To infinity and beyond...twice!

We had such a fun night tonight! We went to see the double feature of Toy Story & Toy Story 2 in 3D, with a sneak peak of Toy Story 3 (which looks really cute/funny). It was so fun, everyone in the theater was SO into it the whole experience, clapping and cheering.....plus Brody and I have not seen the movie since around the time they originally came out, so to us it felt as if we were seeing them for the first time all over again, it was so fun! =)

We snuck in some Wendys...yummm

They had these super cute little tips on how to maximize our double feature experience, games and more....and they made had the characters be the ones who put on the show---they showed up as shadows behind the screen doing things, it was really cute!

During the intermission, when they were doing quizzes and little clips...it was really funny!

After we walked around Spectrum a bit, and came across these beauties...which we really don't understand, but it was fun to try on crazy glasses =)

It was so much fun to see the Toy Story movies again, and in 3D!

If you are thinking about going, we sure do recommend it! =)

PS- Brody noticed a few funny things in the movies (there are so many sort of "hidden" things in these movies: first, when Woody is stuck in the evil kids room under a crate and there is a tool box on top of him (and Buzz is trying to get it off of the crate), the company name on the tool box is 'Binford' of 'Home Improvement'. second, the gas station Buzz and Woody get left at in the 2nd movie---the gas station company is 'Dinoco', which is also a big sponsor in the movie 'Cars' =) Fun stuff!

It's...

Halloween Time at Disneyland! I love this time of year, for so many reasons---one is that Disneyland is staring to get all dressed up for the holidays...and is a lot less crowded than Summer (always a plus).

Both parks are all decked for Halloween, and I just LOVE it. They have added a new firework show called 'Halloween Screams', and re-vamped 'Space Mountain' into 'Ghost Galaxy'. We set out to experience both of them, and we were lucky enough to be there on a night that was not too crowed (which was surprising since it was the first weekend of all the newness), and the lines were pretty short. It was so fun to see all the decorations....I guess I was too busy enjoying everything, I didn't take too many photos of the park all dressed up...oh well, there's always next time! =)

When we first heard that they were going to turn Space Mountain into Ghost Galaxy, I have to admit I was not expecting too much from it. Walking up to it they had a warning that it might be too scary for younger kids, and after going on it, I can see why! They did a really good job for it being a temporary theme (and it being a Disney ride)---there were a couple times that I jumped because of the ghost! We will diffidently be going on this one more.

(this photo makes me laugh...you have the guy in the front who is obviously a fan of the ride, and then you have the girl in the middle who may as well be in class daydreaming....haha....gooood times)

We love the Buzz lightyear ride. This time we got stuck in just the right place and I racked up a nice little score!! My best ever! It was pretty exciting!

My alien friend and I showing what level we got...I feel pretty good getting a better score than even a space alien can get! ; )

Waiting for the new firework show...we waited a loong time (but it went by pretty fast)---it was all worth the wait, when we got to see the show from RIGHT in front of the castle. It was amazing!

(the arrows are pointing at the castle entrance, we were too close to get us and the castle in the photo.)

This show was soooo good! Different villains showed up, and it was all hosted by Jack Skeleton---& Zero showed up a lot. =) I have so many fun pics of it, I just had to select 4 random ones. It was a blast seeing it up so close, and now that we have seen it front row, we can go on rides the next time, while everyone else watches it. I never thought we would wait for a show, but it really was worth the wait to see it that close. The show had so much energy!!

Love the pumpkin at night!...but next time we go I am going to try to get a photo where Brody does not have red eyes (or at lest one that will let me fix them) =)

This is the photo they took...the 'cast member' thought it would be cute if Brody gave me a kiss on the cheek---of course she does that move for the photo you have to pay for =) You can view the photos on-line and if you want the photo you can pay $13 for a 5x7...just can't bring myself to do that...so I took a photo of it on my computer! It's a cute one =)

Halloween time at Disneyland is so much fun (and im not a huge Halloween fan)! We are excited to go back and see California Adventure, the Haunted Mansion and more (gotta save some fun for the next trip)! If you have a pass or are thinking about going, this is such a fun time!! =)

Enjoy a little video of the new show!! =)

love, love, love weekends!

This weekend we went down to La Jolla and stayed the night, before meeting Camille, Jeff and Gabby at Sea World the next morning. It was such a blast! We love San Diego, I can't even tell you, it is such a fun little get-a-way....it's so fun to make an over nighter of it!! We are hooked on mini vactions. =)

Friday night we explored La Jolla Village/Cove and came across this great place to see seals. You can walk out on this long walkway with the ocean on ither side of you. It was so much fun to see the seals, and was pretty cool to be out on that walkway at night with the waves crashing up on us. It was gorgeous out there!

