Thanksgiving

Just a few pictures of the boys from Thanksgiving at Grandma & Papa's house.

One Sunny November Day

Adler loves playing outside.

Everyday the walking gets a little better.

Impromptu Halloween

Halloween was the day after the wedding and we knew we'd be in LA for it but, other than packing simple costumes for the boys, didn't have any specific plans. At one point one of us made the mistake of mentioning trick-or-treating, which LT overheard and was completely distraught at the thought of not getting to go trick-or-treating.

So we decided to improvise...

The boys were excited as we got ready in our hotel room.

We took our rented minivan to a residential neighborhood near the hotel (not far from Beverly Hills). Kari's parents dropped us off on a random corner that looked nice and drove around for a while while we went trick-or-treating. We only went for about two blocks but it was easily the most fun I've had on Halloween since I was a little kid. I'm pretty sure I wasn't the only one that enjoyed it.

Adler's (pictured above as Charlie Brown) walking skills continued to improve throughout the trip and he was still a little unstable - we started calling him the drunken sailor for how he'd kind of wabble and stumble down the street.

LA Story

After Uncle John's we headed to LA and we spent one beautiful morning at Santa Monica Beach. It was a little too cold for swimming but the boys had a great time nonetheless.

Here's LT strutting across the bridge to the beach like he owned the place.

This was Adler's first time at the beach and he loved everything about it. Playground sand is fun but it just isn't the same as beach sand.

Adler's first experience with the ocean - a mixture of surprise and utter excitement as the cold waves rushed over his feet.


Building a sand castle.

Playing it cool on the beach.

As I said before, Adler loved the beach.

He was so happy just playing in the sand.

Grandma got LT a special grilled cheese which staved off the hunger grumpiness and let us all enjoy the beach a little longer.

Uncle John's House

After Disney we spent a couple of nights at Uncle John's (Kari's dad's older brother) house in Fallbrook north of San Diego. I can't really describe this place in a way that will do it justice. Constructed from real adobe, he and his wife Marilyn built it themselves over the course of many years in the early 80's, it somehow manages to be both modest and spectacular at the same time. Perhaps the best way to describe it though it to say it's a really fun place to be a little boy.

It has lots of space with dirt and sticks and rocks.

It even has a small orchard where LT picked fresh oranges. He peeled and ate two right on the spot before filling the basket and returning to the house with his bounty.

Which, with grandma's help, he used to make fresh squeezed orange juice.

Playing inside one night, Adler tried to steal some of LT's snacks.

Which earned him a big kiss from his brother.

The boys weren't the only ones who enjoyed the surroundings, with so much helpful and welcoming family around, I got a little alone time with my camera. Here are a couple pictures taken at Uncle John's:

Disney Dance Party

I think my favorite thing about Disneyland was the impromptu dance party that broke out one night after dinner. A band was playing outside in down town Disney and the boys really got into it (and I must admit that I did a little too).

Adler has been taking a few steps here and there for a while now but, to me anyway, this trip and really this night (10.27.2010) was when he turned the corner and started walking for real. He was walking all over chasing his brother and pushing his own stroller.

Happiest Place on Earth

A friend of mine got married in LA a few weeks ago. A lot of Kari's dad's family lives in Southern California so we took the opportunity to turn the trip into a family adventure. The first stop was Disneyland which was a lot more fun for LT now that he's a little older.


LT is generally a pretty cautious guy so he wasn't sure about some of the rides. He did enjoy a few of them, however, as evidenced by the smile above.

But then we made the mistake of taking him on the Alice in Wonderland ride which kind of freaked him out.

The rides were kind of fun but, much to my surprise, his favorite part was seeing all the characters. He loved eating at Goofy's Kitchen (where characters come around and visit you at your table) so much we had to go twice.

He even liked Br'er Fox who I personally thought was a little scary.

Mom is okay too.

Orange Juice isn't bad either.

Alder loved the carousel.

He had fun in Toontown too and almost looks like just another one of the Looney Toons here.

Raking

This is how we 'rake' the yard.

Goofy's Kitchen

While in California last week, we ate at Goofy's Kitchen two times. Its a buffet style restaurant with various Disney characters who walk around talking to kids. To us, this was LTs favorite part. He laughed with the characters, played games with them, gave them high fives, danced with Goofy, he just had the time of his life. This morning, I was trying to get things ready for a baby shower I was hosting and Bri was at the gym. In order to entertain the boys, I thought I would get out some pots and pans and fill them with various dry foods they could "cook". LT turned our kitchen into "Goofy's Kitchen". It really has been fun to watch how LT processes different experiences he has. Apparently Goofy's Kitchen was a pretty good memory.
Its also rare to find an activity that Adler can do "right" in LTs mind. LT builds intricate train tracks, Adler tears them apart innocently and makes LT mad, LT builds a robot/rocket/fire station out of legos, Adler knocks it down... Cooking together today was something that they had fun doing together. If only I could muster the energy to clean up such a big mess more often.

Morning Hike

We met Isaac and Jonah Friday morning for a little hike. It was a beautiful fall day, 70 plus degrees (which was a good thing because within minutes of getting out of the car, the boys all found the little stream and were soaking wet!)
Boys outside = happiness
Jonah just wanted to wade in the water, the wetter the better!
We didn't make it very far (distance wise) on our hike, but the boys had so much fun! We came home muddy, wet, tired and hungry, guess that was a sign that we all had fun!

What you learn in two years

This is how you eat yogurt when you are 1 all by yourself.
And at age 3.