Schulz Museum

After a lovely late Christmas with Doug's family we spent the night at Kevin's. We then had the entire next day to do as we please - I didn't have to work until 9am the next morning. So, being in Santa Rosa, we went to the Schultz Museum!!!
I was thrilled to death - it was awesome! They have a ton of original strips on display. Woodstock wanted to say HI and Snoopy offered a cookie.

As Doug noted, this ended up being a very Peanuts Christmas - our tree, the tv special I played over and over, the music, Knott's and, of course, the Museum. This display was right after you walked in the museum. I was too excited on the way in and missed it - I about screamed when I saw it on the way out.

Next door to the museum is the Redwood Empire Ice Arena, or Snoopy's Home Ice. We didn't skate - it was packed. This was really neat for me to see - I read all about the construction in the bio Schultz and Peanuts by David Michaelis. (The rink is empty because they were about to resurface it).

Next door at Snoopy's Gallery and Giftshop I did some shopping (suprise). This is cool, the barber pole behind me is the same barber pole that used to hang infront of Schultz's father's shop.

Railroad Square

We drove up to NorCal to have a belated Christmas with Doug's family. His sister and her boyfriend came in from NYC. His brother lives by his parents, so he and his girlfriend both came over. It was very nice. But, before all of that happened, Doug and I had the day to wonder about. We went to Santa Rosa and ended up at the Railroad Square. They have a little visitor center/railroad museum (it was very neat) and a statue of Charlie Brown & Snoopy!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!! We had a very quiet day here. Here are all the gifts around the tree - the most of the gifts from us to the MacPac - but the ones to the far left in the photo are for Doug and I! I cooked a boneless leg of lamb, roasted veggies, rosemary potatoes, and warmed up little prebaked rolls. It was a good meal.

After supper (and cleaning up a little) we went see The Princess and the Frog, the new Disney animated movie set in New Orleans. It was much better than expected - we both enjoyed it.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed BeetleBug

Saw this in the parking lot of Trader Joes. I thought it was funny. I love that it's complete with the red nose.

Festival of Lights

Riverside has a huge Festival of Lights every year. This year was the 17th Annual. There's lights, shopping, ice skating, and, of course, Santa!

The huge tree inside the Mission Inn- you can't see it, but it goes all the way up to the cathedral ceiling - like the 3rd story.

Right outside the main entrance to the Mission Inn are two bronze Spanish cannons from the 1700s. That's all good and well - but they decided to decorate them with creepy elves. Doug and I have decided they are the little-known, much-feared Artillery Elves!
Seriously, who decorates cannons for Christmas?

You can see the lights!

Another view of the Mission Inn:

I got you a little Ornament - it looked like something you'd like. It'll be waiting in Lafayette for you!

What's this? Oh yes, HI AMY!

Mice! Cows! Cannons! Shiny!

We met Christmas Mickey! I had just told Doug I wanted to meet Christmas Mickey this visit - and when we came out of Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln there Mickey was!!! We slipped in line right before they cut it off - there was a few families behind us.

We then went back to Toontown to check out the decorations. Mickey decorated his house very nicely for the holidays - it's way more decorated than my apartment.

Doug saw Clarabelle Cow outside Goofy's house - complete in her Holiday Outfit! Neither of us have ever seen her out and about before - I was so excited. I must have looked pretty excited - the cast member working the line said we could be the last to meet her! The little kids behind me were upset - I was thrilled. (and she held the sign! I love when the characters hold the sign!)

Courage - the Luckiest Turkey on Earth at the Happiest Place on Earth. Courage is the pardoned Thanksgiving turkey from the White House. He gets to live out the rest of his life at Big Thunder Ranch. He's really big, much taller than I expected.

We rode the Sailing Ship Columbia, a recreation of the first American ship to circumnavigate the globe. It's fun - below decks is set up as a 'historical museum' to see what life would be like on the ship in 1787 (you see the bunks and the mess and the Capt's quarters ect). They fire the canon! Boom!

Later in the night we saw the lighting of the castle - they have a big ceremony/light show a few times a night. So Shiny!!

Knott's Merry Farm

We had the day off - so after stopping for coffee (and then eating lunch) we were in Knott's Merry Farm!!! It's decorated really cute - it's a completely different feel than Disneyland. This is Santa's Sleigh - he was on break at the moment, so we snuck in for a photo. Please notice both Gertrude the Cow and Gus the Horse have Santa hats on back there!
Waiting for the Christmas Show to begin. The climax of the show is the lighting of the tree!

A snapshot from the show. I find the costumed Peanut characters petrifying. Snoopy is ok - it's the kids (Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, ect) are scary.
This is random - and I still don't know why it was there, but the Official US Bobsled! It was right after the gate when you walk in.

Candlelight Processional

I had to work this morning, but when I got home Doug noted that it was the Candlelight Processional at Disneyland tonight and we had just enough time to get there. It's the same thing Jonah sings at at WDW. We drove up and parked without problem - and got a great spot! We had to wait for a little over an hour - but I don't think that's bad, some people camp out all day.
It was AWESOME! Jon Voight was the celebratory host.


This is right after it finished - all of those seats you see cost $275 a piece! Seriously, I can go ahead and stand for an hour.

It's A Small World...

