Troy and Melissa's Movie Trailer

Welcome to the Happiest Place on Earth

We made it to Disneyland. Mike and Melissa are watching as the boys are on a ride in California Adventure.

Troy and Morgan on California Screamin. Boston and Morgan were able to go on it two times. We could not wipe the smile off their faces.

The scariest and fastest ride, and we are all smiling. We lived through it.

This is our favorite place for a picture. Same background, same people, a great place to be with someone you love, huh Mike.

They moved the cars again, waiting for the exhibit to be built.
So cute of the boys together. I think Trey was having a nap.

Nixon wanted to try on this goofy hat, so Boston and I tried hats on too. Mine is the turkey leg hat, Boston has Mickey Mouse's hat.

Cute picture of Melissa and the boys waiting in line for Winnie the Pooh ride. Mike, Natalie and I had just come from Murrieta. Troy and the family had spent the night a block from Disneyland so the boys would not have to drive so far.

Natalie brought donuts from home for the kids, and they gobbled them up. It was a nice, fresh morning.

We all enjoyed the donuts.

Trey and Addelyn were asleep. So Troy and Melissa took time to have something to eat.

Trey loved riding the train. He saw dinosauers and volcanoes.

The train ride was a good rest for all of us.

Waiting in line for the Small World ride. So many people here because of Presidents Day weekend. The kids always had smiles on their faces. It was getting cold as the sun went down.

Natalie is the photographer and caught the kids as they were in the boat on their way to the Small World.

Addelyn was able to sleep. She will never remember she was at the Happiest Place on Earth when she was three weeks old. But she will be going home to her happiest place on earth with her big brothers.

It has been a fun weekend. The lines were long, but the memories were priceless. Saturday night as we were getting ready to leave the live bands were playing music in the Hollywood area, we stood outside and watched people dance the robot dance. Morgan and Boston watched carefully and began dancing and laughing. I think I loved that the most - just watching them love the atmosphere. I think they could have danced all night. Time goes by too fast when you are having a good time.

This is priceless of Trey on the Jungle Cruise as he sees the animals. An elephant even sprayed him. Morgan said," California Screamin was the craziest ride ever...the Tower of Terror was awesome, the best ride ever." Boston said,"California Screamin was awesome. The fireworks, lights and music were great." We loved watching his eyes light up with all that he saw. Nixon loved," Thunder Mountain, Indiana Jones and Splash Mountain. But I really got wet in that ride." Trey just had fun with the rides he went on and was excited when the boys were excited.

We always tried to catch everyone together as we walked along for pictures. You know that Natalie was holding Addelyn.

This is Thunder Mountain. Natalie captures great pictures. As always the time goes by too fast and there is always more to see and do. But in two days we did a lot at Disneyland. It has been fun for all of us to be with Troy and Melissa as they played and made great memories.

Great shot Natalie. Thanks for the pictures. We sure did have fun. Thanks to Gavin and Natalie for being the Marriott Hotel. You make all of our trips fun.

Troy and Melissa's Adventure to California

We were so excited to hear that Troy and Melissa could come for a break and bring their boys and new baby, Addelyn. While we were waiting for Melissa and Natalie to get ready for the morning, we brought the kids to play at Natalie's playground, near her swimming pool. It was a nice warm day. Just like you would expect in California.

Troy is showing Morgan how the flip was done when he was a kid.

Trey and Troy were playing imaginary basketball. He could slam dunk with a little help.

My favorite place at the mall, sun shining and music in the background. The kids loved it, after they could see they didn't have to travel too far. I think they were pretty tired after driving here. They spent the night at Mesquite.

This is our pool at our apartment. It is a heated pool, so the kids were really loving it. I forgot to mention Gavin and Natalie had us all over for steak and lobster dinner. Yes, this Natalie is a Betty and follows all the directions. She uses all of her gadgets making our meal so delicious. We can't make fun of her anymore.

Addelyn and Grandpa enjoying the sunshine as the kids keep swimming. If she only knew what she was missing. Grandpa is loving holding this pretty little girl.

The hot tub was really hot. Morgan and Trey are cooling off before getting back in again. It is nice to see the love between all of the boys. They are so good to each other.

We drove to Oceanside. Morgan and Boston have watched the trailors that Natalie has posted for the family to watch of Boogie Boarding. They couldn't wait to try it. But you know, the ocean water is so cold and this is February. Well, these boys were die-hards. So out came the Boogie board and they all ran into the water. Hope you have all seen the movie that Natalie has posted. Nixon loved standing in the water and feeling the sand go out from under his feet.

