Fall at the Falls

Giving Thanks

Jack enjoying the turkey cookie he made @ school. 

Sam getting his fill of a turkey cupcake.

Cute kindergarten Indians. 

Scenes of Fall

Gracious, he's cute!

Celebrated the end of our first flag football experience with a trot around the Raider field!

We can't ever get enough s'mores around this place!

Cheering our ducks on at Jaemor

Survived the corn maze yet again!

Pumpkin cookie decorating

He looks so innocent...

This guy is wild!

Such a corny kid!

Trunk or Treat fun with friends!

Jack carving his jack'o lantern!

Sand & Surf

Until next year...

Twas the Night Before Kindergarten

Disney Diaries, Post 6 (Repeat, Rest & Recharge)

With three busy, fun-filled park days with early starts and late finishes behind us, I had planned Wednesday to be a repeat day. I didn't have the day completely planned out (shocker, I know)! We had purchased a six-day park pass, so I knew we'd repeat two of the parks. My husband suggested we let everyone sleep in and catch up on their rest. Now, I'm a girl who appreciates her sleep, don't get me wrong. But, something about sleeping in at Disney goes against everything this gal stands for...namely squeezing every ounce of fun (and value) out of our time at the parks! I did agree, but by about 9 a.m., I was getting antsy, and Jack was working on his second hour of iPad activity. We finally woke Sam up just before 10. I suggested the Magic Kingdom for time's sake...it was the closest and most convenient and the crowd calendar suggested it would be a light day.

It was a cloudy day with thunderstorms threatening, but the rain held off until the evening. We went back to the rides we had skipped like Winnie the Pooh and the Barnstormer, and hit our favorites again. Of course that meant two more trips through the Haunted Mansion, Jack's favorite ride, and twice more on Thunder Mountain, Sam's favorite.

Jack had talked a big game about riding Space Mountain, but then chickened out on Sunday when he got a glimpse inside while aboard the People Mover. On our repeat trip to MK, he decided he'd give it a go after being assured it would not go upside down. So, Josh took him along. Of course, he survived, but he declined to accompany me a second go. So, I rode solo. I encouraged Jack by reminding him I did not enjoy Space Mountain when I was his age. The way my parents tell the story, the 4-year-old version of me (upon exiting Space Mountain) said, "who's idea was it to ride that?"

Later, before the rain rolled in we hopped a boat to the Wilderness Lodge for dinner at the Whispering Canyon. It was probably our favorite dinner. The meal is served family style, which any man would love. Not to mention the impromptu stick horse races that break out during mealtime. Just be careful if you ask for ketchup!

Jack's highlight was "the haunted house again!" And Sam was delighted to get to do the race cars at Tomorrowland Speedway again. Josh's favorite was dinner at Whispering Canyon and Space Mountain. My treasured memory from Wednesday was getting to ride Thunder Mountain twice, once with each of my boys!

And since I was determined to get a shot of the boys in front of the castle in their mouse ear shirts, we headed back to the MK for a quick photo shoot before bedtime. Such troopers!

Disney Disney Disney

So, it finally arrived and then it was gone in a flash. Our trip to Disney World, that is. I had no idea the weeks I spent planning would seemingly mirror the weeks it has taken me to recover and get back into our routine. I've finally managed to compile our photos into one album on Picasa. Now, it is a lengthy album, so feel free to skim!


Our last day there the boys had the opportunity to participate as Junior Directors in the Indiana Jones stunt show. Here's how it went:

Lights Camera Action from Laura Garrett on Vimeo.

Filling in the Gaps

We've been super busy and having lots of fun, but I'm sure that's no surprise, right?

Sam's been exploring the benefits of oatmeal facials. I left him at the breakfast table for a few minutes while I helped Jack in the other room. I returned to find him with his face in his bowl trying to lap up every last morsel.

We've been busy having playdates with our sweet friend Amelia, who's a new big sister to sweet baby Gus! Don't worry, Lindsey (& Joshua), I made sure these two obeyed the speed limit!

Who has to travel hundreds of miles for the sand and shore, when you can do a little surfing right down the street during story time at the library? 

What's better than s'mores around the fire? S'mores around the fire in your sweet neighbor's back yard. That's a recipe for a truly fun Friday night.

C is for Cookie

On the heels of my apple post, here's another recent treat (courtesy of dad's most recent stop at the grocery store!)

A is for Apple

Since photos are always more fun, I'll let them do the speaking today.

thankful thursday

I'm oh so thankful for these two sweet faces!

Last Thursday

This morning we had oatmeal and cocoa puffs for breakfast. The same thing we had last Thursday. But, last week there was an ocean out our window. An ocean view makes oatmeal and cocoa puffs even better.

Today after breakfast the boys headed to preschool. Last week, we spent the morning with our toes in the sand and surf.

So, if you caught me daydreaming today, I was probably thinking about the sounds of those waves crashing and my boys enjoying a Thursday morning at the beach.