Hawaiian family vacation

Hawaii for two weeks? Yes, please! 

We were lucky enough to stay with our friends Ron and Lori and enjoy sunny Maui on our first family of 3 vacation.  It was such an enjoyable time away.  Max rocked the flights like he had been flying all his life and had such fun in the water... and eating sand.  

I decided to compile our many photos and videos into one video which made me think, why don't we do this more often?  It's such a fun way to relive your vacation.  Note to self, take more vacations so I can make more videos.  Enjoy!  Also, this video is 13 minutes.  You might want to sit down.

Celebrating Twenty-9

Well it finally happened.  I turned 29.  It feels great.  Actually, I don't feel a day over 25 - which is perfectly fine with me since aging isn't my favorite thing to do.

We decided to go to Las Vegas this year to celebrate.  Why not, right?  We dreamed of a hot sun and lots of pool time and that's exactly what we got.

Fishing is for flies... wait, what?

Last week we were in Sun River, OR for the Walunas Family Reunion.  Jody put so much time into planning our week away and everyone had a wonderful time!

Thailand Adventures: Scoot Scoot

Have you ever rode a scooter in monsoon-like rain?  Well, if you ever do you should do it with a man twice your size in front of you.  Aside from your shoulders, you will stay pretty dry.  The same can't be said for him, but if he's anything like Ben, Tim and Jason he will be a good sport.

Thailand Adventures: Oh the elephants

Do you know that elephants are my very most favorite animal in the entire world.  They are.  I know that's hard to believe given my huge mini obsession with the furry creature that lives in our house. (I am talking about Oliver, Ben is a person so it's normal to be obsessed with him.) And I do give a lot of blog-time to sharks, whom of which I also quite love.  Sharks though, they are my second favorite.  Elephants my first and basically I don't really consider Oliver an animal so he doesn't count.  Glad we are clear.  I will move on.

Thailand Adventures: Long water

I have debated how to do this.  How to tell our stories of abroad and show you the millions of pictures.  I decided.  Today.  Just now actually.  I will not go through chronologically and tell you everything in this post.  I will share with you stories.  The stories that make me laugh so hard I want to do it all over again.  I don't know how long this will take, but hold on because it will be fun!

April photo-a-day

You are so lucky.  Not only do you get to see my photo-a-day's for April, but mixed in you even get to see pictures from Thailand.

When in Vegas

We never underestimate the value of a weekend away.  ESPECIALLY when you live in the rainest city ever.  Don't get me wrong, I actually love a cuddle-up-rainy-day.  But I love even more a sunglasses-warm-sun-day.  That's just what we got.

Disney Magic

I secretly wish every Washington day was a sunny California day that Ben and I could spend together running around chasing Disney characters around a Disney amusement park.

I LOVE DISNEYLAND!

Seriously, it's magical and I feel perfectly fine being an adult and saying that.  This was Ben's first Disney adventure and he agreed it may in fact be the happiest place on earth.

Our first Disney day we spent at the original Disneyland Park.  When we walked into the park the first thing we saw was MICKEY MOUSE!  I told Ben it was his dream come true and to run over and get his picture with him!!!

Unfortunately, Mickey didn't seem to notice the 6'3'' man trying to take advantage of the photo-op and turned his back every time Ben walked over.  COME ON MICKEY!  I told Ben to force it a little, but he refused to take Mickey away from the sweet kids.  {Syl - I told Ben to give Mickey a big kiss - Mickey must have knew it was coming cause he did not want any part in us!}

I guess this is as close as Ben and Mickey are going to get.

Ahhh, the Disney castle where dreams really do come true.

Love me some carousels! 

Waiting in line for the Indiana Jones ride.  We only had to wait about 15 mins!  Our fav ride of Disneyland!

I have to be real with you.... I don't know this Toad guy.

Look Ma'.... No hands!

The Matterhorn!!! I was officially smashing the life out of Ben.  Sorry sweetheart!

Woody was not interested in having a picture with Ben either.
What's with the Disney characters not wanting a picture with a grown man?!?

Just playing some tunes in Mickey's house.

Minnie's House - I not so secretly LOVE Toon Town! 

All tuckered out... Ben took a little rest on the bench while I enjoyed the sun and people watching...

I told Ben that EVERYONE has to have their picture taken here.  It's practically a Disney rule.

Our second Disney day we spent at Disney's California Adventure.  If we had to choose, we prefer the rides at California Adventure to Disneyland, but let's be honest - both parks are amazing!

I love the California Adventure Pier - it feels so old school carnival to me even though we
both refused to go on the ginormous ferris wheel.... no thank you!

Ben was ecstatic to find a Monsters Inc. ride.  He LOVES that movie.
Avery and Ella should be prepared for a Moster's Inc. post from Uncle Benni.

Tower of Terror.... That's what your face looks like as you drop 10 stories!!
We loved this ride and went on it about 4 times!

Hands down my BEST moment at Disneyland.  As I was walking out of the Tower of Terror
Chip and Dale were hiding behind a wall and jumped out and scared me to death.  I had to
have a picture.  If you haven't figured out I love the characters for some reason.

