Disney's California Adventure + Life Lately
January has been a crazy month so far! Adjusting back to work (and starting a new project), seeing family, and going to LA has kept me pretty busy. However, one thing I took back with me from S. Africa is to be more mindful and present in each moment. I think many people go on auto-pilot each day and always want the days to pass as quickly as possible. I’ve focused on enjoying each day for what it is, and it has honestly done wonders for my mood. Not sure if that makes any sense, but I really feel it has made a big difference in my perspective. That being said, I’m excited for February and the many adventures that it will bring :) Xoxo
DISNEY’S CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE
Over MLK weekend, we drove down to LA to pick up my sis (not before treating her to a grocery store haul). We went to Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods where she stocked up for the week. After that we headed another 1.5 hours to Anaheim to check into our hotel near Disneyland. We got upgraded so our room not only included two queen beds but also two bunk beds which my sis and Derek were THRILLED about lol. From there, we walked to Downtown Disney to check it out (it never disappoints) and then went to Cheesecake Factory for dinner. We knew it would be an early morning, so we went to bed early.
Before going any further, I must preface this by saying that my sister has been to Disneyland about 8000 times and is an absolute EXPERT and EFFICIENCY MASTER when it comes to strategizing how to get around the park, do all the rides, and never wait in line. She has the Disneyland app on her phone so is always up to date on all the rides, and has completely mastered the Fast Pass process. Derek was blown away by her expertise and we were cracking up as we were literally speed walking/running to get to all of the rides as soon as humanly possible. My second preface is that Derek and my sister love all of the same food (they strangely have the same palate) so all day they were excited to eat the same things. For example, that morning, they each had an english muffin and banana and they were SO excited lol. They ate it as we speed walked to the park. We got there by 7:15am. We waited until they opened at 8am and immediately went on the Guardians of the Galaxy drop zone ride, which was SO FUN. From there, we did literally every single ride in the part and had SO MUCH FUN. It was literally the best day ever spent with two of my favorite people in the world. Their best-friendship is also adorable to watch - they are not only obsessed with the same food, but their bond is also based on loving to gang up on me lol. That night, we were all so exhausted, but we still had a great time talking and laughing in the room until it was time to go to sleep. Best long weekend ever!
VISITING BABY DONOVAN
My nephew Donovan (cutest baby on earth) was in the NICU when we returned from our S. Africa trip. We visited him right when we got back (on New Year’s Day) because I couldn’t go any longer without holding him. We went at 5am because of our jet lag and it was so peaceful in the hospital at that time! We got to hold him and he was just so precious.
Donovan is now home from the NICU and is doing so well! We visited him recently and I could not get over his cuteness (I never will). He is still sleeping a ton. After his diaper was changed, he woke up, let out the world’s loudest battle cry, and then fell right back to sleep. It was hilarious. My favorite story of him so far is when he was trying to pass his carseat test for the first time before leaving the hospital. He had to sit in his carseat for 90 mins without having any issues. They put him in and halfway through he pooped, which means he failed his test lol. Now that he is home, he is very happy and growing so much each day. We are so in love!
HIKING MISSION PEAK
Yesterday morning we got up super early, went to the gym, and then hiked Mission Peak, which we haven’t done in so long! We got there at 630am and got to watch the sun rise over the bay as we hiked. The sky progressed from purple, to shades of orange, to blue. It was the best way to start our weekend. I can’t wait to go back again (once my legs are less sore)!
