Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Ruby at Disneyland

 Ruby and Grandpa

 We love our Ruby!

I cannot say enough good things about this little girl.  She was such a joy to be with.  She never complained and was excited and happy about everything we did.  We are so grateful we had time to spend with her and get to know her better.

We forgot and left her Cinderella costume in the car, but she did not complain although you could see she was a little disappointed.
As we entered the plaza on Main Street we saw Donald Duck and either Chip or Dale.  I know Chip has a black nose and Dale the red, but I couldn't tell for sure what color this guys nose was.  Of course Ruby wanted her picture taken with them.

 I think maybe it's Dale!

We also had to get a picture by the Christmas tree.

Sorry about the random guy in the background.

 This girl is pretty amazing.  When we first entered both parks they gave us a map.  Ruby got her map out and wanted to know where everything was and how to get to it.  At one point James couldn't find his way back to the corndog hut in California Adventure where I was waiting for him and Ruby, and Ruby showed him the way.

Ruby with her map, and yes that's grandpa in the background

on the phone! 

The first ride she wanted to go on was Splash Mountain.  As she and grandpa were in line I was sitting outside the ride on a bench when Joe, Alex, and Michael walked up.  What a happy coincidence!  I told them that Ruby and Grandpa should be coming out in any minute.  They decided to wait for them so they could go on the ride with Ruby.  She got to ride twice and never got wet but Alex came back soaked!

We wanted to go to the Haunted Mansion but the boys were headed for the Matterhorn.  We said we would catch up with them later because that was a ride Ruby wanted to go on. 
After the Haunted Mansion I asked Ruby if she wanted to go on Pirates but she didn't.  She wanted to get right over to the Matterhorn.  The boys met up with James and Ruby and they all got to ride the Matterhorn twice because the attendants couldn't get someone out of on of the cars.  While they were all enjoying their ride I was eating popcorn and drinking a diet coke.
Our next move was to meet Kim and Brian at the Village Haus restaurant in Fantasyland for lunch.  Ruby had a fun time being with the boys.

Sorry the picture is blurry but this is the only

one I got of Ruby with the boys.

After lunch we all go our separate ways.  Ruby, James and I ride the train and Buzz Lightyear while they are waiting for their fastpass on Star Tours.  We took Ruby to the Tikki Room because she said she had never been there.  I am not sure how much she enjoyed the show but she loved the pineapple soft serve ice cream.

She loved Thunder Mountain and the Toon Town Roller Coaster.  

 

By 3 o'clock I was back on Main Street saving a bench for tonights parade which starts at 8pm.  There was an interesting lady on the bench next to me.  She was talking to herself.  She started saving her bench before I got there.  

As soon as Kim and Brian showed up James said he was going back to the hotel.  We took turns saving the bench.  Ruby and I went to eat at the Plaza Inn.  

She loved their pasta with marinara sauce.

I took Ruby back to stay with Brian and I went to get a blanket for her.  It kept her cozy and warm during the parade and the fireworks show.  I also bought myself a Minnie hoodie.

Kim took Ruby on Buzz Lightyear and I took her on "It's a Small World."

Small World all lit up for Christmas

Finally it was time for the parade and fireworks.  The parade was amazing!  The best I've ever seen here at Disneyland.  The fireworks were spectacular!  After it was all over, the park was closing and we joined the hoardes of people leaving the park.  Little Ruby had to be exhausted but she never complained and just kept walking.  I held up her blanket so it wouldn't drag on the ground.

James picked us up in the parking plaza.  Ruby had talked about going swimming, James made a mistake, the pool is open from 6am to 12 am, but she was too tired when we got back to our room.  She didn't even put on her pajamas, but went right to bed.

 

 

 

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Bobby and Darlene Noel

They were just called to serve their fourth mission.

Bobby is going to be the chaplain at BYU-Hawaii.

What a great example they are!

 

I just listened to Elder Hales' conference talk.  He makes the point that our religious freedom depends upon our use of the gift of agency.  It was such a good talk and very timely considering all that is going on in our country right now. 

 

In reading Hermana (Dahlia) Dowdle's email from her mission in Chicago she makes this statement: "Everyone should serve a mission!"

 

Ben and Max came down to work this morning.  We worked outside sweeping and cleaning the front porch and then they came inside and helped me pack some boxes.  We cleaned things out under the TV and the dry sink.  Ben packed up all the books and DVD's stored on the fireplace shelves.  Ben went home and Max stayed and helped Michael clean the closet under the basement stairs.  We found a 1st Edition unopened Heman action figure belonging to Darrel.  Adam looked it up on the internet and determined it was worth about $50.

 

I had a short visit with Adam again before work.  He helped me delete some items from my phone so I could take more pictures.

 

James and his crew, including Seth, poured 40 yards of concrete at Desert Highlands.

 

Joel repainted the hall and entryway.  It looks so much nicer!  He is such a good painter.  I am so grateful for his help and I know that James is too.

 

After lunch and a nap I set out to do some errands.  I rented a storage unit at Central Self-Storage, then went to the bank and Walmart. 

 

Later for dinner James and I went to Serranos.  We love their chips, salsa and bean dip.  Also I have been craving a chili relleno.  It did not disappoint.

 

Stacy's friend Elska has decided not to buy our house.  We were hoping she would but I can't say that I am surprised that she decided against it. 

 

I went to bed very stiff and sore.  To relax, we listened to the conference address by Elder Kevin W. Pearson entitled "Stay By the Tree."  It is one of my favorite talks.