Its a Small World Afterall....

June 9-14, 2010 marked the Erickson Family's one and only trip to Disneyland...this year. 

Yes, its sad but true that we will only be able to do a family trip to D-land once this year due to other plans that will take all our time (and money) this year. 

So the first day I flew in with Braiden and Paige and we spent a day at Disneyland and then the next day we caught a bus to SeaWorld.  SeaWorld is pretty fun but also pretty pricey for what you get if you ask me...however; the kids always love it.  There is something about smelly fish and giant sea mammals that amazes them.  So...its all about them anyway, right?

The first day we spent at Disneyland, we ran into out neighbor friends, the Webbs, so we hung out with them the rest of the say and had a great time!  Little Riley Webb and Paige are little buddies and had a blast together.  We saw the Fairy Godmother, Mary Poppins, Jasmine and Aladdin, ate turkey legs and had a great time!

Eric got there the second day with Cameron and we stayed for 3 more days at Disneyland. 

This year seemed to be different for Cameron.  He is getting to the age where he is super excited about Disney and all it has to offer for little people like him.  We bought the Disneyland Soundtrack not too long ago which the kids love listening to so they know every song. 

Cameron Loved Pirates of the Caribbean and The Monster's Inc Adventure the most...he is most definitely a boy!  He sang all the way through It's a Small World and Loved every second of the Teacups (ugh).

So something I learned this go 'round with Disneyland?   Never go when there is some major attraction or show making its debut there.  The World of Color show at California Adventure had its opening night (which we did not get to see due to the disgusting wait times) while we were there.  The place was crazy...even for me and I am pretty tolerant of Disney crowds. 

We ended up spending alot of time at the Paradise Pier Hotel where we stayed and hang out by the pool alot.  It was fun and as always, worth it.

Till next time (that would be September for me when I return to run the Disneyland Half Marathon with Bonnie and Whitney...in case you were wondering)!

Salt Lake City Half Marathon- April 17, 2010

April 17th 2010 marked the day of another bout if insanity for me...I ran my second Half Marathon in Salt Lake City.

It was a gorgeous day and I had all my favorite people waiting for me at the finish line. 

The other good news is that I survived the race, it wasn't as hard as the first one and I shaved almost 25 minutes off my time from the first race!  Yeah!! 

Next up? The Disneyland Half Marathon Labor Day Weekend 2010!

One of many visits to St. George

                                                          These posts are a little out of sequence but I am posting as I come across pictures of stuff we have done...How else will I ever remember?   In April we made the trek to our favorite weekend get-away St. George, UT where my grandma resides.  We spent the weekend with her just pretty-much doing nothing which is exactly what we love doing when we go there...nothing is bliss sometimes.  We swim, we watch movies, we talk and talk with Grandma, and of course we eat. 

We always make it a point to either very clearly point out the St George temple or actually go and see it.  It really a gorgeous place and this particular day there was a bride out front.  Paige was in awe of the Princess-like girl.  She always tells me how she will get married there someday...but she "doesn't want marry Cameron...cause he is my brother!  EW!."  Aw, from the mouths of babes...

I love my sweet grandma so much.  Since my grandfather passed away (2 years ago) she has been doing so well to keep herself busy with friends and substitute teaching and her little dog (which is more like a baby, by the way).  But I can always tell that the sparkle in her eye has dimmed and it comes back whenever we reminisce about Grandpa.  We all miss him alot but I can't even imagine how she misses him after spending 54 years with him.

We always make sure to wave good-bye to Grandma as we leave and she always waits for us to drive away before going back in.  Whenever we leave her I cant help but wonder if this will be the last time we see her.  This is how I will always remember her when I can't go see her anymore...waving good-bye with her sweet smile and knowing she loves us and will be here, waiting for us when we come back.

#1 is 11! Let's go to Disneyland!

Braiden had an awesome birthday if I do say so myself.  He turned 11 on May 20th. Yikes!  I have said it before and I will say it again...am I old enough to have an 11 year old??  I'll never tell.

We had the good old family get-together for cake and presents and stuff as this year Braiden opted for a Mom trip to D-Land rather than a birthday party. Oh he still ended up with a friend trip (7 boys!) to the movie theater to see ShreK 4  and a very rowdy sleep-over, but no party...right.

Over Memorial Day weekend, Braiden and I took a whirl wind trip to California and went to the Happiest Place on Earth.  We had a good time just laughing and listening to music and hanging out.  These trips are the best for Braiden and I as we don't get 1 on 1 time so these are memories I, and hopefully he, will treasure forever.  I just hope that when he is 16 he will still want to take trips with me.

Washed out Random-Ness!

I was messing around with my camera at a family gathering not long ago and decided I really like these washed-out
pics I got by sticking the camera in everyones faces.


Can you tell who they are??