Colorado Halloween

Getting ready to go trick-or-treating with our friends the Lindstroms

The fireman flexing his muscles and Buzz Lightyear with his sights on Star Command.

 

Cute little Ladybug, Lizzie.

 

California Trunk or Treat

Let's take a quick trip back to Halloween 2012... since 2013's is only 4 months away. :)

Jeff's parents' ward had their Trunk or Treat while we were there.  I didn't have a lot of time to put a costume together for him, so we bought a fireman's hat at the dollar store along with some yellow and silver duct tape and I quickly assembled a uniform for him using clothes we had on hand.  It turned out better than I'd expected and looked so cute on him.  And it only cost about $4...

(The little badge was Jeff's when he was a kid.  We found it in a box while we were there)

 

 

 

And what's a trip to CA without some In N Out?

We were in the midst of potty training during this trip and we told Austin that if he went potty at In N Out and wore the hat, everyone would know that he was a big boy and that he went potty.  He was very proud to wear the hat and as we left the restaurant he saw an employee in the parking lot wearing a hat as well.  He promptly shouted, "He went potty too!"

We're BACK! Legoland continued...

The past several months have been SO busy.  I can't believe it's already June.  I think I've figured out a way to continue posting pictures on this blog and I will attempt to catch up.  Life is not slowing down at the moment, but I'll try!

 

Austin, the cutest candy-cane-light-pole at Legoland...

We took TONS of pictures of the cityscapes and cool things built with Legos.  This gives you a good idea of how large and detailed these things were...

Las Vegas Strip

New Orleans

This was just ridiculous, but totally cool at the same time.  They were doing some Volvo promotion and built this life-size Volvo out of Legos and put it on real wheels.  Crazy!

Chewbacca and R2-D2

One of Austin's 2 favorite rides.  He rode in these little airplanes at least a dozen times!

 

We were all exhausted by the end of the day, but it was a wonderful place to spend Austin's 3rd Birthday as a family!

Roadtrip to CA, Part 3: CALIFORNIA!

 Grandpa and Austin spent lots of time rolling the tractor and train down the driveway

 I just like this picture because it looks like Austin is really bustin' a move...

 The day after we arrived in CA was Austin's 3rd Birthday!  We just played all day, went out to eat and came home for cake and ice cream candles and presents...

 With all of Austin's allergies it is difficult to make a treat that he can eat.  When I do go to the effort of making something that won't cause a reaction, he refuses to eat it.  All he really cares about is blowing out the candles anyway.  So this year, we just put some candles in a few pumpkin cookies (which were eaten by the rest of us)

 Can't believe my little boy is 3!

 Time for presents!

 

 

Mr. Spoiled. :)

 

The next day we went to LEGOLAND

 

 First ride of the day...  at the beginning of the line....

 at the end of the line, just about to get on the ride...  That 30 minutes really wore him out!

 Awesome LEGO sculptures everywhere

 

 Now he's awake!

 

 

 

 

 

 Getting ready to ride the helicopters

Daddy showing Austin how to use the controls

 

 

{I have a ton more pictures, but apparently my photo storage capacity on this blog is at 100% and I can't upload anymore.  Until I figure out how to upload from elsewhere, (I'm not paying the monthly fee for more storage) this is it!}

Roadtrip to CA, Part 2: Cedar City, UT

We stopped in Cedar City, UT on the way to (and back from) California to visit Jeff's sister, Nicole, and her family.

 They had fun playing on the computer,

 getting rides from Uncle Jeff,

 and just having cousin time playing with toys.

It was really windy the day we were there, but we still went to a fun park and had lunch.  Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures while the kids were running around.  We also went to see Hotel Transylvania.  It was a quick trip, but we enjoyed being with family! 

Road Trip to CA, Part 1: Cedaredge, CO

In mid-October we rented a car to make the trek out to southern California to visit Jeff's family.  We took a few days to get there, and spent some time with our siblings along the way.

 

Our first stop was to Cedaredge, CO - about a 5 hour drive into the mountains from our house.  Cedaredge is where my paternal grandparents were born and raised.  They built a beautiful home next to a creek many years ago.  They have about 7 acres (I think...) and a bing cherry orchard.  My grandfather passed away last year, and my grandmother currently lives closer to family, in Loveland. 

 

My oldest brother, Zack, and his family moved from Michigan to the Cedaredge homestead this past September.  Of course, we had to stop and see my brother and also get in some quality time at one of the most beautiful places around.

 

The morning after we arrived we drove up to Lands End.  I've been to Lands End many-a-time, but it never gets old.

This was Jeff and Austin's first time to Lands End.

 

Other than the views, the best part of Lands End is feeding the chipmunks.  There were only a couple of brave and hungry little critters out this day. 

 Austin having a staring contest with the chipmunk.

We brought up freshly harvested walnuts from a tree on the Cedaredge property.

After Lands End we headed back down the mesa and stopped to see my Great-grandfather's cabin off of Alexander Lake.  It's recently been added on to (new wood to the right) but we couldn't get inside.  {Maybe now that Zack's family is in the area we can get access to a key again...} When I was a kid we used to come up for a day and fish on the lake, hike and play games in the cabin. 

Zack and Jeff

 Alexander Lake

The cabin from the lake shore.

 After our morning trip up to Lands End and the cabin we stopped for some lunch and came home.
Uncle Zack got out the mini John Deer for Austin to drive around - He loved it.

It took some concentration for him to figure out how to press down the pedal and steer at the same time...

Pretty soon Zack started chasing Austin around in the Gator (or "Big Motor" as Austin called it)

Austin loved taking a turn at steering the "big motor"

 Before it got too dark we went to the cemetery to visit my Granddad's grave.

And to finish our fun-filled day we picked up some pizza at a local pizzeria and watched Despicable Me.
Thanks Zack for letting us come hang with you for a day!