This is why we came home from California on Friday

 We rolled in from California at 12:00 in the morning and had to be at Case's football game at 7:30 that same morning.  This is the reason we came home from California.  This boy LOVES football.  He is dang good at football!  We love watching him play football!  Luckily Ledger's game was cancelled today so it was an easy hour.  

 Later that day, we had dinner at Smashburger and then headed to the ASU football game.  

 This little devil has totally got the "devil" hand sign down.

 GO DEVILS!

 The ASU marching band is awesome!

 Jeremy and his little devil.

 Sugar and Jim were able to meet up with us at the game which was fun.

The game was a blowout so we left during the third quarter.  It was a fun way to end our fall break.  

Balboa and Huntington

 On Friday, we got up, checked out of the hotel, and headed over to Balboa Island. We took the ferry over to Balboa which was a fun experience for all the kids.  When we got there, we ate breakfast and walked around.  Balboa was unbelievable!  Every house is DECKED for fall and Halloween.  It was so cute.  Jeremy and I are ready to move there! 

 After breakfast, we jumped back on the ferry and headed over to Huntington beach.  October is really a fun time to go to the beach because there is no one there.  The kids played and had a ball and we didn't have to stress about them.  

 The weather of course was amazing.  The water was a little more chilly then last year because California in general was cooler then last year at this time.  We didn't care...we were just thrilled to be out of the scorching heat!

 Brody had a ball playing in the water.  Jeremy and I had to laugh when later that day he was telling us a story about swimming out by the pier and how far he was away from the shore.  In all reality, this was about as far in the water he got.  

Just happy and free on fall break!

Case jumped and played all day in the water.  This boy HATES the cold so he was freezing the entire time.

 Jeremy went and got Case a football to play with in the water.  You should have seen these boys throwing the heavy wet ball.  HILARIOUS!

What is it about running away from the waves that makes the beach so fun?

 Ledger is getting so brave in his old age!  He was right out there in the water with the other 2 boys.

Why do we not live by the beach?  These boys would have a ball!

 Berkley and Jeremy built sandcastles and moats in the sand.  This girl LOVES sand and water...  Just ask her teacher Miss Jody!

 The boys even jumped in and helped with the sandcastle making.

 The dirtier the better for this girl.  You should have seen when we stripped her down at the showers before we left to go home.  I don't think there was a crack or crevice that wasn't full of sand!

 The highlight of the day had to of been when we buried all 4 kids in the sand. They LOVED this.  

 Case is the best big brother to Miss B. Love these kiddos!

After a full day at the beach, we ate dinner at Fred's and then walked down the pier to Ruby's for shakes and ice cream.  It was so freezing cold walking the pier we thought we were gonna die!  Last year we got stuck in MAJOR traffic on our way home from California.  This year we decided that we were going to leave later to avoid traffic which didn't prove to work too well.  We still got stuck for an hour in traffic and rolled into Mesa around midnight.  The kids slept the entire drive home so it worked out great.  We were all so bummed that we had to leave California.  Our quick 3 days there was so fun. Hopefully next year we can continue the tradition?

That's Right...A Whole Post On Princesses!

 I never thought I would be dedicating a whole post to princesses but here goes.  

This princess business is all new to me.  I barely know any of their names let alone what movie they came from.  While our boys were on rides that Berkley was too small to ride, her and I hunted down princesses.  It was actually kinda fun.  On Tuesday (before the pouring rain), we happened upon Merida from the movie Brave.  She was darling and had a great accent.  

 Last year when we went to Disneyland during fall break, I waited in line for over an hour to see Rapunzel in her castle.  The line did not move even an inch.  Fed up, I left and swore I would never do that again.  Well this year, we lucked out.  We just happened to be next to the castle when it opened.  We jumped in the line and were the 3rd group in. You can imagine how excited Miss B. was to FINALLY meet Rapunzel.  This is her VERY favorite princess.

