Birthday Weekend Recap!

I know you have all been waiting on pins and needles to hear where the hubbs whisked me away to on Friday and I won't make you wait any longer!  He took me to the Happiest Place on Earth: DISNEYLAND!!  Now, I am sure some of you are thinking, Disneyland?  That's where he took her?  For her 30th?  But I assure you peeps, the man knows me well.  I am not a giant Disney freak, I don't wear Disney character clothing, I don't have Disney bumper stickers or decorate my house with Disney theamed crap, but I do really enjoy going to Disneyland.  It was something that my family did quite often when we were younger and I have a lot of fond memories there.  It had been a while since the two of us had been able to go together, too.  Actually, we hadn't been together in almost 3 years.  The sad part of that is, it was Ari's first time there.  Everyone at the time knew we were going, knew he was excited to go!  But that first morning when we went, his mother thought should would call us as we were walking into the Happiest Place on Earth and inform us his dad had just been diagnosed with brain cancer.  She knew we were excited to go.  She knew that she could probably wait until we got back a few days later, but she chose on that morning to tell us.  Well, the trip was a bust.  We couldn't get happy the entire time.  After one day in the park we came home.  She could have waited; there was nothing any of us could do at the time.  So as much as this trip was for me, I think Ari wanted a good go at Disneyland.  His dad just passed away this past July, we are healing and I think he wanted to go just as much as me.

Okay, done with the sad part, let's get on!  I got home Friday and he had everything packed except my running gear.  He did good actually.  The man knows me too well.  He still hadn't told me where we were going.  He told me once we got in the car I could start guessing.  But I knew already that we weren't going on a plane since my cosmetic bag and shoe bag were not securely packed.  Once we gassed up, I knew it.  I guessed right on the first try!  I had  feeling it was Disneyland or Vegas and once the bags were packed I was pretty sure.

I was already exhausted by the time we got in the car.  I had gotten up early Friday morning (4 am to be exact) to get my run in.  Just five miles, nice and easy.  He packed snacks and drinks and off we went.  It took us about 5 hours and it was a blast.  We got to reconnect, chat and get all excited about the weekend.  Traffic in L.A. blows if you have never been there.  But we arrived around 9 and headed off to dinner.

The next morning I got up and ran a quick 5 miles on the hotel dreadmill and we were off and in the park by 9 am!  Big mistake running right before you spend the entire day on your feet walking.  I was glad I got it done but I paid for it.  I don't think I stretched very well on Thursday after my long run since the party came as a surprise :) and then sitting in the car for five hours after being at work all day wasn't the best.  The muscle or tendon right behind my left knee is painful right now.  I am rolling and stretching and took Sunday and Monday off from running.  I am going to give it a go tonight - I need to run to burn off all the crap I ate in about 72 hours!

The park was NOT busy.  It was perfect!  No real crowds and surprisingly didn't see too many kids have the dreaded meltdown.  The weather was awesome, too.  About 60 in the morning and by mid-morning and afternoon low 70's - perfect t-shirt weather!  We rode all the rides a billion times and just generally enjoyed ourselves.  I am soooo glad he picked Disneyland.  I know it sounds cheesy, but it was relaxing and just what we needed.  He said he had contemplated Vegas but knew I am not a big fan.  The man did good, and I am sooo lucky.

Here are some pics from the weekend.  Notice we are dressed like summer in the middle of January.  We are getting a huge storm right now in California, and it didn't start raining on us in Disneyland until right before we left Sunday afternoon - perfect!

In line for the Teacups!

Ridding the Teacups!

I love the Teacups!

Hardly any crowds!

Lots of shots like this (holding the camera out ourselves)

In front of the Haunted Mansion!!

Day 2 - got soaked on this awful ride!

The Happiest Turkey on Earth - Obama pardon him this year :)

My FAV ride- the Matterhorn!  Got to ride it twice in a row because the couple in front were arguing and almost caused a crash with our bobsleds!

What can I say, I LOVE this ride!

On the Matterhorn - waiting for round 2!

It started to rain while we were leaving California Adventure and heading home.

I know I already said it, but the hubbs did good and I am sooo glad we got to spend our time together.  Between the surprise party and the surprise getaway, I am truly thankful for him.  He is a great running sherpa, too!

A couple of years ago, 2008 to be exact, my sister and I ran the Disneyland Half Marathon.  It was a blast and the medal was soooo coool!  After being down there, I think I am contemplating running it again.  It's over labor day weekend, the first weekend in September.  The only prob is that I have Lake Tahoe full later in the month.  After race fees and hotels, it might be a bit over the top.  The hubbs is saying "do it, do 'em both," but I am going to sit on this for a bit.  Anyone else wanna run Disney Half?  It was a blast the first time, great course and awesome amenities.  Plus, the Happiest Place on Earth!

Its pouring raining here, so I think I will be on the dreadmill tonight.  I can do rain, but I can't do WIND and rain!  60+ mph gusts of wind they are predicting and that just is NOT fun to run in.  Thank you again for all the birthday wishes, you guys are awesome!  I am truly in awe every time I blog or read another blog of how supportive we all are of one another.  Whether its good times or bad, I always appreciate all the support - THANK YOU!  I promise to get caught up on all of your blogs this week!

Happy Tuesday and Happy Running peeps!