Disneyland 006

Here goes another Disney post. I think we are almost done? Halfway, for sure...? Anyhow, I knew I could get excited about a food post. This is what I live for. Vacation food, zero guilt. Kind of funny that all that new year fitness/diet motivation frenzy that happens each January took place while we were tucked away at the "Happiest Place on Earth."

 Honeypot crispie treat and apple pie caramel apple.

Dole whips! (not my photo, I ate mine too fast)

 Terrible looking picture but this was an example of all the Mickey-shaped food. Corn chowder in a bread bowl.

 Turkey legs.

 All four boys had to have one.

 And only two were able to finish them.

 Dill pickle popcorn.

Churro bites with spicy chocolate dip. (not my photo, same reason)

Needless to say, this is what we have been eating ever since ;)

Disneyland 005

Jedi Training! The younger boys were so excited about this newer option at Disneyland. We sat down for the show and Collin was chosen from the crowd to participate. He did exactly what they asked and he loved it. (Maybe Disney offers 1st grade curriculum??)

A highlight for me from the trip, even though Collin was more enamored with Splash Mountain in the end.
Sidenote; I was expecting him to go rogue, and just beat the tar outta Darth Maul but he was so well behaved. It was actually one of the girls that went crazy on Darth Vader!

Disneyland 004

I purchased Disney's Photopass for our trip and loved it. The photos from all the rides are hysterical and I am glad to have them on record. This is one instance the boys don't mind their picture being taken. Here are some of my favorites;

How that for a family picture? Fitting for my roller coaster kids. There is no ride that they won't try and then usually beg to get back in line and do it again.

2013

We have a teenager!

Crossed a trip with my mom off my bucket list. My cousin Michelle's wedding, exploring Memphis, and devouring fried chicken.

Thrifting for the win.

Grandma Ellen comes to visit.

She finished Aden's basement bedroom with a Seattle skyline.

Still shaking my head at this pack of soon to be men that I hang with on the daily.

Sledding adventure with the Rose's.

Andrea brought Miles to Seattle. We brought Miles to the beach.

I resolved to embrace the camera. So there are a lot of pictures with me in them. It's awkward but rewarding in the end.

Lacrosse dominated our spring and summer. Parker and Kaleb were able to continue on the same team, Parker at goalie and Kaleb gravitating toward defense.

Neither thrilled at having their picture taken.

Super fan!

I got to meet up with my long time friend Krissy downtown. Great connection even after years gone by.

We attended church downtown. The trek through the urban landscape to get to service was church in itself.

You can always count on our family to keep it weird.

We have always bred giant children but this year Parker outgrew me and fit into his dad's high school cleats. (The cleats are now too small. Size 13 feet at age 13!)

Morning walks to the bus stop. 3 kids at the same elementary school for the last year.

Mother's day with my loves.

New friends.

New pursuits.

New responsibilities.

The biggest show of patriotism.

The best in provoking spontaneous outbursts of joy.

Finally experiencing nature's low-tide treasures.

And Justin introduced us to skimboarding.

Matt and I did a week long vegan cleanse. I tried to get over sugar and had a good run.

This guy said good-bye to his elementary school days.

And this guy graduated Kindergarten.

I discovered CSA glory. This will happen again in 2014. It's l  ike Christmas morning, opening those weekly boxes.

Dinner at the top of the Space Needle.

Strawberry pickin' on a family fun day. ( You will have fun, dammit!)

4th of July shirts from Grandpa Ken and Granny Annie. Snail mail love from them is the best.

Wednesday nights with Auntie.

Full bellies at the Dragon Fest in the International District.

Sent these two off to church camp. They're hooked, already asking about next year.

Delighted by this freckle faced boy with my introvert tendencies.

 Celebrated the return of the Twinkie.

 And took the boys to appreciate some real good food at Toulouse.

Felt like we had been placed in the coolest neighborhood in Seattle. No doubt.

Reveled in the beautiful city we got to call "home."




 Celebrated my lil' sister's 30th birthday, say what?

And then we said good-bye. As the doors closed in Seattle and opportunities arose back in Idaho, we were going to move again.2 1/2 years felt like 10. I really think we got the best the city had to offer.

Teaching looks good on Matt, eh? 
Our Seattle home sold the first week on the market.

 Good friends opened their home to ease our Idaho transition. (And provide hours of therapy.)

 The cousins got together.

 Our family get togethers with my parents are one of the best parts of being back in Idaho. Love all the time I've spent with Great Grandma Beryl, she is the sassiest thing.

 Autumn blew my mind. The weather was perfect and we really got out to enjoy it.

 New space to shape into our home.

 I embarked on a homeschool adventure with all four kiddos.

 Shared a high school favorite hangout with the boys.

 Ruth brought donuts and encouragement. I swear all my best friends I met at North Junior High!

 Caught up with some of my dad's family and relived the beauty of the Botanical Garden.

 Still love a reason to dress up silly.

 Selfies.

 And forced smiles.

 Real good cooks.

 Most likely to rough house.

 Friendsgiving!

 Most understated.

 Best in show for facial hair. Matt's, not mine ;)

 Hello Durango and move over Swagger Wagon

 Da Vinci still inspiring greatness.

 Auntie Claus came to town!

 And another visit with the cousins!

 Capped off the year with a family vacation for the record books.

Welcome 2014! Looking forward to more connection with our Idaho loved ones and a trip to see our Seattle friends. Thank you for reading, your comments make this memory keeper a more complete picture of the beautiful, wild life I've been given.