Best Birthday Gifts Ever!

WHL game in Edmonton

To celebrate hockey crazy boy's 12th birthday this year we took him and one of his friends to a WHL game in the city days before our holiday.  It was a good game which he enjoyed it immensely.  Unbeknownst to him the REAL gift was wrapped up on the table upon our arrival home from this game.   Two NHL tickets for the Anaheim Ducks vs NY Islanders, Nov 5th in Anaheim. 

He was beside himself with joy.  The best part was yet to come.  The tickets I got (thanks wonderful wonderful StubHub) were 3rd row from the ice, right beside the Anaheim bench.  I wish the boys remembered to take the camera as they would have got some wonderful pictures. They were so close to the bench that they could hear the players and coaches talking. Alas the only picture I have is this:

Post game Anaheim

The boy holding a game puck from first period! 

It was flipped over the boards during the game by Ryan Kesler.  Can you believe that?!  The boys first NHL game and he gets a game puck!  Daddy said it was the best and craziest game he has ever been to.  It went into overtime, with two reviewed goals, shots on goal even throughout 2nd and 3rd period.  He said the stadium was electric.  I think it was daddy's best birthday too!

disney girl

Special mickey ears and her first lobster.  (not on site of course!)  She is actually the reason we went on this trip.  She scraped together $1000 for the trip by babysitting and doing other odd jobs this summer.  How could we say no!?

Oh my goodness!

Apparently my Halloween candy picture is suffering from Elmoititis.
Not sure what happened : )

Pre-vacation: Halloween Fizzle

This year I made a special effort with my Halloween treats.
There are 4 children that live close to us whom I thought would come by for trick or treating.
Last year I wasn't expecting them so I was grabbing anything possible to throw in their bags.
This year I was ready.....

.... and this year they didn't come !  : (

A new member of the family.

The girl and I are not rollercoaster fans, so we let the boys go to Knott's Berry Farm (rollercoaster mecca) on their own.  We waited and waited for them to come back early afternoon so that we could go to the Disney parks together.  When they failed to show up, the girl and I decided to head to the park on our own with meet up instructions.  On our way we ran into the boys plus one.

Ball Throw Win


The big news is that Elmo came home with us!  I unstuffed his head and body and shoved him in our suitcase.  He is looking a little flat at the moment, but will be back to his life sized vibrant self with the help of some derelict pillows.

Elmo Photo Ops

 

Splash Mountain Misdemeanor

We just got back from a fabulous trip to Disneyland.  Pictures and stories forthcoming, but thought I would start with our favourite ride Splash Mountain. (the log ride)  One evening Splash Mountain was basically walk off walk on.  We went on it 5 times in row!  They boys kept trying to switch up the pictures.  On the last take they took off their shirts, which unbeknownst to us was a no-no.  I am so glad that I took a picture of the exit board, as when I went to purchase the picture it had been "washed away".  Anything not Disney family friendly is deleted.

CENSORED

SOAKED

SOAKED