4th Annual Pumpkin Party

We had a great time again this year with family and friends visiting, eating & carving pumpkins! This has been a really fun tradition that we want to keep up so Dawson can look forward to it every year as he gets older.

The Dinosaur & The Rooster

(Aiden & Dawson)

Cutest rooster I've ever seen!

Nate & Riley enjoying some chili...and ice.

Dad broke out the power tools to carve his pumpkin.

Pumpkins

Some of the carver's checking out their masterpieces. Tyler & Aiden wrestling.

Dad's and their boys.Happy Halloween!

Guess What....

WE'RE PREGNANT!!Surprise! Or at least it was for us. Chad and I had talked about trying to get pregnant with baby #2 once Dawson turned a year old so our kids would be close in age. When that time quickly came we (I) was starting to rethink the timing wondering if it was too soon. Little did I know I was already pregnant as we were celebrating his birthday. We found out when I was about 8 weeks. Yes, I took 3 tests because I just didn't believe it happened without even trying. I was in a bit of shock at first but now am totally thrilled and can't wait for Dawson to be a big brother. I'm 14 weeks and the baby is due on April 17. Oh, and for those of you thinking that it might be twins this time...we've already had our first ultrasound and there is only one in there (thank goodness!). Yesterday at our doctor appointment we got to hear the baby's heart beat for the first time. So exciting!

California

We went to California for a week and had such a good time. Dawson's first vacation was a huge success. It was the perfect combination of relaxing and entertainment. My mom, Grandma, Dawson and I flew down together, then Chad met us a couple days later. Dawson did unbelievably good on the flight there. He started out with a little nap and than was so content sitting on the tray table playing with toys, laughing and people watching. Unfortunately the flight home was a different story-a complete meltdown (that left me in tears also) and a poopy diaper have made us decide that we will be driving the next time.

Dawson looking out the window with Nana before take off.

Everything was so funny!

The first couple days were the most relaxing. We went to Redondo Beach one day and had lunch on the peir, went on a walk around Shari's neighborhood to see all of the cute houses and just hung out. Once Chad got there things got busier. The first night we went back to Redondo Beach to see an old car show and then have dinner at Ruby's Diner.

Dawson loved this car at the diner and had a fit when we had to get seated at our table. The next day we went to Hermosa Beach to play.

Dawson liked playing right where the water came up on the beach. He wasn't so sure when Daddy took him out into the big waves, he was holding on really tight.

Oh, and since I've been so bad about blogging (our computer was broken for awhile so I have an excuse)...Dawson is walking now. He really started on September 20 when some of his friends were over. They were all walking around and Dawson just got up and started. He did better and better but still crawled too. Right when we got to California he started walking around constantly and now is a pro.

Universal Studios

Chad and I left Dawson with Grandma, Nana & Shari for a day and went to Universal Studios. It was really nice to have a "date day" and spend time with just the two of us. Although, the whole time we talked about how much Dawson would have loved to see certain things there. First up was the Hollywood Studio Tour. We saw Jaws :)

and we went down the real set of Wisteria Lane from Desperate Housewives.

This is Carlos & Gabbi's house.

There was a new Simpsons ride that was really fun.

Jurassic Park was one of our favorites.

Chad had to pose with the van from Scooby Doo.

Hollywood & Laguna Beach

We met the Wantz family in Hollywood. We went to the Chinese Theater and looked at all the handprints, walked down the Walk of Fame and had a delicious lunch at the California Pizza Kitchen. Then John took us on a drive through Beverly Hills, we went down Rodeo Drive and Sunset Boulevard to check out all the high end shops-no celebrity sightings.

Chad & Dawson at Arnold Schwarzenegger

Maia at Marilyn Monroe Me at Johnny Depp

Afterwards we went to see John & Jama's new house. I can't believe I didn't get any pictures. It's such a cute little house in a really nice neighborhood. It's really close to Laguna Beach so we went down there to play, get coffee (it was a chilly night), and walk around the town.

My sweet boy walking around on the beach.

Dawson thought it was so funny when I would walk us out on the beach and then run back before the waves crashed on us.

There was an art gallery in town that we went to (I can't remember the artists name-started with a W) and it was the most amazing, beautiful paintings and sculptures focused around whales and dolphins.

Maia outside looking at the fountain. This was right outside the gallery.

We had a great day with the Wantz family and miss them already!!

DISNEYLAND

I couldn't resist....we took Dawson to Disneyland. We were not planning on going because we thought Dawson was a little young to appreciate it but I couldn't stand the thought of being so close and not going. For those of you who don't already know, Disneyland is my favorite place ever!! We had a blast! Of course Dawson won't remember any of it (a little overwhelming I'm sure) but I think he had a lot of fun.

The park was all decorated for Halloween. Princess Castle in the Magic Kingdom We took Dawson on eight rides throughout the day. This was right before we got on Dumbo.

Disney's villains were out for Halloween. Dawson met Jafar (from Aladdin), Cruella (from 101 Dalmations) and this is the witch from Snow White.

The trip would not have been complete without a visit to Minnie Mouse...

...and Mickey Mouse.

Daddy & Dawson taking a stroll down Main Street.

Jama, Maia & Ezra met us there and we all went on the Jungle Cruise together. I can not explain how jealous I am that they get to have annual passes to Disneyland-my dream! :)

The kids stopped to feed the ducks.

We took Dawson to Toon Town to play and burn off some energy.

After that my cousin picked Dawson up to take back to my mom at Shari's so Chad and I could spend the rest of the evening at Disneyland on our own and go on the big rides. We had so much fun!