Disneyland Journals

As I mentioned in a previous post, we will be going with my two best friends to Disneyland this year. We came up with a brilliant idea (at least I think so) to have specific journals for Disneyland so we could record our thoughts and memories from before, during and after the trip. Seeing as today was 100 days until we go, we thought it fitting to make our journals tonight and write our first entry. We have decided to write an entry every 10 days until we go and then as much as we want while on the trip. We are coming up with specific questions to answer, which makes it quite fun. For instance, our question tonight was... "What is something new or different about this trip that is exciting for you?" Our next question is... "What is one thing you're looking forward to not having to do while on vacation?"

Anyway, this was an extremely fun night as we each put our own personalities into our journals. We used regular composition books that we bought for $1.00, and picked out some paper and a few accessories. All in all, we probably only paid $5.00 each to make our journals. And what a fun way to spend an evening! Here are some pictures of our fun night!

Tammy, starting out with the book and accessories

Me, just starting out with all my "girly" accessories

Kaylene, in the process of working on her journal

Our BIG mess

Tammy's inside cover

Kaylene's inside cover

My inside cover

Our finished journals! from left: Tammy's, mine, Kaylene's

Our inside covers... I think you can tell which one belongs to which person!

For all those laughing or mocking us for doing this... it's okay! Not everyone will understand this. But I think this will be an excellent way to not only get excited for our trip, but also a wonderful way to remember and record specific things about it.

This one is pretty cute. Ryan was holding Darek and started sucking in air and blowing it out... and it totally cracked Darek up. As soon as I turned on the camera, he wasn't laughing as hard as he had been. But I think we still got a cute video of them. I think Darek loves his Daddy!



And I think Daddy loves little Darek!

Videos

First off, I must say woo hoo... 100 days until Disneyland!

Now that that's out of my system. I've been trying to be better at taking more videos of Darek. We don't have too many of Alex when he was little and it makes me so sad. So, here are a few videos of him doing random things.



He loves to hear his voice now. He'll scream as loudly as he can... and not because he's angry, just to hear his voice. It's pretty funny.

We Just Can't Get Enough

Well, our next trip to Disneyland has been planned and our countdown chain has been made! We are going at our usual time in May with some of our best friends! Almost all the time we go with family, so I am really excited to have this experience with friends. No, we'll never be able to get enough of Disneyland. It is our favorite place and we have created lots of memories there.

Ryan (almost) proposed to me at Disneyland. Even though we didn't make it "official" there, it's where I realized that I really loved him and wanted to marry him. We decided on our wedding date and many details of our wedding there.

Another memorable moment was Alex's first visit there. He was 14 months old and was still not walking. While waiting for Fantasmic (a show) to begin, Alex started walking back and forth between me and my mom. I love being able to say that Alex learned to walk at Disneyland!

So even though some of you may find us a little obsessive, Disneyland is a truly magical place for our family and we will continue going there for the rest of our lives!



I had to add this picture. It is one from Alex's first visit, and is still one of my favorite pictures taken there!

Another Blog

I've decided to start a new blog. The blog site is www.myattemptsatamasterpiece.blogspot.com I have always loved cooking and baking, but have never really gotten too into it. I'm going to start taking classes in this field soon, and want to have a place to record the recipes I do. Please understand, I am an amateur, so do not judge me! As I mentioned on my blog, this is something mainly for my records, but if I can help someone out with a yummy dinner... well that would be great!

Fuzzy Blanket

My brother and his wife got Darek a really cute little blanket for Darek for Christmas this year. On past posts I mentioned that he LOVES it! Whenever he is really sleepy, but won't fall asleep, I put that blanket up to his face and he is gone almost immediately. I thought I'd post some sweet pictures with Darek and his blankey.

6 Month Photos

Finally posting some pics of our little guy and the Dew bottle.

It's insane how big he is getting!

3 months ago

It's hard to believe it's already been 3 months since our little Ian passed away. Today, Ryan and I attended a funeral for Ryan's uncle. It was a beautiful service and my heart went out to Ryan's Aunt and of course my Father-in-law. But the funeral brought back memories of Ian's funeral, and I became quite emotional because of it.

It's hard to know that Ian has been gone almost as long as he was alive. It's difficult to think that we were planning to have Ian home from the hospital by now and have shared his first Christmas with him. It's difficult to know that when people come up to me to comment on how beautiful Darek is, that they should also know how beautiful Ian was. I see the love and admiration that Darek is given by all those that meet him and know that Ian should be receiving that same love and admiration.

Again, it's at times like these that I am truly grateful to know that I will be with my little boy some day. We are looking forward to approx. 2 months from now when both of our boys will be sealed to us for time and all eternity.

What a beautiful day that will be.

6 months (a little late)

Darek is now 6 months old. It's amazing how quickly time goes by. Sadly, I have not had a mountain dew bottle around to take his 6 month picture. I will do my best to get one tomorrow so I can get that picture. Darek is now very close to 12 lbs and is 22 1/2 inches long, as I mentioned a few posts ago. He continues to do fun, new things everyday. More than anything, we are enjoying his beautiful, big smile. What a joy he is!

New Years Baby

My brother and sister-in-law got a great New Year's surprise! Trevor Noah Titus was born this morning at 6:08am EST, weighing 6 lbs 10 oz and 20 inches long. I have to say, this will probably be the easiest birthday to remember! Congrats to Aaron and Jen. Number 4... WOW! Can't wait to meet this little guy in person

I only have a picture from my cell phone, but he's a cutie.