Disneyland 2013

Just before Thanksgiving, we took Landon to Disneyland for the first time. It was an incredible trip and pretty special to get to spend time at the Happiest Place on Earth with our only child. He may never get a trip like this again...where he drove the agenda, the food choices, the rides, and the fun...all by himself! Sean and I saw the park through a toddler's eyes for the first time, and it made it brand new for us! Tons of pics to share below, but honestly, this photo pretty much sums it up. It is now my all-time favorite photo of my and my little love. Something tells me I should submit it to Disney for their next marketing campaign.

In addition to taking photos throughout the trip, Sean and I started an email thread where we'd jot down little notes & memories. You know like funny things he said, or little moments we didn't want to forget. I'm so glad we did this...and encourage other Mommies out there to give it a go on their next trip! Here's the run down of those captured moments:

1. "We are in Race Cars Land" - said as we entered Radiator Springs in California Adventure
2. "It's our turn now!" - said in every line (long or short), many...MANY times!
3. "Mama, where is my button?" - said after he saw a boy with his "first visit" button on his shirt (Mama left his in the hotel room)
4. "We crashed!" - while on the Peter Pan ride
5. "Mama! No talking...only singing!" - said to me while he cupped my face in his tiny toddler hands
6. "Elephants Not Scary!" - said after riding Dumbo for the first time!
7. "I like that taxi monster ride!" - said after the Monsters Inc ride at California Adventure
8. Sean: Landon, did you bump Mama in the cars? Landon: Yeah...that was silly!

Sappy Moment Alert: The last time Sean and I were at Disneyland was on a double date with Dan & Carlene at Christmas 2005. Now, here we were...8 years later, married and with our 2 year old son, standing under the same huge Christmas tree on Main Street. Time flies when you're having fun (and happily married & busily chasing your son around)!

I think he liked "driving" this car outside Mr. Toad's Wild Ride more than the ride itself!

Highlight for Landon: "Race Cars Land" and meeting his favorite character: LIGHTING MCQUEEN!

This photo is deceiving. Landon looks like he's happy, but he is .02secs away from completely melting down. He was NOT a big fan of the characters. This was the first and last attempt we made to get photos with his friends. 

"Mama, look...there's the roller coaster!"

Showering Mama Jazzy

The Sunday before Thanksgiving, we celebrated Jazzy, the Mama to Be! We had a great party at The Old Spaghetti Factory in Downtown San Jose! We enjoyed drinks, delicious Italian food, yummy dessert, and a color coordinated candy bar full of Jazzy's favorite sweets! It was a wonderful afternoon, full of love & sweetness! We love you Jazzy!

Hartman Family Invasion 2013

Back in November, my entire family invaded California for one fun weekend! It was great to have Mom & Dad, Haley and her son Alex, and Sarah all in town for a visit that didn't involve a major holiday, or major event! We just got to hang out, lay low, and relax! It's weekends like this that really make me wish we all lived in the same state...and not 4 different ones!

Here are a few shots from our Family Christmas Card shoot. Any picture I am in...Sean took! Nice job, husband! I love this crew. 

The weekend opened with a little yard work, of course! We went to Home Depot to pick up some new tall grasses for our large planter in the front yard. Everyone chipped in...even little Lando! 

On Saturday, the whole family (coffee mugs in hand) got to come & watch Landon's soccer practice! He, by far, had the largest cheering section that day! I even heard my Mom a few times yell "go, Landon! get the ball!" I can't help but be excited for the sports-watching years to come!

These two cousins really became friends this trip! They snuggled together and watched movies...and then they wrestled with Papa in a tent in the backyard! Boys!! 

Halloween 2013 (All 3 of Them)

Playing a pretty massive game of "catch-up" over here. December is here, Thanksgiving has come and gone, our Christmas tree is up...but I haven't yet blogged about Halloween! Well, here goes nothing:

Halloween #1: Googleween
Every year Google hosts 2 big Halloween parties: Googleween for kids and Googleween (for adults). Since Landon was born, I've opted for the kiddie version (robots, petting zoo, pumpkin patch, and music). Spare me the crazy Google employee costumes & free beer...the kid version is where its at! Highlights include:
- Sean getting to come this year (he missed it last year)!
- Landon actually putting on his costume (it was touch & go)
- Seeing Landon dance with an R2D2 robot
- Watching Landon mesmerized by a local high school robotics team, demo'ing their latest robots
- Getting to see (and meet) more of my coworkers' children! They are little miniature versions of us!

Halloween #2: Bright Horizons "Imagination Parade" 
Every year Landon's school hosts an "Imagination Parade" aka Halloween Costume Parade! Highlights include:
- Landon and his best buddy Cole both wearing astronaut costumes (one blue, one white)
- Landon showing off on the "big boy" playground by going down the slide face first (ACK!)
- Landon tackling his best buddy Cole with a "take-down-hug". He's so much bigger than his friends the same age, that when he hugs, he usually ends up tackling them to the ground!
- Seeing Landon walk in the parade with his friends, only to LOSE IT once he saw us, 'cause he thought we were going to leave without him! He cried the whole rest of the first lap, and I had to join him for the second lap.

Halloween #3: The Real One on Nelson Way
This year was awesome! As soon as my parents found out Landon was going to be an astronaut for Halloween (his choice between: fireman, astronaut, spiderman, or superman), they bought flights to come experience trick-or-treating on Nelson Way with us! Highlights include:
- Dressing up (those of you who know me well know that I really don't like costumes)! Let's just say that my son has me wrapped around his finger, and when he said I should be a "keeety-kat" for Halloween, I said "Consider it done"
- My Dad & Landon in matching costumes. Enough said.
- Special visitors: Jazzy, Dan, Carlene, Papa, and Loulee
- Landon saying "next door" after he'd finish getting candy at a house.
- Seeing him put his pumpkin in the wagon, then grab the handle of the wagon to pull it to the next house
- Landon making it around the entire block -- visiting at least 15 houses in the process!
- Seeing him dump out his candy on the dining room table when we got home with a big, excited "OOOOOHHH!"
- His reply when I said it was bath time: "It not bath time mama....its candy time!"