Wednesday, October 21, 2009

What more could we have done?

My parents came to visit for a week and we packed it full of everything we could. It was a week will never forget. Here is a picture diary of all we did.

Amy's preschool visit to the pumpkin patch just happen to be the day Grandma got in. We picked her up from the airport and went straight to G&M Farm's Pumpkin Patch. Grandma loves the Halloween and so it was a special treat for all of us to go on a hay ride, play in the hay stacks maze, corn box, and pick out pumpkins with her.

Instead of a sand box...Amy played in the corn box. Both her and I lost our shoes in the corn...luckily we found them.


Instead of hangin' at home...Rachel, my mom, and I decided to go on a road trip to L.A. and visit the American Girl Doll Store in Hollywood. It was amazing. A restaurant, museum of the historical dolls, dolls, clothes, accessories, hospital, and beauty shop. Even a place to get your doll's ears pierced.

Lunch at the American Girl Doll Cafe.

We shopped until we literally dropped. Mom and I were so confused on which doll to get Amy. I really wanted to get "Julie" but knew Amy would be disappointed with her outfit. The look alike doll that had hair like Amy's was a little to strawberry blond. We decided to be conservative and get the long blond with bangs look alike. And of course her ears pierce.
Rachel at lunch with her American Girl Doll, Megan. Oh, and her dog too.

It was Steve's idea for us to go to Disneyland. He thought since we were going to be so close to it...it was worth it, and of course it was. It was a totally different experience being there without any small children. We finally ate at Blue Bayou...the restaurant inside The Pirates of the Caribean, we windowed shopped, and enjoyed whatever ride we felt like going on. Rachel skipped Indiana Jones...which was a good move on her part. I had forgotten how intense it was. We all skipped Tower of Terror, and I once again I did not get on the Matterhorn. The highlight of the trip for Rachel was Pixie Hollow and the fairy houses and eating Chirros. Her least favorite was "It's tough to be a bug." Oh my gosh...she screamed so loud she strained her throat. For me and my mom it was spending one on one time with Rachel. She is definitely the middle child and gets looked over a lot.
It was great not having to spend so much time in lines getting autographs from Characters. But, Goofy was hard to resist in his skeleton costume.

Minnie was so cute in her orange Halloween dress...
Pixar Parade in Ca. Adventure is a must!
Always a thrill...can't say we love it, but you gotta do it.

Rachel and mom on the new Toy Story ride...very fun. We ran into an old golf buddy of my brother Jesse's in line. It is a "small world".

Rachel got her faced painted in Pixie Hollow.

After our trip to L.A., my mom and I finally got to see WICKED in San Fran! It was soooo gooood!!!!


Dad arrived on Tuesday...just in time to go to the President's Cup in San Fran. It was awesome...they said. No Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson autographs however. Not even picture, since they had to turn in all cell phones and cameras before entering the event.

Dad sported everyone shirts and hats from the tourney. Oh...and they played golf 3 times.
Played at the park with Grandpa while we waited for the soccer games to start. Always making the most of every minute.

Rachel had 3 soccer games while they were in town. Won 2...lost one. Rachel has played goalie a lot this year...something my parents have never seen play.
Making Halloween cookies are a must when grandmas in town. My kids love it...because she really lets them help. Me...I pretend. By the time we get to frosting I'm ready for it to be all over. Sad things is...if you look look closer at the cookies, they look great.

It was over far too quickly. The kids hate it when going home day comes, especially Alec. He isn't much of a huggy, touchy kid. But, when Grandma is leaving he can't get enough hugs. Thanks mom and dad for the memories!!