We chose our favorite Disney character to stand by.  Read the definition.
Demure = Reserved.  Yep!

Ben and I couldn't help but notice all the people walking around with amazing looking ice cream cones.  We decided we needed one too and as we were sitting down eating our sweet goodness you will never guess who walked into the park.  None other than Ben and Tasha!  {We had just been to their wedding a couple days before.}  We decided to hang out and go on a couple rides together.

THE NEWLYWEDS!

Aviation Minnie

Ben chose Goofy.  I agree 100%.

 We now invite you to experience Ben's very first roller coaster ride.... I tried to ease his nerves with stories of my very first roller coaster ride as a little girl and how he would be just fine going upside down.  He actually wasn't nervous, but it really was his FIRST time!

Scared stiff

HERE WE GO.....

We made it!  AWESOME!! 

I went on the swings alone while Ben played photog.
Swinging in a circle isn't very appealing to him, but for me it brings back such fun
memories as a little girl riding the swings with my  Mom.

And of course, cruise ship Mickey?

We really had such a wonderful time at Disneyland together. Our entire California trip was exactly what we needed to make it through a few more weeks of a rainy NW spring.

Amber's trip highlights - 

- Fashion Island.  Seriously if there is an entire Island devoted to shopping how could that not be amazing?  Plus they had an Anthropologie and a giant bunny there.  My dreams had come true.

- La Fogata.  Probably some of the BEST, freshest, grease-less Mexican food I have ever had.  We ate their twice in a row!  I wish I could go back right now.

- Being the navigator.  This is my secret way of being able to be a backseat driver without being bossy.

- Disneyland. Duh.

- Spending all my days with Ben.

- All the sugar I consumed probably was probably equal to my body weight.  Heaven.

Ben's trip highlights - 

- Sun.  The sun is amazing.

- Watching professional beach volleyball players practice in Huntington Beach.

- Sun.

- La Fogata, what Amber said.  It was incredible.
- Good food, good friends, good fun.

- Spending time with my awesome wife!

California Love

"BEN!" I said as I woke up Friday morning to the amazing California sun shining through our hotel room window, "We NEED to get a chocolate covered banana!! I read on Linny's blog that she and Jared had one and I bet they are amazing!  I REALLY REALLY hope we can find Balboa Island today and get one.  Are you in?"  He opened one eye, looked at me like a crazy person and said, "Ha, sure Amber."

And off to Balboa we went....

 The chocolate covered frozen banana goodness is as amazing as you are imagining.  I had mine dipped in almonds and cinnamon.  Ben had almonds and toffee.  I dreamed about having another one every day that we were there, but I was too busy stuffing my face with other amazing food {like cupcake flavored taffy and giant head sized chocolate chip cookies} that there was really no stomach space for more bananas.

Ben saw dream car after dream car as we drove through the streets.  I think he has found his dream home away from home.

I just got done reading the "PLEASE DO NOT CLIMB ON OR JUMP OFF THE PIER" sign.  I glance over and what is Ben doing?  Breaking the law!

We had lunch at the end of the pier.  I swear I felt the restaurant sway a few times.  Behind the restaurant were hatted men are catching fish after fish after fish.  I don't know what kind of fish they were, but they honestly caught about 100 as we ate lunch.

After a successful day at Balboa Island we headed to Fashion Island to get our shop on.  Well I got my shop on.  Ben got his very patient husband sitting on the shop couch on. As we were walking from store to store you will NEVER guess what we spotted..... A HUGE EASTER BUNNY!  "We must get a picture!!" I yelled as I ran toward him.  Ben hesitantly followed and was even more hesitant about getting in the picture with the over-sized creepy bunny.  I agree, the huge Easter Bunny was totally creepy, but you do what you gotta do for your favorite holiday... aka - Easter.

Friday night we met the happy couple and all their friends and family for a pre wedding BBQ.  Afterward, all the boys took Ben bowling as his last single-man hoo-rah.  I was the tag-a-long wife trying not to crash the boys night out bowling party.  Just think of me as the photographer for this partay.

The wedding day was as beautiful as you can imagine.  The Newport Beach Temple is amazing.  Ben and Tasha's day was perfect and we had such a wonderful time being there to celebrate.  

I must give credit to Jenny for this lovely picture of the new couple

 

Sayonara sweetheart

This weekend we are jumping on a plane headed to Newport Beach.  We are so excited for sun, fun, sleeping-in and relaxing!

We are also excited to celebrate the marriage of this awesome guy:

Ben, is that my garter on your arm?  Why yes, yes it is.

to this gorgeous girl:

See people, the superstition is true because Tasha caught my bouquet too... just sayin.

Ben squared {that means Ben and Ben... get it?} are long time friends that grew up playing soccer together.  Tasha is so amazing and a ton of fun. We love them both.  We are so excited for their life together and honored to spend their special day with them!

We decided to extend our trip a bit for a little R&R. With our extra days you better believe we will visit the happiest place on earth.

We are  crazy excited to see this guy: 

The Mouse himself

He and Ben have never met and I am promising him it will {ALMOST} be the happiest most magical day of his life!  Next to meeting me, of course....

So, sayonara sweetheart, we'll say hello to Mickey for you!