California 2015 - the last day!

Oh man, I have drug this out haven't I? Sorry/deal with it. :)

Our last day in Cali we flew out during the evening, so we had some day time to play with. We hadn't actually SWAM in the ocean yet, so this was our goal. And it was the perfect day to do so! The sun was out and it was nice and warm! We played in the water for a while and then Brendon got bit by something? I don't know, he stepped on something that he swore bit him and he hauled ass out of the water. It was hilarious. He did have a little cut on the bottom of his foot, so something did in fact get him. Whether or not that something was alive or not is debatable. He got back in later with my dad to attempt body surfing. I don't know how successful they were, but it looked like they were having fun! Lynne and I just laid on the beach and soaked in the sun. With SPF 100000 on of course.

Those stairs!!! Dang, workout central.

This photo reminds me of this photo I painted in college:

Daaaang, throwback! I think I took this photo in 2008 and painted it in 2009. Bet y'all forgot I went to school for all that jazz, huh?

Baby bump, out in full force and as vampiric as ever.

This was a really good trip you guys. Extra relaxing and extra fun. We are so grateful to have gotten to go! Big thank you to my dad and Lynne for spoiling us rotten (seriously) and for my step-gma for letting us stay at her timeshare. And to Brendon for taking time off work to come play in the sun with me. It was a much needed trip and escape from the day to day humdrum. Plus it was a blast and I don't think I've gone on a vacation with my dad and step-mom since... that photo up there I painted! It was pretty wonderful.

I am still ever so in love with California. I don't know if it tops the mountains (it doesn't), but it's up there on my favorite places to be. One day I'd love to see northern California. San Francisco! Or Monterrey! I have a feeling I'd adore it, cooler temperatures are my best friend.

That wraps up our bout of traveling for a bit. Well, I guess the wedding we went to in Houston this past weekend was the end. We have another trip planned at the beginning of December, but until then I think most of the craziness stays near home. Which is okay with me! Although the itch to travel is never far away. Maybe we can squeeze a few more getaways in before the Seahorse arrives. ;)

California 2015 - Disneyland!

OKAY. This is going to be a looong post, so mentally prepare yourself if you feel like tackling it.

Somehow, by some magic, we managed to go to Disneyland twice in a years time. Just barely, but twice. Buuuuut, I think it was meant to be. We were there last December. We were watching the holiday fireworks show at the end of our one very long day at Disney and I was close to tears because I didn't want to leave and I didn't know when we'd be back, and Brendon hugged me and told me that he'd take me back soon. AND BOOM, look what happened. To be fair, we are very fortunate that my parents and step grandma asked us to come to Cali. That's the only way this happened. And because Brendon is the best husband to ever be a husband. But still. Meant to be, right??

We were staying a little north of San Diego, and Disneyland is obviously in Anaheim. Which is a good hour or so north. But we got up extra early and made the trip (we were one of the first cars into the parking lot) because I cannot be in California and miss out on Disney. My dad and step-momma played on the beach all day while we crazies went wild at Disney. We stayed aaaaall day long, and by the end of it we were beat. But it was worth it. We only did one park this time, because trying to do two in one day just isn't fair. We saw most of California Adventure in December, so we just did Disneyland this go round since we didn't get to see it all before. And this time we saw it ALL!

Last year when we went we got to see Disneyland all Christmas-ed out and this year we got to see it spookified! Pumpkins galore! It is also the 60th anniversary celebration so we got to see some of that magic as well.

And because I am an uber nerd and love a good theme, I made us Halloween outfits to wear. So we could match Disneyland, duh. I made Brendon a simple button up shirt with crazy pumpkin fabric and I made my dress (a highly altered version of the Hazel dress by Victory Patterns) out of spooky fabric also. We both got lots of compliments, but oh my gosh people lost their minds over Brendon's shirt. Strangers came up to him all day long and told him how much they loved his shirt. One of the cast members actually followed us out of a ride to ask about it. It was insane. I was like, but but but... I made my dress too! Note to self, brighter colors get noticed easily.

We broke a ride! Not us, personally, but Autotopia broke right after we got on it. Like they shut down the ride and made everyone get out of line. We had some good timing, we got to finish the ride! But dang, last time we were there the Pirates of the Caribbean ride broke and we were stuck on it for like 20 minutes. What luck we have!

