And Some More Disneyland

When I look back at this trip to Disneyland, what I want to remember the most was how amazing all of the kids were at sticking together and having a great time. The teenagers, especially, were so impressive. They stuck with us as we worked slowly through the park negotiating babies and toddlers, strollers and diapers. For the adults, figuring out where to go and how to get everybody to each place was time consuming and difficult ... but worth it ... and we couldn't have had nearly the success if we had any grumpy or moody teenagers. These kids were awesome and helpful and just plain fun to be with. I have the best nieces and nephews!

Mary and Marie were fast friends and quickly became inseparable, not only at Disneyland but through the entire reunion. I have always been concerned that Marie doesn't have any cousins within a year of her age in either direction. It appears the two year age difference doesn't mean a thing.

This family of mine makes me the craziest and the happiest I have ever been. I love all these fabulous people, both for the "crazy -ies" and the "happy-ies".

The two "M"s ride the Teacups with Grandma.

Anne strongly expresses her opinion of the Teacups.

I make a valiant effort at a group photo. I forgot to kid the kids in on the valiant effort part.

 Nap time! I took a break from the rides to hang out with all the littles. I can't say I minded it one bit.

Autopia. One of my favorite rides at Disneyland. Maybe because it lasts more than 30 seconds?

Haha! I love the interaction between William and Marie in this picture.

David (old) and Ethan (7)

Joshua (12) and William (7)

Tanya (young and beautiful)

Marie (5) and Mommy (29... again)

Genni (young and beautiful) and Mary (7)

Jayna (12) and Audrey (4)

Kaitlyn (9) and Emma (10)

 Samuel (18 months), Mommy (still 29) and Jocelyn (3)

Three cheers for the happiest place on earth!

More Disneyland

We did a lot of swapping and negotiating to get through the day with so many kids in such an age range. I was impressed at how well it went. These pictures of the grandkids at Pooh's corner are right after all the big kids had just finished riding Splash Mountain.

 Speaking of magical ... this series of pictures are pretty much some of my favorite pictures ever. 

California Reunion: Day Five: Disneyland

Day five found us at Disneyland with almost the entire crew. Rachel and her girls flew in that morning and met us there. We were so sad that Stephen, Alisha, and Naomi weren't in town yet and that Becca and Sara couldn't get work off. 
Meeting the Princesses

Absolute number one on my agenda for Disneyland was taking the girls to see the princesses. The window of opportunity for this experience to be truly magical is very small. Case in point, the two older girls, Kaitlyn and Emma, had no interest in this excursion and Mary, the 7 year old, was reassuring us that they aren't really the princesses. Anne and Marie were at the perfect age this summer and they did not disappoint, especially Anne. Say what you will, roll your eyes, mumble about commercialism, but then look at these darling pictures and your heart will be melted.

Just so darn stinkin' cute. I have the most beautiful daughters and nieces ever. True story.

California Reunion: July: Day Four

Where is day three, you ask? We have a video from a Family Home Evening that the older cousins organized and ran. That video is currently on an external hard drive that is MIA. Pray that we will find it, please? I don't believe that it is gone forever, but neither of us (Brandon and me) have any recollection of where we might have put it away when we got home from our trip.

On to day four ...

  AnNE's BirTHdAy!!

The day began at Lemon Park's splash pad. The kids happily played while we waited for the water to turn on. We are used to our local splash pad that is on all day in the summer here, so we arrived 30 minutes too early.

Once it turned on they got wet, but didn't last very long because a day camp of kids came and there were just WAY too many kids running around.

Isn't it grand that there was a library just a walk away? Grandma walked over with Christian and Jayna and brought back some good reads.

It was the highlight of the morning. Boy am I glad we went through all of the trouble of sun-screening them up so they could read in the shade at the park. {eye roll}

A love for reading is definitely instilled in all of the Pulsipher grandchildren. It is wonderful.

Lunch at In N Out followed our morning at the park.

The birthday girl: feeling especially content now that she had a burger in her belly, stickers on the table, and a cold drink to wet her mouth.

Clockwise around the table: Christian, Grandma, Kaitlyn, Brandon, Samuel, William, Jayna, Marie, and Audrey. 

Anne and Audrey. A year apart in age, but boy did they become fast friends. And this picture starts the next part of the crazy busy birthday. That evening we hauled the grill over to the HOA park and had a picnic. The kids had been swimming through the afternoon.

Yes, I snapped this picture during the prayer. I loved that Samuel was sitting still on the bench, eagerly anticipating whatever foods we would throw in front of him.

Audrey (4)

Kaitlyn (9) and Emma (10)

Hey Brandon, he's stealing your cake while you smile for the camera! Hehe.

When the party was over we used a stray shopping cart to walk a bunch of items back to G&G's house. It was fantastic. I love my man and the things he'll do to for his family.

Present opening happened after baths and jammies.

 She was pretty excited about having a castle to play with her princesses in.

 And the Dr. kit was the hit of the night.

 Our ear infection girl knows a thing or two about having her ears checked.

 Her Aunt Becca can relate. These two have such a wonderful bond.

 Grandma's blood pressure is looking good!

And apparently, Kaitlyn needed a shot ... in her mouth.

Such a crazy, busy, fun day celebrating our Anne. I was exhausted by the end of the day, but grateful to be able to celebrate my baby girl with so much of my family.

HApPy BiRthDay AnNe-GiRL!