Southern California?

Hail, snow, tornados, avalanches, high winds, and flooding... in Southern California? We have been having a freak storm this past week. On Thursday, we woke up at 5 am to a huge racket. I looked outside and we were having a hail storm - it looked like snow, and it stuck on the ground until mid-morning.

Disney's Club 33

Do you want to go to Disney's Club 33? That's the question our friends, the Devards, asked us on Saturday morning, 15 minutes before we would have to leave. So our answer was "Of course!" Who would miss the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go to Club 33? Not us!

Brian and I have always wanted to go to this exclusive club in Disneyland. Neither of us had been, despite Brian's insider knowledge of everything Disney and my having worked at Disneyland for 3 years (cast members cannot even visit this club). So if any of the rest of you have wondered what Club 33 looks like, we'll show you...

This club is not on any map or guide of Disneyland, the only indication this club exists is this "33" sign by an inconspicuous door. Sterling had to give the secret password (our reservation name) into this top secret hidden intercom.

Once inside, a cast member checked our reservations and acted as bouncer for anyone not authorized to enter. There were stairs or a glass elevator to reach the club above. Of course we had to try the awesome elevator.

Here is what the club looks like. There are crystal chandeliers, parquet wood floor, crown moldings, formal place settings, and of course very attentive wait staff. Also to our surprise, the club was very small - just this one room. No wonder it was nearly impossible for Sterling to get reservations.

Here is our table, overlooking New Orleans Square below. It was so exciting to be there, we didn't care that we were tacky tourists taking photos of everything.

When you get there, you are given a menu to choose your entree. On the menu was salmon, prime rib, lamb chops... but no prices. Once you select an entree (hoping you didn't blow the bank), you go to the "salad bar" where you choose from a bunch of unrecognizable fancy foods. The ones I can name are crab legs, shrimp and lobster.

My salmon came garnished with caviar and complimented with Champagne encrusted rice cakes. Eli and I were having a good time.

After lunch, we got to go to the dessert bar. I of course had to sample everything. Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity right? No counting calories here. They were so yummy. They look mouth watering even in photos.

Even the bathrooms were unique and fancy. There were toile wallpaper, molded mirrors, crystal chandeliers, antique vanities, and of course... wicker toilets? That is odd. Good thing I didn't have to use it. :)

Before we left, we visited the balcony above New Orleans Square to take some pictures. How often do you get this view above the crowds? It was very nice.

Our exciting and unique lunch at Club 33 was just perfect, except for one thing... the bill. See our horrified reactions below:

After ignoring how much of our savings we tossed down for lunch, we had a fun day at Disneyland going on rides with the Devards. Later that night, Brian and I saw the lighting ceremony at the castle and got to swing dance at Carnation Plaza.

New Year's Eve

We had a quiet New Year's Eve at home, playing games with our friends, the Devards. We actually made it to midnight, even though I was starting to get sick.

However, Eli didn't seem to care about the celebration. He spent the New Year fast asleep.

First Trip to the Zoo

After Christmas, we took Eli to his first trip to the zoo. Since it was Christmastime, they had some cool reindeer:

It also gave us the chance to try out our new stroller - our other big present to each other (mostly me) for Christmas. Since I've joined my Stroller Strides exercise class, I was starting to destroy our current lightweight stroller. So we decided to invest in a good all terrain stroller that can travel over grass and rough trails. We did a lot of research and decided to get a brand called Phil & Teds, which converts into a double stroller when we have a second child. It's really unique and way cool.

Eli had a good time at the zoo, until he couldn't sleep and got grumpy. Here's his cute grumpy face. He sticks out his lower lip, just like Great Grandfather Merkley.

Want some water?

Eli LOVES water bottles. Every time I drink from one, Eli gets all excited and reaches out for it with his mouth wide open.

So, we put a few drops of water in the cap and dripped it into his mouth. Eli wasn't sure what to think. He got a perplexed look on his face and let it all drool out of his mouth. But he keeps reaching for the water bottles with his mouth wide like he knows what it's for. Too funny!

Christmas

Christmas is so much more fun with Eli. Even though he didn't really know what was going on--from his perspective, I'm sure it was just a bunch of boxes and toys shoved in his hands while the camera flash blinded him--he was a good sport and seemed to enjoy all the attention. His first present from Santa was a huge Tonka truck. It is so big that he can ride in it or push it.

Eli has a good time pulling the paper and ribbons off the presents. It was fun to have him help unwrap his gifts, even if it took a lot longer. Eli definitely made out like a bandit. He got books, DVDs, cute outfits and toys, toys, toys: like a huge musical block, a big stuffed elephant, a train, balls, blocks, pull toys and stackers... and more!

After our Christmas at home, we went to the Merkley's in Glendora to open a few presents and have our traditional Christmas lunch: soup and sandwiches.

Then we went to Eli's Grammy and Grandpa's to open even more presents. He is spoiled already! Grammy and Grandpa got him the big rocking horse as well as legos, xylophone and a bead maze.

Eli tested everything for quality, using his own custom tester: his mouth. :)

Christmas Eve

Brian and I love Christmas. It's our favorite time of year. We can't wait for Thanksgiving so we can start playing Christmas music and get the decorations out. I love unwrapping presents--even small ones--so I wrap everything up. And this year it's even worse with Eli - I just want to get him so many toys and cute things! Here is our tree and presents all ready for Christmas morning. Because we can't stand the anticipation, we open one gift on Christmas Eve.

On Christmas Eve, we go visit the Jones family in San Clemente. There is always a ton of chaos on Christmas Eve, with everyone giving and receiving presents. We always have tamales and play the dice game with the cousins. Eli got a bit cranky with all the commotion, so we left a little early.

Foster Kitty

We adopted this little kitten for the Merkleys so that Anna could be surprised on Christmas morning. When Robin called a week before Christmas to ask if we could help them out, I begged and pleaded for the kitten to come. I finally convinced Brian (only because I PROMISED to take care of everything). Well, the first warning signs should have been Nyx's hisses and growls for it to stay away. For the first two days we had to keep them locked in separate rooms for fear Nyx would eat the little thing. Well, they eventually made their peace enough to play, but not for me...

The little kitten was a terror! She knocked ornaments off the tree, chased the garlands and holly, clawed the couch, woke us up with her mews, bit Eli's fingers... Then she repeatedly jump on the laptop keyboard, and when I tried to kick her off she took one of the keys with her!! At least Eli had fun with the little kitty, and I got some photo opportunities. :)

Here is Anna on Christmas morning with her new kitten, Naomi. She is much much cuter now that she is at their house. :)

A Christmas Carol

Jonathon and Laura took us to see A Christmas Carol at the Glendale Theatre. We love seeing the show there, and we think this would be a fun Christmas tradition for our family. Eli was a good boy and fell fast asleep about halfway through, but not before half the cast "ohhhed and ahhhed" over him in his cute Santa suit. We loved the falling snow as we exited the theatre - what fun!

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

We had to get some photos of Eli meeting Santa for the first time, especially since everyone says he'll be terrified of Santa next year. Eli first met Santa at our ward party on December 8th. Everyone loved his Santa suit, and even Santa commented that he was nicely dressed.

The Stroller Strides exercize group also planned a breakfast with Santa on December 22nd. We had a nice breakfast at the Peach Cafe in Monrovia. And a very cheerful Santa met all the babies and gave them a little teddy bear. Eli wanted to test to make sure his beard was real by tugging on it. Too cute!

For our list of Santas Eli met this year, we can now add Disney's Surfin' Santa. Eli met him in California Adventure just after Christmas. I guess Santa was on vacation after the busy Christmas season. :)