California

Last weekend, Susan and I drove through California so she could attend a convention in Ontario. We stopped in the Bay Area and then for a couple nights in Grover Beach. I flew home Tuesday night.

This weekend, Jennifer was also in California, attending their Rainbow Grand Assembly. It was again held in Fresno.

She and the other Grand Officers from Oregon enjoyed visiting with their California sisters. Susan drove her home today.

DJR & Grand Court

The first Saturday of the month, Jennifer attended the annual DJR event. The Rainbow girls held their initiation at the West Salem Lodge.

They also had a reception for the State Dad & Mom, then joined members of Job’s Daughters and DeMolay at the Salem Scottish Rite for a talent show and dance.

Earlier this week, we went down to Salem again for the Grand Master’s visit to the Salem Masonic Lodge. Jennifer helped Cherry Assembly with dinner and then performed the Masonic Ribbon ceremony for the Grand Master and his officers. 

Last night we attended the installation of the Grand Court of Amaranth. This year it was held in a hotel by the Portland Airport. The State Dad went in as Grand Associate Patron. 

Dapper Days at Disneyland

This weekend was Dapper Days at Disneyland. Jenn and a friend from UP flew down Friday morning, and after checking into a DVC villa at the Grand Californian, headed into California Adventure to the Frozen Fun area to meet the characters. 

Saturday they headed into Disneyland, where they met more characters, did some rides, and watched Mickey and the Magical Map, as well as the Fantasy in the Skies fireworks show. 

On Sunday they hopped between parks, again meeting characters and other Dapper Day attendees. 

They finished the night by watching Fantasmic! They flew home this morning.

Seattle

Last weekend we took a trip to Seattle. We had lunch at the Rainforest Cafe, then Bryan and I went to the Experience Music Project while Jennifer and Susan went shopping. 

 

There was a special exhibit on the costumes of Star Wars at the EMP that was pretty cool. I also enjoyed the exhibits on fantasy and horror.

This weekend was Parent’s weekend at University of Portland. We met several of the kid’s professors and watched a basketball game.

Rainbow Installation

Yesterday Jennifer attended the installation of Cherry Assembly down in Salem. 

The members of Cherry after the installation posed with the Grand Worthy Advisor.

Last week the kids started a new term at the University of Portland. In addition to taking classes, they are active in the business fraternity and student government. They also started a Disney Club with some friends and on Friday night had a table at a campus activity fair promoting it. 

Last Day

Wednesday Disney closed the Condor Flats area of California Adventure to retheme it to Grizzly Peak.

On Thursday, our last full day at the resort, we went into Disneyland early for a character breakfast at the Plaza Inn. 

Vanna White and Pat Sajak were filming a commercial in front of the castle.

Later we watched the Mickey and the Magical Map show at the Fantasyland Theater. That night we ate dinner at Steakhouse 55. It was really good and would have been really expensive but we had a dining voucher due to a problem with our room. 

Friday we headed north to Central California, then drove the rest of the way home today.

Disneyland

 Disneyland was also decorated for the holidays. 

We enjoyed the attractions, and spent a fair amount of time getting pictures with characters. Besides Big Hero 6, we checked out the Captain America, Thor, and Iron Man areas in Innoventions. They were pretty well done, although Thor was a little short.

We enjoyed the Christmas versions of the Haunted Mansion and Small World. Both had added stuff since we last rode them several years ago. Plus we checked out the Jingle Cruise for the first time. 

Last night we watched the Christmas fireworks.