DisneyLand... again

Yes, we just love DisneyLand! Our passes are going to expire in December so we're trying to get more trips in while we've got them! Ashlyn had Monday and today off school for Veteran's Day so we went up yesterday morning and spent the day running around the parks. They were crowded, which surprised me a little. Usually when it starts to cool off, people don't go as much. We started at California Adventure and saw the Playhouse Disney show. We saw Mickey and his friends, Handy Manny, Little Einstein's and Tigger & Pooh and friends. Gabe really enjoyed it. We got in line for the Toy Story Mania ride (an hour line) but after only about 20 min, we found out the ride's power went out and it would be a few hours before they got it back up and running. Too bad, hope we get to see it soon! We hit up the Monsters, Inc ride and saw the Muppet 3D show before heading to DisneyLand.

Ashlyn & Gabe in front of a Christmas tree

in Toon Town

We waited in line and saw Mickey!

He signed our book and we got a pic.

Gabe wouldn't smile. :(

Ashlyn enjoyed it though and Mickey

kissed her on the hand before we left.

The kids in front of the Haunted Mansion.

This was a long line!

Between Halloween & Christmas the

Haunted Mansion is completely

redecorated inside and out with

Nightmare Before Christmas.

If you've never seen it, you really should!

Jack Skellington, as Sandy Claws

It was fun to spend the day with the kids but by the time we left (11pm), I was completely exhausted! Gabe was out and I had to carry him a lot of the way. Ashlyn was just about ready to drop! Both the kids were troopers throughout the day and we got to ride a lot of rides!

Potty Training

We have been really focused on potty-training with Gabe for the past two weeks and finally, some progress!! We've tried so many times before but he has been so resistant. It's obvious that he just really has to do things on his own terms. We have had a few power struggles but for the most part, he is staying pretty dry and every day he seems to do a little better. I can't tell you how happy this makes me!! My diaper changing days are over!

Bella & Jasmine

I've been meaning to get some pictures of the new kitties up but just didn't do it! I took these today while they were napping together. I woke them up. :) Bella is the gray tabby and Jasmine is the siamese. We adopted them about a month ago (part of a promise to Ashlyn when we moved) and we've really been enjoying them! They are a lot of fun to watch. Bella's quite a bit bigger than Jasmine, but we were told they were from the same litter. So Jasmine is either a runt or not from the same litter and a month younger than Bella. We don't really care either way, we just love them!

Happy Halloween!

Halloween this year was so great! We found out that we live in the BEST neighborhood for Trick-or-Treating!! I had bought 10 bags of candy and it was gone so fast. We were waiting for our sister-in-law and her friend to arrive to go TOTing and while we were waiting, Gabe's friend and his mom came over to go out with us too. Then Ashlyn's friend showed up with her family and they invited her to go along with them. So I actually didn't get a picture of the two kids together! But it all worked out and here are a couple pics of the kids in their costumes. (Please pay no attention to my messy house and the cardboard boxes!)

Here's Gabe... err, uh I mean Indiana Jones

Corpse Brides do not smile!

I just have to add that seriously, I could not believe all the cars in our neighborhood last night! They were pouring in... I think A LOT of people come to our neighborhood for Halloween. Our neighbors across the street also had an awesome Haunted House maze in their garage. It was so cool... Gabe went in 4 times!

Apple Picking in Julian

I took Gabe to Julian last week to meet our playgroup friends for apple picking at one of the local orchards. Julian is famous for their apples and more importantly, apple pie!

After filling our bag with apples, we all went to lunch together and then to the Julian Pie Co. to get a pie to take home. I got a Carmel Apple Crumb pie. It was SOOO good!!

Gabe picking his apples

Gabe eating his apples.

At one point he was eating three

all at once!

My sweet boy!

Brian's Bike

Brian has quite a commute to get to work from our new place and let's face it, gas is expensive these days! He's wanted a motorcycle for a very long time and although I am not all that excited about him riding this thing to work everyday, he is. So here it is... the kids helped him wash it today. Now he just needs his motorcycle license! :)

Pic of the house

Here's a quick picture of our new house right before Brian and the kids power washed it. This weekend, I've been working on painting Ashlyn's room. Brian and I got the whole room painted today but I will have to do the trim tomorrow. I will put up some before and after pics once it's done. Ashlyn chose a pink color named "Glamour". Now when you walk into her room, it feels like you're walking into a tunnel of cotton candy!