2014 Disneyland Half Marathon - my 9th year running it

It's been a busy weekend already and now it's finally time to run! Yep, Sunday morning super early is the 9th annual Disneyland Half Marathon.

Both Theresa and I are running it this year.

2014 John Williams concert at the Hollywood Bowl

As the Hollywood Bowl website states, it just wouldn't be summer without John Williams coming to the Hollywood Bowl. Theresa and I have been coming to see him since 2005 and it's always an amazing experience.

John Williams is 82 this year and is as sharp and well-spoken as the first time we came to see him. He puts on a truly incredible concert. And how could he not? His music scores all our favorite movies.

Disneyland Half Marathon Expo and packet pickup

Anyone else remember what they were doing back on January 22nd at 9am? I do. I was signing myself and Theresa up for the 9th annual Disneyland Half Marathon. It's pretty insane how popular this event has become. Back when this event was just beginning, registration took months to sell out. Lately though it's been selling out faster and faster, even though the price has increased dramatically.
In the inaugural year of 2006, the race took 5.5 months to sell out and cost $95.
In 2013, the event sold out in just over 1 day and registration now cost $175.
So what happened in 2014? Prices went up another $20 to $195 and still registration sold out in 9.5 hours. You've got to be on top of your game if you want to run in a Disney race.

Fast forward to August 29th, 2014. It's race weekend and today is the day to pick up our race bibs.

A fun day playing on the splash table

It's a warm sunny Friday and we happen to have the day off work! T just got Ian a new splash table after seeing another friend with one and we're inviting the neighbors over to play.

A delicious Sunday morning breakfast

Theresa's been wanting homemade waffles for the longest time now. Finally on Sunday morning the whole family ended up in the kitchen to make them.

An August Disneyland visit with Ruston and Jacob

Happy Saturday! It's been a few weeks since our last Disneyland trip and at least a month for Ian. We can't take too much time between visits. The three of us piled into the car and left for the park. I really need to get Ian to learn to smile for the camera.

A visit to Disneyland's Club 33 and the new Le Salon Nouveau

Oh boy! We're in for a special treat today. Not only do we get to visit Disneyland but we get to see the newly renovated Club 33 including the new lounge Le Salon Nouveau!
Theresa's brother and his wife are visiting from Michigan and they were invited along too! We left the kids with the grandparents and drove to Disneyland.

2014 Manhattan Beach AVP - Saturday

It's Saturday and we're back for day 2 at the Manhattan Beach AVP. It was a great day on Friday and Ian was so well behaved we're back again!

2014 Manhattan Beach AVP - Friday

It's going to be a great weekend! The AVP is in town and it's the 55th anniversary of the Manhattan Beach Open!

Krystal hamburgers

You know you're in the south when you start seeing Krystal hamburger stands. Any time I visit Michigan I go crazy for White Castle hamburgers, but for me it all started with Krystal. You could say that I have Krystals in my blood.

Painting day at the Flowers' house

Another year, another painting day. These are almost an annual event here now.