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Showing posts with label L.A.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label L.A.. Show all posts

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Bringing a Baby to Disneyland


This past Monday Kwacha, Shirley and I were able to go to Disneyland with my mom and Emily.  We were thankful to receive some free tickets which made it possible for us to go.  We had so much fun going as a family.  



When I was younger and single pretty much every time I went to Disneyland I got hit in the leg with a stroller.  It almost became a sort of joke. It was kind of ridiculous.  I boldly declared that I would never bring a baby of mine to Disneyland!  What would be the point?  They wouldn't remember anything anyway.  Oh naiveté!  


It turns out, not only did Shirley seem to really enjoy it, but there's a huge benefit in bringing a baby to "the happiest place on earth."  Has anyone out there ever heard of rider swap?  I looked online the day before we went to see if you could bring strollers in line.  Well you can't.  BUT if you see a "cast member" at the beginning of the line and show them that you have a baby in your party, they give you a nice little card that allows the person who stays with the baby to go in the fast pass line with up to two other people after the first group finishes the ride.  If you couple this with a fast pass than basically three of you get to go in the fast pass line twice in a row!  Who knew??  We probably rode more rides than we normally would have.  It was great. 
I also had no idea that babies are allowed on so many rides!  Any ride that doesn't have a height requirement.  





And it is so fun to see Disneyland through your baby's eyes.  Shirley absolutely loved Small World.  She was looking around everywhere and bouncing like crazy on my lap.  She was also very interested in the parade, all the colors and music.  



Seriously, I recommend bringing a baby with you every time you go!  Just be careful with that stroller...


Wednesday, April 11, 2012

The Friend Files

Kristen Smith


Kristen Smith.  Oh Kristen, you are so funny.  Seriously people, if you want to laugh, hang around Kristen.  I think she is one of the funniest females I know.  She's very quick and witty.  She once told me she had a lot of practice thinking up comebacks to her two older brothers.
Kristen is also very thoughtful.  When I first discovered that I had colitis, I found a basket of foods I could eat outside my front door.  It had lots of fun little notes.  It was so kind!
Kristen used to meet Megan and me for Peet's also before church on Sunday's. 
I first knew Kristen when she was a freshman and I was a senior in high school.  We were in the same Bible study.  She actually came to my birthday party on her birthday! (It's the day before mine.)
See?  So kind.

Anyway...learn more about her here!

What is your full name?  Is there any significance behind it?  Any funny stories in connection with it?
My name is Kristen Michelle Smith but my parents will NOT stop calling me "Chris".

What is your favorite book?  Why?
Favorite book? Other than the bible I would have to say anything by CS Lewis. I love how that man's brain worked.

Where is your favorite place to eat in the greater L.A. area?  Why?
This is like picking your favorite child. I like hole-in the wall places by where I live. There is a place by my home called Crave that has good crepes, a place called the Pita Kitchen that is fresh and tasty, and a place that will get me FAT on their lattes alone - Aroma Cafe. I could practically go on forever...

Have you ever left the country?  Where did you go?  What did you do?
I have been to Mexico, Canada, Thailand, Germany, Monaco and France. Adventures! I love traveling but I LOVE coming back home! Next trip: somewhere that English is the 1st language. 

What is your dream job?  Are you doing your dream job right now?  If so, what do you do?
I go back and forth on my dream job. On one hand I would love to teach students but on the other hand I would love to do some sort of experiential marketing job. Or just owning my own business where I can do something artsy/creative or sell food I make. So many choices. But I am content at where I am now.

Who do you look up to?  Why?
I look up to Jesus Christ first and foremost. What an ultimate example of humility, love, contentment, submission... I look up to my mom and dad for their faithfulness, patience with me, service to Christ and His church, and for how they are willing to continue to grow and change (rollin' with the punches). And so many more.
I never look up to celebrities. Those crazies always let you down.

What is the first concert you ever went to?
I can't remember what my first concert was but it was in high school. I would so much rather go to a concert than see a movie. 

What are you thankful for?
I'm thankful for.. Everything. I'm so thankful for friendship, family, the body of Christ, s'mores, high school small groups, fresh cut flowers, SoCal weather, that I have a job, technology, and for a High Priest who can sympathize with my weakness. 
 
If you had a baby elephant, what would you name it?
Todd. First thing that came to my mind. Tiny Todd on special occasions.

'Teensy' because I am so original.

