Cole's 6th Birthday Bash

Another year older and another year wiser...or so they say. This year, Cole had the choice of a birthday party with friends, or a day at Disneyland with family. He chose the better part and went with the family, oh, and I guess Disneyland and beach had something to do with it. So off we went in the car...another peaceful, uneventful trip to California...NOT! Before we even got on the road, we went to pick up Jared, Kate got car sick and threw up in the car. Fortunately, she's experienced this enough times that she can feel it coming on and has her own little "car kit" which is kept right by her car seat. So, down the road we went, only to stop 2 hours later at the Flying J for dinner. As the kids finished up, Jared went to go and fill 'er up, only to find that he has left the car keys locked inside the car....Oops. Fortunately, we only waited 1 hour before AAA came to our rescue. The children really enjoyed playing the arcade games at the Flying J.  

Jared at the truck stop, patiently waiting.  This is as exciting as it got.

Cole loved pretend playing the video games, especially the hunting one!  Kate and Lizzie preferred the driving ones....watch out world, here they come!

Back on the road again, no more unexpected stops.....Cole was more than happy to get up the next morning and get ready for a full day at Disneyland with the Grays, Grandma & Grandpa Dunyon, and Grandma Storer. He got to choose the first ride....Indiana Jones and then straight over to Big Thunder Mountain. Thrill seeker, just like his dad! He even got to go and experience Space Mountain for the first time and LOVED IT! (See pictures below!)  We were so lucky to have our family and especially Grandma Storer there - what a trooper - especially when all the kids wanted a ride in the wheelchair after the day was done.  I think we tired her out but we are so glad we got to share it with her!  Love you Grandma Storer!

The next day was another fun-filled day.  Cole woke up to his official Birthday.  With the help of the Grays and the Grandparents, it was off on a treasure hunt for his birthday presents.  One by one they were collected from all over Grandma's house and brought back for the grand opening.  Paper was flying, screams were exploding, and fun was blasting off the roof!  Then it was off to the cake to blow candles out.  Cole requested a Lego Star Wars cake this year.  I did my best, although it's no Mickey Mouse Clubhouse cake (Jill you showed me up this year!).  Then it was off to Cole's next favorite place...the Beach.  It was a little colder than what we like, but that didn't seem to stop Kate from getting in the water, flying kites and playing on the swing set.  But the weekend wasn't over yet....oh wait, there's more....

The cold day at Aliso Creek Beach - note Grandma's layers.

The hunt for the presents - rhyming done by Kim - they were a must read.

Opening gifts...he loved Mario Bros. Wii game, Buzz Lightyear Legos, Magnetic Puzzler, and Hangman.

Blowing out birthday candles.

Lovely ladies at Disneyland.

Lizzie just loved being able to explore!  No more sitting contently in the stroller for you!

A must do ride...DUMBO!

The best ride and seat in the house!  How do you feel about that Grams?

Grandpa just loves his grandchildren....not the tea cups so much!

After the festivities at the Dunyons, it was up to Calabasas for Luke's baby blessing.  That needs a whole blog by itself....more to come!