Out of the dog house

I felt so guilty while Pagosa was staying with me because I didn't have time to do anything fun with her. She was so bored. So at the end of her vacation with me I made sure we did something great so that's how she'll remember me. She loves me now. Yes, I need validation from a dog apparently.

Sign My Petition

I have a very good relationship with my parents and always have. The only thing I remember arguing with my parents about in high school was practicing piano. I hated it. So I'm pretty sure they were surprised when I wanted a keyboard for Christmas. Of course, I figured they owed it to me since they made me play and now I enjoy it. But thank you anyway parents for your continuing obligation. Although, my mom took a little bit of the fun out of my great new present when she asked, "have you practiced today?" She has been instructed to not ask that question anymore. Post traumatic stress.

So now that Christmas is done and over, I might as well admit that I think the 26th is one of the saddest days of the year. There's nothing to look forward to for a few months other than a long winter ahead. Snow and winter make part of that Christmas feeling, and the lights look great against the white, but after Christmas, it's just snow and misery. It goes from fun festivities to just plain cold. Nothing fun to anticipate, no fun songs like "Walking in a Winter Wonderland" and "Let it Snow" to ease the pain of the cold dreary winter. I petition that we should move Christmas to early February so that after Christmas we only have a little more to endure before spring. Maybe we could make it Feb 14 and just get rid of Valentines Day altogether. Plus, then I won't have to take my tree down yet.

Petition to move Christmas:

1. Kristen

Good News, I saw a dog today

I'm dogsitting for the week. It's been pretty fun, but also a little taste of responsibility. Those with kids will just laugh, but let's be honest, I'm not too used to adjusting my schedule to make sure someone else had eaten or gone to the bathroom. I even told a date that I needed to get home to feed the dog. He may have thought I was brushing him off.

She's a very good dog but we're having a few alpha issues. I've lost the battle of her not coming upstairs. It's just not worth it, plus it's nice having the company. I hope I won't be such a push over with my own kids. I do tell her to sit a lot because it's the only command she consistently obeys and it makes me feel like I'm still in control.

It has been pretty fun taking her with me pretty much everywhere I go, she keeps my car seat warm, I just wish she would move faster when it's snowing outside and I want to get in. We played in the snow with Landon (I made my first snowman EVER!) but I'm pretty sure she's not getting the amount of exercise she's used to. She's a very active dog, and usually goes hiking once a week and walks to the dog park every day. Let's be honest, it's been too cold for me to venture there, so being with me is more like a relaxing beach vacation.

I'll be sad when she leaves, but like babysitting any kid, they're great for a week and then it's so nice to give them back. Plus, I'm looking forward to the house cleaning Brian promised as payment for dogsitting.
Bonus points if you know the movie the Title came from...and double bonus points for another quote from it as it's one of my favorite movies

I never learned the 'don't play with your food' rule

Man: "She made me what I am."
Woman: "I need to get a new recipe."

Be-Fra-Lux....Yes, I made that up

Working night shift you would think jet lag would not be an issue. I'm used to sleeping when it's not natural to sleep and I'm used to not getting a lot of sleep. I do great when I'm on vacation, but coming home for some reason really messes me up. And regardless how little I've slept in the last 48 hours, I still have to come to work. To pay for said vacation. So it really brightened my not so bright day at work when I walked in and was asked how my trip was. And then simultaneously several people mentioned different locales that I have traveled to in the last 3-4 months. Not one of them being the trip I'm recovering from. Apparently no one knew I went on this trip and had just gotten home. But I didn't tell them about it then either. I just said they were great. I thought it would be rude to mention that I had been on yet another trip. Despite my blog, I rarely tell people that I travel. I think it's conceited, plus, do other people go around blabbing about their addictions? So since I didn't get the pleasure out of telling anyone about my latest adventures...

Advice/things people don't tell you:

It's really cold at the top of the Eiffel Tower. So cold that I ran in place for 30 minutes to warm up. I finally warmed up, at the expense of looking like an idiot.
When all the locals are waiting for the elevator at the metro station, go ahead and wait with them. They probably know that there are 200 steps just around the corner.
The metro during afternoon commute is not the best time to travel with all of your luggage. We may have made a lot of French enemies while trying to get off with our packs.
6 layers may not necessarily keep you warm when it's snowing in Belgium
Tights like this will never be in fashion. And don't do fur. I'm not even an animal right's activist. It's just not attractive

Two twin beds pushed together is just not the same as an actual king bed. And it does not feel good sleeping on the crack between
It does not matter what country you are in--Angela will still need to take everything out of her bag to find something.
Churros in Luxembourg are just as good as churros in South America. And way better than Costco.