 Kristen made this little facebook collage.  The top two are from our trip to Minnesota.  We helped move Megan there.  We drove there in two days, stayed for two days, and drove home in two days.  It was a crazy whirlwind trip, but so much fun!  And there were a few crazy things that happened, like an encounter with a possible dead man?!  More on that later...

Oh and the pic on the bottom left was from an Audio Adrenaline concert at Magic Mountain!  ;)

Love you, Kristen!

Monday, April 09, 2012

The Friend Files

Crystal Sanford


Crystal sent me a pic from one of our high school staff retreats.  She is the blonde on the right with the super chic orange shoes.  ;)
I used to say that Crystal is full of surprises.  She still is, but now I'm used to being surprised!  ;)  She really is one of the most fascinating people I know.  You'd just have to meet her to know what I mean.  She lives in a really cool house somewhere in Hollywood and she is great at decorating, flower arranging, cooking, basically anything creative.
She's also a really sweet and really funny girl.  And she owns a cute dog named Sailor.

Learn a little more about her.  I'm sure if you asked her to expound on any of these answers, you'd get a really interesting story.  ;)

Love you, Crystal!
What is your full name? 
Crystal Joleen Sanford
What is your favorite book?  Why?
The Bible, because it is the Living Word of God.  I also like obscure old books with fun titles like 'Try and Stop Me' by Bennett Cerf
Where is your favorite place to eat in the greater L.A. area? 
Tough question... right now i would say Forage in Silverlake and red Hill in Echo Park
Have you ever left the country?  Where did you go?  What did you do?
Mexico, family trip; Germany, business; Italy, business; France, business; Uganda, missions; England, fun.
What is your dream job?  Are you doing your dream job right now? 
To be a Wife, Mother, and Homemaker.  Not yet  ;)
Who do you look up to?  Why?
My mom, for her courage; my California mom, for her wisdom; and so many more...
What is the craziest thing you have ever done? 
Start my own business.  I guess sky diving too, I didnt really think that was crazy but my mom did.
What is the first concert you ever went to?
Cant remember, either LeAnn Rimes or The Dixie Chicks
What are you thankful for?
Salvation, Hope and Eternal Life found only in Christ, wonderful friends and my little spotted pup, Sailor
If you had a baby elephant, what would you name it?
Peanut

 

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Mad About... (Christmas Edition)

The Nutcracker!
I think I can safely say that this year, I am obsessed with The Nutcracker.  I have listened to the whole thing in my car probably around ten times this Christmas season.  Everytime track #10 is about to end, I think, "Okay, it's time to take a break." But then it just moves on to track #1 and before I know it, I've listened to the whole thing again!  I just can't get enough of it!  The music is beautiful and I am just amazed that anyone could compose something like that!  Is it totally nerdy that sometimes I get a little teary eyed listening to it?  Um yeah, thought so.  #9 gets me every time.
But what is better than listening to the music in my car?  Why, going to see the ballet of course!  I've seen the ballet a number of times but the best performance I witnessed was done by the Moscow Ballet at some theater in L.A. 

We had balcony seats...not really expensive ones, but a great view nonetheless.  The setup of the stage was amazing.  It wasn't just a single curtain that they kept changing with little room for the dancers.  It was huge and open with props and real set design.  And there was a live orchestra!
I don't think we'll be able to go this year because it's turned into an extremely busy season.  (We can't even find a whole open day to go to Disneyland.)  So I'll just keep listening to the music in my car...and imagine visions of sugar-plums dancing in my head.  ;)

Monday, December 12, 2011

The Wauhop's

Can I just say how much I love this family? I had the privilege of working with Ashley at GTY for just over a year before she left to have baby Maggie! In all honesty one of the cutest little babies I have ever met. Both Robert and Ashley are funny, sweet, down to earth and fun to hang out with! I loved taking these pictures and I am so happy for them. And I'm happy that little Maggie has such wonderful parents. ;)

While I love blogspot, the format on my blog isn't great for picture showing, so I started a new one just for photogpraphy. Not much yet, but here's the link: http://amandataylorphotography.wordpress.com/



I don't think I've ever heard a friend praise her husband as much as Ashley praises Robert. She told me that they have never gotten in a fight. Their love for each other is sweet to see!



The other thing that Ashley talked most about at GTY was how much she couldn't wait to be a mom someday. It was fun to see the whole processs!









I was able to get a few of Maggie's face. ;)



She looks a lot like her beautiful mama!


Looking at her daddy.







She may have gotten a bit chilly at the end. Little tears. :(



These two aren't afraid of PDA.

















I know. I took a lot.




Look at those eyes!

Happy family!





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