The Nichols Family

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Visit with the Rileys

Before we left Southern California, we visited with the Rileys, Bouteries and Great Granny Bouterie. We had fun swimming in Uncle Dion and Aunt Brenda's pool and visiting with Uncle Mark, Mirna and Granny. It was a great way to end our wonderful trip. Thank you Rileys for opening up your home for us!

Daddy, Jackson and Lola playing tennis.

Gross. Lincoln found a tomato worm. And he's not even afraid of it!

Lola looks like she thinks she's a big girl.

Lincoln and Uncle Dion.

Swimming in the beautiful pool.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Happy Birthday Lincoln!

Disneyland here we come! Friday was Lincoln's 5th birthday and we were up that morning by 6:45 AM (thanks to Miss Lola). We had a huge breakfast at the hotel and then lined up for the tram ride to Disneyland. Yay!

We got there by about 10 AM, rented a couple strollers, met up with Grandma Cheryl, and headed off to Tomorrowland because Lincoln had been talking about riding the rockets for months (he was too afraid to ride them when he went before, but had assured us that he was a big boy now). We actually ended up riding the cars first. I rode with Jackson and he was so excited. He kept saying "this is so fun! I love this! I love it!" After that we went on the new Nemo ride which was totally adorable and then did the rockets.

Though it seemed like there were a lot of people around, the longest we waited was about 20 minutes. We did everything we set out to do that day! The kids had a fantastic time and I can't wait until we can go back and Lola can actually enjoy it! She went on a couple rides, one of which was Pirates of the Carribbean, which she hated. She gripped Jeff for dear life the whole time, only letting go once in a while to pat Lincoln on the head.

The kids hung out until about 7:30 at which time the grandmas took them back to the hotel for bath and bedtime. Mommy and Daddy got to stay and close the park down! It was a lot of fun, though it felt like our feet could've just fallen off. Overall, it was a great day and we can't wait to get to do it again.

Waiting for the tram to go to DISNEYLAND!!!

This boy is 5 now. Can't believe it.

An attempt at selves-portrait.

If you can't tell ... its Mommy and Jackson. Hi!

Lincoln, you're 5, not 16 ... just remember that.

So silly on your birthday. Waiting in line for Nemo.

Us on the Nemo ride. Ooops, not supposed to take pictures.

The Nichols on Buzz Lightyear!

Lola taking a nap.

Pretty girl.

The girls!

All the kids ... on a bench ... on the merry-go-round. Where were the grandparents? On horses. Hmmm.

Waiting in line ... again.

Daddy and Jackson on Dumbo.

Mommy and Lincoln on Dumbo.

Lola gripping Daddy for dear life on Pirates.

Pirate Princess.

Yay! Minnie Mouse!

All day, Jackson couldn't wait to see Mickey Mouse! See how he was loving him?

Daddy and his boys. So cute!

Playing in Goofy's yard.

Lola and her grandmas. They took good care of her.

Wish I had a better picture of the Mickey Pumpkin ... this is the best I could do while pushing a stroller through a sea of people.

Disneyland!

In honor of Lincoln and Jackson's birthdays this year we decided to take a trip to Disneyland! Lincoln had been when he was 3 1/2 but this was the first time for Jackson. He didn't really understand what "going to Disneyland" meant, but he was very excited to be going on a "trip." "When are we getting to the trip?" he would ask on our ride down on Thursday.

So, we got to the hotel at about 1:30 PM on Thursday. We put Lola down for a quick nap in our suite while Lincoln and Jackson played in Grandma and Grandpa's suite. After Lola woke up, we headed over to Downtown Disney to have dinner at the Rainforest Cafe. After dinner, we walked around Downtown Disney and went to the Lego Store and the Disney Store. The kids had fun playing Legos in the Lego store and in the Disney Store Grandpa ("Peepaw") let each child pick out a toy to take home.

After that, we headed back to the hotel to rest up for the busy day that was ahead of us!