{ disneyland }

Ryan and I got to go to Anaheim for a marriage retreat...a trip for four days without the kids?! Yes.

(although we missed them the whole time and talked about how much they would have loved disneyland.)  :)

I love palm trees...but plam trees with holiday lights is just weird for a Nebraskan...beautiful but weird.

                                                                                 Nemo?

 Here we go! This was the first time either of us had been to a dineyland/world place. I was SO excited...Ryan was...well, not quite as excited.  :)

First we went to the California Adventure park which is right next to Disneyland and we were told had more things for adults rather than kids. Well we walked around for a long time...

 and walked some more...we actually didn't get to go on any rides on this morning. We were kind of bummed. Ummm, the lines for even dinky rides were like 90 minutes...really...90 minutes to ride something for maybe 5 minutes? No thanks. It was decided we'd come back in the evening when the lines were shorter.

We got to be there for the first night of the Holiday Parade! This was for sure my most favorite part. There was some serious Disney magic happening in that parade. And it was beautiful.  :)

These little snow men were like 4 feet tall....who was inside of them? They made me giggle. And Mickey...well he was so cute and I'm not gonna lie, I cried just a little bit when I saw him. All of my childhood dreams of seeing Mickey and getting that ooey gooey disney feeling were totally met.

Our first "ride." Watching some weird Michael Jackson video/movie from 1986 called Captain Eo in 3d. It was hilariously horrible. I couldn't stop laughing the whole time...partly because Michael Jackson fights off the evil queen by dancing and singing, and partly because Ryan's reaction to the whole thing was hilarious. This was the only thing we found that didn't have a line...and now we know why.

                                                                       it's a small world

You better belive I'm going to stand in front of Sleeping Beauty's castle and take a picture. It was breathtakingly beautiful. (another moment of me being lame 27year old stuck in my 8 year old girl mind and crying.)  :)

 Next ride: Nightmare Before Christmas...this was neat. It was like a haunted house. I've never seen this movie though, so I didn't quite understand the whole ride. But it was still fun.

 This little downtown area was also high on my list of favorites. Everything was decorated so well...it felt like we were in Europe or something.
I didn't even need the rides, just looking around at all the attractions was fun enough for me.

It was a great getaway. I wish I could have bottled up a little Disney magic and a dab of

southern California weather to bring back home with me. *sigh*

{ 6 months }

Our sweet Anna Grace:

You are already six months old. 

Time has gone too fast because it seems like just yesterday 

you were a newborn who thrived on sleep and snuggles. 

A tiny little string-bean who's little chicken legs 

were wrinkly with skin that didn't quite fit yet.

It doesn't seem that long ago that we brought you home from the hospital

 in a carseat that dwarfed you and a binky that looked enormous.

And now you're 6 months. 

You're pretty excited about it. :)

Your precious little face is almost always plastered with a grin. 

It is the sweetest grin; it makes your eyes get all squinty 

and is contagious to anyone around you.

Mommy and Daddy can't help but giggle 

when you smile cause it's just too sweet.

Sweet is exactly what you are. 

And we couldn't love you more if we tried! 

{ w. in motion }

I got a new camera...and this is my favorite thing about it:

FAST shutter speed. 

Being able to capture a moment the moment it happens.

amazing.

So little moments like Will running in the park are as 

delightful in photos as they were when they happened. 

{ halloween }

Will the Pirate

Once upon a time there was a little pirate in search of treasure.

(sniff sniff)

This little pirate had a nose for candy...and emphatically exclaimed:

"ME WANT CANDEEEEE! aaaarrrrrg."

So he began his search for the candy treasure.

 

The little pirate was discouraged and weary, 

for the precious treasure had not yet been found.

But this wee pirate did not give up easily.

Courageously he pressed on, for in his heart he knew 

he would find the sweet treasure he so desperately craved. 

Alas!  Treasure!!! 

 The little pirate found his treasure, gobbled it up and lived happily ever after.

The End

aarrrrg!

{ huskergirl }

This is what Anna Grace sports for game days. 

Probably the cutest thing ever.

I dare you to not smile when you look at these pictures...

....it's impossible...

You're smiling aren't you?  :)