Cheesy

Drew is such a funny little guy. He loves to ham it up, as long as he is in the right mood! It is tough to get just a smile out of him when I take pictures. Here is what happens when I try.

CHEESE

CHEESY

CHEESIER!!

We love you, Little Drewbies!!

Last Day of School

Today was Zack's last day of 3's preschool! I can't believe it, the year flew by so fast! His class and two others had a program for the parents, in which they sung songs and did little rhymes. It was really cute. I could tell that Zack was a little self-conscious, but all in all, he did great! I am so sad that another year with Mrs. Kimball (our absolutely favorite teacher - Sadie had her too) is over. But it helps to know that Drew will have her in 2009. Zack will be in the 4's class next year, as we are going to wait to put him in Kindergarten until he is 6. (Long story - boy, summer birthday, etc.) Zack had a wonderful year and we are so proud of him and what he has learned and the kind of person he is becoming. We love you Zack!

Mmmm, cookies! (Yes, that is Drew in the background at the cookie table, helping himself. I think he had 3...)

Zack and Gavin - Best Buddies

Caleb, Zack and Gavin - The Three Musketeers

Our beloved Mrs. Kimball and Zack

The Funnies

Last night I cleaned off an old white board/cork board to begin using again. On it were these three cartoons that I had cut out back in college. I was going to throw them away, but just couldn't, because I find them so funny! I thought I would share them.

Laughter IS the best medicine, you know!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

Sadie is playing softball again this year and is loving it!! Her coach is awesome and most of her teammates played with her last year. The girls really seem to know what to do, how to field the ball, etc. and most of them hardly ever have to use the tee! (They get coach pitch for four pitches and then use the tee if they can't hit the ball.) We are so proud of Sadie and are happy that she is loving it so much! Here are some pics from her game last night.

Sadie and Drew (aka Little Wannabe) Bastinelli

Froggies, Froggies, Everywhere!

Sadie's class has been studying frogs and turtles for a few months now. They even took a field trip to the Jackson Bottom Wetlands, but Sadie missed it since we were at Disneyland! Anyways, they had a big project due yesterday - they had to make a frog habitat. It was quite fun to do with Sadie. She used real dirt, plants and water and made insects and plants out of clay. We found some cute plastic frogs and turtles at Target. Her finished project looked awesome!

Screamin'

I just realized I didn't put any pictures up of Tony and Sadie on California Screamin'! In case you aren't familiar with it, it is a big roller coaster that goes VERY fast, up and down and all around, and even upside down. Sadie went on it three times during our trip. I went once and was completely nauseous for the next hour. Sheesh.

Sadie looks SO small! Thank goodness for centrifugal force!

Day 5, Sunday May 4

Our last day. So sad! The day started out a little rough. We had plans to hit a few rides that we hadn't done yet and a few things to get at the shops. However, Sadie got sick Saturday night! It was pretty bad, and I was so worried that our last day would be spent in the hotel room while the boys went out! But after a night of fervent prayer on my part, she woke up feeling pretty good. We took our time getting ready and I only let her eat toast and a bagel to make sure her tummy was fine. By then she was feeling much better and we decided to continue on with our plans. All Sadie was concerned about was going on Splash Mountain! Ah, the resilience of a child!

Back in Disneyland, we ran into Buzz.

And went on Buzz Lightyear Astroblasters once more.

Then the boys and I waited while Tony and Sadie went on Splash Mountain.

We said goodbye to Disneyland, ate lunch in downtown Disney, and then said goodbye to California Adventure.

Then it was time to head for the airport to go back home.

And that was it, our wonderful first trip as a family of 5. We will never forget it (well, the boys might...) and we have so many pictures to look back at and remember. In the book I am reading for Bible Study right now (Self Talk, Soul Talk by Jennifer Rothschild), the author says, "The real power of any moment is fully realized when it is remembered. Remembering is essential to the health of our souls." God truly blessed us with health, happiness, joy and safety on our trip and for that I am forever grateful. Thank you all for enjoying my remembering!!

Day 4, Saturday May 3

Aunt Jeanie and Kellen had never been to California Adventure, so we went straight there on Saturday. We got Fastpasses for Soarin Over California (one of the best rides ever!) and headed for Bug's Life Land!

Yes, Flik is the second character that Drew allowed anywhere near him. And yes, he is a big huge bug.......weird!

Aunt Jeanie and Drewby!

The lines at Bug's Life were non-existent, so we went on lots of kiddie rides!

Sadie and Kellen on the teacup-esque ladybug ride. Made me queasy to even watch!

Aunt Jeanie, Kellen and Zack

It got REALLY hot. Aunt Jeanie and Kellen headed for home and we went back to Bug's Life Land to get wet!

Ahhhh, it felt SO good!










Then came the highlight of Sadie's day. The High School Musical 2 show! It was really neat, they sang and danced to all the songs from the movie. Zack and Sadie actually got pulled up twice to dance with the performers. Even Zack loved it!

Here's a neat picture of Tony with Sadie and Zack. Oh man, I would have loved to jump in that waterfall right then!

That night we headed back to Disneyland, where we staked a great spot to watch Fantasmic.

All the characters were on the Mark Twain Riverboat at the end of the show.

And thus ended our last night at Disneyland. Wah!

Day 3 - Friday, May 2

We were at Disneyland nice and early on this day. We waited with the masses on Main Street for the rope to drop.

As soon as the park opened, we went over to Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters. What a FUN ride!

Then we went to the Plaza Inn for breakfast with Minnie and friends. We saw tons of characters and got lots of autographs and pictures. Drew was a little nervous with Chip and Dale, and Sadie wouldn't go NEAR Captain Hook! But all in all, it was really fun.

Eeyore was one of only two characters the entire trip that Drew actually would go near. He even touched him!

The Jedi Training Academy was one thing the kids were really looking forward to on our trip. We only had the chance to see it once and Sadie and Zack didn't get selected to fight Darth Vader. They were both quite disappointed. Next time...

My Aunt Jeanie and cousin Kellen were driving up to see us from Escondido, CA. After bad traffic and a mishap with the people mover tram, they made it! Yay!

We looked around Tomorrow Land for awhile - it was HOT!!!!! Even Aunt Jeanie and Kellen were feeling the heat.

Then my camera battery died. Great. Here are a few pictures from the rest of the day taken on Tony's cell phone.

We love Woody!

Oooh, Minnie's bed is comfy!

Tony's worst nightmare!

Sadie had a hair wrap done. It looks pretty cool in her hair and they say it should last a month or so.

Rasta Drew. Ja mahn!

We saw the awesome firework show and that ended another wonderful day at the Happiest Place on Earth!