Pixar Parade

This parade at California Adventure featured characters from many of Pixar's most popular movies. Miles was entranced at the sight of Lightning McQueen and Mater in real life. It was one of the highlights of the trip!

Disneyland 2009

(Tip: if you hover your mouse over the slide show you'll see the captions.)

The bulk of our trip was spent at Disneyland and California Adventure in Anaheim, CA. Miles enjoyed the rides, meeting Mickey Mouse, and spending time with the "big kids," especially the "silly girls!" He was a real trooper every day; not a single melt-down! It must truly be the happiest place on earth! The band played well, the students had fun, the weather was fantastic, and we were all sufficiently exhausted! Glad to be home.

An afternoon at Six Flags - Magic Mountain

The first day of our trip to California with the BHS Band was spent at Six Flags - Magic Mountain. While the high school students enjoyed all the thrill rides (X2, Viper, Goliath, Batman, Riddler, Superman, etc, etc), we spent time with Miles on some tamer attractions. Miles was THRILLED that there was an entire area of the park devoted to Thomas and his friends. His favorite ride was the Percy roller coaster that he rode twice all by himself. Vince did manage to go on Goliath, Batman, Riddler, and Viper. Marcy and the fetus watched.

Miles and his buddy, Nolan

Vince had to travel to Spokane for a jazz festival (By the way, they won their division!) while I was in the last week or so of working on my National Boards. While he was gone, several friends helped watch Miles so I could work on my entries.

Nolan's uncle took these pictures while they played at Nolan's house. We thought they were too cool not to share. (I especially love the title of the book!)

Spring Break!!!

It's been a big couple weeks around here....I finished and submitted my National Board entries this week. SOOOOO glad that's done. The next hurdle is a huge exam in June which covers all aspects of social studies: history, geography, political science, and economics. The main focus is on history, though, and the recommendation is to study the AP US History and World History guides. Sure. No problem. I'll get right on it.....after spring break.

We also found out about a week ago that our arrival due in August is a girl. We're pretty excited, although Vince's first comment was, "Someday she's going to be 13." Yes. Yes she is. Miles is pretty excited about having a little sister, at least in theory. We'll see what happens when reality hits this summer. For now we just need to start shortening the list of potential names. Requirements: easy to spell, easy to pronounce, no terrible history with students by the same name, and not too common but not too strange. That should make it easy. Or not.

Speaking of girls....My brother and his wife (Steve and Kara) welcomed a new baby girl last week. They are now the proud parents of 3 girls: Kalynn (13), Joella (2), and Rowyn. We're looking forward to a trip over the mountains later this week to meet her!

Our final piece of excitement...we're off to California in the morning. Vince is taking his HS band to play in Disneyland (I can't remember if this is trip #4 or #5) and Miles and I are going along. Tomorrow we'll spend the day in Magic Mountain; the following three days will all be at Disney. Miles is super excited to see where Micky lives and to meet Lightning McQueen in person. We'll definitely post some pictures as soon as we get home.