All The Disney Details- California Adventure

Have you ever been to Disney's California Adventure park?  It is right next to Disneyland in Anaheim, California.  It is a smaller park that has had a fairly checkered past as far as some people loving it and others hating it.  My husband and I have always been on the 'love it' side as we have enjoyed the fact that it has been a nice homage to the state of California and a good variation on the Disney theme.  Currently the park is undergoing a huge renovation and I hope that this will make for some more reasons to love it.

There was a lot to love for Nathan as he headed straight for the one part of California Adventure that I definitely do NOT love:  the Grizzly River Run ride.  It is one of the river rafting type rides in which some people get to laugh and enjoy it while others ALWAYS get soaked to the bone.  I'm sure you can guess which category I fall into for that...  Here's Nathan and his Dad yucking it up after just missing being blasted by a huge geyser:

Nathan really proved his love of the wildest rides when we were over in California Adventure.  He even liked my favorite:  The Tower Of Terror.  A lot of people can't handle that one as it is a drop tower type of ride that is actually not just a drop, but is pulled down with so much force that you actually rise up out of your seat!  That is my favorite part as your stomach also does that flip thing, like when you go down a certain type of hill really fast.  It makes me crack up laughing every time.  Nathan was also a fan of the Soarin' Over California ride, which is like being in a hang glider over different scenes of California and he loved California Screamin'- a roller coaster that takes you on an inversion loop and goes from zero to 55 miles per hour in 4 seconds, right at the start.

I like the fact that this park is often a lot less crowded.  It gives me time and space to stop and enjoy the flowers, like these ranunculus that grow wild and beautiful.

I also like the way that the characters in California Adventure are usually dressed in non-traditional outfits.

Nathan seemed to enjoy a day with a bit more of a relaxing pace as well:

 

We finished off the evening with a viewing of 'World Of Color'.   It is a show that involves synchronized water fountains with colors and images projected onto them.  Pretty neat.  Here's a little preview for you:  (You might want to pause the music player.)

Lucky

Happy St. Patrick's Day, Y'all!
Looks like all the last details for the trip to Disneyland, that will be starting tomorrow, are falling into place.  Whew, what a relief...
Tonight my friend averted another overnight hospital stay with her husband who is terminally ill with a lung disease. 
Until I started writing this blog I never realized how many really sick people I know.  I did notice that I know a lot of really strong people, though.  Couldn't help noticing that.
I've also noticed that despite everything I've mentioned here on this blog about the rough stuff I have gone through with my nephew, I can't help but see that he and I are oh, so, lucky.  My nephew has me in his life and I have him in mine.
Off to celebrate this wonderful truth!

Now That You Got Through That Test, What's Next?

You know that question that always comes at the end of the Super Bowl...  Well, around here we have our own version of that little scenario. 
Now that my husband has passed his latest nasty actuarial exam, what are we going to do?
We're going to Disneyland, of course!

 Goofy is there waiting for us!

Actually passing the test had nothing to do with these plans, but the timing is nice.
The real reason we're headed back to see Mickey and friends is because my wonderful nephew has never been to Disneyland and we have been promising him a trip there for over a year and a half now.  Last year it didn't happen due to some pretty sad circumstances.  Basically his mother was using him as a pawn.  I was so mad I could have spit.  And that's pretty mad for me, 'cuz I think spitting is just nasty.
But finally, after plenty of time and heartbreak, the plans are really rolling and we are all getting super excited to make this truly happen.  My nephew is counting down the days and now I am too, with my new little ticker at the top right of my page here, thanks to seeing the one over on Loretta's blog.  I am so happy to be sharing the excitement of heading to the happiest place on earth with my nephew, with all of you!

The Rest Of The Vacation Pics., as promised

...picking up where I left off, in Joshua Tree National Park:

Do you see two birds?

                           Very cool rock formations and loads of Joshua trees

It snowed in the high elevation areas, tiny little perfect star shapes

that never amounted to any real accumulation.

The only kind of snow I feel any love for...

Ya gotta' love a place where flowers continue to bloom right on through winter.

 

Palm Springs had a sense of fun, including their cute

'starbursts' over the main street in town.                                      

                                                                                                  I know it's hokey, but I love palm trees with Christmas lights!

Speaking of hokey, our hotel really was 'tiki' in every possible way:

Lastly, we did get to Disneyland for a day right before New Years Eve.  It was packed, but I'm so glad I got to see the park all done up for the holidays.

What I learned from a 'Sun Break'

Boy do I feel like I missed a bunch while I was away!  My friend had her baby, a month prematurely and now I need to get crackin' on that blanket I was planning to make.  (I'm really good with a project that only requires straight seams.)  The baby is well.  All the bloggers seem to be up to so much what with the New Year here and all.  It was worth it though, to be in sunny weather like I won't see here in the Northwest until at least May.  It wasn't quite summer weather, but I'll settle for warm spring-like temps. instead of the freezing cold we had here.  I will post some pictures from the trip as soon as I get them loaded up onto my computer. 
So I learned a few things from this little get away:
It turns out this was just the right time to step out of my 'real life' for a moment.  I missed out on some family holiday drama that ended up taking care of itself.  Seems I keep getting the message that sometimes it's best if I just leave things alone.  My worrying doesn't often change things, at least not for the better.  Maybe I can finally stop getting that message, if I will just heed it.
I also really experienced first hand that, at least for me, waking up to the sun shining makes a real difference.  I've never thought of myself as having Seasonal Affective Disorder, but I could be wrong.  All I know is that even though it was still a bit chilly that sunshine just made my heart sing.
Just a little indulgence and luxury really does do me some good. 
If you do a ton of walking (like at least 5 miles a day) you can eat out a whole bunch and come back a pound lighter than when you left!  That, my friends, is amazing.
Lastly, petsitters who leave my bathroom and kitchen trashed will NOT be hired again!  I always make sure the house is spotless before I leave for a vacation so I can relax upon my return, not needing to clean things up right away.  I am a bit of a domestic goddess and don't appreciate those who can't see that their mess does not belong in my domain.
Happy New Year, everybody!  Here's to a fabulous 2011 that I hope will find everyone just where they want to be, doing just what they want to do with those that they cherish!