Okay, the rest of the pictures are just for fun. I tried not to add too many pictures...

This is a famous statue of a boy peeing. They like to dress him up, and the day we were there he was dressed as a doctor. The scrubs say "European Associate of Urology"
This was one of the trip highlights: The US Military Cemetery in Luxembourg. This is the grave of Alex Penkala. Which is of interest to anyone who watches Band of Brothers which is one of my favorite movies.


The Louvre was the sleeper of the trip. I'm not really into art and wasn't expecting much, but it was surprisingly cool. I still don't understand the big deal of the Mona Lisa, but we saw it nonetheless.

If You Need a Reason

Things Logan has given me: Better taste in music. And more appreciation for music (okay Logan, it might count. A little. Not too much).

Concerts I had attended pre-Logan era:

Coldplay

Willie Nelson (Deana Carter, Shooter Jennings)

Dashboard Confessional (I'm embarassed to put this on if any of Logan's people read this)

New Found Glory (Finch, Something Corporate)

Jack Johnson (x2) (ALO)

Matt Costa (Okay, he opened for Jack, but he's worth naming)

Ben Harper
The Ataris

Concerts I have atteneded in the last 6 months since dating (dat) Logan:

James Taylor

Josh Ritter

Three Dog Night

Republic Tigers

Mason Jennings (Most recent)

Zach Gill (also worth naming)

In the last 6 months I've been to almost as many concerts as I had ever been to. And as long as I'm talking about this, you should check out his music blog, Whale In a Cubicle, especially the ones written by logg. It's where I learn what's cool so I can still sound young and hip. But don't bother entering their contests. They're rigged.

Why my managers grateful for me...

Because I'm pretty sure I'm the only employee who they can schedule for EVERY holiday and I won't complain. You might think I'm exaggerating. I'm not.

Thanksgiving

Day after Thanksgiving

Christmas Eve

Christmas

Day after Christmas

New Year's Eve

And why won't I complain? My reasons are 2-fold. I like the holiday pay, and I like being reminded that I might as well work because I'm single and don't live by my family.

In spite of these reminders I do have lots to be grateful for. Namely that I can eat this year! Happy Thanksgiving.

A Blogging First

I wasn't quite sure I was going to do this tag, as I've always thought "tags" were a little ridiculous and something people did when they ran out of real ideas (No offense dear friend Amanda who did tag me). But then I wondered if it was some sort of non-optional social obligation? If I didn't do this tag, would I never get tagged again, would that then be the beginning of the end of other social invites: dinner parties, birthday parties, bar mitzvahs?

6 quirky things about me.....

1. I like to use two towels when I shower. Preferably two different colored towels because I like to hang the lighter colored towel closer to me and the darker one farther away because I like to use the lighter colored one to wrap my hair up and the darker one to dry off.

2. When I walk, sometimes I become very aware of stepping on the cracks and if I step on the crack with the ball of the right foot, the left foot has to step on the the crack with the same place on the foot, to balance it out. Same goes for stepping on the crack with the heel, toes, anywhere else. I have a hard time running outside because of all the cracks in the roads/sidewalks because it completely throws off my stride.

3. Similar to #2, when one finger touches something with texture, all the other fingers have to do the same thing. Example, you know the ridge around a steering wheel? The thumb will touch it and then all the other fingers need to. It's horribly obnoxious and can interfere with holding hands with people. I'm pretty sure it's OCD.

4. I have 4 legitimate fears. One of them is that I'm afraid of unfamiliar toilets. That moment of truth right before they actually flush is a little scary. There are so many things that could go wrong and I don't like that.

5. When I eat, I don't mind if sauces run together, but I like to eat all of one food and then move onto the next food.

6. Sometimes I like to get rid of things around the house just to prove to myself that I'm not a pack rat

I now tag...Logan and Steve because they're the only boys who consistently read my blog, and I think that these tags are gender biased and think it's unfair that they only go around on girl blogs.

Climb On

Landon is the cutest boy ever, but he's exhaustingly 100% boy. He's a monkey and climbs up everything and everywhere. For which he is usually being told "Get down!" So he quickly warmed up to the idea of us telling him to climb everything. When we left we hadn't even got to the car and he wanted to know if we could come back the next day. And the day after that. And the day after that.

