Dinneylan!

If you follow Katy or I on Facebook, you were probably well aware that last week we took Nick to Disneyland, or as my dad likes to call it, "Dinneylan!" My folks did come with us which was a huge blessing in that it allowed us to go on rides together while they watched Nick and vice versa. With two families there it brought a lot of pictures, so I'll try and just include some highlights. First let me say, living in So Cal has its drawbacks, namely all LA sports, but it definitely has its perks too. For example, we got a 3 day park hopper ticket between Disneyland and California Adventure for just $99 when a normal 1 day park hopper is $97! Then, we upgraded to an annual pass for just $45 more dollars. We definitely plan on abusing that annual pass so if you have one too and are itching to get back to the Magic Kingdom, let us know! And for all you moochers, our passes have our pictures on the back so we can't share...sorry! Here's the link to all the pics, separated by days: day 1, day 2, day 3.

Here's the whole family right inside the gate for the classic Mickey flowers pose

My dad absolutely abhors the "It's a Small World" ride. But he indulged us by coming too, much to his chagrin.

Nick, unfortunately or fortunately, you decide, loved the ride. He nursed and just stared at all the crazy animatronic children. Funny how some are still not very politically correct. If you zoom in on the picture, you can see a guy chowing on a corn dog behind us. Classic.

One of the few happy moments on Dumbo...not the best ride to wait for as it doesn't have much shade and quickly makes an 11 month old cranky.

I know this looks like child torture, but I promise you, once Nick gets ahold of a lemon, he won't let go until it is scraped clean...I will get this on video one day.

One thing that can be a bit irritating about Disneyland is all the parades. For some, it may be enjoyable, but when you're trying to hustle over to get a fastpass so you can get back in line again, it becomes tiresome, quickly. One of the parades featured this lovely sign, which is cut off by a flashlight wand by an attendant, but reads, "In Everything You Do, Celebrate You!" Oh Disney. How I wish your land was saved and didn't buy in to what the rest of the world longs to hear but desperately does not need any more self image or reliance inflation.

As in every hotel room bathroom, they discreetly hang the toilet paper rolls under the sink as well as exposing all of the pipes for little crusiers to find. This is just some of the mayhem that Nick got into at the hotel room. To read about the real "crap," click here and read my personal blog and an episode you won't want to miss.

Enjoying Thunder Mountain and posing.

Nick in awe on the Monster's Inc. ride.

A toy I won my family by scoping out the water gun carnival game and taking the average of which gun was the quickest based on the previous five games. Best toy I've ever won for five bucks.

Somehow, back at the hotel, Nick managed to army crawl his way underneath the pack-n-play in an attempt to mess with his stroller. Fortunately, he did not get stuck, and weasled his way backwards and out. Crazy.

This next sequence is of the ride "California Screamin'," a "real" roller coaster in California Adventure that Katy, my dad, and I loved. My mom's not so keen on the "real" coasters and would rather stick to ones where you aren't pressed against your seat and go weightless a few times.

So here we are posing as we get ready to launch. I'm right behind Katy. It was worth the extra two minutes to get in the front car.

Here Katy and my dad are in launch. I apparently got cropped out.

And all of us obviously still enjoying the ride for our "complimentary with a $15 charge" picture. Good times!

Nick wondering why he has to ride a blue fish and not the "real" coaster...or maybe just trying to find out where his parents are who are calling him. On a positive note, he has learned to "hi-five," wave, and clap almost on command now. We're getting him trained real well!


At the beginning of day 3, we immediately saw Goofy with a fairly short line. The previous two days we saw numerous characters but the lines were ridiculous, especially since Nick had no idea who these characters were. But this one was worth it.

Later he got to meet Eeyore too. This time it was a bit sad, in typical Eeyore fashion. There was no worker standing by with Eeyore, and no line for a picture. The donkey was just standing there all by himself. Kinda eerie Eeyore.

And what's Disneyland without some Mickey ears!

More Mickey ears shots and looking a bit mousy too!


Nick getting pretty into the psychedelic Winne the Pooh ride. I guess I will have to drug test him sooner than I thought...

Enjoying the Buzz Lightyear ride and messing up the grandparents score by tugging on that red joystick that sent them into a jet wash...way to go son! Our plan worked!

My mom and I after we got the shaft from my dad. He was supposed to take an awesome picture of us on Thunder Mountain, but as we passed by, we saw him holding and playing with Nick instead. Sell out!

And finally, the three of us in front of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves little grotto...pretty tired I must say, but well worth it!

Jewel Lie

One of the perks of working as a CHP officer is the time off. I get quite a bit. This whole month in fact. Which begs the question, why has it been since June since we posted? No excuse. But here's our month and as always (in whiny mocking voice) "we'll promise to do better.

We have this blueberry farm right down the road from us, literally five minutes. We've always wanted to go and finally had a reason. Our Sunday school class decided to make a day of it on the 4th of July. Needless to say, Nick ate a lot of blueberries and fortunately his poo did not reflect his level of consumption. Although one child who went on the trip, reportedly did poo blue, but it's not confirmed!

