Monday, November 24, 2008

Disneyland

In mid-November we met Brooke and Chris and their three kids, Abigail (4), Craig (2) and Delaney (9 mos) at Disneyland for our first visit in many years.

It's early and everyone is all smiles because we're already almost through our first line.

And just a short time later we boarded our submarine. Instead of the old boring ride through the coral reefs, we went in search of some little critter named Nemo.

Little Craig took Poppy for a spin on Autopia, still a kid-favorite.

Abigail was the pilot of our Rocket Ship. (you can tell she's the pilot because she's the one wearing the space helmet.)

We thought we had found a quiet corner for lunch, only to find out we were on the front row of the Star Wars stage. Abigail found them a little loud.

But then she found Minnie and all was right with the world again.

Everyone likes a rollercoaster...

...some just like it more than others, huh Brooke?

Abigail gets into the merry-go-round like Brooke gets into the rollercoaster.

Next morning we beat everybody to the line for Space Mountain.

Then we did the FastPass for Indiana Jones. We were cruising.

Abigail was checking each ride off on her list, Delaney was just happy to be there.

Honey, honey everywhere, but no Winnie the Pooh.

The Haunted Mansion was done up special for Halloween outside and Christmas inside.

By mid-morning we were already to the front of the line for Pirates of the Caribbean, which has morphed into a hunt for Captain Jack Sparrow (a big kid's Where's Waldo.)

Having done all the bigger rides, we headed for Fantasyland, first pausing for the Disneyland Band and Mickey.

Chris and Craig in front of the mighty Matterhorn.

We are about to be swallowed by the menacing whale (note the sheer terror on Brooke's face.)

They couldn't get real seats so Tootsie and the kids had to ride in the Monkey Car.

Tootsie and Abigail on Dumbo (again, no doubt who the pilot is.)

A beautiful, sunny afternoon in southern Cal.

Poppy taking his turn with Delaney, such a little sweetie.

The lines in Fantasyland were longer than others, but still not bad at all.

We call him Deadpan Craig, too cool to show his excitement.

Mr. Potato Head entertained us in the line for Toy Story Mania.

Toy Story Mania is a shooting gallery on steroids. If you're going to Disneyland, don't miss this one (though you might since it's next door in California Adventure.)

Near the end of the day we headed to A Bug's Land...

where we suddenly were shrunken smaller than the plants...

and rode about on a caterpillar.

Craig took Poppy for another spin.

It looks like a ladybug, but it's still the Tea Cups (spin it! spin it! faster! faster!)

And a final ride in a discarded applesauce cup. Ah, a bug's life.

Everybody anxiously awaiting the start of the Handy Manny Show. (hey, I never heard of him either, and I thought we were supposed to avoid these stereotypes of immigrants in menial jobs, but the kids couldn't wait to see it.)

Here's the photo of the day, the pure joy of Disneyland on her sweet little face.

We had a wonderful two days at the "Happiest Place on Earth," still going strong after 53 years.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Moving a Tree



When we finished our new porte-cochere in front of the house, we noticed that the view was blocked by this large, healthy blue spruce.



Not wanting to loose such a beautiful tree, we decided to move it.



We found the perfect spot a few feet away in the front yard.



Now any job is easy if you have the right tool, so we found a guy that had this handy, dandy little machine.



First he made a hole in the new spot. He sunk in the four spades, and puuullled...



and POP! the plug came out.



Then he tied up the branches of the tree



and put it in the secure grasp of the tree-mover.



Then he sunk in the spades again, and puuullled...



and POP! out came the tree as pretty as you please.



With a little fine manuvering...



he positioned the tree over the new hole.



Then slowly, every so slowly, he lowered it...



into the new hole,



and after a little shoveling, it looks like it has always been there.



Now the view from the street is nice and open,



and we have this lovely view from the front porch.