Really Random Thursday, 12/14/23

It's the middle of the month, and in less than two weeks Christmas will be over for another year. 

Wow!

This one's a little late, but still funny.

Still shopping?

 Mark's brother lives in southern Idaho. He went skiing awhile back. Yikes!

Meanwhile, I picked the last of the roses.

Books I read/listened to in November. I have read most of Ruth Ware's books. Zero Days had a better ending than some of her others. I really enjoy anything by Erica Bauermeister. Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow was quite fascinating, all about the gaming industry, how video games are made, with an interesting back story and interesting characters. Merry Ex-Mas was just the right kind of light rom-com to read during the holidays. Maybe in Another Life was an interesting book about how seemingly small choices we make can change the course of our life. 

If you  know, you know.

Last week I picked up Levi and a friend from water polo practice. We dropped the friend off, and then Levi asked if he could drive home. What? He did a very good job. I was hardly nervous at all. :)

We went to Gabe's winter band concert. This kid and his trumpet--amazing.

Wishful thinking...

This is clever...

Mark and I left early Sunday morning for three days in Disneyland/California Adventure. It's been a long time since it was just the two of us. Jessie and Timothy met us for a few hours, which was so great. Mark's favorite "ride" is the park bench--he doesn't do motion very well and he loves to watch people. I don't mind riding the rides by myself, but it was fun to have partners for a few rides.

I love this girl sooo much!

After they left, we leisurely enjoyed the park. Disneyland is truly magical during the holidays, with all the lights and decorations.

The abbreviated version of the Lion King is excellent.

The next day we didn't rush to get up. We had breakfast at Denny's next to our hotel. A balloon artist was always there, making creations for kids. He was really quite amazing.

Mark scored a chair on the porch on Main Street.

It's a Small World gets a bad rap regarding its repetitive song, but honestly it's so beautiful during the holidays, and they add some Christmas carols as well. And as you go through parts of it, the smells change. There was definitely the smell of peppermint during this part of the ride.

Both nights we enjoyed the lobby of the Grand California Hotel, an incredible Craftsman-style hotel reminiscent of the famed Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite. During the holidays there is a really big gingerbread house and a huge Christmas tree. 

Also, we were in search of the elusive gingerbread man cookie. So the back story. It is available basically in three places: one of the restaurants in Disneyland where you can mobile order starting at 7 a.m. and they run out by 7:30 a.m., somewhere in California Adventure (which we never found), and the cafe in the lobby of the Grand California. Here's the thing. You know they are hard to get, which makes you want one all the more. And they are said to taste amazing. Disney sure knows how to market...so the first night in the lobby, I stood in a looooooong line, got close to the front of the line only to be told they were out for the night. Ugh. We went back the next night, not just for the cookie. Well, in large part for the cookie, but also the music. Anyway, I got there at just the right time. The line wasn't too long. I grabbed three, and then was told by the cashier that I could only have two, but after I said I had waited in line the night before, she let me have all three. Do they live up to the hype? If you like gingerbread, yes. Yes, they do. (See that amazing Santa in the background?)

We spent the last day in California Adventure. Even the people in charge of clean-up get creative with Mickey. They were sweeping leaves from a nearby tree.

We had our photo taken by the Christmas tree.

We were lucky to score a reservation at the Lamplight Lounge, overlooking the water. Reservations open up 60 days in advance and I stalked the app. I got on early in the morning and the only time available was 4:30 p.m. I grabbed it. And then the reservations were all booked. We had lobster nachos--so good! We have actually always been impressed with the food in both parks and don't find the prices to be outrageous at all.

It was just dusk as we were seated and it was fun to see the lights come on.

The grandkids would roll their eyes if we told them how few rides we went on, but it was such a relaxing and enjoyable way to spend a couple of days, surrounded by lights and music. 

And now it's time to finish getting ready for Christmas.