Tag Archives: california

Family, Fun

Birthday Bash With Mickey

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Last week we celebrated my dad’s 80th birthday {his actual b-day is in January} at the happiest place on earth. It was his wish to experience Disneyland with his grandkiddos and I think the trip was just as he imagined.

I loved having my iPhone for this trip because it was easy to capture special little moments quickly that we may have missed with our bulky DSLR.

1. Grinning ear to ear

2. Hibiscus Cutie

3. Popsi of The Caribbean

4. The path to Fantasyland

5. Bumpiest Autopia ride ever

6. Ice Cream snack on Main Street

7. Blue Bayou Lanterns

8. Me with The Birthday Boy

9. Silhouettes ~ A Disney tradition

10. Best Day Ever {any Phineas & Ferb fans out there??}

11. Out

12. Mini travelers

13. Day 2

14. Waiting for Buzz & Woody

15. Mama & 3D{aughter}

16. Drunk {on Disney} bumper car driver

17. Giggles

18. Disney Jr. Live on Stage

19. Mermaid/Mickey collaboration = genius GOLD MINE

20. Souvenir

*****

This trip was an extra special treat as we stayed overnight and were able to see California Adventure for the first time. We were also able to make reservations at The Blue Bayou months ago for a nice celebratory dinner {if you’re going for the Monte Cristo, be sure and make lunch resos…not served at dinner!}. Our meal was excellent and it was so neat to sit {outside under the stars} and watch the P of the C boats go by!

A BIG thank you to Popsi for coming down from Seattle to celebrate his special milestone birthday with us. We all had a fantastic time and I know that the sweet memories will be held close for a long, long time.

Food

Wanna Be CPK ~ BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad

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Always trying to duplicate the Original BBQ Chicken Salad from California Pizza Kitchen…

This will just have to do ~

1 bag romaine, chopped into smaller pieces

1/2 of a rotisserie chicken {or leftover chicken}, cooled and chopped

1/4-1/2 can black beans, rinsed and drained

1/3 cup {or so} sweet white corn {I use frozen, thawed}

1/4 cup shredded cheese {I used Mexican blend, light}

1/2 red bell pepper, chopped

1/2 cucumber, peeled and chopped

Chopped cilantro {however much you like ~ we like A LOT}

1/2 of an avocado, sliced or chopped

red onion, finely chopped {optional}

Squeeze of lime {optional}

Dressing:

I just mix a little store bought light ranch and some bbq sauce and toss!

{You can also get fancy and drizzle bbq sauce over the salad like CPK does, but the brand I bought wasn’t a squeeze bottle and I didn’t want to over-do the sauce/dressing}

They have a new Caramelized Peach Salad that I will try to recreate soon!

*****

Nighty Night!