It took two hours of climbing to finally wear him out. His mom wants me to take him more often. And he loved the "squishy" floor.

#18, Awareness

According to #18 on Stuff White People like, I am white. However, in my defense, I am not looking for the government to fix this issue, nor am I having a benefits dinner, I just found this problem interesting/appalling and sadly true.

I read this article on Today called "Grade-school Lolita: 'So Sexy so soon'" and was scared about the issues facing children. Yes, despite the things cited in the article, they are still children. But the best part of the article was at the end where it so truthfully proclaims, "Each of these stories has a lot to do with sex and sexuality. But they also have implications — that go far beyond sex — for children’s overall development, attitudes, and behavior...We also see examples of the objectification of oneself and others as both girls and boys learn that how you look rather than who you are determines the value others place on you. Unfortunately, it’s not a very big leap from this kind of objectification to a range of unhealthy emotional consequences such as eating disorders and depression."

Thank you Dove, for shedding light on the real issues facing girls. And the root of so many other problems.

This one, "Amy," is my favorite, the second one, "Onslaught," I think is the most telling.

My dad is usually right

My dad just read my blog and said I need to go on another trip so I blog about something other than politics. He's right, I do need to go on another trip. Don't worry, I do have a few planned. But I think his comment was as good as saying he'd like to help pay for one of these trips. Right dad, right?!

p.s. Don't be discouraged by the length of the previous post, it's really good!

If Mormons really had clout, Romney would have won

Yes, I'm still fascinated (strong word, but still probably an understatement) with the whole Prop 8 "saga" for lack of a better word. How could I not be? It involves my home of California and all my family and friends, on both sides of the issue. In addition, since the election, my church has been the target of unjustified hatred, abuse, and--dare I say--intolerance.

We are beginning to see the truth in what Harvard Law professor Mary Ann Glendon cited back in 2004 during the same-sex marriage debate in Massachusetts, ''the experience in other countries reveals that once these arrangements become law, there will be no live-and-let-live policy for those who differ. Gay-marriage proponents use the language of openness, tolerance, and diversity, yet one foreseeable effect of their success will be to usher in an era of intolerance and discrimination...The ax will fall most heavily on religious persons and groups that don't go along."

All around us, we see the ax falling, trying to use fear to silence religious groups. George W. Dent, Jr., wrote of this conflict in the Kentucky Law Journal, "[T]his war is not amenable to compromise. [T]he goal of the gay movement is not primarily economic; most gays already have above-average incomes. The goal, rather, is approval of homosexuality as legally and socially equal to heterosexuality. Because of the tremendous influence of religion in America , this goal cannot be achieved unless religious groups either surrender, thus affirming this equality or, at least, those that do not are reduced to a despised minority compelled to keep its views to itself. In other words, the goal of the gay movement is to confine its opponents in the closet."

This letter is from Kevin Hamilton, an LDS seminary teacher, and cited in an excellent article written by the author Orson Scott Card. It speaks of reason and hope concerning the Latter-Day Saints' involvement in Prop 8. For those who question our involvment, read on:

"In the aftermath of the recent election, we may find ourselves oddly on the defensive regarding our support for the Yes on Proposition 8 cause. Our young people have been especially subject to mean spirited comments by high school friends and teachers. We have nothing to be ashamed of. We did nothing wrong. In fact, we did everything that a civic minded American can and should do. I have put together a few facts that help me to appreciate our position better. For example:

1. Mormons make up less than 2% of the population of California. There are approximately 800,000 LDS out of a total population of approximately 34 million.

2. Mormon voters were less than 5% of the yes vote. If one estimates that 250,000 LDS are registered voters (the rest being children), then LDS voters made up 4.6% of the Yes vote and 2.4% of the total Proposition 8 vote.

3. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) donated no money to the Yes on 8 campaign. Individual members of the Church were encouraged to support the Yes on 8 efforts and, exercising their constitutional right to free speech, donated whatever they felt like donating.
4. The No on 8 campaign raised more money than the Yes on 8 campaign. Unofficial estimates put No on 8 at $38 million and Yes on 8 at $32 million, making it the most expensive non-presidential election in the country.

5. Advertising messages for the Yes on 8 campaign are based on case law and real-life situations. The No on 8 supporters have insisted that the Yes on 8 messaging is based on lies. Every Yes on 8 claim is supported.

