southern utah

It's been a week since we returned from our little southern Utah getaway. I've been pretty lazy enjoying summer (finally) since we've been home but this trip was a success and needed to be documented. About an hour after Lucy's dance recital we were on the road to St. George.

Our first night we had tickets to Tuachahn to see The Little Mermaid. Our cute friends the Nance family had tickets too and were staying the night in St. George before moving on the next day to Disneyland - yeah jealous. We got to chat at dinner before the show and Lucy and Dakota got in a mini playdate.

Lucy and cute Flounder after the show.

I thought the show was a-mazing! I loved in more than Blake (tired) and Lucy (scared of Ursula) but I think overall they both enjoyed most of it. Does anyone want to drive down and see Grease?! I've never seen anything at Tuacahn and was so impressed.

Waiting for breakfast at the Bear Paw - peanut butter pancakes are worth the wait.

We took advantage of the splash pad - wading area. It was Sunday and pretty empty so I put my paranoid-of-rotavirus concerns aside and let Lucy be four.

Monday we were up bright & early and in Zion National Park.

She looks like a natural but prefers pretty pools, nice linens and a fun restaurant...just like her mom (and who are we kidding, just like her dad too).

No, we all really enjoyed ourselves and I didn't complain once about our mini hikes. It was a beautiful day and Blake and I even wanted to stay in the park longer - but Lucy said she was hot - and I think it was 78 degrees....

So this is the oddest but so cute new thing Lucy's been doing. I noticed it a couple of weeks ago. At home, restaurants, she would put her hands together like this for just a second and close her eyes and then eat. She doesn't say anything and it lasts a split second. I hesitated to ask what she was doing - religious practices are kind of a personal thing - but finally had to know. She rattled off some weird OCD explanation about how she's cleaning or calming (she's said both) her hands before she eats. So maybe it's not a prayer like I thought but whatever it is it's adorable.

We finished off the trip with a stop for squeaky cheese and cow watching.

It was a fabulous trip!

Christmas Kick-Off

We're back!

We had an amazing, amazing trip last week and I'm sad it's all over. I have to say that as many times as we've been to Disneyland (this is already Lucy's 4th visit) this time of year is my favorite. We had gorgeous weather, very low crowds and so much Christmas-y touches you couldn't help but get in the spirit. This trip was prompted by a golf tournament Blake wanted to play in St. George. We left Thursday evening and Friday and Saturday while Blake played Lucy and I tried to entertain ourselves. Friday was great because we got to visit some fun friends. My friend Natalie moved to St. George a few years ago and her two darling girls Halle and Taya let us come over and visit. Lucy had the best time with these girls but I probably should have invited ourselves over again on Saturday because, well...we struggled to find something to do. After a Target visit we did a mini photo shoot and then couldn't pick Blake up fast enough to make it on to Anaheim.

Sunday morning we woke up to bright blue skies and headed straight to Balboa Island for breakfast, window shopping and a bay cruise.

We wrapped up that day on the beach and a late lunch at the Crab Cooker and got to bed early for our first day at the parks.

I've never seen Disneyland decked out for the holidays and of course they do it right!

It was fun to be there in November to kick off the Christmas season.

Our new fave Rapunzel - the movie is out this week!

All of It's a Small World is decorated with an added bonus of peppermint in the air.

Minnie's tree

Reindeer Round-Up

Santa and Disneyland?! Too much!

Small World at night

After watching the Christmas fireworks on Main Street they start playing "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" and then it snows! On Main Street! In California!

The next morning we decided to do Minnie's breakfast...

Who is this?

After our character breakfast and standing in the Princess line TWICE in hopes of Cinderella we thought we'd have to miss her this year. But Blake knew how much Lucy needed to see her so he made us reservations for the Princess dinner...and she was there!

Learning to bow and curtsy.

Main Street tree

It truly is the most magical time to go. Almost every ride was a walk-on, we had front row parade seats and wore shorts during the day. This is the time to go!

As much as we love Disneyland (Lucy not so much on some rides this time) I think we'll give it at least a year before our next visit. Lucy had a freak out right before Peter Pan and refused to go on Winnie the Pooh (?) so it might be time for a break. She did however go on Matterhorn!

On our way home we broke up the drive with a stay at the Mirage in Las Vegas. Included with our room were tickets to Siegfried & Roy's Dolphin and Tiger exhibit. I thought it might be lame but it was fabulous (should I expect anything less from S&R?)

We had such a fun time!

(and yes I know this is A LOT of pictures)