Dreams really do come true...

In March, we surprised Allie with a trip to Disneyland in conjunction with our annual trip to Arizona. Our friends from Arizona met us there and it was A-mazing.  Well, except that it rained all day one day.  And when you are only there for 2 1/2 days, it sucks.  (If I wanted rain, I would have stayed home)  However, we powered through...ponchos, umbrellas and all.  Allie was a trooper.  She went on ALL of the rides that she was tall enough for (No California Screamin' Roller Coaster or Indiana Jones - yes, tears were shed) and LOVED them all.  Especially the ones that a lot of people consider scary.  Her favorite...Space Mountain.  Second Favorite...Tower of Terror.  Third...The Little Mermaid - Ursula is one scary/ugly octopus.  We had a park hopper pass and took full advantage of both parks.  Needless to say, we walked a lot.  And played a lot.  In fact it might be considered child abuse...the first day we were there from 4-10pm.  Second day, 10am - 10pm and the same the third.  Did we get her a stroller you ask?  Uh...no.  Didn't even think about it.  Why?  Because she didn't complain.  Not even once.  It never even crossed my mind...guess we were having too much fun.  And the only time that Erik carried her was at the end of the night on our way back to the hotel.  She LOVED every bit of Disneyland.  Well, except It's A Small World.  Honestly could have cared less.  Never really watched it and almost fell asleep.  I don't blame her.  After the ump-teenth time of hearing that song, I kind of agreed.  She got pictures and autographs from almost all the Princesses and Characters that she wanted.  The ever elusive Daisy & Donald Duck, and Princess Tiana will have to wait 'til next time.  She opted for sequined Minnie ears.  Had cotton candy each day...pink, of course.  Got to see "The Castle" - you know the one where Justin Beiber and all the Princesses live!?!  Or so she thinks anyway. It really was a wonderful weekend and we will be back.  But not until we are all at least 48 inches tall.  Our girl is ready for some California Screamin'!

 We made it!

 Our first ride - The Swings

 Cotton Candy...Yum!

 Scary Ursula

 Allie, Grace and Trevor

Our Friends from AZ - Becky, John, Trevor & Grace

 Princess Breakfast

                                    

Perfect Ending to a Perfect Weekend!

Happy Birthday, Ashley!

It seems like yesterday I was heading down to Oregon for the birth of my girlfriends daughter.  If I remember correctly (which isn't very often and then it is sketchy at best), I got the call on a monday for a scheduled c-section on tuesday.  I grabbed my then 17 year old sister (childbirth is an excused absence!?!),  my Alanis Morissette CD (don't judge), rolled the windows down (manually) and headed for Aumsville, OR.  Shai and I had the best road trip...laughing and singing at the top of our lungs the whole way.

It was surreal, my girlfriend and her husband were having a baby.  She didn't seem old enough. She was, but she was the first of my friends to start a family so for me it was a little crazy.  I had watched her belly grow, boy did it grow, for the last nine months .  And the moment was finally here...  

Ashley Darlene Balck

April 30, 1996

9 pounds, 11 ounces   21 1/2 inches long
(Did I mention her mom is only 5' 2"!?!)  

She was perfect in every way.  Fresh from the heavens.  

A bit of dark hair, ten little fingers, ten tiny little toes and she looked just like her daddy.  I was one of the first people to hold her.  Even before her mom - she was still in recovery.  I cried the second they laid her in my arms.  One of my best friends became a mom and I couldn't have been happier.

Welcome to the World, Little One.

4 years old - coloring at my parents house

She was a flower girl in our wedding.  Age 7

Holding Allie for the first time.  She was 11.  

Happy "Sweet 16" Ashley!

We love you!


Congratulations Toni & Greg, you are the parents to a 16 year old!
XOXO