The Luckiest Day of Peyton's Life

I promised Peyton that I would take her to Disneyland once during her 3 week break by herself without Hailey. So Ryan took work off today to take care of Hailey and Peyton and I headed off to Disneyland and California Adventure. We started out at California Adventure because Peyton really wanted to go on the big roller coaster. After an hour of being there we decided to take a break from the fast rides (there weren't any lines so I was getting a little motion sick) and go to the Brother Bear playground area. Peyton wanted to go down the slides so we climbed up the stairs and when we got up there we were greeted by a Disney Employee and were given a "Dream Fastpass" that gets you to the front of the line of any ride that has fastpass capabilities at Disneyland and California Adventure. We were so excited and thought that we were so lucky to be in the right place at the right time. A couple of hours later we were at Disneyland and had just exited "Big Thunder Mountain" when we were greeted by another Disney employee and given a "Special Park Dream Time Event" which allowed us to stay an hour and a half past closing and go on all the rides we wanted (along with about 2000 other people). Peyton was so excited because I had told her we needed to leave by 4:00 PM so I could get ready for our big trip we are leaving on tomorrow but I just couldn't pass up this once in a lifetime opportunity we were given. So we stayed at Disneyland until 9:30 PM (the park closed at 8:00 tonight) and were able to go on 7 extra rides in one hour. I am so tired and I have not packed anything for our 2 1/2 week trip we are going on tomorrow but at least Peyton said that she had one of the best days of her life. Here are a few pictures from our day.

By the way. Don't feel too sorry for Hailey. Ryan took her to Knott's Berry Farm for a few hours today and she got to play at McDonald's for dinner. Ryan said that she was able to dance on stage with Charlie Brown and Snoopy (Charlie Brown picked her out from the audience) and loved every minute of it. Too bad I had the camera so he couldn't take any pictures.

I love Disneyland!

Today Hailey and I decided that we should go have some fun at Disneyland after we dropped Peyton off at school and boy did we have fun. Having a season pass to Disneyland is one of the perks of living in Southern California especially since it is so cheap and we live so close. We were able to go on lots of rides in Fantasy land and we were also able to go to story time with Cinderella. Hailey had a great time playing in Toon Town and went on her favorite ride which is the roller coaster in Toon Town. She played in Donald's boat and at Goofy's house. We only spent 3 hours there but were able to pack in a lot of fun. I meant to take pictures but I forgot my camera. I guess I will just have to take some of me and Peyton on Monday since I am taking her there for the day while Ryan takes care of Hailey. So for all of you who think Disneyland is evil because you are only there when it is super busy come visit during the "off season" and you will find out how wonderful it can be.

Knott's Berry Farm

On Friday we decided to take the girls to Knott's Berry Farm because Ryan has been out of town so much and he wanted to spend some fun time with the family. So we picked Peyton up from school early and headed out for some fun. The weather was perfect the whole day and there was absolutely no one at the amusement park so we waited in no lines. You might think I am over exaggerating but I truly mean that we never waited in a line. After 5 fun filled hours Ryan and I were motion sick and decided it was time to go home. We had a great time and can't wait to take the girls back again soon.

The girls loved giving Snoopy a hug.
Here is the newest ride at Knott's call the Pony Express. Peyton loved it and asked if I would go on it with her.

Hailey is always sad when she is not tall enough for the ride so she had Ryan take this picture of her outside of the ride.
One of Hailey's favorite things to do there is to go in the Snoopy Bounce House. She could spend hours in there if we let her.
Peyton had fun flying her own plane.
The girls went on Woodstock's airmail 5 times in a row and giggled the whole time.
Hailey loves riding in these cars that swing you around the turns so fast.
Here is the last ride the girls talked me into going on before we had to leave. I wasn't feeling great but I went just so Hailey could go.

Our Day with an Olympic Champion

Peyton and I were able to meet one of the Olympians who created one of the greatest moments from the 2008 Beijing Olympics today. You may be thinking Michael Phelps but I am talking about the guy who made it possible for Phelps to win the eight gold medals. That's right, we met Jason Lezak today. If you don't know who that is just think about the men's 4x100 freestyle relay finals and the guy who swam the final leg and beat the French. He is from Irvine and went to El Camino Real (now Woodbury) from Kindergarten to sixth grade. This is the same school Peyton goes to now and so he came and did an assembly for the kids at her school. The Multipurpose room was decorated in red, white, and blue and filled with pictures from when he was a student in Irvine. Here are some of the pictures from the assembly.

The news was even there to cover this exciting event.
All of the kids had little American flags and they waved them around as he walked into the room with the Olympic theme song from NBC playing in the background.
Here he is with his 3rd grade teacher who still teaches at the school today. His old principal, kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade teachers were all there in the audience. The kids were able to ask him any question they wanted to and it was so cute to hear what they wanted to know.

He let us touch all 3 of his medals and here is one of his gold medals.
Here is Peyton holding one of his gold medals.
He was so nice and took pictures with any of the kids who wanted one. He is wearing a medal that one of the little girls in the school made him. Here is a picture of him at his 6th grade graduation holding the award he won for best athlete. The guy on the right also won the award with him and he is in our ward here in Irvine. The funny thing is that his name is Michael Phelps (not the same one who won 8 gold medals!)

It was such a great day and one that I will never forget. It was amazing to hold a real gold medal and meet someone who is such a great athlete. He was so nice to all of the kids and I have been told by so many people that he is always this way and was this way growing up. Now both Peyton and Hailey want to be Olympic swimmers when they grow up. Hailey says, "I want to swim really fast and win a gold medal." Peyton says, "I want to go to the Olympics and win a gold medal so I can come back to this school and they can have an assembly for me." Aren't kids great.

Cowgirl/Swimmer Hailey

Hailey was playing so nicely in her room on Saturday and when she came out she was dressed like this. She was talking on her cell phone and telling someone (I'm not quite sure who) that she was going to the swimming pool. I don't know about you but every time I go to the swimming pool I need my backpack, cell phone, kick board, and my cowboy hat! She sure did look cute.

Our 2 Saturdays with Aurora

Peyton had the privilege of spending the past 2 Saturdays with her cousin Aurora. Last Saturday she was able to go the American Girl Store with her in Los Angeles and they had a great time eating lunch and picking the Kit Kitredge doll out to buy. I asked Ryan to take some picture of them in the store eating and looking at the dolls but he forgot. Instead he took pictures of them after they had gone swimming and messed up their hair and after they got in their pajamas. Oh well, I guess this is better than no pictures.

Aurora came over to our house today and the girls enjoyed playing with wii together and making a fort. We also made Rice Krispies Treats and went swimming. Here are a few pictures from the swimming pool.
The girls had fun diving for rocks at the bottom of the pool.
They made body prints with water.
They also raced across the pool.

We had such a great time with Aurora and we can't wait to spend time with her again.

Pink Cheetahs

Peyton had her first soccer game of the season today and boy was it fun. It was a little hot outside (not as hot as Arizona) but the girls did a great job keeping their energy up. Even though the score is not technically kept they tied 1-1. We have a lot of good players this year and it should be a fun season. Of course the best part of the game for Peyton were the treats at the end.