6. The majority of our friends and neighbors voted Yes on 8. Los Angeles County voted in favor of Yes on 8. Ventura County voted in favor of Yes on 8. (And I would add my home county of Solano)

7. African Americans overwhelmingly supported Yes on 8. Exit polls show that 70% of Black voters chose Yes on 8. This was interesting because the majority of these voters voted for President-elect Obama. No on 8 supporters had assumed that Obama voters would vote No on 8

8. The majority of Latino voters voted Yes on 8. Exit polls show that the majority of Latinos supported Yes on 8 and cited religious beliefs (assumed to be primarily Catholic).

9. The Yes on 8 coalition was a broad spectrum of religious organizations. Catholics, Evangelicals, Protestants, Orthodox Jews, Muslims – all supported Yes on 8. It is estimated that there are 10 million Catholics and 10 million Protestants in California. Mormons were a tiny fraction of the population represented by Yes on 8 coalition members.

10. Not all Mormons voted in favor of Proposition 8. Our faith accords that each person be allowed to choose for him or her self. Church leaders have asked members to treat other members with "civility, respect and love," despite their differing views.

11. The Church did not violate the principal of separation of church and state. This principle is derived from the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which reads, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." The phrase "separation of church and state", which does not appear in the Constitution itself, is generally traced to an 1802 letter by Thomas Jefferson, although it has since been quoted in several opinions handed down by the United States Supreme Court in recent years. The LDS Church is under no obligation to refrain from participating in the political process, to the extent permitted by law. U.S. election law is very clear that Churches may not endorse candidates, but may support issues. The Church has always been very careful on this matter and occasionally (not often) chooses to support causes that it feels to be of a moral nature.

12. Supporters of Proposition 8 did exactly what the Constitution provides for all citizens: they exercised their First Amendment rights to speak out on an issue that concerned them, make contributions to a cause that they support, and then vote in the regular electoral process. For the most part, this seems to have been done in an open, fair, and civil way. Opponents of 8 have accused supporters of being bigots, liars, and worse. The fact is, we simply did what Americans do – we spoke up, we campaigned, and we voted.

Hold your heads up high – you did a great job on this most important cause. We will have more opportunities in the future to participate in our democratic process. Let's remember the lessons learned and do an even better job next time. "

p.s. Bring on the Utah boycott. We really don't care if CA liberals boycott Utah liberals at Sundance, or save all the good powder for us at the resorts this winter.

Hap Hal Birt Da

Because half birthdays are just as important as regular ones. And I'll always celebrate them.

The founding fathers are frowning

I'm politically annoyed again. I don't want my blog to become one of those rant blogs. So instead of viewing this as ranting, lets say it's informative. The information is just too good to keep to myself. My last post was dedicated to supporting our new president, who I didn't vote for, but because that is the way this country works. And that is what is great about it.

You know the generation of people who grew up playing T-ball where they didn't keep score, or science fairs where everyone got a "participant" award? The generation that thinks there are no winners and losers. Now that this generation (admittedly my generation, but I'm not proud) is in the grown up world, where there are losers, they have found if they complain enough they can get their way. So where are these all-winners-no-losers T-ball players and science fair contestants? They're busy demonstrating and protesting the election results from Prop 8.

It is so frustrating and discouraging to see all the demonstrations and law-suits in California right now. Our country is great because of democracy, but it seems that the same principles that allow one to demonstrate and speak your voice are being attacked. This in no longer a civil rights issue (as the No supporters claim) or a moral issue (as the Yes supporters claim). I'm not even sure what "issue" to call it. But it has become an attack on the democratic way. They are trying to supersede the checks and balances in our country that protect it from "tyranny by the minority."

Back in June when they began performing same sex marriage, there were no demonstrations from those who didn't agree with it. They did things the American way. They put a measure on the ballot to see what the people think about it. Although it was close, the people spoke, again, against gay marriage.

This was written after June, but before the election obviously:
"If gay marriage advocates want to change the definition and institution of marriage, they should have to put a ballot measure before the voters to do so, in order to have this vital matter be decided by the vote of the people. That’s how we do things in America. And we did that! In November 2000 over 61% of Californians voted in favor of Proposition 22 to reaffirm that only man-woman marriage would be valid or recognized in California. But what radicals can’t accomplish by legal means, they try to do by extra-legal ones. They went behind the backs of the voters and convinced four activist judges in San Francisco to redefine marriage for all of society. That violates the principal of majority rule, a rule which safeguards democracy. We cannot let that happen."

