It's been a busy couple of months with Siena playing basketball and Mason playing indoor soccer. Each weekend is filled with games and piano lessons. Both kids are getting a lot better at their respective sports. Siena seemed to really take to hoops. By her last game, she was playing with a toughness and intensity that I didn't know she had in her.
Plus she looks so cute in her basketball shorts and Nikes.
Here's the baller after her last game. Unfortunately, her team didn't get any wins this season but they improved and had fun. At this age, that's all that matters.
At the post game party, Siena got her medal from Coach Stan.
The Sunday before spring break, we had a fun weekend with the Cruzes celebrating Joel's birthday. The kids, and Gloria, got to go to their first Winterhawks game. Despite not knowing much about hockey, we all had a great time and the kids were asking when they could go again.
Thanks to my need for 40 CPE hours and the corresponding training falling the week of the kids' spring break, we got to go to Los Angeles!
We timed the trip so that we could have 5 days of family fun before my conference. The park marathon started out Thursday morning at Universal Studios Hollywood.
On the red carpet.
Springfield Kwik-E-Mart...straight from the Simpsons.
Gorgeous view of Hollywood.
On the tram, ready for the Studio tour. This was our favorite part of Universal.
I've seen it a few times, but I love catching site of the courthouse from Back to the Future, minus the famous clock.
Siena with the flood coming.
Unfortunately my camera battery died halfway through this day but I was back and charged up for Friday at the Happiest Place on Earth...Disneyland!!
In front of Cinderella's castle.
First ride of the day...Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.
Mason and Luis at the end of the ride. Even the smaller rides at Disney are fun.
Selfie from Dumbo.
Are these kids happy or what.
The wild monkeys on the circus train.
Family carousel ride.
If you time It's a Small World right, you can get the whole boat to yourself! Caution, that encourages lots of singing from me and Siena.
The boys on Roger Rabbit.
Kids in jail. It was inevitable.
Toontown was pretty cute. Good thing we had a chance to watch the movie with the kids a couple of months ago.
In line for Big Thunder Railroad which would soon become Mason's favorite ride of all.
The unfortunate part of going to Disney during spring break is that a lot of time was spent in line.
Mason sometimes gets nervous about rides, but he's got this one.
Siena is always cool as a cucumber.
Checking out Tarzan's area.
Mason behind the wheel at Autopia.
Siena was my chauffeur. She rocked it (I may still have some whiplash though...)
All day long this girl talked about churos. She finally got one for dessert. Of course the kids needed mouse ears too.
California Adventure has the recently opened Radiator Springs from the Cars movie. It was awesome! Cars has been a favorite movie of the kids since they were little and they loved Radiator Springs.
Famous Radiator Springs sign.
Stanley statue.
In line for Radiator Springs Racers. This is the most popular ride at Disney. You've gotta grab a fast pass immediately upon arriving at the park and if the standby line isn't too bad, jump on in as well. It's worth it!
The line is at least cute...despite the old timey country music playing the whole time.
Siblings getting along well in line...
...can't you tell?
Lunch at Flo's V8 cafe...finest fuel on Route 66!
Leave it to Disney to design Radiator Springs perfectly. It felt like we were part of the Cars world.
Look what I caught!
The Tower of Terror drop Daddy style.
Standing in line is much more tolerable when you have candy to eat...
The ferris wheel at California Adventure is huge!
Here we go...swinging car and all!
The view from the ferris wheel was fantastic!
Unfortunately my favorite ride from Disney was closed the whole time we were there...Tower of Terror. It still looked impressive.
Kids riding solo on some smaller rides in Bugs Life land.
Hollywood Disney style.
Who likes cotton candy!?!
California Adventure at sunset. Luis and I both loved the roller coaster (California Screamin'). We didn't make the kids do this one, though they could have had they wanted to. We figured an upside down loop might be a bit much for them.
We missed the Frozen sing-a-long but at least got to play in some real snow at Olaf's!
Catching some flakes!
Eating some flakes!
The kids loved the Wilderness Ranger area of California Adventure. There was a rock wall, cargo nets, and this "bravery" test.
Radiator Springs at night. The picture doesn't do it justice...it was beautiful. Note that this was the only time either kid needed a piggy back. We had some long tiring days but they really didn't complain and did awesome!
On Sunday we took a break from the world of Disney and drove down to San Diego to visit Sea World. I had never been to either San Diego or Sea World so I was experiencing it first hand just like the kids.
This flamingo came right over to say hi.
Bruce the scary shark.
Wouldn't want to get caught in those shark teeth!
Seal is checking us out just like we're checking him out.
On the gondola ride over the bay.
Mason with the harbor in the background.
Mason is apparently interacting with a plant (we were waiting for someone in the bathroom).
Waiting for the pet show to begin. We saw 3 shows at Sea World...all of which were great! I especially liked the Killer Whale show. Fascinating.
Monday brought us back to Disney where we met up with Siena's friend Emerson and family. (Emerson's mom Rene is also Siena's piano teacher).
The kids also got to meet the one and only Tow-Mater!!!
Mason and Siena with Emerson and Rene on the ferris wheel. The rest of us adults had just hit up California Screamin' again.
Luis chillin' on the pier.
Back over to Disneyland after lunch to go on some of our favorite rides again including Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Monday was probably the most crowded day of all of our park days. It was fine though, we got to do everything we wanted to.
I've also got some super good and patient kids who just rolled with it.
In line for Pirates of the Caribbean. It may have scared me to tears when I was 4, but it's a ton of fun now!
On Tuesday I had to go back to work but Luis and the kids had one more day of vacation and hit the beach...Santa Monica to be exact.
It was a beautiful day with blue skies and palm trees.
These kids love playing in the water and at the beach!
Doesn't look super warm but I can guarantee it's warmer than the Oregon coast.
Rocking a wave...
Playing on the beach may be Siena's favorite thing ever.
After my class for the day, we headed to Venice beach for dinner. Venice beach was an experience. The beach was nice and the street art was amazing...I could do without most of the rest of it though.
Us with the craziness behind us.
Luis and the kids headed back home Wednesday morning and I followed Friday after my conference. It was truly a fun and memorable spring break for all of us.
