Whoops, Luke is 2!

Yep, totally haven't been blogging lately. I finally got my editing program working, so I've been busy making a family movie of our trip to Disney!! Yay! I miss editing...sigh.

So, last weekend Luke turned 2! Wow, I know some people don't believe it since he's technically the size of an 18 month old, but he is definitely 2 now. He still insists he's one, but I'm sure he'll catch up soon.

We made him a DJ Lance cake (from Yo Gabba Gabba, his favorite show), it turned out great, but it felt a bit weird cutting into it. We never ate his eyes, that felt strange!

This truck was his favorite gift, until he opened his Geo Trax...big hit there! And the drum we bought him at Disney World finally made it out of hiding for him to enjoy. He has been playing his instruments (he got a band bag from Grandmom) and making music a lot. He even makes music on his wooden toolbench that Grandmama gave him...that hammer can get loud!

Leaves, lots of leaves

In the past few days we've been gathering up the leaves to put at the curb for collection. I tried to keep the kids busy by raking a huge pile for them to play in while I ran in to wash the floor and vaccuum. On Halloween they played in their costumes.

Today we had the aid of the leaf blower, which really made the job SO much easier! Since it helped so much, we thought it deserved a photo. The kids were crazy in the leaves, flip flopping and hiding in them. I think they were sad to bring them down to the curb.

Halloween

We had a great Halloween this year, and made good use out of our costumes. We had a Halloween playgroup, went to a nursing home for a Halloween Parade (and we weren't very afraid of the old people, just maybe a little shy when the old men asked if they could give a hug), had Trunk or Treating (trick or treating from the trunks of cars in a parking lot...) and of course the big day! Luke loved his cow costume (probably because it kept him warm!) and Olivia was a great little bee.

Halloween night had us out at 6 (pretty early around here) and we hit up just our side of the street. The kids had a great time and Luke was very excited to tell people the most random things. Like when we were at house number 36 and he decided to take that moment to tell everyone that he knew his numbers. "I see 6!! I see 6!" "Oh! I see 3, number 3!"...we were very proud. He then thought someone's porch was a bridge and jumped on it for a few minutes until I told him a troll was coming...ha ha, he got off pretty fast.

I'm enjoying these years when we get to take them around and only hit a few houses. I know in a few years we'll have to do the other end of the street as well as a few others. I know 20 houses won't be good enough!

Mam mam visits and we try out Halloween costumes

Mam-mam (Brad's grandmother) came to visit this weekend and we took her to the usual spots, Stew Leonards (it's like a tourist attraction for us) and Old Wethersfield. We checked out the scarecrows that are set up and then we hit up the Nature Center's "Haunted Habitat", which is a cool little Halloween thing for the little kids. Olivia had a blast. Her bee costume is really cute, and Luke was loving his cow costume. He ran around showing it off
Thanks Ainsley!) Oh, and yes, Luke is holding a purse...he thought he could trick or treat with it.

Kitchen update

Whoo hoo! I finally uploaded the new kitchen pictures. It looks AMAZING with the new cabinets and drawer fronts and the new hardware. Like a new kitchen!

On another note, Olivia asked a boy at school to marry her today. And his mom called to tell me. Luckily it was just to laugh about it. I am afraid...she's only 3.5! What will I have to deal with later on? We set up a playdate for her and the boy (Bryson) because they send pictures home with each other after school all the time. So glad she has a friend at school!

Day 2 Magic Kingdom!

Day 2 brought us to the Magic Kingdom. We bypassed a character breakfast for the opening of the day at Magic Kingdom. The kids were super excited and ran in as soon as the doors were opened. We were amazed to get right on some rides...no lines! In fact, the only lines we waited on were for the Teacups, the cars (always a line there) and the merry go round (of all the merry go rounds Olivia has been on, this is the only one she cried to go on...)
For some reason Olivia had it in her head that she

had to go on the Dumbo ride. It was on her "list" of stuff to do! So, we waited in line for that one too...it wasn't a long line though. And they did enjoy it.
After a half a day at Magic Kingdom, we headed back to the pool where Olivia braved the water slide...twice! she loved it! That night the kids shocked us with their best behavior at the hotel dining room. Brad kept Luke busy with a glass of ice and a spoon. While Olivia colored...

Disney Day 1

First day in Disney World after an OK flight (Luke just wouldn't sit still and kept pushing the seat in front of us) we arrived at our hotel, and our room was ready (yay!!!) at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. A few animals out of our windows, but we would see many more later. We headed to the Animal Kingdom (not really that great for the little ones) for the safari and a few other things. The Dino area was a big hit with the kids. Luke was really ready for rides!

They were definitely tired when bedtime came (actually they were super tired at dinner, but we made them push through it!)

We promised them Mickey the next day...