Halloween with Mickey and Friends!!

Yes, it was an absolute dream come true trick or treating with Mickey and Friends with my boys!!!!! We decided to take Jacob to Disneyland again this year for the second time because he has become such a Disney Mania. On top of that, it was a surprise birthday gift for me from Jeremiah.

We had just learned a month before that we were going to move to Katy, Texas for Jeremiah's work and thought that having one last BIG California adventure before going would be fun for the family. Disneyland is just so magical! If you love Halloween and Disney, then you absolutely must make a trip there in October. It's just so much fun!

It's a Small World is Jacob's favorite Disneyland ride. This time it trumped the trains! Yes, you heard right! We probably went on this ride at least 10 times. Each time, he acted as if it was his first time riding it. It was priceless. Taylor even enjoyed the ride.

Jeremiah pointed out that this was Grandma, so every time we passed by, Jacob would yell out, "Look, it's Gramma!"

Here we are waiting for the Mickey Soundsational Parade. It was such an awesome parade. I actually like it better than the electrical parade!

Having dinner at Goofy's Kitchen was the best EVERRR! The food was just phenomenal. Everything was good! Lots of characters were there and they were so nice. I like this much better than the surfing breakfast with Mickey.

Jacob looks grumpy because he just woke up from his nap.

Taylor was a dragon for Halloween! Adorable!

He is learning his "lizard" look.

His excitement for trick or treating. First, he didn't want to put on his costume, but after trick or treating at two boothes, he wanted it on.

Isn't he the cutest Thomas ever? By the way, Disney is very GENEROUS with giving out candy. We probably visited 6-7 boothes and got three bags of yummy goodness! These are good candies too like almond joy, snickers, twix, skittles, you name it!

Yes, I'm the number ONE engine!

Waiting for the costume parade...which he missed because he fell asleep minutes before they started. It was a long day, so I don't blame him. At least we were able to get him to trick or treat.

Jake's first day of preschool

Jacob started preschool this August. Though we were only there for two months, it was worth it. Jeremiah was fortunate to be able to bring Jake on his first day, but I couldn't because I had to be at work! School had already begun for me! The teachers told me that Jacob cried for a while before settling down for the remainder of the morning. I have to say that since then, Jacob has matured a lot!! I brought him with me to take a tour of a local preschool in Katy and he was so comfortable with the teacher- letting her hold him, carry him, and even taking him to her room to get a sticker without me there!! He also looooves nursery in our new ward. It's amazing how much he has changed in a couple of months. I don't know if staying at home contributes to his level of comfort with others...knowing that I'll always be there to pick him up or that I'm not working...but it's amazing to see his growth. I'm very proud of him.

Ms. Julie, his teacher.

I must add that Jacob recognizes all his letters of the alphabet. He also knows some of the sounds as well. He can spell his name, but can't write it yet. He is really eagered to learn new skills and absolutely loves to read. He can finish sentences of his favorite stories that we read each night. His favorite thing right now is "flashlight" reading before going to bed.

Taylor's first haircut

On August 7, 2011, Mama gave Taylor his first haircut. I didn't like it at first and then it grew on me. Jeremiah totally loved it! I couldn't believe that after the haircut, there was a bald line stretching from ear to ear and it's still there today!

Summer '11

Random pictures taken here and there this past summer.

Bowling with the Family Aug '11

This was Jacob's first time bowling and it was so much fun! It was the first time our entire family went bowling together! I'm so grateful for that chance we were able to do something together because it is rare!! We all had so much fun. The only people missing were Daniel and Jeremiah. They missed out, but we missed them!!