Everything is AWESOME!

Picked up Kenzo after TK, and swept him off to the airport.

He was excited, but had no idea where we were going.

The next morning, on a shuttle bus from our hotel, things were starting to come together...

"Is this....Legoland?!"

S T O K E D !

The park is just perfect for Kenzo's age.

"A Lego skeleton made out of Legos!"

Yes, that's the point of this place.

A hot day in Carlsbad, but plenty to do with the light crowds on a Thursday.

Awesome Star Wars area!

Kenzo had to pose with each of the 10 figurines!

Boba Fett.

Cool scenes from the different movies, even though I can only barely remember the first one, and Kenzo hasn't even seen any of them!

Darth Vader.

Randomly ran into our friends from Truckee at the park! 

Haha - Heather and I never see each other at home!

Ninjago guys!

Again, had to pose with all four of them.

Like me, if I saw Brad, George, Orlando & Johnny.

The new Ninjago area won't be built until next year.

Do I smell a return trip in our near future??

One very happy, pumped kid!

Waiting for our shuttle bus at the end of the day.

A "thank you" message to Auntie Patty and Uncle Brant. 

They generously gave Kenzo money for this amazing trip of a lifetime!

We got to the park early the next morning, and had time to pop into the Legoland Hotel to check it out.

I was a bit bummed that we didn't book a room here, but after seeing the chaos and possible germ-fest going on within these walls, I was even happier to be at our fabulously beautiful, peaceful hotel one mile away!

Cool castle play area in the hotel lobby.

A little something for everyone here.













And a pony for me!

Another day of light crowds - we'll take it!

Kenzo and the only other kid on this ride were loving it! 

Twinsies!

Day three - ready for another day!

Mini San Francisco...

Mini Sydney Opera House...

Mini Manhattan...

Build-a-boat area.

Great play/build areas for kids all over the park.

Thumbs up!

The Royal Joust. 

The funny part was that Kenzo was happy going from fast roller coasters to mellow rides like this one.

Castle Hill area.

Resting our legs at the Chima 4D movie.

This was a BIG day at the park. Big crowds, time at the waterpark - no pictures there with all the water rides - and then....

Brick-or-Treat! 

The park stayed open late for this Halloween event, complete with candy, lights, dance parties...

...and costumes!

The small kids kept coming up to Kenzo saying "hi Spiderman!" He was loving the attention.

8 hours at the park and still going strong.

We were there a total of 10 1/2 hours that day. Phew!

Perfect timing for our visit here with our Halloween-loving kid!

Last day in San Diego, we had lunch with the Mills family!

A quick run around break at the harbor, with the USS Midway in the background. Wish we had more time to check it out.

Kenzo and Piggy ready for our flight home.

Excited to wake up this morning to put together one of the Star Wars Lego sets from Justin. WOW - thanks guys!!

I guess he didn't get enough of Legos from the weekend?!

September Catch Up

Axel and Michelle were in Tahoe for a couple of weeks - so nice to leisurely hang out with our friends.

Kenzo and Axel had a blast riding bikes in the 'hood.

Michelle dragged me around one morning for a great ride.

It helped me that she was tired from a big ride the previous day and injured from a crash a week earlier. 

I need all the advantages I can get.

 

"Mommy, I made a food truck!"

Proud of our little Lego master.

 

Enjoying one of the last nice evenings at the lake, celebrating Matt's birthday.
 

Lucky there's a pizza shop right across the street from the beach.

Awesome friends.

Happy birthday, Matt! 

One of our last days at Meeks Bay too.

The smoke was pretty bad from the wildfires, but only lasted a couple of weeks.

Another ride, this time Flaco came with me. He lives right next to the trails, and went along with me and Michelle the previous day.

Good to have some company out there!
 
Even the dog kicks my butt.










Gabriel's 5th birthday party - boot camp style!

Everyone was dressed for the party!

The "troops" getting ready for their assignments.
 

A big obstacle course, complete with sled pulling, burpees, and running ladder drills!

Good idea for this group of active kids. 

School BBQ night.

Everyone was asked to bring something to share...Kenzo's class was assigned either a fruit or veggie tray.

We did veggies in cups filled with hummus.

Kenzo was so proud every time he saw someone walking off with one of his creations!

We hit up the Truckee Bike Park finally. 

A fantastic park with dirt trails, jumps, bumps, and other features for bike skills.

I am enjoying the school schedule, and have gotten in quite a number of early morning rides after dropping Kenzo off. 

The view was definitely worth the climb. 

Or so I kept telling myself.

 
 

Happy 5th Birthday!

Birthday prep started a couple of weeks ago...

Too easy to search for "Lego Birthday Ideas" and too many fun ideas!

Damn you, Pinterest!

 

Each cup had a different face.

Because I was starting to lose my mind with all the great Lego images...! 

Lego block cookie favors...

Lego face cookie favors...

...Lego blocks birthday banner.

Yep. By now, I've lost my mind.

Birthday morning!

Always nice to wake up and unwrap presents!

 

Grandma and Jiji arrived the night before!

Always nice to wake up and have grandparents at home!

Dropped Kenzo off at school, armed with Spider Man and My Little Pony pencils for his classmates. 

No food treats at school for celebrations.

WHAT. A. BUMMER.
 

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

Jiji and grandma making the sushi rice for inari.
 

The cake turned out awesome!

All Pinterest...

Everything is.....!!

It was very windy at the park, but we made the best of it!
 

Doughnut game - best game around!

Kenzo

Charlie

Willy

Powdered sugar princess Paisley!
 

JP and Colton

Axel

We feasted on teriyaki chicken, mac & cheese, green & fruit salads, and inari.

But everyone just wanted cake.

We couldn't even light the candles with all the wind - SAD! 

Me posing with my rainbow cake.

I must admit, it was my best cake ever!
 

Five plates of cake between two boys? 

Sounds about right.

Wind and wasps were the uninvited guests at the party, but despite that, we all had a great time celebrating another big milestone together!

A quick stop on Mt. Rose overlooking Incline Village and the lake.

Dinner out at River Grill.
 

 Hamming it up with grandma!

Dad thoroughly enjoyed their visit to Tahoe...it's been two years since they were here last. 

 

Out after a big week...does anyone look a bit more tired than the other?

Kenzo had to show mom a few features on her iPhone.

Thanks for coming to visit us, Tsurutas!