses, the boys sat in the 'theater' for Princess Story time--and being one of very few boys, Asa was asked to participate-to Dance with Cinderella! When the boys told me that Asa had done this, I was so Proud of him, for being brave enough to stand up in front of everyone and dancing! And then I got to see the pictures of Asa & Cinderella dancing-he did not SMILE once!

This was our first visit in October-it was fun to see Disneyland and California Park decorated for Halloween and Fall! Although, I was a little disappointed-we didn't see nearly as many Villains as I though there would be out and about!

Next Stop!

The BEST ride in California:
If you look closely, Ben and Sophie were NOT the happiest riders! Sophie ended up riding it one more time with us, another day, and now she is quite proud that she did. Asa & Katy would've ridden it all day. Ben, couldn't bribe him on a second time-poor kids!!

So, are we Aweful parents to MAKE our kids ride the 'scary' rides, at least once, to try it?!

I've got to say--This was one of the BEST rides in California Park-hands down! (or up!!!)

Here we have Sophie and our friend Shanie. Silly girls! It was really nice having Shanie with us (her whole family vacationed with us), she didn't ride some of these CrAzY rides, and she was willing to keep Sophie & more often than Sophie, Ben (who Really does NOT like 'scary' rides-anything loopty-do!)

And you've got to LOVE the 3D shows! Bugs' Life is great entertainment, and it's so funny to hear the kids scream when the bugs and roaches run under our bottoms and they spit 'venom' at us!

And we got to see the Totum Ceremony with Koda and the Brother Bear ((Kenai?!). It was really cute, and a nice sit down in the shade area!

Just have to say, Vacation is still going well, and we're still having Lots of fun!!

Next stop---Disneyland!

Second Stop...

San Diego-Sea World!

The Dolphin Show was neat, not nearly as wet as we had expected! To me, it's always amazing the jumps and tricks these creatures can do.








The Sea Lion Show was Halloween Themed, the people (with the Sea Lions & Walrus) did skits from different horror movies, here they are Shaggy & Thelma, the Sea Lion is Scooby, the Walrus as the 'Admiral'!

And, of course, the Shamu Show!

Here are the kids, including Denny-the only adult in our group crazy, oh, I mean, BRAVE enough to sit up front!

The Sea World Orcas doing their jumps!

And the HIGHLIGHT of the Show!

And after the show!

There was only ONE Shamu Show on this day, at 2:30pm. Figures, after the show, the fog/smog rolled in and the sun went away. It got pretty chilly for these wet ones!

We saw the Clydesdale Horses, Sharks, Penquins, Baluga Whales, pet some star fish and sting rays. I think it's pretty safe to say, we ALL had lots of fun and had a Really Good time!

First Stop...

San Diego-Mission Beach:

The Sophie & Ben played in the surf & collected sea shells. Venturing deeper ONLY with Dad!

Katy & Asa were much braver-running into the deeper surf, body boarding and sand boarding!

Katy running towards Ben & Dad, I don't know what kind of running you would call that, but there she is!

And body boarding up onto the sand!

Asa body boarding away from Dad, & coming in Side ways!

Katy & Katie H (friend from Elko!) racing in?

Here is my Wonderful Husband! Yes, he even runs like this on dry land!! I DO love him!!

Denny even gave the body boarding a shot-chafed up his torso, but he had fun-stayed out there until the sun started setting!

Las Vegas Mayor's Cup

Our last Tournament of the year (I think!)! This is a different team than the one we played with this past summer. According to AYSO regulations, an AYSO tournament team does NOT do a try-out/elimination-in AYSO EVERYONE plays. So, we took all of the U12 girls that showed up to practice. We weren't too worried, as half of our regular season team wanted to play in the tournament, & we did fairly well in the Winnemucca AYSO Tournament with our regular team.

We took 18 girls, ages 9-11 years old. The tournament was NOT an AYSO sponsored tournament (makes no difference other than the teams we played have been playing together for the past 6 years!) There were teams from Canada, California, Colorado, Idaho, Arizona, even as far as Massachusetts!

The girls played 3 games, 2 on Saturday and one Sunday morning. Sadly, the girls didn't win.

But, we were going to Disneyland!!!