Freedain.com

Wow!! What a day we had yesterday. My friends Susan, Mike and I braved the early morning hours (5:30am) to get in line for entry to Disneyland. When they finally opened the gates at 6:30, we hustled over to Main Street, hoping to get a spot along the barrier. Unfortunately we were too slow. So we parked behind some teenage girls and older ladies. The day seemed to drag by. We were later joined by Ethan and his sister Lauren. My Kris and Susan’s Chris also showed up with the boys (who had a great time on all the rides-no waits). Our spot was directly across from the E! News booth. Finally around 3:15, it was time to pack up the blankets and bags, and get ready to stand for the next 5 hours. The arrivals started at 6pm. The first celebrity we spotted was Christian Slater. Everyone was quasi-excited except for Lauren who said “Who’s Christian Slater?” A lot of Disney channel kids were there, I didn’t know some of them. Some of the other celebrities we saw were: Tony Hawk, Vincent D’Nofrio, Jon Voight, Kevin Pollack, our dumb Governor, some sports figures, Tony Shaloub, Michael Rosenbaum, Jon Cryer, “Dancing with the Stars” people, Mark Hoppus, Lynda Carter, Jennifer Love Hewitt, James Cameron, and others. We managed to get an autograph from a boy in “High School Musical”. I promised my niece Savannah and nephew Alexander that I’d try for his autograph. They will be the proud owners soon Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom were the last two on the Red Carpet. Halfway down Main Street, they were ushered off the street and into a cast member area. It was a good 15 minutes before they came back. Orlando went to the media and started the interviews. He never did come over to our side, although everyone (especially Ethan) was screaming for him. Johnny Depp went down the barricade right in front of us. Mike scored an autograph, I was holding my book out with one hand and snapping pics on my camera with the other. I’m sad to say that he bypassed my book He did sign Susan’s 8×10 pic of him, that Ethan managed to get directly in his line of sight.

By 9:00 they were finishing the media interviews and the movie was due to start, so we decided to leave. After collecting our stuff and getting in touch with our hubbys, we headed to the exit. We were able to take some pics on the red carpet, and had fun laying down on it to take them. By the time we found our hubbys, and checked into our hotel room across the street, it was about 10:30pm. We had a room on the 8th floor of the Fairfield hotel. Imagine our surprise when we could see the movie screen from our room. Although it was far away, we got to see some of POTC2. We are already planning next years strategy!!!!!

We had the absolute best weekend. Friday, Dawn, Ian, cousins, Aunties, and Grandma got to go out for ice cream, then Grandma and Aunty went to Disneyland with them! Check out the gallery.

Then, Saturday, we went to Matt and Michelle’s reception. It was great. (well, besides the traffic on the way out the the 909, but hey, no biggie.) I loved the M&M’s - check out the gallery (be sure and see uncle in his lbc pose, hahaha). I didn’t get to take as many pictures as I would have liked to, but I’m sure Matt has a million. (I’ll add more soon)

Then, Sunday/Monday we went up and surprised my Dad. That was really great. He had no idea we were coming until he saw us pull up in the driveway and ask Mom “is that little guy?, WOW”

Here’s the bummer part; I thought I took a picture of Dad on Fathers Day, and got home and found out that it must not have saved it properly. Bummer.

(Check out the adventure’s gallery)

I had taken Monday off work so we could stay the night Sunday night. We had quite the adventure too! I think the location we ate each of the day’s meals sums it up. Breakfast in Lompoc - Lunch in Santa Barbara - dessert in Hollywood - and dinner in Santa Monica!!!

Here we are at Rose’s Cafe in Santa Monica. This was really neat to see (those of you who are Depeche Mode fans will know why)

Then, we went to the Disney Ice Cream shop in Hollywood because they have a ‘Cars’ themed treat. (of course)

Then, off to 3rd St. in Santa Monica for Johnny’s Pizza. sooooo good…

And of course, I have to show this off. My Dawn made me the coolest present ever. It’s a framed page of my little man and I right after he got his “Daddy haircut”. I really love this:

Today Ian sent me a great link in email!!! I got to be a Wiggle!!!! Check it out:

So did Dawn:

hahahahaha

On Sunday this last weekend, Ian and Daddy had a great day. First we walked down to Del Mar street; they were having their annual San Clemente Car Show.

I’ve added some pictures to the gallery under ‘2006′. But had to post this one:

Once Ian finished looking at the cars, we headed down to the beach. We packed a picnic and ate PBJ sandwiches. Then had a bunch of fun in the waves and even tried to fly his new Nemo kite. Didn’t work to well due to a lack of wind; we did have fun trying though.

After that we came home for nap time, and wow was little man tired. Fell right asleep. Then we went out to eat. What a day!!!

Ian, Dawn, and I went to the 11:15AM showing of Cars today. (yes, I took half day to see a movie, hey, we’ve been waiting months for this one!!) Loved it, but, then, I knew I would.

Check out the trailer at Apple:

Started my day by waking up at about 7am and got ready for temple. We had a great speaking for today’s workshop. He was a professor from the University of the West. (His name escapes me, but I’ll post a follow up once I remember.) Then we had our monthly BLIA meeting. That went well, and everyone seemed to be in the moment. Then Dawn dropped off Ian on her way to her convention, and he and I were lucky enough to have lunch with Venerable Man Jen. Once we dropped her off back at temple Ian and I headed over to the day’s big event…. The Thomas Store!!! The Brea Mall has a store devoted to his current obsession,,, Thomas the Tank Engine! Wow was he excited. And, of course, had a complete melt-down when we left, but, that goes without say now doesn’t it. It’s now 6:45 PM and he’s still napping…. I think he’s worn out from the weekend. And wow, what a fun weekend it was.