Living in Putin's Backyard ~ Our Adventures in Mother Russia: Vacation Pt 1

We took a 2 week vacation over the holidays (well Russian Holiday season). We left Yuzhno on December 30 and came back on January 13. Our first stop was Manhattan Beach, California just southwest of downtown LA. Kids were excited to get to CiCi and PaPa'a beach house :-) Although, we never did go to the beach. It was rather chilly and I thought that coming from close to 0 degrees F, 40 and 50 would be HOT... Nope... Not so much. It was still cold!

We had six hours in the Tokyo airport so we sat with a view to the runway - This is Mike showing us how planes fly

She was bored and so was mommy :-)

We had the fortunate pleasure of getting to see Will's grandmother the 1st day we were in. Our New Years Eve was pretty low key. Will and I went out for sushi. I live just north of Japan and at one point this portion of Sakhalin Island belonged to the Japanese so I can really have sushi whenever I want and it is really good so you would think that being back in America, I would want something different.. Nope.. Sushi it was. We got back from dinner and poor Mike kept asking if her could go to bed. It was only 630pm so I told him to wait a little bit longer. That answer was not good enough. This is where I found Mike 5 minutes later :-)

We stayed in and rang in the new year with my in-laws playing cards with the help of vodka, scotch, wine, and champagne :-) Oh and did I mention that Will and I woke up 5 1/2 hours later and took Ash and Mike to Disney? Meanwhile CJ was nice enough to sleep in until 9 or so and let my in-laws sleep in a little bit. Lord knows that was the last time any of my kids let ANYONE sleep past 6am!!!

I was really impressed with Disneyland this time of year. Everything was so beautiful and Christmasy!

I was determined to get my kids on Space Mountain and Thunder Mountain. I thought for sure Mike would pass but I was 1/2 inch too short.. Boo Hoo! Will took Ash and she apparently hated the whole thing. I also took her on the Star Wars ride and she hated that one too. Ashlynn's MO is when we wait in line and she decides she does not want to ride anymore, she gets very theatrical with "I have to go potty!!!" I quickly realized that she does not ever have to go but is just scared. Poor kid. She overcame her fears and enjoyed the rest of the day.

One of the kids that I most enjoyed was the Haunted Mansion. It is usually the same old theme but for Christmas, they changed it up with Nightmare Before Christmas. My kids LOVE Jack Skellington and this movie. They were thrilled! I was impressed as well. It turned out quite nice.

We got them Nightmare Before Christmas themed hats. The red eyes on Mike's glow in the dark.

In line or Pirates of the Caribbean - Ash singing "Yo Ho Yo Ho a pirates life for me"

Last July my in-laws treated the family to a trip to Disney and Miss Ash walked away with the typical blue winter Anna dress - in 80 degree weather she choose to wear long sleeves. In January, when it is 30 out Ash wants the cap sleeve coronation dress. She also scored the Elsa dress. Its possible I went overboard but she is my little lady and felt like spoiling her :-)