And now, it happens again. California voted, but because it didn't go in the favor of the minority, they will continue to side-step the law to get what they want. The generation that doesn't want to believe that they can't have everything they want are trying to overrule the majority. These are not the principles that make America great, and this is not how life works.

I still contest that this is a moral issue, but that doesn't seem to matter to most.

And after I wrote all that, I found this letter to the editor in the San Francisco Chronicle, and I think he says it much better than I did. But I spent too long writing that do just delete it in lieu of this:

"Democracy thwarted

Editor - Regarding "Legal challenges: Same-sex marriage issue back in high court" (Nov. 6) Please, please, please! Somebody correct me if I'm wrong - but isn't the point of voting that the citizens vote, the votes are counted, tallied and the majority declared?

How can I respect anyone's wishes to marry, when they don't want to respect the voters in California (in 2000 and now in 2008) and the very fibers of democracy?

Why are we spending millions of dollars and countless hours of energy when supporters of same-sex marriage continue to use up valuable resources to fight something that the majority already voted down? I support anyone in their quest to find a lifestyle of their own, but I do not support any group that is so blatantly defiant of democracy. If a vote is put forward, both sides must honor and abide by the outcome. Otherwise what's the point?"
-ALDEN OLMSTED

I promise I won't post political stuff, at least for a few more, if I still have people reading, that it.

I'm Really Trying Not To Be A Sore Loser

Remember when I said I'm not one to talk politics? I've changed. Ugh, this election thing has gotten me very involved the more I realized how much things will affect me. I can't say it was a a horrible Tuesday, Proposition 8 passed, at least for now. But in related political news, ugh. I won't list the reasons I didn't vote for Obama, as I don't want counter arguments of why others voted for him and love him and worship him. I'm trying to a least see the good in him winning so I don't have to be angry for the next 4 years. And I'm trying to come up with genuine reasons, the satirical reasons were pretty easy to come up with. I'm looking for actual reasons. Here's what I've come up with, and others are welcome to add, in fact, the more reasons the better, but please no comments that are too pro-Obama. I'm already prone to vomitting.

Legitimate reasons I can tell myself I'm glad Obama won:

~We're still in a democratic country

~It's always fun to say, "See, I told you so."

~It will be fun to justify all the work I put into my food storage

~Democrats may stop blaming Republicans for EVERYTHING


~Mitt has a better chance next time (?)

~With a Congressional majority, the damage should happen quickly, no more worrying about what "could" happen

~No riots

~Good people with good intentions will stop being villianized

~No more Obama commercials

~I won't have to work extra shifts at work, no sense working more to be taxed more. Ah, socialism in action


And just for fun, another one of my favorite Colbert Reports...

Vomit Stories are Always Funny

Let's be honest, it's really not all too hard to make me blush. Having said that, I've never felt that I've had an embarassing moment. I've been embarassed for sure, many times. But never had one of those, "I really wish I didn't exist right now" moments. Until now. But it really was so embarassingly humorous that I feel it should be shared.

I was flying home from my family vacation chatting it up with the guy next to me (he was also a respiratory therapist, we had lots to talk about) when I felt the need to ask him what the airplane etiquette was for vomitting on an airplane. This has never happened to me before, and the fasten seat belt sign was lighted. I had no choice but to frantically look for a barf bag. It was so embarassing! In case you were wondering, there is no quiet way to vomit from your seat on a plane--in first class no less--it was classy. And not just once, but 4 times. And as if this wasn't enough, the lady in front of me turned around and said, "oh, sweetie, is this your first time flying?" To add insult to injury! No! I've been flying since I was a fetus! I tried to explain that I have Crohn's, happens all the time, nobody panic, it's not contagious, it's no big deal, but nobody could hear me through my continued retching. Everyone kept sneaking nervous glances at me. As I left the plane, the guy next to me yelled "next time you shouldn't drink so much before a flight." At least he thought it was funny.

I'm With Stupid....

Happy Birthday Amanda! Hope these make you laugh, because a good laugh is probably all you're getting from me!






(I know we probably want to believe now that we weren't those typical dumb young college girls, but um, I think we might have been)

Hold your applause

Our family was enjoying the last sunset on our great vacation, and right after the sun dropped below the horizon, a group of people started clapping. I hate that. Why do people feel the need to clap at things like a sunset, or the end of a movie? And so help me if someone claps once the plane lands.

The highlight of the trip was watching a beached whale. It was sick, so they euthanized it and then carried it away. It was sad, but not so sad as to cry about it like many of the people watching. I'm really not heartless, but I didn't know the whale, we weren't that close.



