Easter Weekend

Last Thursday, we flew to SLC to visit all of our family we haven't seen in a long time! Maddie immediately started cooking with grandma! And, what could be better than homemade jam!

Besties!

We then visited our cute little nephews... they make look tame here, but these twins are so active. Bless their parents- I don't know that I could do it. If you are with one, the other one is taking off in the other direction!!!

The other very cute half!! I can't believe how much each takes after each parent.

Then headed off to eat with my dad!! Maddie fell asleep behind my dad- so tired! We all left at 4 in the morning to catch a 6:20 flight. Exhausting!! This dessert is sooooo yummy.

Later on, we headed off to see our cousins (same age as Em and Maddie). They just had another baby- who is so super cute. The kids just took off and had a blast with eachother- and left us to catch up and hold that new baby!!

A trip wouldn't be complete without everyone ganging up on Steve...

For dinner, we hit a local Mexican market- super yummy! These guys were having so much fun with eachother.

Then, after 75 degrees, it snows! Growing up in Utah is like this in the Spring- first it's warm, then it snows, and then gets warm again. It is so weird... but can be super fun if you want to catch some random sledding in!! Since these guys don't really play in the snow, they were loving every minute of it!

Nothing better than Steve sledding...

Love these faces :)

Then off to see our other little nephew- who is the cutest little redhead!! (well, time will tell, but my bets are with the red). This little guy is adorable.

The new mom!!!

No time to lose! We then headed off to the new CityCreek Mall complex that was just built in downtown SLC. My uncle/aunt/cousins who live in Mexico City were in SLC skiing, so it was so great to catch up with them. We shopped, we ate... by the end of this day, we were all ready to pass out!!

Easter morning, we got the whole family together... this is our other adorable niece... just want to steal her!!

The crazy cousins "eating" breakfast. Always "swedish pancakes," which are sort of crepes, but still delicious :)

And, then off to the races. Emi was hesitant, but then got the hang of it. Maddie in the background with a basket on her head??

This one is quick. At preschool, all of the other kids were sad that she got to the Easter eggs first. The teacher had to ask her to share since she had them all!!

The cousins are growing!!!

Grandma had a super fun game with Golden Tickets...

These kids were just 2 years old? Crazy. They had a sleep over the night before- where they watched Dennis the Menace, and played games, told scary stories, had pillow fights! I'm so glad they had so much fun!

A little bunny...

Emi loved being around Grandma! She was her little shadow, sewing, cooking, reading, taking baths, playing in the backyard. She definitely didn't want to come home. When we did finally get back to California, she wanted to go back to Grandmas house !!

Our nephew and niece... so so young!! I loved holding these two when we could. I would have tons of these minus the sleep deprivation!

Last, but certainly not least, Steve's grandmother passed away while we were there. This was a minor blessing, as we were able to spend a couple of moments with her. The funeral will be next weekend, and Steve will fly back for a day. Unfortunately, flights to SLC are more expensive than flying to NYC... we need a plane.

Hello Kitty, All Emi and The Beach

Once upon a time in January, we threw a birthday party for EMI! She is a Hello Kitty Lover, so we had no problem thinking about what theme we would have :) We made these yummy cupcakes...

And then hatched a game involving Hello Kitty being kidnapped by a horrible monster, and all of the kids following a map and getting clues/points to find out where the monster was... The kids had tons of fun! But, I couldn't take pictures since my hands were full... boo!

But we did take tons of pics of Emi before her party. This is what she chose to wear!! Whoo hoo!

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Pose #8. Couldn't edit any of them. She is just that cute- and we love her so much. Happy Birthday our dear Emilie !!!Somewhere around Feb-March, we went to the beach!! Yet one of the many reasons why we love California!!

Aside from chillaxin, there was an awesome sting ray that beached itself next to our spot... it was super cool- I mean, not for him/her, but you kind of forget how big animals can get! Ah! I'm glad I wasn't swimming in the ocean by that :)

My darling girlies.

Emi has been Steve's little sidekick lately! I have been a little jealous, I won't lie- but they are super cute together. Steve is the best dad.

