Disney Land!

A couple of weeks ago I was able to take a couple of days off school and go to Disney land with my good friend Hillary. On Tuesday after class I hopped in my car and headed south. I stopped and picked up Hillary in Paso and we headed further south. We arrived in LA around 9:30 and stayed at Hillary's cousins house for the night They were amazing hosts and we felt right at home! We slept for a few hours and were up and running early the next morning so excited. When we arrived at the park and headed straight for Tomorrow land to get in some of the big rides before things got too busy. Our first ride was the Buzz lightyear ride. Here we are waiting in line.

Here we are on the matter horn! This is one of the funnest rides to scream on since everyone can hear you since you're out in the open most of the time.

Here we are with the Matterhorn in the background. I think this was my favorite ride this time.

Here we are eating at the Pizza planet. Yummy!

Ready to go on it's a small world! They just recently re-opened it after re-doing it, it has some really fun new surprises!

I had to take a pic with the "late" rabbit...since well those of you who know me know how this fits me well.

Here we are riding big thunder mountain!

Tasting the Honey at pooh corner...yummy.

Goodness Hill, cant you read, it says do not pull rope!

Here I am with the famous Sleeping beauty castle.

Here's Hillary with the castle, lovely!

We rode rides all day and we hardly had to wait in line at all! It was a great day and were worn out by the time we headed down main street and out of the park.

After a good nights sleep we headed out for day two of Disney fun!

For day two we started out at California adventure where we especially enjoyed the new Toy story ride and lunch of broccoli Cheddar soup in bread bowl. Yummy!

That afternoon we went to Disney land and met up with Hills brother, her cousin, and her cousins girls...while we were waiting for them we got some yummy ice cream (I got pineapple sorbet) and waited on a main street porch and people watched.

They have a new place called fairy hollow where you wait in line and get to take pics with 2 fairies....so not worth it in my opinion but the girls loved it! Here they are with Tinkerbell! We rode rides with them for the rest of the day, it was extra fun to be at disney land with kids, they were so excited. After another good nights rest and a yummy breakfast we headed home.

On the way back we ran into a rainstorm but as we got closer the weather cleared and the beautiful place we call home emerged! I love living in California. It was such a relaxing and fun trip and so worth it!

Words about ME!

Ok so this is a idea I am copying from a friends blog (she did this same thing) Check it out if you want http://www.ifyoufindyourself.blogspot.com/ (thanks for the idea buddy I thought it was lots of fun!). I asked my mother last night what words she would use to describe me if she were making a word search about me. Here was her list:
Dedicated
Beautiful
Thoughtful
Best Friend
Honda Civic
Wicked
OT
Samuel Merritt
Beach
Disney Land
New York
Waffles
Ok now it's your (as the reader) turn, what words would you add to the list about me? What words would your mother write about you?

Alcatraz with Mom!

My Mom came to visit me this weekend! Since I've never been to Alcatraz I decided to put to put my birthday money to use and make a day of it. Here's my Mom and I on the ferry headed over the island.

We passed the lovely bay bridge on the way.

Here I am excited about our approach to the island.

After taking the exciting "spies and villains tour" and watching the orientation video we were ready for our audio tour of the cell house. Here is a photo of one of the cells...so tiny. It certainly would be a punishment to live your life in there.

Here's my Mom, behind bars. So sad.

Here I am in solitary confinement...I look scary. Solitary confinement makes you crazy.

My cute mom listening to the audio tour.

The gorgeous golden gate from the island.

You wouldn't expect it but "the rock", as Alcatraz is know, actually has some beautiful plant life. Families of prison guards use to live on the island.

Here I am enjoying the beauty of the bay during a break from the tour.

My Mom and I with SF in the background.

My Mom and I at the end of our tour! It was a great place to visit full of very interesting history.

Gorgeous view across the bay from the dock area.

Saying good-bye to Alcatraz!

Headed back to the city and freedom after a great day!

Chinese New Year parade!

Last night since we were already in SF we decided to attend the Chinese New Year parade in downtown SF.

Here we are enjoying ourselves!

They had a bunch of these great dragons with like 15 people holding them up and running round under them. I picked this pick to include because it also featured these women who were dressed with leather, studded bands on their wrists...I'm not sure why...there outfits were weird but funny.

Theses girls were twirling their umbrellas and dancing, so cute.

One of the highlights of the parade was the old people bands. This one was called "Getta life" and there catch line was "we eat better than we play" It was great. This old lady was one of the baton twirlers.....

the whole band was made up of people from about 40 to about 75!

This float was super cute too! This guy kept closing the door which said "fine gold" and then opening it up and inside was this adorable little girl!

The people dressed as animals and walking on stilts were a big hit too.

I loved the kids dancing with fans.

Near the end of the parade came a bunch of little kids dressed as cows. This one stood right in front of us and shook his booty. It was hilarious! It was a great parade and very entertaining.

You would think I have a kid (Matthew's birthday)!

This past weekend was my brothers birthday so the whole family (minus Brianna who was sorely missed) met up at our home sweet home to celebrate. Here's Matthew with his little boy Adden, he loves his Daddy!

Here I am hanging out with Adden, so cute! He's such a big boy now and loves to play and just chill out.

Here's my Dad hanging out on the porch after dinner with his 2 boys Adden and Tuffy!

Great Grandma Dona and Adden had fun hanging out at Matthew's birthday party.

Adden loves to be tickled by grandma!

Here's Adden hanging out and playing with his puppy/blanket instead of taking a nap like he's supposed to.

I spent time hanging out with Kathy (my sister-in-law Carrie's little sis) and we had a great time! She always makes me laugh.

Adden, Dad, Matthew, and I enjoying the evening on the Ranch.

When it was time for cake it took 3 people to light all the candles.

We all sang happy birthday and Matthew was able to blow out all of the candles in one breath!

The next day we had a family birthday party at Grandma's house. Adden was passed around and had fun hanging out with everyone. He started to get a little fussy while Aunt Lynn was holding him so...

cousin Sadie entertained and Adden Loved it!

By Sunday evening when it was time for him to leave Adden was still smiling! What a good boy. It was a great weekend.

My Birthday!

My birthday celebration started last Friday when a package arrived from my sister Brianna full of birthday surprises. Then I went home last weekend to celebrate all weekend! On Saturday my Mom made french toast for breakfast. Yum! Later we went to see "bride wars". Fun movie about BFF's. Then we went home for a yummy bbq dinner. Later I had a few of my friends over for a girls nights/birthday party. First we did karaoke. Here I am belting out "Earl had to die" by dixie chicks.

Here are all the girls: Myriah, Hillary, Me, and Jana! So much fun!

My sis and my cousin Sadie were also there! Fun, fun.

Here's our dinning room all decorated for my birthday party.

Sunday morning I woke up to a beautiful birthday! After church and wonderful Sunday nap I opened presents. My fav. gift was a quilt my Mom made me!

After a yummy birthday dinner of tacos we had cake. Here I am with my birthday cake (ice cream cake made with soy cream). Yummy! For all you lacto's out the trader joe's soy cream is delicious tastes really close to real ice cream (my sister Callie didn't think it was quite there).

My friend Hillary came to join us for dinner and cake. Fun, Fun. Then I had to head back to Oakland and school.

I decided to continue the celebration all week. On Tuesday I went to dinner with some friends with school (sorry no pics) and had some amazing Mexican food. On Wednesday I went with friends from church and my roomies to dinner. Here we are at a wonder Chinese restaurant in Berkeley. So much fun.

After dinner we went to get gelato. Here I am with my friend Allison and my roommate Taryn. It's been a wonderful birthday week.