Do you think we're related? This picture made me laugh when i saw it, because I didn't realize we were sitting exactly the same way.

Happy Windsday

Things that are fun to do in the wind:
Fly a Kite
Sailing
That's it

Things that are NOT fun to do in the wind:
Cook food outside
Climb
Hike
Camp
Everything else

The wind on our trip to Moab was a little annoying. I'm not talking about a breeze, I'm talking about wind that made me think we were going to be blown away like Dorothy. It was still a very fun trip though and we got to do everything we wanted to do. Plus, we're only one trip away from our National Parks Pass paying for itself!

To California, with Love

I am not one to talk politics. I can't tell you what's going on in Iraq, Pakistan or South Ossetia (I only know of that place because of Logan); I don't know what's happening in the financial world (other than I'm losing money); and I haven't watched one political debate. Embarrassing, I know. I have my reasons though. I don't like the confrontation, heated debates, or that I feel that there is no truth involved. However, I do get quite interested in politics when it comes too close to invading my personal beliefs. Enter: Proposition 8: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid and recognized in California." I support this proposition, it follows what I believe. Please continue reading to find out why I am so passionate about this. I think it is said best from Protect Marriage, "Proposition 8 is NOT an attack on gay couples and does not take away the rights that same-sex couples already have under California’s domestic partner law. California law already grants domestic partners all the rights that a state can grant to a married couple. Gays have a right to their private lives, but not to change the definition of marriage for everyone else." I can be tolerant of others' belief's and choices, but never at the expense of my own.

Although my personal support for the proposition stems from my religious beliefs, I think the matter is bigger than that. There are many who shrug their shoulders and say, "this doesn't affect me, let people do what they want." This is not true. This is not just about marriage and it WILL affect everyone. For example, schools will change their curriculum to teach that same sex attraction is normal and same sex marriage appropriate, beginning at a very young age. Here's a video about what is already happening in Boston. It's alarming. As well as first graders in San Francisco being taken to City Hall for a gay marriage on a school sponsored field trip. The Catholic Charities in Boston no longer handles adoptions, because they were told they can't follow their beliefs to only place children in homes with a mother and a father. A gynecologist in Vista, CA refused to do in vitro fertilization for a lesbian couple and is being sued, a psychologist refused to give counseling to a lesbian couple and was fired, a wedding photographer refused to shoot a commitment ceremony and was sued for discrimination. All these people cited their reasons for refusal as religion but their religious liberties were "side-stepped." These examples and more can be found here. There are examples everywhere and they are clear: this will affect you. This is opening Pandora's box for the phrase "equal rights" to trump any belief you might have. That's the irony: rights are being taken away in the name of equal rights. I do not agree with this. This is frightening.

Things you can do:
1-If you're still unsure on the issue or have further questions, ASK! Here are some helpful websites to do some homework.
Protect Marriage
Preserving the Divine Institution of Marriage

2- If you do support this cause, donate. I've even taken the work out of it, CLICK HERE


This proposition is not an attack on anyone. We can have tolerance for others while still maintaining and advocating our standards and beliefs. It is, however, a defense of my beliefs and standards. I do firmly believe that, "marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God, and the formation of families is central to the Creator’s plan for His children." I believe that the strength of our society will only be as strong as the families that live in them.

To infinity, and Beyond

They say that you haven't seen Disneyland until you've seen it through the eyes of a child. But you also haven't seen Disneyland until you've experienced it with a 25 year old who has been deprived his whole life. Logan had never been, and we only had one day to see it, so we blitzed it. We managed to see it all, but we were exhausted after 16 hours of it! We also packed into our three days an Angels game (they lost badly, but we're not Angels fans), Bodies: the exhibition (Logan has so much more respect for what I do now), and visiting with family and friends we don't get to see often (Logan got to meet my whole family). Oh, and a long car ride, which I slept most of the way.


This is my favorite ride. I used to hate it until I learned the secrets. I'm pretty sure we rode it at least 7 times. And Logan only won once. Due to my awesome form. Sadly they don't put the scores on the pictures anymore. High scores for the day: Kristen: 411,700 Logan:515, 100 Brandon: some ridiculous number around 600,000

You know you're getting old when you don't want to spin the teacups. I didn't want to, but I sacrificed so Logan could get the full Disney experience




Priceless... My dad kept insisting that we ride this over and over. And everytime we made Logan take the front. Logan was in no position to argue with my parents

This doesn't do justice to how wet we really were