When Berkley told Rapunzel that she is eating all her chicken and broccoli so that her hair would grow, Rapunzel asked her to turn around so she could show her something. She then flipped her long braided hair over Miss B.'s shoulder and said, "Look, now your hair is long." We all squealed in excitement!

Libby had made plans for the 4 of us girls to eat at Ariel's Grottel on Thursday to celebrate Jordan's 5th birthday.  We were super excited for these two girls to meet all the princesses that would come to our table while we were eating.  We were not, however, excited about the overpriced menu that consisted of fish and other foods that we could have cared less about. So we get our little darlings all dressed up in their princess outfits and head over to the restaurant.  To our surprise, the kitchen was closed and there were no meals being served that day.  The hostess explained that because we had a reservation, we could, if we wanted, stay and meet the princesses but not eat.  SCORE!  You should have seen Libby and I.  We were giddy with excitement

So we walk downstairs and there is Ariel, waiting to see the girls.  They were awe-struck.  They just stared in amazement.  Ariel was darling and let us take about 5 million pictures.  

Then we walked outside and Princess Jasmine and Princess Tiana greeted us.  They were beautiful.

Last but not least, we met with Cinderella and Belle.  I have to tell you, Cinderella was so perfect.  The way she moved her hands was so princess like.  The way she moved and talked to the girls was beyond princess-y.  It was so fun for me to watch as these two interacted with the girls.  Again, the girls could hardly talk.  They just stared and shook their heads.

Are you looking at Cinderella's hands and face.  Just elegant and pretty.

 Can you believe this?  Beautiful.  I want to move soft and beautifully like Cinderella.  Oh wait....I have 4 kids to chase around.....not gonna happen!

Do you see Belle's skin?  It was flawless!  She was gorgeous and so elegant.  Ariel's Grottel was so fun.  It was quick and personal.  Our 2 little princesses were so happy when we left.  And lucky for them, they got to eat lunch at Corn Dog Castle with their boys.  SCORE!

The Happiest Place On Earth just got happier!

 On Thursday morning we woke up and headed over to Disneyland.  While we were waiting to get in, Libby, Cory and the kids joined us for a fun day at the park.  To say our kiddos were excited would be an understatement.  

 Cute kids ready for a day of fun!

 Because Libby is a dear friend, she took Miss B. and Jordan on the tea cups while I tried to watch from the side.  Thanks Libby!

 The day was filled with all kinds of rides that we hadn't done in the past.  Case went on this fun ride to prepare him for the Tower Of Terror.  Unfortunately after dropping up and down, he decided that maybe the Tower Of Terror wasn't for him after all. He is smart like his mama and stays away from rides that make him scared and sick.

 Jeremy and Ledger waiting in line for the Woody Roundup ride.  

 Getting ready for some 3-D action.

 How cute are these crazy boys?

 Jordan and Cory ready for some fun.

 While the kids were getting the pants scared off them on the Tower Of Terror (for the first time ever), I took Berkley and Jordan over to the Playhouse Disney show.  I personally love this show because it is just sweet and fun.  These girls loved when the bubbles started falling from the ceiling.  Stay tuned as to why Berkley is wearing her Rapunzel costume.

 I love all the Disney characters that walk the streets of Disneyland.  Berkley and I were able to see many of the parades and characters being that she is too short to ride most the rides.  I don't think either of us minded...too much!

 If only Cory was strong enough to push all these crazy boys around on the stroller like this.  

 Berkley asked me to take a picture of her in front of this mural.  It is so realistic looking that you really feel like you are standing in front of this street.

 Waiting in lines at Disneyland isn't so bad when you have friends to play with.

 Getting ready for a crazy "Monsters Inc." ride.

 Lucky girl!

For dinner that night, we went to Storytellers to celebrate Jordan's 5th birthday.  Luckily Berkley got to celebrate too.  We had so much fun at Disneyland with the Giles.  The kids have a blast riding rides with them and Jeremy and I have fun laughing with Cory and Libby. This is our second year doing this during fall break, and honestly, I think we should do it EVERY year! We were so sad when the park closed and we had to go home.  Same time next year Giles family?