DISNEYLAND 2009

A stroll down Main Street, going lightning speed through space, rafting down a raging river and being spooked at a haunted mansion. Seems all these things couldn't possibly happen in one location, but they do- it's called Disneyland. We went November 6 -11th and had a ton of fun!

Waiting in the never, never short line of Peter Pan

Christmas tree in California Adventure

Cousin Jake, Jace and Cousin Clark with Mr. Incredible

Jace and his pal Goofy

Jason and I in California Adventure

Jace in front of Main Street Station

They were filming for the Christmas Day special while we were there and we caught a glimpse of Ryan Seacrest

Also this gal is the voice of Princess Tiana in Princess and the Frog

Funny faces of Screamin'

Someone looks terrified!!

Lauren and Jake on Toy Story

Wait for it.......

The pirate ship was running so we took a ride on the River of America

Jace and I on the ferris wheel

Lauren and Jake on the ferris wheel(everyone else was CHICKEN!)

November 8th was my dad's birthday so we had dinner at Ariel's Grotto

Lots of good food!

Lauren with Cinderella


This is how we looked on the last night!!

On the way home we drove through downtown L.A.

This is the L.A. Times building- very nice!

We also stopped at Frank Lloyd Wright's Hollyhock House.

It was closed because it was Veteran's Day, but we walked around the outside.

I have to say that I think he's a bit overrated, this house did not impress me!

Since we rode with my parents we drove them by to see the Gamble House by Greene and Greene- now that's impressive!

And so ended our little California adventure. Disneyland never disappoints (if you know when to go) and we had fun with my parents and sister Steph and her family. The best part is that we got annual passes so now we can go anytime we want! YEAH!!

"Good Night and Thank You"

Morrissey concert:

This man has been part of my life for about 20 years. Some I know have outgrown him like the eight hole Doc Marten boot, but I have remained ever faithful to my first music obsession. On December 4th I was privileged to see him in concert once again. His voice filled The Joint at Hard Rock with both classic Smiths lyrics and new songs. I felt a bit slighted by the song choices (nothing from Bona Drag-really?) but I know that my favorites aren't every ones favorites. No encore...... I left with a feeling of wanting...... maybe that's what he wanted.

Morrissey today

Younger version

These are the songs we heard:


The Loop
I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris
This Charming Man (The Smiths cover)
Let Me Kiss You
If You Don't Like Me, Don't Look At Me
Black Cloud
Teenage Dad On His Estate
Cemetry Gates (The Smiths cover)
Why Don't You Find Out For Yourself
One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell
Death At One's Elbow (The Smiths cover)
Ask (The Smiths cover)
When Last I Spoke To Carol
Is It Really So Strange? (The Smiths cover)
Ganglord
Don't Make Fun Of Daddy's Voice
How Soon Is Now? (The Smiths cover) Source: setlist.fm

pic I took at the concert

Then there was Thanksgiving:

which technically took place before the concert but who's counting.....

First there was dinner with Jason's family. Aunt Minty serving up pie and ice cream.

The boys- Jace, Sam, Cole and Reece
After one turkey dinner we had the pleasure of another turkey dinner. This time it was at my parents.

Lauren gobblin' on the turkey leg!



This year we got chocolate on our table setting!

To say the least we were super stuffed that day. In fact that night I realized I didn't even have any pie!! After checking out the black Friday ads I decided that I would much rather be snug in my bed than out shopping at 3am, so I didn't go out this year. Maybe all that turkey just made me tired and unmotivated- who knows.

Just a little snippet of the Morrissey concert:

NOW.....

THIS IS WHAT YOU CALL WHITE TRASH!

NOW....

THIS IS WHY I HAVEN'T POSTED DISNEYLAND OR THANKSGIVING.

It is one of the two projects I have for finals. This one was due the 9th although I didn't get to do my 15 minute presentation that day, I go next Wednesday. Also my drawings for my other class are due next Wednesday. The best part is that that is my last day!! HOORAY!!

These are on 30 x 42 boards so they are big and bulky, my favorite one to do was the last one labeled "interior finishes." My least favorite was the two floor plans because we had to design and draw them out. Painful! I don't like the measuring and drawing part, I just like the pretty stuff. I guess you can't have it all!!

NOW...

I want to sit back and enjoy Christmas, eat lots of goodies and snuggle up in a blanket and stay toasty warm!!

Disneyland Trivia

We went to Disneyland a couple of weeks ago. While I was there I noticed a fabulous chandelier. As an Interior Design student it is my job to be observant to all design elements wherever I may be. So, after taking a photo of the one, I began to pay closer attention to all the lighting fixtures and thought it would be a fun trivia challenge for all you Disney fans out there. All the pics come from Disneyland/California Adventure but one. That one comes from a restaurant that we always eat at when we are down there, thus making it part of our Disney experience. I'll post the answers in a few days- so check back!

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2.

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5.

HaLlOwEeN 2009

When witches go riding, and black cats are seen, the moon laughs and whispers,‘tis near Halloween. -19th century Halloween postcard


Our ward Trunk or Treat was the Saturday before Halloween. Lauren went as Elvis which we made from a pair of pants and shirt we found at D.I, then we glued all the sequins on and created that fancy belt buckle by spray painting a paper plate gold. Jace, well he's the Mad Scientist, Dr. Toxic. Also a D.I find- so costumes cost me less than $20 this year!!


There were plenty of friends to be had, a haunted house to haunt and scary amounts of candy to be trick or treated.

Elvis hung out with some groupies and together they made quite a scene.... they too loaded up on candy, too much if you ask me.

If you haven't been to the atrium in the Bellagio, you are missing out. It is always beautifully decorated but it's especially great at the holidays. This year the fall display consisted of these copper trees that seemed to drip water from every leaf.

Giant scarecrows and pumpkins....

Trees that come to life and many other fabulous things. If you didn't catch the fall display there still may be time, but DEFINITELY go for the Christmas display- it never disappoints!

It's Halloween! It's Halloween! The moon is full and bright/ And we shall see what can't be seen On any other night. Skeletons and ghosts and ghouls, Grinning goblins fighting duels/ Werewolves rising from their tombs, Witches on their magic brooms/ In masks and gown we haunt the street /And knock on doors for trick or treat/ Tonight we are the king and queen, For oh tonight it's Halloween!

-Jack Prelutsky

Halloween night we went to my parents house for tricks and treats. First, dinner in a pumpkin, followed by haunting games with skeleton bones and a witches hat.

All the kids prepared to haunt or charm the candy givers

Lauren and Maddy braved the spooky house

There were even a couple of nerds there. Dorks!

"I said thank-you, thank-you very much"

He's mad! Gone crazy!


Everyone had a great Halloween! Even those who got chased down the street by the ghoulish shovel lady at her haunted house. In fact, they kept going back for more! As usual we ended up with too much candy and a lot of fun!!