The Happiest Place on Earth

Both Steve and Emi celebrated their birthdays a week apart from eachother, so we decided to celebrate in Disneyland... and we had the greatest time EVER. Last time we went to "Disneyland," it was in Paris, and it was HORRIBLE because we went during the craziest busiest time of year, it was hot, and we just didn't plan well enough.

So, we decided that if we were going to do it again, it was going to be planned out- and we were going during the low season. It completely paid off. I seriously want to go back... it was so.much.fun.

This is what saved us- the "unofficial guide" to disneyland. We followed it to the sentence, and it was right every time. We never waited more than 15 minutes to get on a ride (except some in California Adventure that just don't have fast passes and are crazy crowded).

This is us waiting in line. At first, I was getting nervous because we didn't get in the "magical hour" where some people get in 1 hour before us, but it worked out perfectly... because magical hour people get into the futureland part, not the rest of the park... which let us be the first to Adventureland etc... we WALKED right on to splash mountain, pirates of the carribean, the haunted mansion. It was amazing. Even Maddie rode splash mountain!!

Emi and I waited after Winnie the Pooh (her favorite ride)...

A very happy girl.

The walk out of splash mountain. It was scary for sure- but she rode it twice!!

While Maddie/Steve went to Indiana Jones, Emi and I wandered around...

Sang? Goofed around...

Saw an awesome pirate show...

Loved this guy.

Watched people ride Jungle Cruise.

And then LUNCH! I've never seen them eat such big corn dogs in my life.

The were super hungry and super happy.

Off to the jungle cruise...

Our operator was so sarcastic, but made it hilarious...

Took the train to ToonTown. I think this is Goofy's house?

Hanging out.

They have some fun playhouses here. (But, everything considering, toontown isn't my super favorite for some reason.)

Off to Autopia. Maddie loved this- she loves everything driving.

We caught a little bit of the Jedi Training Academy- the cutest thing- these kids were awesome. Since my kids don't really watch Star Wars yet, they didn't really get it, but this is the best idea.

We then watched Captain EO- Hilarious and a classic. Maddie rode Space Mountain with me!!! It was awesome :) And, then the parade. Disney really knows how to do parades- it was amazing. Emi said "that was really good."

I wish I could say the kids passed out- but no! I passed out- and Steve took Maddie swimming when we got back to our hotel? This girl has energy :)

The next day we hit Fantasyland- which is one of my favorites. Here they are holding the feathers that make you fly before riding Dumbo.

My cuties.

The canal boats.

Emi loved the train.

Well, maybe not in this picture- but she really loved it.

Off to Tom Sawyer's island... super fun to let off some steam after we hit Big Thunder Railroad- which Maddie also rode twice!!

Love the performers everywhere we went.

These guys tossed Emi/Maddie bead necklaces.

Since we rode every ride at Disneyland (except Nemo), we decided to get some strollers and head into California Adventure. Saw these guys on our way out.

Ha! Emi didn't want to ride with Steve on this one... oh well.

We hit the "key to do" rides here, and it was amazing. First, we saw the "Bugs Life" show, which was seriously awesome... the special effects freaked me out (I won't spoil).

Then, we headed to Aladin- which was Broadway material- we were very very impressed. If you ever go- go to this. Don't miss it.

We didn't think the singers voices were real- but yes, they were. They were so.good. The kids LOVED this- especially the Geni who's jokes were hilarious.

Just some toys...

We loved the idea of this... but it was going to take too long before our dinner at Ariel's grotto. We bought a dinner package so we could get better seats for the night performance of World of Color. It was actually really good- and every restaurant is so accomodating to gluten allergies! They even brought me gluten free bread. Heaven.

These guys were awesome.

Emi having a good time with her piece of gum (which she can't figure out yet- only chews and then swallows.)

Maddie loves these swings.

And I love this girl!

The world of Color show was awesome- of course out of control throw in the kitchen sing disney show. For some reason, I missed the simple Bellagio performance... it was just too much.

After the show, we rode Ariel's underwater ride, and did the Grizzly water rafting ride (kind of a mistake because Maddie and I got soaked) which made us very cold, but it was the end of an amazing trip.

We bought some disney shirts, some disney lolipops, and hit the hot tub at our hotel. We seriously did not want to go home.

When can we go back???