"Its a jolly holiday with Mary"

Wow, Katrina emailed me to let me know that I am not blogging enough!!! OK...

Well my life is so routine; I often feel that there is not too much to talk about. Now that it is April, I had an opportunity to have my wife meet someone she truly admires. All it took was a lack of sleep and sitting in the cold. I'll get to that in a bit... Let’s go all the way to the beginning....

It all started when my wonderful bride had a meeting the same weekend as our God Daughters birthday trip to Disneyland. Sherri left on Friday to a meeting in San Luis Obispo and left me to be alone and responsible for the two awesome kids in the family. Staying at home, would not have been too bad, just keep the sharps put away, and doors locked right? Well to save time and get out of the house we made it a long vacation...

Saturday I had to take the van in to have transmission fluid added as it started shifting strangely. Then after Carters t-ball game, the van was loaded up and we headed to meet mom in SLO. 1/4 of the way there, the shifting of the transmission started acting up, but we made it safe. The kids did great, we went to dinner and they behaved beautifully, we shopped and had fun. We met up with Sherri between her meetings and had a blast.

Sunday Morning, after breakfast and Sherri’ meetings we were off to the OC and the Magic Kingdom. Every now and then the car acted up, but we made it by manually shifted down when needed. We stopped at IKEA in Burbank for some shopping (no meatballs) and then off to the container store... We must get organized!! Upon leaving Pasadena, the ride got a little rougher. We made it to the hotel in Anaheim, and I called Honda, they sent a tow truck over and took it to the dealer...

On Monday, we headed to California Adventure. What a day... it was Megan Bleecker’s birthday party and we hit all the fun attractions for the kids. Lunch was with Arial and all the princesses. Ella had such a good time, and on this trip started to call Snow White "no white". Now only 3 princesses are referred to as "Ella". After lunch I got the dreaded call from Honda, you need a new transmission..... And Honda will pay for it!!" What a relief, the extended warranty has officially saved us a lot of money!! Time to party on! We stayed until the park was closed, I think the kids did everything their heart desired and were ready to hit Disneyland the next day. We learned a lesson, that not hopping is great! We got so much done by staying in one park.

After getting back to the hotel, I had to set the alarm for 3 am... yes 3 am!! Tomorrow was the day we were exited that we were going to be at Disneyland for. Tuesday Julie Andrews was going to be signing her new book. Sherri love Julie Andrews and I knew I had to do what I could so she could meet her. Officially, I could not line up till 4 am, but upon arriving at 4:15, after waking from the hotel, about 70 people were already in line. At 7 am they cast members began handing out wrist bands. The wrist bands guaranteed you the ability to buy a book. Upon receiving a wrist band you went to the main entrance, which opened at 8:30. Everyone had to go to the same line and we were let in before the general public, but after the magic morning people. You could buy a pre-signed book, or take your chances on actually meeting JA and having her sign in person.

What would have been the point not risking it??? So When I got in line to buy the book, I was told I would be just over the 100th guest to buy the unsigned book and my place in line would be saved at that number. I did purchase the unsigned book. I was number 114, and was told to be back at noon. WOW, all the stress was relieved. Sherri and the Kids arrived at the park shortly after I got the book. She was ecstatic!!

Around 10:30 on Tuesday, we went by the Carousel in Fantasy land, and saw the parks suits presenting JA with the plaque for the horse they modeled after the one she rode as Mary Poppins. We both got excited as we knew soon Sherri would possibly meet her.

Around 2 pm, Sherri had called to tell me she met and shook hand with JA and had a nice conversation. This will be something special that she will always remember. I wish I could have gone with her, but it was great to be able to give her that "gift".

We were scheduled to come home that night, but without a transmission in the car, that was kind of hard. We ended up staying an additional two nights, and played and Disney one more day. We got home late this afternoon and boy, are we tired. Carter has already worn his new Jedi costume, and we have had several light saber battles.. And Ella had carried her new Minnie dolls all over the house.

Good night to all, and I should be blogging again shortly after our next trip in May... Cheers