Melissa and Trey are getting ready to settle in for the afternoon.

Mike, Trey and Troy just out enjoying the sunshine as the boys are getting ready on the boards.

Yes, it takes some of us a little longer to get down the hill. Precious cargo you have there Natalie. We actually ran down ahead of her for a picture. You know we do anything for a picture.

There is her dimple. Oh the sun is so bright. But she slept right through. Look at her pretty lips.

What a cute family. They have come so far to enjoy the sunshine. We are having such a good time with you here. Melissa and Troy, thanks for coming.

Cute family....

The waves just keep coming. The boys did great in the waves. I was so surprised at what good sports they were. Morgan and Boston, you boys did awesome. I had so much fun in the water with you, taking movies. We were cold, but after the day, we knew we could go have a dip in the hot tub and pool.

So fun to get pictures with Melissa and Natalie. Who would have thought Melissa would be in California with a new baby.

We all want pictures with Addelyn.

We were all going to run to the pier, but were half-way and thought we could just drive and look at it. Kids were cold and sandy. Proud of you boys playing in the waves. Nixon and Mike played a game while Melissa and Troy dug for crabs. Life is good here. A lot of memories to take home with us of California.

Marathon Weekend Feb. 2-5

Gavin picked the girls up Thursday night at LAX, then to avoid traffic, they went to dinner and then came to Natalie's. Natalie had a fun morning planned. It took us a while to get dressed as we spent most of the time talking and laughing. You know how we all are when we get together. Just wish the rest of the family was here.

We were able to visit one of Natalies friend that has an orchard. We picked oranges, lemons and grapefruit. There was a pomegranite tree but the fruit was too old to pick. Just fun seeing the trees though. This is always fun to pick tree-ripened fruit.

This was just a cute picture of all four of the girls. Brooklyn acts just like one of our daughters.

Natalie has oranges and lemons in her hands. We have been on a zip-line from the top of a hill to the bottom. That was an added bonus to our day. All of us had a ride.

We wanted to shop at the Promenade Mall just a mile down the road. They had a hat Keosk on the way in. Music playing in the background and the sun is shining. What a fun day to play with the girls. Don't they look cute in their hats. I think everyone bought a new hat.

We did have fun trying all the different kinds and styles on.

Sure are pretty girls we have, Mike.

These are great memories to for Camille and Brooklyn to share with each other.

Girls are resting and waiting for Michelle to come.

We switched photographers.

We are entering the area that Camille and Brooklyn will be registering for the marathon. The Beach Boys music is playing in the background. The ocean waves are pounding on the sand. Mike and I pose for a fun picture. Yes, this is the life.

We have been for a walk down the Pacific Coast Highway with Natalie, Gavin and Michelle. Camille and Brooklyn have been getting ready for the race. So we are waiting at the Hyatt restaurant for everyone to come and join us for dinner. Yes, this is a fun place for pictures.

We love taking pictures of each other. Michelle ran up so the room to check on the girls. Gavin and Mike are always good sports waiting for us to eat. The food smells so good.

The food was delicious. We occupied this table for a couple of hours. We visited like we had not been together for a very long time. Some of us had all-you-could-eat. So we did.

This is Sunday morning. We wanted pictures of the resort. Michelle took pictures of us.

It is always fun to get pictures with my girls. We took so many, and wish we could put them all on the blog.

The sun feels so good. Camille and Brooklyn did such a great job in the marathon. The warm sunshine feels good to all of us. We have a few hours before we have to check out of the hotel and Gavin and Natalie will be taking the girls to the airport.

Sure are pretty girls. So nice of Camille and Brooklyn to have invited us to their Marathon. It is always fun to get together.

Mike and Gavin are good sports while the girls play.

It is always fun getting funny pictures. Wish I could put them all in.

Wait, Camille and I want our pictures taken.

These are great memories.

Brooklyn wanted to run on the beach before we had to leave. Michelle and I went with her to get pictures.

We are getting ready at the swimming pool bathroom and shower. They will be leaving in a few minutes. We have had wonderful days playing with each other. Thanks to Natalie and Gavin to let us stay at their home and take them back and forth to the airport. The Marathon was fun to see and proud of Camille and Brooklyn to be a part of it. We are always thankful for our family and love the memories we share with them. I hoped they soaked up enough sunshine before they had to go back home. We sure did miss the rest of our family. We talked about a family reunion here.