My Baking Adventures

Now that we’ve returned from our whirlwind vacation, I have unpacked, finished the laundry,  uploaded my pictures and I’m ready to go.

But before we get started, I just want to know one thing – how come one of my dogs gets sick every time I go away? They stayed at the vet’s office, for crying out loud, so why is it that one of them always comes home with a bad tummy? Why do they need to go back to the vet’s after they’ve been boarded at the vet’s?

I may never get this question answered, so let’s move on.

Me and my crew – right before we got soaked from the fountain behind us.

The crew – ready to party:

Alexander and I waiting in line at Space Mountain. There was a 10 minute wait for this ride, so it was the first one we went on. Sabrina didn’t want to go on it, so I grabbed Alexander and made a beeline for the entrance.

Sabrina waiting for her car at Autopia – I think this was her favorite ride:

And just think…… in 4 years she’ll be driving:

Alexander – pretending his car was a Lamborghini:

While the boys rode Big Thunder Railroad, Sabrina and I went on It’s A Small World. The ride recently underwent a major overhaul, and I have to say it’s still really cute. Yes, the music gets annoying, but the changes they made brought the ride into modern times.

At least this time the it didn’t break down – two years ago, we got stuck in the ride for over 45 minutes.

I almost lost my mind.

Since Sabrina really dislikes (ok, she HATES) rollercoasters, David and I alternated taking Alexander on Pirates of the Caribbean, Big Thunder Railroad, and the Matterhorn. Sabrina liked the Haunted Mansion, though, and I coerced her (more like forced her) into riding Splash Mountain – and while she wouldn’t say she liked it, she overcame her fear enough to conquer it.

And was proud of herself at the end of the day.

While we were strolling through the park, guess who we bumped into?

My brother and his wife, Paula!

It’s a Small World After All, eh?

*yeah, yeah, my next show starts in an hour**

But, that leads into our next story – the boat ride. My brother recently purchased a boat. Which I still cannot get over. I mean, I’ve known him for a looooong time, and NEVER would have figured him to become Thurston Howell III.

He’s even got the accent down.

He invited us all down, and the kids were so excited – I think they enjoyed this more than Disneyland:

I was surprised at how much Sabrina liked it – she’s not really the adventurous type, especially when it comes to the ocean:

But this guy, well, he’s in his element where water is involved. And sometimes I’m concerned about the fact that he might be part dolphin:

And while we didn’t see any dolphins, we did see flying fish (really, they jump out of the water), and several sea lions taking an afternoon siesta on the boat dock:

My brother even let the kids drive the boat. Is that correct boat-o-logy? Do you drive a boat? Steer a boat? Pilot a boat? Anyone? Can I make a phone call here?

Alexander was trying to keep a straight face and focus while driving – and I wasn’t helping by being a pesky paparazzi:

But I let him get revenge and take a photo of me and David:

We had such a great time, and the kids have been asking repeatedly when we can go back.

Forget Disneyland – the boat is the place to be.

And just because – I have to share one last photo -

Alexander in the gift shop:

Nice hat, buddy. It’s just the right size.