Sunday, July 25, 2010

First Baseball Game

We got to see the Diamondbacks play the Giants and we got to see the Wiggles perform after the game.



Lauren in her Diamondback shirt ready to cheer on the hometeam.



















Lauren asked me at the beginning of the summer if we could go to a Diamondback game this season. She had never been to a game but many of her classmates go to a lot of the games. I promised her we would go to a game this summer. As luck would have it, my work decided to sponsor a family day at the ballpark. They provided tickets and extra funds for food. They game they picked was a free give away game. All the kids got Diamondback binders. And as a special treat the Wiggles performed after the game. We stayed for a little of the Wiggle show before Lauren decided she had seen enough.


This was Lauren's first MLB game. She seemed to enjoy it and really got into cheering for the Diamondbacks. We will have to cheer a bit harder next time, the Diamondbacks lost in the 10th inning. It was a wonderful way to spend a summer afternoon.




Saturday, July 24, 2010

Lauren and Sammie

Lauren and Sammie ready to play outside.
Lauren having a great time.


Sammie. I love this picture because it is so Sammie. She is always on the go. She loves life and to have fun. She is a sweet little girl. I love the dirty face but the sweet smile and beautiful eyes. She loves Lauren and Lauren just adores her.

Lauren reading to Sammie before bedtime.




Making music in the morning.




Swimming in the pool.
Janine usually watches Lauren while I work. Last week, Janine and her family went away for a few days so I had to come up with someone else to watch Lauren. I gave Lauren a few choices including camps, a babysitter or her cousin, Sammie's house. She quickly decided to go to Sammie's house. It was a drive to get her there each morning but Lauren just loved it. She would tell me all about it when I picked her up. She tired to spend the night but it did not work out. So Sammie came up on Friday and spent the night at our house. The girls had a great time. I love that these two cousins get along so well.




Thursday, July 22, 2010

Vacation 2010 - Day 12 (Home to Arizona)

Lauren and Ella.
Lauren and Ella


Lauren

Ella




Lauren at the airport.




Our last picture in Orlando, Florida.
On our last day we slept in and then went and had some breakfast. We finished packing and got everything out for the bus to take us to the airport. We had a little bit of time and so we took some pictures before leaving the hotel.
We left a hot, humid Orlando and got to Phoenix and a heat wave. The rest of the week was 115 plus. I still thought it was better then hot and humid Orlando.
Lauren and I had such a great time on vacation. Thanks to Kim and her parents for letting us stay with them at the timeshare resort. It was nice to have room to move around and to make lunches and dinners instead of eating out all the time.
I am glad I got to visit Disneyworld and see the wonder of it. However, I will never go back to Orlando in the summer. It is just too hot and humid. I will stick with Disneyland in CA during the summer. I would like to see Disneyworld at a different time of year where you can actually enjoy being outside and not trying to figure out where to go that has AC.
I am glad that Lauren got to see all of Disneyworld and we didn't have to rush through things. It was a fun vacation!!! Time to start to plan for next summer.




Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Vacation 2010 - Day 11 (Evening at Magic Kingdom)

Lauren in ToonTown

Our last character picture



The Tea Cups



Watching the fireworks while we wait for the boat.





One tired girl.
Our last night at Disneyworld we spent at the Magic Kingdom. It was very hot and it was crowded. But by using the fastpasses we were able to ride a bunch of rides. Ella and Kim went to hear Bella read a story and Lauren and I stayed in toontown. We went on the rollercoster once more and then waited in a long line to see Mickey and Minnie.
We left the park just as the fireworks were going off and we were able to watch them while we waited for our boat to come and take us to our hotel.




Vacation 2010 - Day 11 (Afternoon swimming)

Ella and Lauren heading to the slide.

Lauren and Ella





Lauren going down the slide.




OOPS! posted that picture twice.




Ella on the slide





Lauren and Ella






Going back to the room.





After the character breakfast we spent the afternoon swimming. Lauren finally decided to wear her matching swimsuit with Ella. Ella asked her to wear it almost everyday but Lauren likes to be stubborn. I am glad she finally agreed to wear it because I got some really cute pictures with it on.

Vacation 2010 - Day 11 (Morning at Mary Poppins Breakfast)

Lauren and Ella




Ella and Lauren and Mary Poppins






Alice in Wonderland




Mad Hatter and the girls.





Ella






Lauren and Ella







Lauren on the Monorail.
Day 11 was our last full day in Florida. We started the day with another character meal. This one was at one of the hotels and had a mix of characters. They included, Tigger, Pooh, Alice, Mary Poppins and the Mad Hatter. Lauren and I had gone to the Mary Poppins on Broadway show this year so she knew her and Tigger and Pooh. I have never read her the Alice in Wonderland book nor have we watched the movie. She expected the Mad Hatter to have red hair (like he does in the new movie.) It was a fun morning and it was nice to see a different hotel.








Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Vacation 2010 - Day 10 (Evening at Hollywood Studios)


Lauren and Ella dancing



We got to Hollywood Studios and they were just ready to start the dance party. We stayed for a little bit but it was hot and the girls were tired. We then headed back to the hotel. We got on the bus and I realized I didn't have my camera. I quick got off the bus and started to go back to where we had sat down to get a drink. It was not there. I was sick. Then I heard "mommy" "Lisa" there came Lauren, Kim and Ella with my camera in hand.
Lauren told me she saw it on the bench outside the bus and they got off the bus,got it and then went to find me. I was so proud of her and I know that she was happy that she was able to help me.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Vacation 2010 - Day 10 (Morning/Afternoon Epcot)

Waiting for the bus. They had some hula hoops for the kids to play with while they waited for the buses. Lauren was showing me that she could do a dance while she did the hula hoop.

Lauren and Ella at Epcot.





Ella with Mulan


Lauren with Mulan.











Lauren in the Mexico area of Epcot.













Lauren and Ella





























Being in the band during dinner.











Dancing during dinner.
On Day 10 we decided to go back to Epcot, mainly to get Mulan's picture. While we were there we got fast passes for Soaring in the late afternoon so we decided to stay at Epcot for a while. We saw all the characters again (and got more pictures). We went to a few shows and then we went on Soaring. The girls loved that ride. They thought it was great.
We then had dinner and the girls were asked to be part of the parade and band. They had a great time and this time I had my camera.
After dinner we asked the girls if they wanted to go to a dance party at Hollywood Studios or back to the hotel to swim. Dancing won so we headed to Hollywood Studios.