Disneyland 2013

For the past few years, as soon as I get back from my tradeshow in Chicago, we go to Disneyland for the weekend since it's one of the slowest times of the year there. Plus it's all decorated for the holidays and it's really pretty. Of course, going from being all stressed out at work to getting the family off to Disneyland probably isn't the most relaxing activity, but it sure was fun.

This year was pretty cold in Anaheim. We bundled the boys up and brought along a lap blanket for them...I wish I could be carted around Disneyland like that!

The boys had a good time...Justin will finally go on some more rides (he's kind of a scaredy cat). I'm not so sure Brandon understood what was going on, but there's plenty of time for that!

 

Waiting in line for Justin's favorite ride: Mater's Tipping Tractors

 

One out of two made it through the World of Color

But didn't make it through the walk home

 

 

Guess what Daddy bought? Luckily no TVs were hurt during our stay.

 

 

November Round-up

November was pretty much a blur for me. It's my busiest time of year at work with our major tradeshow that starts Thanksgiving weekend (Really! Who DOES that??). It's only been now that I finally get a breather and can update the blog. Brandon started preschool in mid-November. It's only been now, after a month, that he finally has stopped crying when I drop him off at school. He's well-adjusted now and has picked up some choice words...like "Mine!"

Here are some November pics

Kicking back after his first day of preschool

Who doesn't like Popsicles in November?

Again with sitting in the box. I'm amazed they both fit!

 

Brandon's Thankgiving placemat

Justin's Thanksgiving placemat

Brandon enjoying Thanksgiving dinner. With a hat on.

Taken right before Daddy took him down the slide and let him do a faceplant in the tanbark

The boys went to Gilroy Gardens while I was in Chicago. Brandon was perhaps not so amused.

 

Fall Round-up

Where has the Fall gone?! I swear Fall just started and here it is November already with Christmas decorations up in the stores! Here are just a few pics of the boys.

Brandon will be starting at Justin's preschool next week - eep! My boys are growing up!!

At the Exploratorium. We had to pry Justin away to go home!

The spinning sand table is strangely compelling...

What the boys do after dinner. Sit in boxes and read. I don't get it. But at least they were quiet for five minutes.

Brandon just wants to do whatever Justin is doing. Aww.

Halloween 2013

This year I really wanted to dress the boys up in complementary costumes. I also really wanted to make them myself...a glutton for punishment, I know. But my mom always made our costumes when we were little, so it's a bit important to me. Plus I missed being creative and crafty. 

So my bright idea was to dress them up as Batman and Robin. Of course once I decided on comic book heroes, I had to turn to Jay for consultation on colors and styles. Who knew there were so many versions of the Dynamic Duo??

Luckily my mom had also kept a sewing pattern from when I was about Justin's age and I dressed up as Super Girl. I was amazed that that the paper didn't crumble in my hands! Not bad for a 30 year old pattern!

I had a mask for Brandon too, but he didn't really want anything to do with it. Justin had fun with his costume and was "flying" up and down the driveways. All in all, a success in my book - plus several requests for the "hand-me-downs" next year ;)

Justin turns 5!

Justin turned 5 a couple of weeks ago and all I know is that I'm pretty sure I'm not old enough to have a five year old. I'm going to need to demand a recount on that one. We kept it low key this year...I figure there's plenty of time for bounce house parties and whatnot down the road. Besides, as long as Justin got cake, balloons, and some presents, it was a party in his book! Plus we ended up celebrating three times, so yes, that meant three cakes, and what kid doesn't like that? His favorite gift ended up being a thick ol' book of Disney Classic stories that he's been poring over ever since. 

On his actual birthday, I picked him up early from school to take him to buy some balloons. 20 bucks later we walked out with a huge balloon bouquet complete with absurdly large Mylar number 5. Good thing Justin liked them because he had to sit in the back seat with all of them! For dinner we served fresh coconuts to drink from which has become a bit of a treat at our house. I think Justin is just tickled to actually drink from a coconut like in the stories and cartoons. 

Like I said, I still can't believe Justin is five. That's like the age of an actual KID...not a preschooler or toddler and certainly not a baby anymore. Wah!!!

Go Bears!

We took Justin to his first Cal game at the new stadium a few weeks ago. Truth be told, it was my first game too (!) We got Grandma and Grandpa to watch Brandon (sorry guy!) and we were off to Berkeley! I even got to try an ice cream sandwich at CREAM since there was no line! (for the record - yummy, but not worth waiting in line, that's for sure!)

It was a beautiful day and the stadium looks great! Justin was fascinated by the cannon that fires after every score, as well as the snacks (of course).

And of course, we had to teach him all the appropriate cheers ("Roll on you Bears!")

Go Bears!

 

 

 

 

It was so hot that day that Brandon needed a treat when we got home!

His first popsicle...I think he liked it!

Summer Round-up

Yipes - where did the summer go? Yes, again I am woefully behind in updating this blog. Here are some pics to catch you up

Driving Miss Daisy. For some reason, Brandon all of a sudden loves hats.

This is from when Brandon was sick a while ago. Poor guy just wanted to cuddle.

Again with the hats...

At the SF Zoo

The seagull stole his sandwich when he turned around!

At the petting zoo

Wong cousins! We grow 'em big around here!