Merry Christmas! It's officially the Christmas Season so I can throw myself with abandon into the Merriest Place on Earth! We went see the reindeer back in Santa's Roundup: The entire time we were taking this picture the band and singer in the background keep singing Hank Williams Jambalaya (On The Bayou). I don't know why - it's not a Christmas song and this is in Frontierland. Weird.


And we rode Haunted Mansion Holiday - where Jack took over the Haunted Mansion (And Christmas!)

It's A Small World is all done up for the Holidays - the entire facade is covered with lights. The ride itself is very similar to the one in Orlando; however, it's almost in it's own little land. The outside is so impressive! I squealed with delight every time I caught a glimpse of the shininess:

It's a Candy Cane stripped A. With Goofy! (in front of Disney's California Adventure): (you know, the A is like Amy)

Gobble Gobble

Happy Thanksgiving!! We got up early, watched the Macy's Parade. After an afternoon of cooking (and watching football), we sat down for dinner:
I made Cherry Jello for Doug - it's a family tradition for him,
And, of course, the Pumpkin Pie & homemade whipped cream. (and coffee)
Hope you had a great Thanksgiving! Thinking of you!

Christmas Comes Early

Christmas started on Nov 13th at Disneyland!! I know I have a huge issue with Christmas before Thanksgiving....but Doug and I didn't know how many days we'd have off together (with me having a JOB and all!) so we went. I'd never seen any Disney park decorated for the holidays - it was awesome!!!

I met Holiday Pluto:
and Doug and I took advantage of the photo-area:

It was a really fun day - we rode It's A Small World Holiday and Haunted Mansion Holiday and saw the "Believe in...Holiday Magic" fireworks. When we walked into New Orleans Square Louisiana Christmas Day started playing - I almost cried. Doug thought (thinks) I'm crazy.

Knott's Berry Farm

Doug and I finally got to go to Knott's Berry Farm. They're having a huge sale on tickets - for less than a regular one day ticket you got a ticket good through Dec 31. So we got them and will probably go back in a few weeks or so.

They have an awesome Ghost Town area. It's like being in any old Western Movie you can think of! So much fun!! Of course I took a picture with the Cigar Indian:

And we later went ride the Ghost Rider, their huge wooden coaster:

(I love the face of the dude to the right)


It actually goes outside the park proper and into/over the parking lot (as seen when walking up to the park):

We sat in the second to last row. They had two big guys in the seat behind us who were not impressed by the wooden coaster - it didn't go upside down or anything. By the end of the ride I heard one of them say "It was like Mike Tyson punching you in the ribs! It hurts" HAHAHA! That's what you get for underestimating the wooden coaster!

Leaving Laffy

I saw Dad briefly this morning on his way to work - I saw him maybe an hour this entire trip. Doubles suck; however, HI AMY! pictures are fun!

And with Mom:

Always a classic:

I didn't fly out until almost 4pm, so we had plenty of time for lunch. Of course I wanted Judice Inn (We talked about Southside Bakery, but when it comes down to it I just want Judice Inn)

It was a very fast, weird, surreal trip. It was good to get back to California.

Who Dat? Dat's Martin! (and the winning Saints)

The next morning we woke up and went pick up Martin to have an early lunch before we hit the road.We went to a local place Ms. Hesterly had heard of - Broad Street Bakery. It was really good - huge portions. Mom and I each had a quiche (one veggie and one regular and we split) and Martin got a sandwhich. Of course they didn't have Martin's first choice - restaurants seemingly never do for that poor boy.

After lunch we dropped Martin back off at his dorm and got a few quick photos (because how often do I see him?):

Later that evening: THE SAINTS WON!!! They are 8-0 for the first time in their history!!! I mean it's the Saints, it's too early to get too excited but still. How exciting!

Soft Shell Crab & Soccer

Saturday Dad had to work, so the rest of us went eat lunch together: They had soft shell crab! (which was weirdly fishy, but still! a poboy! and soft shell crab! I don't get those things out west). Martin was, of course, thrilled we went to Olde Tyme (why yes he is wearing an Olde Tyme Shirt and he does have his eyes closed. God Bless Him). It was funny - both him and Emily were groaning about the lunch rush and how they don't miss it (I believe Emily but Martin...I think he's sucked into the world of the restaurants. Trust me, it gets under your skin, and as much as you hate it you love it).

We then all went different ways: Emily drove back up to S'port, Jonah stayed home because he had bells/choir rehearsal on Sunday, and Mom, Martin, and I were off to Jackson. We drove up with Martin and back the next day with the Hesterly's.

It was Martin's last game! He played very well:After we all went eat at Five Guys which was
awesome huge burgers. They have a few out here in Cali - I'm pumped!!

Pizza Like No Other

Dad had to work but the rest of us still had to eat. After Martin yelled Olde Tyme (and the rest of us ignored him) we settled on Deano's Pizza! (Yum!) Not really realizing it was a Friday night, we drive over and had to wait: The wait was only 20 or so minutes, so not too bad.

We ordered the cheesebread (with jalps) and then a giant pizza to split with: “Tee Rex”/Cajun Executioner/Hawaii Five-O/Blackened Shrimp. It was all good!

As usual Deano's was freezing inside - it was cold outside too!