Family Pictures

I can not believe it's been a whole year since mom took our last family pictures for us.  We took advantage of the awesome October weather (that has since disappeared) the last time Jason was home to get some fun outdoor pictures taken. 

Isn't it funny sometimes as parents that you have an idea going into any given situation how your children will act or react - the funny part being when it ends up opposite to what you thought.

Davis is my beautiful, funny, smart, energetic little bundle of willful sensitivity.  When things don't go his way he is sure to let me know..... LOUDLY!  So I find, that I often think of (and I do try to not do this (but I'll be honest with you)) London as my 'easy' child, and Davis as the one who'll take a bit more effort.

Having said that - Davis was all smiles and fun, and London........ not so much.  Oh, she smiled, but then the sun was in her eyes, or a bird flew by, or an airplane, or a strong gust of wind..... you get the picture.  I could say she's very inquisitve OR easily distracted; I'll go with inquisitive for now since they're both in bed and I find it easy to be positive when they're sleeping!  Ask me the same question tomorrow morning when I'm trying to get out the door and she wants to change her clothes for the 10th time because a tiny drop of water got on her sleeve while she was washing her hands (after using EXACTLY 3 squares of toilet paper (because she's 3 (thanks nana)) while going to the bathroom.........and you may get a different answer! (smile)

I believe that I'm digressing and rambling or rambling and digressing.....DEFINITELY time for bed!  Back to the pictures, we had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and are so grateful for these memories of our little family!  (Thanks mom!!!)

Pumpkin Patch

 Nana and Papa John took the kids to the Pumpkin Patch this past Saturday afternoon while I held a card class at home.  As you can see, they all had A TON 'O FUN!  The kids (and the adults too) came home, very happy, a little dirty, and a lot tired!

Swimming Lessons

As some of you already know, I've enrolled London in private swimming lessons and she is LOVING it!  It has been such a fun and positive experience - we are so happy for her and with her.  It's hard to take pictures during the lessons for a few different reasons.  There's usually a lot of other people around, it's hard to take a picture and keep Davis from diving into the pool at the same time, and the camera settings combined with the water's reflection seem to conspire against me taking a decent picture.  I've attached a couple of videos instead.  The first I believe is London swimming on her own to her instructor and the second is her doing the same, but in the kiddie pool where she was practicing standing up on her own after swimming (instead of her instructor lifting her out of the water).  Please keep in mind that a few short weeks ago, this same girl did not want to go in the water past her knees. 

We are so pleased that London is having fun and learning so much.  Please cross your fingers for me that I can keep Davis from diving in before it's his turn :)

Pictures from Disneyland (FINALLY!!!)

As most of you know, we had quite an adventure actually getting to Disneyland.  So once we finally arrived, before doing anything else, we had to stop to EAT.  We had packed snacks for the kids while we travelled; however, Jason and I were surviving (barely) on the teeny bag of pretzels from the airplane and had to stop for sustenance!

When people ask London what her favourite ride in Disneyland was - she always say 'The Horses' - which means the carousel.  I think it's just the first thing that comes to mind because she LOVED every ride that she went on.  Having said that - we did ride the carousel a lot!

Poor London had to pee about half way through the Small World ride (which is 12 minutes long)  She was begging to be let off of the ride and we felt so terrible that we couldn't get her off.  In the end, she did make it to the bathroom without having an accident - but it seems like it may have been fairly traumatic for London since every time we walked by or near the ride, she emphatically told us that she DID NOT want to go on the boats!

Enjoying the character breakfast at our hotel!

We thought that Davis may not do too well around the characters since he's not too overly friendly with strangers..... (yes, that's an understatement) However, he LOVED everyone (he let Handy Manny pick him up) and especially loved playing here with Dale's nose!

Dale was very patient - Davis didn't want to let go!

Okay, so I know that Dumbo is a kids' ride but it went a little higher and faster than I expected.  The kids loved it though - they must get their adventurous spirit from Jason!

Both of the kids were so happy to meet the princesses.  The princesses were amazing in talking to the kids and drawing them out and helping them to not be shy.  Okay, helping London to not be shy - Davis was all over the princesses (I was terrified that he was going to grab a necklace or earring.... or -yikes- a wig) but he was a gentelman..... thank goodness!

As soon as we left the princesses, we let London choose a princess dress to buy.  I knew before going to Disneyland that I wanted to buy her one of these dresses.  She really loves dressing up right now and I knew that would be something that she would really enjoy.  She chose Cinderella's dress (and is kneeeling for her picture because she's copying what the princesses were doing when we met them).

They're not in this picture, but we found the LAST pair of Cinderella slippers (they were no where to be had) AND in London's size, before we left.  WHOO HOO!

Driving Goofy's car

These are from our day at Sea World

Even though we've been to the Vancouver Aquarium numerous times, the Sea World shows were still pretty amazing to watch.  (The dolphin show especially)

London was ALL OVER the numerous maps we had from the different parks.  She was our official (self-appointed) navigator and took her role VERY seriously :)

I don't know what happened, but these pictures are a little out of order.  So here is Sleeping Beauty!

Our day in California Adventure Park

This is in the Bug's Life area.  I think I was waiting with Davis (who was sleeping) while Jason and London went on a ride.  The picture doesn't really capture it too well, but it was really cool how the plants, trees, and surroundings made you feel like you had a bug's perspective!

 Back in Tomorrow Land

Waiting to meet Tinkerbell

This is Terrence - Tinkerbell's best friend

 

The fairy in purple is Vidia - the fastest flying fairy.  It was really neat how they spent time talking to London (instead of just quickly taking her picture and moving on)  She had a lot of fun meeting the fairies!

And that's it.  We had SO MUCH FUN and can't wait to go again!