I LOVE THIS RIDE! And that man. It's a Small World forever, y'all.

We got to ride soooo many rides this time. Last time we were only able to ride a few in Disneyland, we spent too much time in California Adventure. I couldn't ride the crazy rides this go round because preggo problems, which was a bummer but we still rode a TON. There are a billion kid/pregnant lady friendly rides, and we rode almost all of them. We missed a few, plus we've still never ridden a bunch of the crazy rides (the Matterhorn! Space Mountain! Thunder Mountain Railroad!), so we STILL have things to go back and do for the first time! I love that! And I say the first time, because we might have done these things when we were kids but we can't remember so it doesn't count. :)

Storybook Land! Super cute. Tiny models of magical lands from the films. Adorable.

The Teacups! I will never ride this. I think my dad and I rode it as kids, but as an adult, pregnant or not, this ride is nightmarish. Going in circles? No thanks! Cute ride though.

Mary Poppin's penguins! Eeee! We ate lunch at the Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe, which was very vegetarian friendly, and dinner at the Carnation Cafe where we had a veggie burger and a reeeeeeally good chocolate milkshake. I love chocolate shakes.

SO! We were waiting in line to ride the Mark Twain riverboat, and just before they let everyone on TIANA PEEKS OUT! She's on the boat! And we get to ride with her! I'm pretty sure I said a bad word out of excitement when she showed up. It was so awesome! This was the only character I got to officially "meet", and it was too perfect! Not hectic or crazy or anything. Super bonus and again, excellent timing.

Grinning like a fool. She told me she liked my dress, so that means an official Disney Princess has complimented my sewing. Have I made it??

Congrats for the classiest fall decor Disney. You know how to spook it up right.

The haunted mansion was cool, but the line was insane. We got a fast pass for it. It was basically the same as it was for Christmas, which was kind of a bummer. I want to see the original sometime!!

Tigger! We spotted quite a few characters while there, and although I only got to meet Tiana, it was still awesome to see them out and about! We saw Mary Poppins and Bert (we were stuck in a line, otherwise I would have loooved to meet them!), Frollo from the Hunchback of Notre Dame (creepy!), Aurora, Jack Skellington and Sally, Goofy, and Tigger! Plus basically everyone in the parades. But there's something really neat about finding them just walking around the park. The Big Princesses you have to wait in line for, they're treated like a ride, which I think is not so fun. Although, I'd totally do it if we had more time!

The Castle at night! Heart eyes!!!

Rapunzel's Tower! We love love love Tangled.

Mainstreet USA is a MADHOUSE at night. There's a parade and then fireworks at 8:30, and people started lining up at like 5! It was crazy. We just rolled up and snuck in to a spot, which worked just fine. The Paint the Night Parade is insane. We saw another parade during the day, and it was really good, but this one... Dang! It's kind of like the Electrical Light Parade they had waaaay back in the day I guess? Lots of lights and so many neat effects. It was really something. And then after the parade everyone moves into the middle of the street for the fireworks. Which are hands down, my favorite.

Because it was the 60th anniversary, they went all out. The effects were insane. Lights, music, fireworks, actual characters flying over the castle on wires... I mean, it was so good. Disney knows how to do it, they don't miss a detail. And because they were celebrating 60 years, there were so many throwbacks to older movies. I feel like the Christmas fireworks we saw last year revolved around Frozen, which is cool and they were soooo good, but I adore the older movies. That's what we grew up with! So seeing the fireworks and the show pay homage to the older films literally brought tears to my eyes. They did a little Step-in-Time bit from Mary Poppins, and I lost it. I think there was some Jungle Book? And When You Wish Upon a Star? It was over. All the tears, and I can't blame it all on the hormones. It was just so good. 100% worth the bazillion people crowded in with us, the exhaustion, the blisters, the ticket price! It was worth it all.

The magic you guys. You can't help but love it. Even ol' rational pants Brendon was getting into it. We were driving back home and remarking on how pricey Disneyland is he said, "I forget that it's worth it." WHICH IS A BIG DEAL YOU GUYS. I am obviously a Disney freak and wouldn't think twice about dropping cash on all things Disney, but Brendon, I always figure he just goes along with it all because it makes me happy. Which is so so sweet. But to hear him say that it was worth it!! Gosh! That's far better than any souvenir. Putting that one in the memory bank.

