Disney's California Adventure's Cars Land Preview

Entrance to Radiator Springs

I am behind on posting because the past couple of weeks have been so busy with lots of fun adventures.  So, this weekend will be filled with lots of posts catching you up on all the fun!

On Monday June 11th we were lucky enough to preview the new Cars Land at California Adventure.  The land did not open to the public until June 15th but there was a special lottery for Annual Passholders to win tickets to view the land before the public.  We won the lottery and got to go from 1 pm to 5 pm. 
We picked up Grandma Lupe and met up with Auntie Jo and Cousin Siena to enjoy this fun event.  We had no idea what to expect.  Pictures will show how much fun we had. Disney did an amazing job recreating Radiator Springs.  We had not even entered the land and I was in awe!  The rock formations in the background  look so realistic! 

We were so lucky to see Cars Land with very little people.  Wait times were at the most 40 min. I hear lines are now past the 2 hour mark.  

Luke says to "SLOW DOWN and have FUN!"

Taking a picture w/ Mickey at California Adventure

Taking a picture at Flo's Diner

Luigi's Flying Tire ride

Luke and Cousin Siena waiting in line for Luigi's Tire Ride

Entrance to Radiator Springs

Luke on Mater's Junkyard Jamboree

Walking the revamped entrance to Ca Adventure

Showing off our VIP wrist bands to get into Cars Land Preview

Fun day!  The kids had a blast.  Grandma Lupe, Auntie Jo and I were able to go on Radiator Springs Racers but not the kids.  The line was an hour but if you rode as a single you got on in 10 min.  I hope Luke will get to ride it soon.  I know he would love it! 

A Special Visit from San Diego!-June 9th, 2012

We have had such a fun/busy past week that I did not get the chance to post about our visit from Grandma/pa, Tia Lulu and Great Grandma San Diego.  I think I will be behind on these posts since I have a lot of catching up to do.  Here is how we spent the day with the family. 
Oh, HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!  A post about Father's day will probably be posted during the week.  Enjoy!

Luke kept asking "When are we going to Grandma Laura's?"  We were treated with a visit from Grandma Laura, Grandpa Tom, Tia Lulu and Great Grandma Elsa.  Luke was so excited!

Spaghetti Factory Fullerton

We started our visit by meeting at our favorite restaurant Spaghetti Factory.  Olivia is at the stage of being afraid of everyone.  But, it just takes her a little time to warm up to everyone. She was hoping Grandpa Tom would disappear if she turned her head when he stood next to her to take a picture.  By the end of the day she was all over Grandma Laura and Grandpa Tom.

 After Spaghetti Factory we took the family to Heritage Park in Santa Fe Springs.  Luke loves the train park and was so excited to show Grandma and Grandpa his favorite train.  We walked around and saw the Tongva Indian village and the pretty gardens.  Heritage Park is always so quiet and so relaxing.

Grandpa Tom and Luke-Train Park~Heritage Park

Heritage Park-Santa Fe Springs

Luke and Grandpa Monster

Heritage Park

 We headed back home and as you can see Olivia got very comfy with Grandma.  It was such a nice visit!  We were sad when everyone had to leave back to San Diego.  Luke talked about how much he loved having the family come to his house and he wanted everyone to spend the night.

LiBERRY! LIBRARY!

Luke playing w/ the table toys @Sorenson

Luke loves going to the "liberry".  After Luke got out of school on Monday I took him to the Sorenson County Library.  The library was refurbished in 2010 and even though it is a tiny library they have a very nice kid section.  Luke enjoys playing with the table toys.
 We are looking forward to the book clubs which will be starting soon. I have such fun memories of the library book clubs.  I especially love the end of book club parties!  :)
We checked out a few books, audio CD's and a kid movie.  Even though Luke gets Nick Jr. on cable he still wanted to check out The Wonder Pets.  He also can get The Wonder Pets on Netflix. Luke says he wanted to watch it in the Van.  He talked me into letting him get The Wonder Pets. No matter how many times he has seen the same episodes (over and over and over and over again) he still laughs at the things these little animals do.
Visiting the library (at least) once a week is on our Summer Bucket List.  We will have no problem meeting that goal.  Reading at least 50 books this summer is another thing on our bucket list and so far we can add 6 books to Luke's book list.  We read Spots First Words, Big Little, Love is You & Me, "I'm Not Cute!", The Bug in the Jug Wants a Hug and Grumpy Grandpa.

bucket of books~COOL!

Spot

Big Little

What about Olivia?  Well, she naps at about the time Luke gets out of school.  She hangs out with Grandma Lupe.  Here is a cute picture of her. 

Thursday night Lauren had his end of school year dinner at Loyola.  The kids stayed with Grandma Lupe and Grandpa Louie and even got to spend the night.  This is a big treat, spending the night.  The next day I went to Grandma's to pick Luke up for school and they were watching Olivia's favorite t.v. program, Sesame Street. Just hearing the Sesame Street theme she gets excited and starts to dance.  It is too cute. 

Watching Sesame Street

Warming Up Until Summer Officially Starts

Luke still has school until the end of June and I still have another week of work but with the temps in the high 70's-low 80's it was hard not to start some of our summer fun.  

We were able to enjoy the baby pool at home and at Grandma's.  

Water table fun at Grandma Lupe's

Swimming fun! (Olivia 16 months & Luke 4.9 years)

It was a Friday night dance party with the B52's!

Luke loved dancing as a baby and still does.

 

I wondered if Olivia has some moves of her own and boy does she!

Saturday was spent cleaning even though the house still does not look like anything got done.  We ended our evening by taking the kids to our favorite restaurant, Old Spaghetti Factory in Fullerton.  Lauren and I have always enjoyed Old Spaghetti Factory (before kids).   Lauren and I walked miles and miles just to get from our hotel in Honolulu, Hawaii to the Old Spaghetti Factory.  It was so worth it!  Meals include salad (Love the Creamy pesto), entree, sour dough bread, coffee and scoop of vanilla or spumoni ice cream.  Lauren and I look forward to the coffee and ice cream.  They serve Farmer Brothers coffee which is only served in restaurants.  It is sooooooo gooood!  It just tops off the delicious meal.  Our family knows how much we enjoy Old Spaghetti Factory that they surprised us with a surprise engagement party at the restaurant in Newport Beach.  I have been to Old Spaghetti Factories in Duarte, Ca., Fullerton, Ca., Newport Beach, Ca., Hollywood, Ca., (Now closed) and Honolulu, Hawaii.  Maybe one day we will do a tour of Old Spaghetti Factories all over the country.  LOL.  

Luke loves his Spaghetti w/ meatballs

Yumm...spaghetti!