4.26.2010

Spring Fever


Springtime means many things to many people...for one little boy who is about to turn 2, it means finding a new love of an American pastime...BASEBALL! I haven't caught in on camera yet, but we have found a way to keep this boy still...put on baseball and he's a happy camper (at least for a few minutes!)!

What I did catch on camera is a little man sporting a hat, the hat falling off and the efforts it took to get it back on all on his own! 












Result = a very young man sporting a very old man look!


And, naturally spring means, lots of play outside! A little Friday night Uno in the fort.






Daddy's #1 fan (besides me of course!)...laughing at one of his many jokes!



This is what Sam did during the Uno playing...showing off his strength! 



And, what's spring without a fun, new haircut. Which, by the way, I know makes her look 2x's as old as she is and that is exactly why we are promptly GROWING IT OUT again! :O) 






This could have happened any time of year, but I had to throw it in here...Ellie tuckered out watching H play a computer game! Don't worry, we moved her to the couch before she could fall off and hurt herself!





Happy Spring to all of you!!!

4.17.2010

The Rest of the Story...

I know, I know...lots of CA pics! Sorry! This will be my last post with them, I promise! :O)


Feeding a giraffe at The Living Desert Zoo.


Ostrich, on a hill, between two palm trees, with mountains in the background...I just love this picture.



More Living Desert fun!



Sammy checking out his silly sisters!



Family dinner at a yummy mexican restaurant in Palm Desert.



The girls posing with our entertainment!



Papa, Grandma and kids!



The whole gang!



Us...

The Nedervelds...



The Original Nedervelds...thanks Mom and Dad for helping us have a great vacation!!!!



Brian and Matt embarked on a 13 mile hike one day...good thing I didn't know about this sign before they left!


Beautiful valley...



You may be wondering where this picture was taken...a park, perhaps? No, it's the Palm Springs Airport. Yes, that's right! They have a little park area in the airport...after you go through security! It's genius...get those wiggles out before heading on a cross-country flight! WE SO DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE THIS PLACE!!!!



BUT, as you can see from this picture...it was good to BE HOME!




4.08.2010

DISNEYLAND!!!

One day during our vacation, we took advantage of Disney's Give a Day-Get a Day program they were offering this spring (I think it's over now...) and headed off to Disneyland! With 4 VERY excited kids in tow (we left Sammy home with Grandma and Papa), we made the 1 hr. 40 min. drive from Palm Springs and walked in to the park bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. So much to do, so little time! We spent all day there and had a ball! Here are just a few pictures to show some of our day...


Entering the park with a pep in our step, excited to start our day at Disney!


First stop...a picture in front of Sleeping Beauty's Castle, of course!


Arm in arm, they were off!


Next stop..."New Orleans" and Princess Tiana's show. Jazz time!


The girls even got to play in the band! 
(No surprise, Ellie opted out of this opportunity! :O)

Pluto!


Sweet little Ellie got pooped out and made us all jealous 
as we watched her take a little snooze mid-day!


And now for the reason we were at Disney...to meet the princesses! As you approach the line to see the princesses, a "cast member" greets you and gives you an estimated wait time.  When we arrived, the time we were given was 1 1/2 hours! Yes, that's right...wait 1 1/2 hours to see 3 princesses for less than 5 minutes. Hmmm, what to do, what to do? WAIT, of course!! It truly was the #1 thing on our list to do that day, so we really had no choice. AND, thankfully that kind "cast member" had no clue what he was talking about, because our wait time was only 30 min. Whew! 

Princess Tiana

On to Princess Belle...just look at the expressions on Ellie and Taylor's faces. Priceless!!! 
They were in awe and frankly, so was I! The princesses were absolutely beautiful! :O)

Getting Belle's autograph.



And last, but not least, Hannah's favorite princess...Ariel! 


After meeting the 3 princesses, we found out that there was going to be a "shift change" and 3 new princesses were going to come out. And, while we couldn't get pictures with them since we were already out of line, we could stand and wait for them to come out of the special door! The girls were thrilled to get a glimpse of more royalty!


And there they are! Princess Aurora, Cinderella and Snow White! 


Minnie Mouse! 


Inside Minnie's house...I loved that! Everything was so big and bright! Adorable!

This was taken as we were waiting in line for a cute little roller coaster in Toon Town. This was Ellie's first coaster ride and I had the pleasure of sitting with her. I SO wish that I had the camera with me, because the look on her face was priceless...I think she both loved and hated every second! :O) 




Now, with the pep gone and the bright eyes closing, we called it a day. And while we had our ups and downs that day (a few rides broke down on us after waiting in line, etc.), our day at Disney gave us so many special memories that I know we'll never forget. And, of course, because Sammy didn't get to enjoy this visit, I'm sure we'll be back in a few years when he can join in the fun! 





4.02.2010

Tennis Anyone?

If you know me well, which you probably do since you're reading our blog, you will know how much the following pictures simply warm my heart. I have been playing, watching and/or coaching tennis since the age of 4 and to see my children begin to enjoy the sport I love, is just priceless! I know, I know, I'm making a big deal out of this....and sort of exaggerating. But truly, I LOVE watching them with a racket in hand! 

This girl might truly be a rising tennis star! 





This girl might truly be the next great tennis fan! :O) 
She was on the court here, but the only thing she held, was her Hello Kitty bag!


Now this boy...he's an athlete! Just look at that concentration!


It's never too early for a little lesson, is it?! 
And NO, I will not become one of those crazy tennis parents!


Most of the time, he just liked chasing after the balls and throwing them over the net!


This shot of my nephew Luke is one of my all time favorites! He's been practicing his tennis skills too and it shows! He's doing great and it was so fun to hit a little bit with him! LOVE the smile!!!!



And now for "priceless moment" #1,000 on our CA trip...
 Brian took the video as he also threw the ball to Sammy and check out that hand-eye coordination (by both of them!)!!!! My reaction says it all... amazed and proud! :O)