We grabbed some dinner at this great Mexican place, Cozymels? I think it was...and got some fried ice cream. In addition to having great food, they had the BEST little hard candies on the way out---sort of a vanilla/lime mix. So good, that I have to admit I have tried to google them. =)

Then we went to our hotel (we got a great deal on the Marriott) and spent a nice long time in the jacuzzi/pool ---and discovered we had the best view in the hotel, because we could see some of the San Diego Temple. =) It was so awesome! (it's weird, it looked so much closer in real life than this photo shows)

Brody feeding the Seals fish

What you don't see in this photo is that I had to get rid of that fish fast or a bird would take care of it for me. (I think I "screamed" a bit, it was a big bird) I love how the seal looks, he is so ready for that fish.

We spent about an hour or so at the seals just watching and laughing, they are so entertaining. I caught everyone here at more of a "seal pondering" moment...haha =)

This seal here, we noticed was trying his hardest to look around ither side of Brody and I---we think he was trying to find people who actually had fish for him, and we were in his way. =)

Waiting for the Sea Lion show to start

I LOVE the shark area. They are so fierce looking...

da da... da da... da da....... ; )

...and these cute little guys. Love them! I love how they walk and try to move around all fast, they crack me up.

We went on the Arctic ride, which is a helicopter ride through the Arctic done in the same way as Star Tours at Disneyland. It was pretty fun, and made Star Tours seem like it should be moved to Fantasy Land for the kiddies---it was a crazy ride. The Arctic area is a lot of fun, I love it. (I guess I love every part of Sea World the most...if you can't tell) =)

Us and an Otter

We had such a great weekend! We are so happy that Jeff & Camille were able to spend the day with us at Sea World! We can't wait to go back for more. ....Weekends are the best, and we have more fun ones ahead of us....life is good. =)

Halloween Crafts

Lately I have had a big craft itch! This is just one of the ideas that have popped into my head, a Halloween wreath! I just went to Micheals and got a blank wreath, black spray paint and some fun things to decorate it with--and went to town on it! It was so much fun to do!

Before
(Click on any photo to make it larger)

Here it is after I spray painted it....although it sort of looks I just burned it! =)

After! I put two ribbons together with a bit of glue every so often on them, and added some sparkle and fun Halloween shapes, and I think it came together pretty cute!! =) I may add a little something or change a small thing, but I love it and it was such a blast to do!

If you are looking for a Halloween craft, this is a fun one!

....off to the next idea!

Whats "old" is new again!

We have this great hutch that we love! For years it has worked perfect for us in red, but lately I have been looking to change things up a bit--most of all lighten things up for more of a beach-y feel. So our little red hutch was in for a make-over!

I LOVE how it came out!! It feels totally new for just $8! =) ...and have been playing around with what to put on top of it...it already looks a bit different from this photo. I think it looks great in our apartment! I just LOVE our apartment!

Also, I pretty much killed our bougainvillea, and we were just about to throw it out when I thought I should give it another shot. I trimmed it back, and started watering it again (what an idea, huh?), and I just noticed that it's coming back to life!! It already has a bit more than even this photo shows. I am so excited, and I hope I can keep this 2nd chance going (or growing)! ; ) 

(...and yes, that is in fact an Aqua Globe! haha...it works great!) 

***PS- More new posts below***

Chef Brody

We watch a lot of the Food Network channel & it really came in handy this past Sunday. Just when we thought we didn't have anything good (I still haven't stocked up since we got back from our trip), Brody comes in and saves the day (as always)! =) 

He loves to cook, and does so often! Also, I think he liked the challenge of the thought of "no food in the house", so he told me he would take care of dinner.  He came up with such a great meal!! Seasoned pork chops, veggies and grill top white peaches with brown sugar/cinnamon with vanilla ice cream! =)  I love when he cooks! He is such a wonderful and always helpful husband! =)

***Keep going, there's still more newness...the Hawaii re-cap is next***

Aloha

From the day we landed on Maui, this was our beach of choice, The Cove! It was perfect! There was always parking, it was always sunny and warm, not too crowded, board rentals & shave ice with in walking distance and you could just walk out to the surf--it was nice and shallow, the perfect learners spot!

Dad and Lauren tried out the paddle boards!

