The Superhero Year {Halloween 2011}

Halloween 2011 was wonderful. Family, fun, food, and just enjoying the holiday for all the silliness it is.  This year (and maybe more to come) will be known as the superhero year.

Eli started it all with his Batman phase. {which is still going strong}


And Walker has all the sudden discovered the Transformers, so Optimus Prime it is.


And since I kind of get to pick out Colin's costume, I choose another adorable superhero. {which he instantly fell in love with and made is own by adding the Batman mask} 

And some superheros still need their blankie. {mommy approves}


And we trick or treated with two adorable Dorothys. {benefits of being on this side of the country}


And trampoline jumping in costume. {now, that is talent}


The youngest was all about the candy collecting.  {He would not skip a house}


Even if Bat-Superman needed a little assistance to keep up with the group. {thanks pops}


And pumpkins. {this was fun}

The Key to the World

My first library card was blue paper with a metal plate in the corner with raised numbers on it.  The librarian would take a carbon copy rubbing of it in an old style credit card machine each time I used it.  I felt so grown up having a card with my name on it.  I carried it around in my velcro wallet with pride.

Last week it was Walker's turn.  One has to be five years old and able to write your first and last name. He practiced all morning (just to make sure) and then off we went to receive his first official library card.



His first selections:


I know you're shocked. Never could have predicted these selections. Nope, not a chance.

The whole experience was a bit nostalgic for me, but as with everything the times they have changed.

Most notably, checking the web address at the end of the book.


Look at my big boy.  Hard to believe.

And just for a bit more mommy nostalgia, his first story. My, my how far we have come.

A Week Home

Home for a week.  It is wonderful and weird.

It is wonderful to be with our family and friends. Being with our people, being able to give real hugs, has fed my soul in ways only these relationships can.

It weirdly feels like we have bought the same house for the second time. At times it feels like we were never gone, and I don't like that feeling.

The Lord is teaching me so much of letting things go of this world.  While I still find too much comfort in these familiar places my attachment to this place, this "home" has faded over our time away.

But, Colin has (finally) escaped the pack n play.


And, it's like Christmas morning with all the toys that were left un-played with for the summer.

(Halloween costume preview)

Thankfully, the dogs and boys have started off a much better relationship this time around.

I think having boys beds on floor level has helped.  It is much easier to make friends with a dachshund if you provide a comfy nap spot.


And still lots and lots of this...

And more to come when (if?) the moving truck ever arrives.

Still settling in to the comfort in this very comfortable place.

Saying Good-Bye to San Francisco

We have been just a short drive from the fair city of San Francisco for over four months.  We have made the trip into the city several times. We have gone over the Bay Bridge a few times.  But, we had yet to make it to the Golden Gate Bridge.  We rectified that Saturday evening.

We finally made the trip over the Golden Gate Bridge.  All of us.

Look, ALL NINE OF US in a picture.


And just for good measure on of the five us. Almost as rare.


Now, all five kids plus the Golden Gate, plus the city, plus Ben.


This, this is photo shoot gold.

Gold.
Now, it didn't feel like gold when we trying to get the pictures.  It felt like we were tying to wrangle 5 kids right at dinner time while trying to catch the last few minutes of daylight, but the pictures - worth it all.

Can't think of a more appropriate adventure for our last weekend in California.

Ice Cream and Swimming

We found ourselves in nice Southern California with weather too cool for both swimming and ice cream eating, but you know we did both.







Note: he is laying down in the water to avoid the chilly wind.


So, after everyone's lips turned blue and there was an appropriate amount of shivering we toweled up and headed in.


Cut to another day.  On one side of the camera we have the boys enjoying their frozen treats.  On the other side of the camera we have mommy and daddy with nice hot cups of coffee.






Although, it was really nice to stand in line without having to deal with the heat.  So, this is not a complaint, just continuing the theme of things being colder than we expect in California.

Living Out the TV Special

So, it is possible that we have watched the Disneyland special on Netflix a few too many times.  It is even possible that we occasionally YouTube Disneyland attractions.

So...

Walker had to find the golden stake at the exact center of the park.



The long awaited submarine ride. Eli has wanted to ride this forever. It lived up to the expectations.



It's a small world, y'all.

With the line that waits outside and the train that runs over the top.

Walt Disney, Mickey, the Castle, pumpkins and Walker like an Egyptian.

Next time I think Samantha Brown should join us and we should make our own little special. "Disneyland as explored by busy little boys who always like transportation rides, who are sometimes afraid of characters, and sometimes like thrill rides, but sometimes just want an ice cream."

Omelets Made to Order

The character breakfast, it's kind of our thing.  It is expensive and time consuming, but it has always been worth it for us.  It went well last September, and in 2009 it was a pleasure. I mean, honestly, Walker and Eli have been enjoying this for years.

So the one reservation Jason and I made for this trip was for the character breakfast.  Easy, right?

You know how kids like to keep you guessing? No exception here.  Walker had decided to be in a bad mood.  Eli has decided he is terrified of characters and Colin refused to sit or eat anything.

See how sweet they look.


Well, the picture is not representative of the event.

Jason and I are sitting there trying to manage our three ring circus, while attempting to eat something of our pricey breakfast buffet, you know, since we were the only ones eating.

Anyway, we did get a couple of pictures. {very expensive pictures}



Jason {in a shining parenting moment} told Walker he couldn't ride the monorail if he didn't take a picture with Mickey. He hoped right in that line.


But wouldn't look at the camera. Aren't Mickey and I a cute couple?

I suppose it is good every now and again for these Disney pros to be humbled.