Brady's First Steps

Brady took his first steps today! He is pretty steady on his feet and has become an expert "cruiser" so I know it will only be a short time before he is up and running!

Maybe it's a sign...Brady took his first steps on NFL Draft Day! Although at his current growth rate, I think his only chance to make it in the NFL would be as a kicker :)

Who knew raisins could be so funny?

Today when I was giving Brady a snack, I accidentally fumbled the container of raisins. He thought it was just hilarious!

Mariners Game

Last Friday we headed to our first Mariners game of the season to celebrate Josh's birthday. Although we were sitting in the top row of Safeco, we saw a great game. I decided to get the cheapest seats because with Brady in tow, I wasn't sure how long we would make it. He ended up doing great and we made it all the way until the 9th inning. Hopefully we can go to a few more games this season!

Abi has become very sensitive to loud noises lately and apparently the Mariner's game was a bit too much for her because she spent the entire game like this.

Brady's first Mariner's game

Uncle Mike happen to be at the same game and came up for a visit.

More Arizona Pictures

Besides our trip to Disneyland as well as celebrating Easter, we managed to fit in a few more fun things before we left Arizona including the Botanical Garden, Railroad Park, the zoo and relaxing at the pool. Here are some pictures from our remaining days in Arizona. Although I did post a few pictures from the Botanical Garden, Josh took a ton more great pictures and he has posted some of them on his flickr account.

Botanical & Butterfly Garden

Ridin' In Style

Railroad Park

This was Brady's first carousel ride and although he loved it, he was gripping the side of the horse with his toes.

Zoo

We tried to lower the back of the seat in the stroller to see if we could get Brady to take a nap. This strategy definitely did not work!

Pool Time

Easter

After our crazy busy 4 day trip to California (including a great lunch with our California relatives on our way out of town), Easter was the day after we got home so needless to say, we were still recovering and a bit tired. Regardless, the Easter Bunny still stopped by and we had a great day - thanks to Grandma and Grandpa.

Coloring Easter Eggs

Easter Egg Hunt

Brady kept himself busy while Abi searched for eggs.

Next we headed out to Wigwam Resort. We heard that the Easter Bunny would be available for pictures but as we arrived, the bunny was packing up for the day so we took advantage of the beautiful landscaping for some family Easter pictures.

Disneyland: Day 2

After a good night's rest (I think Abi was asleep before her head even hit the pillow), we headed out for another fun-filled day.

Waiting in line for one of Abi's favorite rides - the Matterhorn

Next, we headed over to California Adventure to eat lunch at Ariel's Grotto where Abi got to dine with the Princesses.

PRINCESS ARIEL

CINDERELLA

SNOW WHITE

PRINCESS AURORA

This is Abi's favorite Princess and she loved meeting her. When she came to our table, Abi's eyes lit up and she got a huge smile on her face. When Aurora moved on to other tables, Abi just couldn't stop watching her. She was turned completely around in her chair staring at Aurora as she visited with other guests.

PRINCESS TIANA

After lunch, we headed to the Bug's Life area in California Adventure.

This is a video of Abi riding Ladybug Boogie in California Adventure. It is similar to the Teacups. As you can see, Abi is having a hard time sitting up while the ride keeps spinning us in circles.

The Pixar Parade at California Adventure

The Bug's Life Float

Josh's favorite part of the parade - the Army Men from Toy Store


The Toy Story Float

One last parade before we call it a night...The Electrical Parade

Tinkerbell


Cinderella

We couldn't leave Disneyland without some mouse ears!

Disneyland: Day One

In reminiscing about our trip to Disneyland, 5 things immediately come to mind:

1.) Abi loved the roller coasters. In fact, her favorite ride was the Matterhorn!

2.) On the first morning we arrived, we stopped by the Customer Service desk. They asked if we were celebrating anything special. I told them it was Abi's 4th birthday and as you will see in the pictures, they gave her a personalized birthday button. This turned out to be the best thing we could have done. Not only does this prompt every employee of Disneyland to wish you happy birthday (and let me tell you, there are a lot of employees at Disneyland), but we also got taken to the front of the line for one ride (bypassing about 45 minutes of waiting). We also got complimentary desserts at most restaurants! We even had random people saying and singing Happy Birthday to us throughout the day.

3.) On multiple occasions, after waiting in lines up to 45 minutes, Abi would tell us she needed to go to the bathroom about 30 seconds before we were about to get on the ride. As I contemplated our next steps and visions of what could happen floated into my mind, we would generally make our way out of line and find the nearest bathroom. Thank goodness all the Disneyland employees were very accommodating and we were able to get back to the front of the line.

4.) Abi was quite the trooper on our trip. We didn't have any nap times or even a stroller. She walked & walked & walked all over Disneyland and California Adventure and we saw and did everything we could possibly squeeze into two days. We usually started around 8 and didn't get back to the hotel until around 11 each night. Josh and I were tired so I can't even imagine how her little legs felt at the end of the days.

5.) Despite two full action-packed days, when anyone asks Abi how her trip to Disneyland was, she tells them about the two things that she didn't get to see (Donald Duck and the ghosts - Josh was preparing her before our trip and told her that she would see ghosts in the haunted mansion.) You would think she would be able to recall just one thing that we did but she only talks about what she didn't see. Go figure...

Our first of many pictures at Disneyland

As soon as we walked into the park, Minnie Mouse happened to be passing by. She grabbed Abi's hand and walked her around Main Street. Abi kept looking up at Minnie with such awe - in a way that only a child could. It was so cute and a moment that Abi (& I) soon won't forget!

...and then we got to meet Mickey!

Next, we visited Pixie Hollow to meet Tinkerbell and her fairy friends...

Tinkerbell checking out Abi's "wings"

Abi driving her car on Autopia.
Josh was driving with her and I am surprised he didn't have whiplash with Abi behind the wheel. She is one crazy driver!

Checkin' out the map

Next, we visited the Disney Princesses (the most important part of our trip to Disneyland!)

PRINCESS JASMINE

BELLE

Abi's favorite - PRINCESS AURORA

Then, we headed to Frontierland where we met up with Woody and Jessie from Toy Story. Again, Abi happened to be at the right place at the right time because as Jessie walked passed us, she grabbed Abi's hand and they walked around the park for a few minutes. Again, it was too cute!

Woody was the only character that Abi was a little hesitant to meet because he was SO tall.

Next, we headed over to Critter Country where we met up with Pooh and friends.

Dumbo

Teacups

Walking through Sleeping Beauty's castle

One last visit with Steamboat Willie Mickey Mouse before dinner and the fireworks show!