Madigan Matters: March Madness

I honestly can't remember if March came in like a lion or a lamb but I do know that for the majority of the month we have had very cold weather - even some snow. It left me longing for warm breezes playing in my hair and sunshine. I wasn't the only one. We were all feeling vitamin D deprived. We started talking about getting away partly to celebrate our 14th wedding anniversary and partly just to have a family vacation. We had to take several things into consideration.

First Lance had been doing HCG weight loss program again and didn't want to be on vacation while still in phase one, two or three. Second we really wanted our friends the Zeller's to join us, unfortunately that wasn't meant to be: Scott got a new job opportunity at that time and so they couldn't come. Third, Lance's parents decided they wanted to join us and use it as a chance to visit Carolyn's family who live in and around the LA area. That through another curve ball our way - who would take care of the pets while we were away? This is no small undertaking around our house because as Lance likes to chant - we have 2 dogs, 2 cats, 9 chickens, a frog and a fish. Thankfully my nephew Brandon agreed to house/pet sit for us. We are so grateful that he was willing to take on that task. Hopefully he doesn't regret it!

So once all was set with the pets we got everything planned for our trip. Jake and Carolyn left on the weekend before we left in order to visit Carolyn's only living brother and then met up with us at our hotel in Anaheim when we arrived on Tuesday. We drove it all in one day which wasn't too bad. I was a little nervous about doing it all in one day but the kids are older now and did really well. The hotel we stayed at was the Raddison at Buena Park and it was right by Knotts Berry Farm so about 20 minutes from Disneyland via a hotel shuttle. It was a beautiful hotel with great rooms, a pool and a free delicious hot breakfast buffet every morning. The parking was free too as well as the shuttle to Disneyland. The catch was that the shuttle had to be scheduled well in advance so you had to plan out your day and not deviate from the plan. The only day that was really a problem was Friday - the last day we were at the Park. We were all really tired but had to wait several hours for our assigned shuttle time.

The Park days had their ups and downs. Hannah and Asher are now at an age to want to try the more adventurous rides and roller coasters. JJ on the other hand refuses anything that is remotely fast and had to be forced onto some of the rides. By the end of the three days in the Park we pretty much gave up fighting him on it and he sat out with Grandma Carolyn while all the rest of us including Grandpa Jake went and had fun on the rides. It made me sad that JJ would stubbornly let his fears stop him from having a good time but he didn't seem to mind that much so I guess it is my stubbornness that makes me still be bothered by it all. He missed out on the super fun Radiator Springs ride which I highly recommend (especially if you go early in the morning and get a fast pass for it).

Speaking of fast passes - we learned a bit more about using them this time around. We didn't realize until the last day that you can actually get additional fast passes before you use up your existing fast passes. If we had figured that out before we would have been able to squeeze in just a little bit more but even as it was we were exhausted by the end of the day and our (or should I say my) feet were KILLING.

For this trip I made Hannah and Asher (JJ has out grown this now) autograph books so we spent some time each day trying to get autographs from some of their favorite characters. The very best experiances we had with the characters were the last day in California Adventure - nearly no lines and the characters were super fun and friendly. The worst had to be either waiting for 2 hours to see the fairies in Pixie Hollow and then have Asher decide he didn't want to interact with the at all AND standing in a long line to get Goofy's signature only to have him leave just as we got up to him. The Mickey's house line was long but we kind of expected it. We didn't even try to do Minnie's house and were glad we didn't because we walked right up to her in California Adventure! Over all it was a great trip.

We loved visiting with the Teverbaughs on Saturday and Sunday. The Easter Bunny even found us Sunday morning! While at Norma's house the kids fell in love with her puppy Sadie. She is an adorable tiny chiweenie with such a sweet personality. I am grateful the kids got to meet some of their Teverbaugh cousins and I hope we can do more family fun together in the future. Here are some of our favorite pictures from this month:

Night at the Hutchings Museum!

All ready for Spring (and church)

JJ didn't want to be in the picture but Minnie persuaded him. Asher was sitting with me because he had a stomach ache - guess he inherited my easily upset tummy.

The Pooh Bear ride was one of the few that we got Grandma Carolyn to ride.

Asher and Hannah weren't to thrilled with this ride but I was proud of them for trying it out. Grandpa Jake looks like he is taking a nap in all the ride photos!

We all LOVE this ride! (despite the look of terror on the kids faces)

Hannah after riding Splash Mountain. She is our thrill rider.

Playing marbles with Paula and Vicki at Norma Teverbaugh's house. It was great to spend time with these great people.

Easter Bunny found the kids all the way at Aunt Norma's house.

The one ride Grandpa wanted to do was the train around Disneyland.

We caught Peter Pan as we were walking.

The kids in their Easter clothes with Aunt Norma's puppy Sadie.

Saying goodbye.

Have I mentioned how much I love southern Utah? Well I do. It is so beautiful there.

Hannah accidentally had Mickey sign on her Donald Duck page. That made Donald a bit miffed.

Practicing the Frozone slide

Don't tell Grandma that I didn't crop this picture. She gets made whenever she finds out that I have put any photos of her on the internet but this one is not so flattering of her ;)

Asher regressing . . . could JJ squeeze Asher's butt any tighter?

Best Ride EVER award goes to Radiator Springs!

Tink was bugged that Asher wouldn't get in the picture and she kept teasing him and calling him out. Unfortunately that does NOT work on him.

Random cat sighting in California Adventure.

Cutest facebomb EVER! I had no idea until we got home that we had timed this just right.

Hannah at a spa date with me before we left on the trip.

This is the cover of Asher's autograph book that I made. I simply bought two packs of castle diecuts from Hobby Lobby and had Lance take them to work and drill holes in them with his fancy schmancy hole punch. Then me and the kids decorated the covers and some of the inside pages with scrapbook paper, chalk ink and stickers.