The camera can capture amazing photos including great moving shots!
Adelle on the Flying Aces.
We didn't stay too long before we headed home for dinner. I decided on McDonald's for the night so I wouldn't have to cook, but it was much cheaper than park food. It was a good day.
It was the first time for Violet to go swimming. She seemed afraid of the water at first, but then she warmed up to it. 
Lydia acts different around her friends! She is usually pretty quite around most people outside the family. She was quite playful and silly. The girls all had a really fun time swimming. We then headed home for pizza. Then the girls watched the new "Alice in Wonderland" in a tent in the backyard. Carly headed home part way through the movie since she had family plans in the evening. The rest of the girls, except Adelle, started their night sleeping in the tent. Adelle was devastated that she couldn't join in with the girls. It reminded me of when I was little. 
We also gave her some sketching paper since she really has been into drawing different girls. 
I also got a CD of her new favorite band, Owl City. 
I surprised Lydia with fake nails and makeup. She has gotten the nails before from relatives, but never grown up makeup. She had been wanting make up for a little while. Especially since all her friends have been wearing it. I got some very subtle shades of gloss, blush, and eye shadow. I figure we can get darker shades as she gets older. The Sunday after her birthday her and I sat together and I showed her how to properly apply her makeup. She was so excited! It makes her feel more grown up. 
For dinner she requested Macaroni Turkey Bake. For dessert she requested her grammie's butterscotch brownies. I still have her recipe book from ages ago so I went ahead and made them especially for her. 
I can't believe how much Lydia has grown. Her presents this year reflect how much she is changing. Gone are the days of dolls, barbies, and toys. Instead it is requests for jewelry, clothes, makeup, music and books. I do like the relationship we have now. We are able to talk pretty freely and she often confides in me. I did embarrass her pretty badly at the airport though last week so hopefully she will still love me :)
Her hair is turning more and more blond every day. In fact it is almost white in spots, except for the back of her head. She has a very brown tail. She also has some extra long, wispy hairs her and there that I should probably trim.
She is eating more and more baby foods. So far I have really only given her veggies, ham, and baby cereal. Here and there I have given her nibbles of crackers and bread. She is reaching out more and more for our foods and drinks. 
Lydia wrote on the other side a special message. 
He also received a gift card to McDonald's, his favorite comfort food. The pillow case went right on the pillow and there were hugs all around. Wes seemed to enjoy his special day :)
I think Julie did a beautiful job selecting everything including the scripture "Men are that they might have Joy". 
Jen, my step sister, is right next to my dad. We took some time to think and talk about her. 
We picked flowers from my sage plant to place at the graves. We cleaned the headstones as best as we could. 
Adelle wanted to give each of them something so she carefully selected a pine cone and placed one on each grave. I miss my dad.
The drive went smoothly and the hotel in St. George ended up being our best hotel on the trip. They even served a hot, big breakfast the next morning. The power went out a couple times in the evening, but other than that it was great. We managed to get home at 2 or 3 in the afternoon and Ellen stopped by to view our pictures and video. I am so glad that we went and I'm so glad I've written everything down so we can always remember our big trip to Disneyland. Hopefully we'll go again in a few years, but until then we will have our memories.
The girls and I went on Toad's Wild Ride. Then Wes and the girls waited for Peter Pan. Violet woke up and we went on a few rides alone. I actually got a little teary on the merry go round. I suddenly missed my parents. I was okay though and we all grouped together to ride Alice in Wonderland. 
After the show we found some more characters. We were lucky enough to run into the Fairy Godmother. She was very sweet, just like a real grandmother. 
We then waited in line at Pixie Hollow to meet the fairies. Violet had another super diaper that I got to change right in the line, but I managed.
We haven't watched the Tinkerbell movies yet so we didn't know all of the fairies names. They thought Lydia's name at first was Vidia which I guess is a mean fairy, and they thought that was funny. 
We then spotted Minnie Mouse and had to wait in line for her!! Violet had fallen asleep, but Minnie wanted to peek in the stroller at our little baby and she blew her kisses. So sweet!
We then found Marry Poppins and Burt! 
They were very engaging and funny. Burt informed me that I had a cat on my head. He wanted to make sure I was aware. 
Wes joined back up with us and seemed in good spirits. He had won his trial even though he was all the way in California away from everything. I love that man :)
Lydia decided to spend her money on a beautiful, purple parasol. She is really hoping Wes will make her a costume to match it for Halloween. 
Can you see Tinkerbell?
We also ran into Pluto. Violet loved Pluto and sucked on his big, round nose a couple of times. 
We took a few pictures right in front of the garden and train station. It was the funniest thing when Violet smiled really big. The crowd around us all said "Ahhhhhh". We all laughed. She is our happy baby. 
On the way into California Adventure the girls stood by their letters. 
Even though some of us were pretty tired we decided to stay late for the World of Color show. It was the first night the show was open to the public. We went to our fast pass red section at 7:30 and hung out. At least we had plenty of snacks.
It was finally time for the preshow. We enjoyed the giant, lighted characters that walked by. 
The actual show was AMAZING! It was a mix of water, images, fire and music!!! We all loved it!
When it was over we headed back to our hotel for the last time, but we did manage to finally see the firworks that we had been hearing for nights. We were sad to be leaving the parks, but we were all so grateful we'd had the chance to spend some magical days together :)