But seriously, we did get matching sweatshirts. And Brendon got a stuffed Stitch!!! He looooves Lilo and Stitch! It's adorable, because I never really thought much about the movie until he saw it and loved it. And I love it because he loves it. So now we have a stuffed Stitch next to our bed, to match my Pascal. BECAUSE WE ARE CHILDREN. And I never want that to change. :)

Such a FUN day. Going for just one day kinda stinks, but it also makes it that much more special. We don't have season passes and we don't get to go for a week at a time, so we've gotta cram a lot of magic into that one day. And we did! And just thinking about how much fun we had is making me grin like a kid. I'm so glad we were able to go and I'm so glad I have a partner who will do this sort of stuff with me (and puts up with my fanaticism). AND THEN WE CAN TAKE THE SEAHORSE. I can't even. It's going to be so awesome. She's going to love it, and I can't wait to watch it all.

Congratulations to you if you made it through this post. I apologize for the length, but you can't cut corners with this kind of stuff if you're me! Here's last year's trip if you wanna check it out: California Adventure and Disneyland!

California 2015 - San Diego Zoo!

California, part three. Monday was zoo day! I think I mentioned that it rained while we were in California? Basically on and off all day Sunday and Monday. We were supposed to go to the zoo Sunday, but rain happened, so we postponed it until Monday. And rain still happened! But we went anyway and it was actually a blast. We bought cheapo parkas from CVS (my dad and Lynne came prepared with actual raincoats) and made the best of it!

I think it worked out well, because the zoo wasn't nearly as full as it would have been had the weather been nice. And there were definite periods of sunshine and warmth, so we were able to peel our rain gear off and dry for a bit before tugging it all back on. And although some animals were hiding, we still saw all the major stuff!

Pardon my terrible photos that I am sharing with you anyway because I loooove animals. I brought my big camera but was too scared to bust it out in the rain, so iPhone photos had to do. And to whoever says, "my phone takes better photos than a real camera", you are a fool. They are not better. But they will do in a pinch. 

This flamingo gave us a serious stink eye. He walked right up to the edge and followed us down his fence. I don't think he liked us much. Probably our terrible ponchos.

This is not an ad for Southwest (although, we swear by them!). The airport is right in the middle of the city, so planes were constantly zooming around us. I caught two planes in my photos.

We look fairly awful in this photo, but check out the polar bear yawning in the background! Also, holla at them ponchos. They actually did an excellent job, for being so cheesy.We stayed nice and dry underneath. We just looked like fools. Pregnant in a poncho? I felt whale-ish. Appropriate for a zoo.

REINDEER! WHERE IS SANTA!?

The pandas immediately made me think of Anchorman.

We rode the little sky tram thing, and it gives the most excellent views of the zoo. That place is huuuuge. And all those trees! It really is an amazing place. Next year the zoo celebrates it's 100th anniversary. 100 years! No wonder those trees are so big. Also, look at these cuties:

They were such good sports for toughing it out in the rain with us. I guess they're used to it as they are fishing extraordinaires and will fish it out in any condition. Next time we plan on visiting a place in the rain, we'll take a page out of their book and bring real rain gear.

Rain! We rode the tram through the zoo one way and then needed to ride it back the other way. But almost as soon as we got on for our return trip, it started pouring! That was okay though, we got to see some excellent rain covered views.

We wrapped up the day by taking the guided doubledecker bus tour around the zoo. If you're at the San Diego Zoo and are on the fence about taking the bus tour, do it! We rode on the top, thankfully the rain let up for this part and it was perfect. You see so many animals and the tour guides are great. And you go through areas you can't get to on foot! Perfect way to end the day.

Slowly but surely the big guy was drying off. I feel you, buddy!

It was a good day. Even with the rain. This was my second trip to the San Diego Zoo, but Brendon's first! He had a good time. I hope! I think the last time we went it was kinda rainy too. Nothing like this, but I distinctly remember having to wear a jacket. I was like 15 though so my memory is questionable.

This is the coolest zoo, y'all! I really haven't been to that many zoos, but this one is such a winner. And they have a Safari Park a bit out of town you can visit too! I've never done that, but it sounds intriguing. They do a lot of breeding endangered animals for releasing into the wild there. Very cool, save all the animals. One day I'd like to check that place out. If there are animals, I'm in!