Nick enjoying his bucket

Our friends the Baldizon's (Rebecca, Kevin, and Kade)

Katy not quite done picking

And the whole fam outside of the staging area

Afterward we went to the Najoqui Falls, which at this time of year is apparently a trickle, but a good little hike.

Last year I worked on the 4th but I got it off this year. We made the huge mistake of trying to watch the Pismo Beach fireworks show. Bad idea. Very, very, bad idea. We got to Pismo at ten to 7, I dropped Nick and Katy off near the beach and went on an hour long trek to find parking. I ended up finally finding a spot in Grover Beach (And for you folks well versed in the geographic locations of cities near Pismo I heard your collective sighing), approximately 2.5 miles from Katy and Nick. I also made the mistake of telling Katy I would pick up drinks while looking for parking, so as I walked I found a 7-11 and stood in line for longer than it took me to walk to Pismo from the car. Next year, if we even leave the house, we're parking one car near the beach a week before the 4th, I'm bringing my running shoes to get a workout, parking in Grover Beach again, changing clothes in the previously parked car, and then watching the show. Afterwards, we'll pick up the closer car, drive to the other one, and be phone before you can say, Bazinga!

Nick didn't do too bad with the sound, just the not allowing him to eat sand part upset him!

"Well if I can't eat sand, you're going to have your nose picked mom!"
A nice moment before the show

A bath the next day, as we were in way too late for one that night

And happy once again...it might have something to do with the Chippie gear

The aforementioned Kade turned 1 this month, so, prepare for cute first birthday party pictures:

The birthday boy about to have some cake and eat it too

Nick and Kade and their friend Jude, all a month apart

Luke Detter getting some face time

Jude enjoying a carrot

Jude not so much enjoying the pool


Annie and Finn enjoying a little relaxation time

Aaron and Kevin playing some sling darts

Cosette getting sunscreened up by her dad Ryan

Cosette and Kade wondering why Nick is leaving before full prunage?

Izzy doesn't look like she's enjoying her cupcake very much...

Rachel making Justus crack up

After a fun-filled Saturday party, we took a flight up to Roseville to visit with my dad's side of the family as the Illinois Grindy's were visiting. We were hesitant at first of how Nick would do on the plane, but with some good advice from friends on how to fly with an infant (nurse/feed on take off and landing), it went off with out a hitch. Almost. On the way back to Buellton, Katy started to nurse Nick as we started to take off. Unfortunately, we got delayed and had to wait a few minutes. Nick then finished nursing before the wheels left the ground and thus, as the plane finally took off and climbed, his ears popped and he fussed. This stinky old man directly in front of Katy, who mind you was in the aisle and I was on the other side of the aisle, glared back at me, then lifted his rusty old coke bottle lenses, mad dogged Katy and queried, "Can you keep your kid quiet?!?" I about came unglued. Here's how the rest of the conversation went. Oh, and FYI, SOM is an acronym for Stinky Old Man.

SOM: Can you keep your kid quiet?!?
Me: What more would you like her to do?
SOM: Well if you can't keep him quiet then maybe you shouldn't be on the flight!
Me: Oh really? So infants shouldn't be allowed on planes?
SOM: Not if they can't be silent!
Me: Maybe you should think back to when you had kids, if you did, and remember what that was like!
SOM: I did have kids and now I'm done with 'em! (turns around gruffly)

The conversation was not whispered and both stewardesses heard it loud and clear from their jump seats at either end of the cabin. Later on in the flight, the SOM asked one if he could switch seats to an empty one further up. The stewardess sharply declined. Even later, the SOM asked if he could have ear plugs. The other stewardess quickly related they had none. Gotta love those stewardesses!

Katy and Nick getting ready to board

Nick making sure we're at the right gate
Nick's first plane ride

Happy as can be with a full belly and at 20,000 feet. Oh, and no SOM on this flight!

What plane ride would be complete without a naked dip in pappy's pool afterward!

The next day was a family get together. Most of the time was spent in the pool. Nick is quite the water baby much to my disdain, and chants of H2O polo go on and on in the Bernard household as my father shakes his head in disgust at me. Just kidding, I love swimmers...anyway...moving on.

Nick feeding the dogs some Cheerios

My cousin Anna entertaining Nick, deep breath....

And fart noises!!!

Her father, my uncle, my dad's brother, and my namesake, in disbelief at the level to which she went to with the silliness, either that or making fart noises of his own. I think the latter.

At the end of the month on a random weekday, we met Katy's sister Michelle and her two kids Jake and Brieana at Avila Beach. We randomly ran into the Mason's (their son Jude is up above at Kade's party) which was cool but of all the beaches on the coast and all the area at Avila, how weird to run into someone you know on an odd day of the week! Cool nonetheless.

I buried Jake in the sand up to his head. Good times.

Nick being swung through the waves and loving every minute of it.

Nick and his Aunt Michelle

What month would be complete without one more episode of bath time fun?!?! None I tell you!

After being doused with water, still smiling!

Hmmm, how does this thing work

Heiny cuteness

This boat does not taste like I thought it would

Drying off with dad and the puppy