Disneyland: Today's Lesson

There's nothing like the sites, sounds and smells of the beach! Today we visited Laguna Beach and had an unexpected blast! The lesson learned today is: Trust Your Parents. The kids didn't want to go to the beach and whined and bawled driving in the car to the Newport Temple. So sneaky Wing and Melissa drove to Laguna Beach without the kids knowing where they were going and when we got there they just had to deal with a day a the beach. Torture?... NOT! Once they wiggled their little and large piggies (Parker) into the soft sand they didn't want to leave. Has anyone ever had a bad day at the beach? Not us Butlers!

Peace and relaxation. Much needed after sun up to sun down fun at Disneyland.

Covered in sand after Mama buried her. She giggled the whole time. I just love those little bum cheeks!

The day started off at the Newport Temple. Amanda and I decided to take some pics of it for our online business, My Temple Art. Isn't it beautiful?!

Disneyland: More Disney

Buffet at Big Thunder Ranch. Mmmmmm... Ribs, chicken, sausage, corn, rolls, beans! Gonna go to the Big Thunder Ranch next time we visit Disneyland too.

Watch out for scary drivers! Stay off the roads tonight.

Pumpkins and fun at Big Thunder Ranch.

Kate and I flew the Dumbo's friendly skies.

The whole day felt like Emily's smile was shining on us all day. We love Disneyland!

Disneyland: Disney Day

Gotta love the Mickey Mouse pancakes. As a kid, my parents always made sure that we got to eat the mouse. I looked forward to every year. I loved looking over the counter and watching the chief make my Mickey pancake. It was even funner to watch my kids do the same thing and enjoy each bite of the mousey goodness. Definitely a must do at Disneyland!

Sorry no Kings or Queens this trip. That darn sword wouldn't budge!

The teacups! Kate has talked about riding the teacups for weeks. One problem. No one can stand them! We all get sick! Thank goodness for Grandma Diane. She's the only adult who enjoys those whirley, twirly, hurling things! So Grandma was Kate's partner. Thanks Granny!

We just love Pooh Bear and his friends. They will always be a classic.

The Haunted Mansion was converted to Jack Skeleton's Mansion. Very cute, but I do miss when the grim grinning ghosts come out to socialize.

Disneyland: Crystal Cove

Just down the road from our suite in Newport Beach is Crystal Cove State Park. It's a collection of tide pools with little living creatures everywhere. We had so much fun exploring the different tide pools and making sand castles. The weather was just right and it was the perfect break from the hustle and bustle of Disneyland.

The Butler boys are so stinkin' handsome! (Notice the wind surfer in the background.)

Grace checking out shells. There were some huge clam shells and most of them were not broken.

Little Miss Giggles had a blast just playing in the sand and writing her name.

Wing and Grace spent most of their time making this ornate sand castle.

What a MAN! Parker loved scoping the horizon for sea life and watching the wind surfer.

Me love me daddy!

Parker and his favorite Grandma Diane. Is it painful to hug your Granny when you are a 10 year old boy? Parker's face says it is.

We ended the day eating chili at a local restaurant. So good and perfect for the whole family.

Disneyland: Princess Lunch and Red Day

Today we are a little bit crazy. We are at Disneyland on a Saturday. Insane in the membrane! But, it actually turned out to be quite a learning experience. We learned when not to go to Disneyland not only because it was on a weekend, but because of red day. Every first Saturday of October is red day. That's when the happiest place on earth becomes the gayest place on earth. And all of them wear red shirts. The park was covered with them! Even Diane wore red, but that part was funny. The red shirts chatted with mom like she was one of their own.

Today we explored Frontier Land, Adventure Land, Fantasy Land and a bit of Tomorow Land. We had so much fun taking the park at our own pace. Emmy was a trooper and smiled most of the day.

Gotta get a big turkey leg and pickle while out west. The whole family loves the turkey legs. They look gross, but are so good. Even Emmy enjoyed a bite!

Some of our favorite rides.

We ate a three course dinner at Ariel's Grotto with part of the Ellison clan. The food was great and little Princess Kate came dressed in one of her own princess dresses. Wing and I made this trip a priority because our kids are growing up so fast. Seeing Kate talk those princesses one-on-one was priceless. Ariel even remembered her name when we revisited her.

A real princess. She shines even brighter than the Disney Princesses. Watch out Prince Charming! This ones a looker!

The day was so fun that we just couldn't let it end. We spent the rest of the night in California Adventure running from ride to ride while the park was not consumed in red shirts. It was exhausting, but well worth it. We had a great time!

Disneyland: Travel Day

Today is the first day of our vacation to Disneyland! Grandma got us a time share in Newport Beach for FREE, Daddy got us flights with his rapid rewards for FREE... Who can resist such a great opportunity? We are all so excited to enjoy the sites, smells and sounds of Disney and the beach!

4 Years Old

Today is Kate's big girl four year old birthday. For the last month and a half she has woken up every morning asking if it was her birthday and then cries to the tune of: "WHY MOM? I can't wait so many days for my dirfday to come! AAAWW MAN, DANG IT!"

Kate was thrilled to bring Strawberry Shortcake "pupcakes" to preschool. The boys got stinky crayon "pupcakes" because they are boys.

Kate requested french toast with berries and ice cream for breakfast, McDonalds for lunch and chicken nuggets with mac-n-cheese for dinner. Oh, I musn't forget the Sprite! It's her favorite drink.

Kate invited our neighborhood friends, Emily and Jessica to McDonalds for lunch. It's her favorite place to play. This year was the first time that Grandma Diane got to come to one of Kate's birthday parties.

Birthday girl fun and dog pile with four little stinkers on top.

The Tinkerbell cake was a hit! Kate even let everyone have a chance to blow out the candles. This year I realized that baby Kate is not a baby anymore. She only blew her candles out twice. The last two years she has blown them out a couple dozen times. She's a big girl now!

Kate got the full collection of Barbie Musketeers from Grandma Diane because Kate asked for, "a tons and a tons of Barbies. Seriously, Grandma. A tons and a tons!" Grandma Siu Mei sent her a card with ten one dollar bills in it. Her face illustrates her excitement at being rich perfectly. Kate also got an American Girl doll to play with her big sister. Emmy just rolled and rolled in the wrapping paper. I know what she's getting for Christmas!

Happy Birthday, Kate! We love you so very much. You truly are one of a kind. Life wouldn't be as fun without your sparkling eyes and bright smile. Seriously, Kate! We love you a tons and a tons!