Owen's recent school photos

I can't decide which photo amuses me the most.

Fort Construction

The weekend before we moved, that last weekend in the apartment; Mark's parents came to visit and help us pack.  They helped a ton, and we had some fun too.  Here Mark and Grandpa work on a hastily constructed fort for Owen.  He loved it, of course.

We're in!

Yes we have moved into our new house!  We're loving it and getting used to our new routine.  See the tour here.  Mark says I can't post pics until I unpack 5 boxes.  Better get to work....

Sea World!

Mark attended a conference in San Diego this past weekend.  Our 'ol buddy Heidi was at the conference as well.  We took the opportunity to treat ourselves to a day out at Sea World (thanks for the free tickets Trina!).  

We had an awesome day that started out with the most major awesomeness!  We got to the dolphin tank just as they were starting the feeding time.  Heidi rushed to buy some fishes and we fed and petted the dolphins to our hearts content.  We saw a bunch of animals, watched Shamu and the dolphin show.  Owen would say "again!" each time the orcas or dolphins jumped out of the water.  He loved it.  The only animal he has asked about since are the eels.  Yuck!  

We went on November 1st, so Sea World was unloading all of their Halloween candy.  They had little trick-or-treating stations around the park and the workers were shoveling candy into our bag.  They even put candy in Heidi's ice cream bowl, plus gave her a bag with MORE candy.  She was very pleased.  

I think these comparison pictures are fun.  Above is Owen in June 2007 at the "Pets Rule" show in Sea World.  Below is Owen at "Pets Rule", making another funny face, November 2008.

This is the Sea World version of a petting zoo.  

Feeding and touching the dolphins.

Owen, Mark and Heidi getting ready for Shamu.

In front of the Sea Lion enclosure.  Owen liked how they barked.

Trick-or-Treating at Sea World

Heidi and her haul

Halloween 2008

Had a fun Halloween this year.  Mark was at a conference so Owen and I went trick-or-treating with Brandon and his mom, Vanessa.  Brandon was very cute as Blue from Blue's Clues.  Owen got the hang of it pretty quick and liked saying "Trick-or-Treat" at each house.  We went over to our old neighborhood and hit some houses there.  The boys made it to about six doors.  But it worked out well because the Elementary school where we met up was having a little event, so they got to play some games and win little prizes.  After we got home Owen loved counting his lollipops and holding them all in his hand.  His pumpkin candy carrier went to bed with him that night.

For Owen's costume this year I ended up going with Plan C.  Plan A was his originally purchased Thomas the Train costume.  But no amount of coercion could get him to wear that. Plan B was to have him wear his Spiderman pajamas, but I could only find the bottoms.  So Plan C was wear a Hawaiian shirt and lai and go as a tourist.  So that is what we did.  

No, you knock!

Plan C

We voted, did YOU???

Disneyland Halloweentime

Owen's second trip (and our umpteenth) to Disneyland was to see the Halloweentime decorations and festivities.  We charged right in, made our way to Fantasyland....and then waited to ride Peter Pan.  I'm over those kids rides.  The music is SO loud and they are kind of scary.  I don't think we'll be riding them again until Owen is old enough to make the request. He loved the carousel where he got to "ride the horsies".  We also rode Dumbo and Pinochicco in that area.  

We also rode "Buzz" twice.  It was a draw with Mark winning one game and me smoking him on the second one.  Thank you triangles!  Owen was in charge of "driving" the car.  He was giggling his head off and making us turn every which way while we were trying to hit the targets.

The only ride he got a little bit scared on was Pirates.  The first part of the ride is really dark for quite awhile.  He had enough of the dark and started saying "OUT, OUT".  But then we got to the skeleton at the wheel of the boat and he was OK.  Plus he liked the "yo ho" song so much, he made me sing it to him the rest of the day.

Owen's view on Peter Pan.

Happy boy.

The sun was a little blinding, but we were having fun.

The fantastic, giant, water covered BALL!!

On the bottom level of the double-decker bus.  

We also rode the horse carriage down Main Street.

Wouldn't you know it, Disneyland has a petting zoo!  Mark and I had never been aware of this before now.  It is back behind Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.  I think it is called Big Thunder Ranch.  I walked by it a million times, but I just thought it was a big eating area for corporate groups and stuff.  But no.  They have cows, and goats, and sheep.  There was also a cute live-action show with Woody and the chick that is with Woody and Woody's horse.  Sorry, I'll have to brush up on the character names.  He loved that too, of course.  We had to drag him out of there.

This is what I look like past 8pm, but without the smile.

Waiting for our car.  Owen enjoyed jerking the wheel from me.

DUCKS!  Disneyland is awesome.