And Brody really took to surfing!! I have a ton of photos of him up on the board, but this one was the best! Sure the waves aren't too big, but it was a learners beach! =)

Lauren picked up the paddle board with ease! =) She and I were joking that by the end of the trip she would be doing hand stands and juggling out there! She got so good at it!!

As for me, I played around some with both the paddle board and the surf board. I got to my knees some and tried to stand up, but I don't think my balance is ready for that just yet! But it was a blast to play around out in the water, and give it all a try! =)

Brody and I trying to use the paddle board together, like a kayak! it worked pretty well! =) ...We all love this beach and we spent many days here from morning to about lunch!

There's nothing like shave ice on a hot hot day! =)

While waiting to meet back up with Lauren and Mike (a friend of Lauren's from BYU, who was living and working here for the summer), we were sitting across the street from the Bubba Gump Shrimp.....and after awhile we couldn't help getting a photo with him! =) It was killer hot, none of us knew how this guy could stand out on the street in the sun for 6 hours a day!

This is a BIG banyan tree. It is just one tree, with all these branches that came off of it. This tree was SO big I couldn't get back far enough to fit the whole thing in frame. It was so pretty!

We went to one of the resorts (I can't remember which one right now) to watch this guy who comes out to light the tiki torches and then dives off the rocks! And we stopped to get a photo with a rainbow that showed up! =)

Here he is running out with his torch

The sunset that night was incredible!! My camera almost did it justice! It was such a beautiful night to be out on the beach!

Here he is diving off

After the show we went and ate at the hotels pool/beach side restaurant, and I got my drink in this cute little monkey (that I got to take home)!

Since this time around Brody did more surfing and we were busy with other things, we really didn't have time to golf....but we were able to visit some courses on the island while we were out exploring...and the guys got some putting time in! =)

We saw lots of Sea Turtles!

There were so many beautiful beaches that we got to explore and enjoy! It was so fun to see everything that Maui has to offer!

Waiting for the blow hole to appear

You can tell how high it got by looking at the brave/crazy guy and his kid standing right in front of the blow hole. =)

It was crazy windy, Lauren and I felt like we were going to blow away. We had to regain our footing a lot. It was so much fun!

Dad and the girls! =)

Brody and I checked out this restaurant called 'Cheese Burger in Paradise', that was in this mall down the street from our condo---after exploring the beaches and such!

As you can tell from the photo here, it was soooooo good!! And everything came with a festive little umbrella (even Brody's drink above, but by this point it was in my hair)! =)

We had this big bull frogs around our condo, they would just sit there, making noises....and we loved them! =)

While Lauren and Dad took a boat out to dive Molokini---Mom, brody and I did about a 3rd of The Road to Hana. It was so fun, we had a CD that guided us and told us fun facts and places to stop along the way! =) The CD totally made us laugh, and we saw a lot of great sights!

We pulled of right before we have to turn around to get the divers, and....

walked through a bit of jungle....

and found this beautiful tucked away waterfall and pool!! It was SO fun to find!

One of the bridges along the way

Our 'tour guide' on the CD said that at this point there were a lot of Guavas around, and if you wanted you could pick some up and eat them! This interged me, so I picked some up and took them back to the condo, and tried some (I was the only one who tired these), they were so good!! I need to find some here at the store!

One morning Brody and I took a drive that my Mom & Dad found. We went out along this road and at one point all that is around you for miles is crushed lava, it felt like you were on a different planet! At the end we ended up here! It was very different then anywhere else we had been on the trip. Very grey with nothing but lava and rock, and just a bit of sand. It was such a pretty place, and a fun change of scenery!

Mom was later telling me (when she and I went back), that Dolphins sometime rest here in the bay just over the wall behind us in the mornings. We didn't see any this time.

Here is a small shot of what most of the drive looks like out to that beach. Just lava rock for as long as you can see! =)

We had a couple Geckos in our condo one night, and Lauren's friend Mike caught one for us. I tried to get a close up of him, and forgot to turn my flash off--and totally blinded the poor little guy!! Mike tried to put him back on the wall and he just fell right off and then ran into the walls. I felt so bad! He put him outside, and I hope he got his sight back after a bit! =/

We had some GREAT breakfasts on this trip, and we didn't even have to leave our condo! Mom would cook up Pineapple sausages, eggs, fresh fruits and more! It was SO SO good!! =)

We loved our condo, it became our home away from home!

This couch was a BIG hit! It was soooooo comfy! It seemed that there was always someone napping on it! =)

Our place from the outside

and our last sunset before leaving Hawaii...

It was such a fun trip! And we loved every minute of it!

Thank you again Mom & Dad for another amazing trip! We love you!!