Wednesday, October 22nd

This was our last day in the Disneyland parks. We went through and did our favorites again and did the couple of things we hadn't done yet. We ended the trip to Disneyland by going to their "Mickey's Trick-or-Treat Party". It was a lot of fun. Marc and Samantha got to wear their costumes. Marc was Peter Pan and Samantha was Tinker Bell.They closed California Adventure down and put up the extra Halloween decorations up. Some of the rides and attraction we open and there were about 15 trick-or-treating station throughout the park. There were also a lot of charters out for pictures and autographs. Even the adults got to go trick-or-treating. In the beginning I felt like I was begging for candy, and then I began to feel like a kid again. :)
Doing all that trick-or-treating can wear a kid, or two, out! ;)They gave a trick-or-treat bag to Marc, Me, Daddy, Grandma, and even Samantha. We got just a little bit of candy. ;)

Tuesday, October 21st

We spent a 3rd day in the parks. We went on various rides, watched a couple of parades, and enjoyed the weather.
We went through Minnie Mouse's house. There were lots of things for Marc to play with. Samantha enjoyed looking at all the colors in the house. She really enjoyed sitting on Minnie's couch.
Marc got to take part in the Star Wars Jedi Training Academy. He got to wear a brown Jedi robe and use a light saber. He got lessons on how to use the light saber and then he got to fight off Darth Mal!

Monday, October 20th

We spent another day in the Disneyland parks.Marc got to go on stage and take part in a show about using your imagination to bring your drawings to life. He helped bring Woody (from Toy Story) to life.After the show, Woody came off stage and signed the drawing for Marc.

Sunday, October 19th

We started our days at Disneyland by having breakfast with Pluto, Goofy, Chip & Dale, Aladdin, Jasmine, & Genie.
Since Marc's 5th birthday was only a month from our trip we decided to do some birthday celebrating. At breakfast he got a "birthday bucket" that had some stickers, pins, a stuffed animal, and a small cake all birthday themed.
After breakfast we headed into the park!Samantha got to experience her first amusement park ride. Her first ride was on a caterpillar in the Alice in Wonderland ride.
Since we were there at the end of October, the Disneyland Resort was decorated for Halloween.

Saturday, October 18th - Leaving for vacation in California!

Well, I was hoping to update this as we were on vacation, but it would have cost $12/day for internet access, so I am updating it now that we are back.

We left on Saturday. Marc loves flying on airplanes and Samantha had her first flight. they both did great! We were told by many that we had very well behaved children.

We're ready for our close-up!

Marc had school pictures taken yesterday. I thought both kids looked super cute, so of course I had to take their pictures. :)

This is Marc looking super handsome!
These are my two super-cute kiddos!!Samantha really looks up to her big brother! ;)

Fun Saturday!!

We started our Family Fun Saturday out by going to Klackle's Orchard. We have taken Marc there every year since he has been old enough and this was Samantha's first time to Klackle's. It was her first time to an apple orchard and to a pumpkin patch.

She was very curious about the apples on the trees. Sam enjoyed grabbing at all of the leaves, she was actually more fascinated by the leaves then the apples.

She loved licking the apples though. We actually had to take them away from her, she liked them so much!

It is a yearly tradition to go to Klackle's and take this picture of Marc.....

And we began the tradition for Samantha too.

After we got done playing at Klackle's we took Marc to go trick-or-treating in Downtown Rockford. We bought his this costume to take to Disneyland's Halloween party, not realizing how big it was. We will not be able to fit it in our suitcase to take it with us, so I am glad he got to wear it once.

All in all, we had a very fun, and tiring day. :)

Sitting Pretty

Yea!!!! Samantha is finally starting to sit up on her own. She will sit for about 20-30 seconds on her own. If she moves a little bit, she falls over, but hey, it's a start! :)

Red Flannel 2008

We went to Cedar Springs' annual Red Flannel Festival today. This was Samantha's first Red Flannel Festival.

There were a bunch of Star Wars people there as part of the festival.
They offered Jedi Training for $5. We had Marc do it. It was very cute. they went step by step on how to use the light saver.

After the training was over, Marc got a certificate of completion. He is now a padwon (Jedi in training).

Jewelry Party

Ok.......I have a confession to make......I am a jewelry addict. :) I like having a bunch of really pretty jewelry, but I am not willing to spend all the money that is necessary, so I have a jewelry party once a year. I have lia sophia jewelry parties. They have awesome hostess benefits! I had a party in the end of September. I got about $1,000 in jewelry for about $200, needless to say, it is worth having people in my house for 3 hours to get all the free jewelry! Mom, below is a picture of all the stuff I got. If anyone is intested in having a party, let me know and i will contact my representative.