Jake's Graduation and Disneyland

Last week we headed down to California for Jake's graduation from Marine boot camp and a big Disneyland celebration. It was really nice to go on a little vacation, and I was very sad it was over.

MCRD (the Marine Corps Recruit Depot) is in San Diego, right next to Shelter Island and Sea World. I guess if you have to get beat up by mean drill instructors you might as well be in beautiful San Di-ah-go. Ahh, breathe it in. (We might have quoted Anchorman more than was really necessary while we were there). Anyway, it really was gorgeous. It might have even been a bit on the hot side. Seriously, when is it going to get cold?

We saw Jake run around in short shorts with the other Marines, we watched an inspirational video about what our Marines had been through, there was a lot of yelling and cheering (which really freaked Theo out), but we were all mostly excited about seeing Jake and hearing about his experience. He was surprisingly not-weird and very, very thin. (He will be home for the next month by the way, working with recruiters here in Vegas until he starts more training).

The actual graduation ceremony lasted about an hour and a half and all 590 of the Marines that graduated with Jake had to stand at "parade rest" (I think that's the right term) for most of that time. We were sitting way at the end of the bleachers and so we couldn't really hear what was going on, but we kept ourselves entertained by watching dozens of Marines pass out from trying to stand still in the sun for so long. Some of them just flat fell on their faces. Others swayed back and forth a bit before falling over. The crazy thing is that none of the other Marines around the guy who just fell flat on his face are allowed to move or do anything. They just quietly say "Drill Instructor" over and over until a DI comes to rescue the poor guy who just passed out. It was all rather exciting. You will be pleased to hear that Jake did not pass out. I know you are impressed.

Here's the whole gang.

And here's my skinny/strong (how many hanging pull ups can you do?) Marine bro with my baby (check out the USMC onesie. Yay merchandising!).

Jake was ready to get off the base pretty much as soon as the ceremony was over, so after a quick In-N-Out stop we headed of to the DL, which is my new favorite way of referring to Disneyland.

This was my first time visiting the DL during the holidays, and it was really fun to see all the lights, and the castle all wintered up, and all that jazz. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see it snow on Main Street because the second night we were all just way too tired to go back after our off-park dinner. I am still pretty bummed about that, but it just gives me an excuse to go back next winter (Gabe will grimace when/if he reads this).

Theo was such a good boy throughout the whole trip. He really didn't complain the whole time even though he was getting dragged all over the place. He was very very well behaved, but really was only interested in one thing at the DL: water.

On the Finding Nemo Submarine ride, which I was so excited to go on because the submarine ride used to be one of my favorites, he was really excited when all the bubbles when by the window.

This was perhaps Theo's favorite thing at the DL (yes, I will continue to call it the DL).

On Dumbo, Theo would not stop staring at the fountain despite my best efforts.

Anyway, the kid likes water. Even if he didn't get too excited about the DL, his mom sure did. I like the DL a great bit more than I know I should. When we were driving out of the park, I was already planning our next trip (which I think should be for my birthday since you can apparently go for free on your birthday next year). Gabe did not enjoy me planning our return as we were leaving, but I am pretty sure he enjoyed himself.

In conclusion, allow me to present a few parting DL pics.

Unlike many babies, Theo does not mind things on his head, which makes for cute pictures.

The A girls with the A. Last time we took this picture, Aubree was only ten and she sat in the middle of the A. That might not ever happen again.

Only some of us correctly followed the instruction to act like you are falling out of the tea cup and/or getting sick. Oh well.

P.S. Did you notice my sweet new hairdo? Aly says it is tinkerbell-esque, but I promise I'm not that crazy about the DL.