Jeff & Heidi Peterson and Family: 2009

HALLOWEEN 2009

Halloween Art by Aubrey

Our Costumes

Clown Dad, Frankenstein Mom

Turtle Bridger

Spiderman Thatcher

Swine Flu Aubrey
(and cameraman Taylor)

Aubrey really was sick (possibly swine flu) and couldn't

go trick-or-treating. She wasn't happy.

Taylor claimed he was too old and stayed home

to pass out...

...our "candy"--otter pops. Or, as some might call them,

frozen light sabers.

Bridger and Thatcher were so excited to go trick-or-treating

it was hard to keep up with them

(at first)

Their first door, our neighbor Frank's house.

This was the first year Bridger got to go and carry his own bucket.

Then off to the next house.

They had lots of fun and got lots of candy

including 6 or more large size candy bars.

We love our neighborhood.

Then it was time to partake of the loot.

Bridger's mischevious smile knowing he

really shouldn't have candy.

But he tried this, and that,

and this, and that.

Until his tummy was FULL (and we made him stop).

Sunday, October 25 - Sorry it has taken me so long to post pictures from our vacation to Disneyland and Legoland. I complained that we still haven't seen pictures from Craig/Laura/Ashley and Cathy/Chad from their vacation to Hawaii and then I don't post ours. It wasn't because I wasn't trying. In fact, several times I have attempted to post this but always got interupted. So, this morning I got up at 6:15 to do it. And, wouldn't you know it, Bridger woke up 5 minutes later. Luckly for me he could be distracted with a little show to allow me to finish. But it is now 7:15 and I have to wake everyone up to get ready for church so I will have to make this quick. I'll just add some brief captions to the various pictures. ENJOY!

Early, Saturday Morning (September 26) getting ready to leave for the airport. Everyone had an assigned back (or two) to be responsible for-even Thatcher.

Bridger's first airplane ride. He didn't actually have an assigned seat of his own so we passed him back and forth so we could all share in the "fun" (we had three rows of three seats). He actually did pretty good.

Taylor and Aubrey getting ready to fly.

Thatcher's first airplane flight. He had his own seat and did really good.

DAY 1 - DISNEYLAND

This is Thatcher (middle) with his cousins Harmony (left) and Kimball (right) looking at the beehives from the Winnie the Pooh ride. We had to do this twice in a row. But the lines were really good the entire trip so we didn't have to wait but 5-10 minutes.

Heidi and Bridger waiting for Winnie the Pooh. The first day Bridger was fantastic. He was so enthrawled with everything he hardly made a peep. Each day got slighly worse but overall he did very well for a 21 month old.

Note: Brider and Thatcher rode pretty much every ride they could (e.g., met the height requirements) and they loved it. They both went on Pirates of the Caribean and wanted to go again. Thatcher rode all the roller-coaster rides like the Matterhorn and Space Mountain and didn't show any fear.

Winnie the Pooh (again)

Bridger taking his daily nap (around 2:00 pm each day). Although some days they only lasted 15 minutes.

Ye Merry Hat Shop

Bridger was too small for the real Tea Cups so he got his picture in one that didn't move.

Thatcher, on the other hand, did get to go and loved it.

Small World was the younger kids favorite. We probably went on it 10 times by the end. Even Taylor and Aubrey made it fun (making inappropriate noises at different parts of the ride).

Taylor, Thatcher, and Aubrey on the rockets. Taylor and Aubrey were glad we were with family because at times they could sneak off with their uncle Bodie and ride whatever they wanted.

One of the few rides we waited longer than 10 minutes for (I think it took 30 minutes). Finding Nemo submarine voyage -- just an o.k. ride for such a long wait.

This is Thatcher seeing Mickey Mouse in person. He really didn't want to hvae anything to do with any of the characters--especially Mickey Mouse. He was told that unless he started going potty in the toilet, Mickey wouldn't let him ride his rides. So, he thought Mickey was going to kick him out of the park because he had had some accidents.

Mickey being shy because of Thatcher's unwillingness to see him.

Bridger, on the other hand, didn't mind. (Taylor and Aubrey were more like Thatcher and didn't want to have anything to do with the characters either.)

Aubrey got to go to the Bibbidie Bobbity Boutique with all the women folk and be given a royal princess treatment.

We all enjoyed the 3-D shows--even Thatcher and Bridger.

This is Thatcher in a pumpkin at Goofy's house--a place where small kids could run and play. But note the gentleman in the background. He's not keeping a very good eye on his kids.

Everyone enjoyed the train rides - especially Bridger.

Jungle Cruise?

Tea Cups (again)

Small World (again, again, again)

(and again)

The tram ride back to our car after a long day at the park.
NOTE: we went to Disneyland and California Adventure several times over the course of 5 days so not all the pictures were from one signle day--it wasn't THAT long of a day.

One morning at breakfast as we were getting ready to leave for the parks, Bridger decided to dip his hand in ketchup and then "do" his hair.

Pictures from California Adventure

Family portrait in front of the Nemo window.

Thatcher didn't mind Kermit but didn't get much closer.

Everyone else gave him a hug or kiss (at least the three younger kids).

Taylor GQ waiting for the show.

Pictures after the Monsters Inc. ride.

The Tower of Terror

(again)

I wasn't afraid of the characters.

But I did have a Chip on my shoulder during this picture (and a Dale on the other).

Bridger nap time again.

Interestingly enough, Thatcher and Bridger didn't like the Bugs Life area the most (and it was supposed to be for younger kids).

Roller Coaster in Cal. Adv. --Note Heidi's hair (windswept) and Taylor and Aubrey's faces (they tried to be as serious as they could).

Of course when you ask the kids their favorite part of the trip, it was all the swimming we did. Go figure.

LEGOLAND - we went to Legoland the last 2 days of our trip.

Bridger still not afraid of any characters. Thatcher no where to be seen.

Bridger loves trains.

Although nobody minded the characters made of all Legos.

Even Thatcher.

The Aquaride and Aubrey's cheering stance.

Thatcher got to drive his own car. And then he started to complain like all good drivers that the kids in front of him stopped too quick and that's why he ran in to him.

All Legos so it's ok to stand by him.

Taylor and Aubrey in the back seat.

Another train to capture Bridger's attention.

The Magic Carpet ride -Left to Right - some stranger, Heidi, Thatcher, Aubrey, Taylor.

Look ma, no hands.

At the bottom.

Taylor and Aubrey on an extreme ride.

No they are up-side-down--and loving it.

Bridger's favorite ride--every time it stopped, he cried to get back on

(again, and again, and again).

Another train ride for Bridger.

(again and again and again)

Play time --Bridger dangling above the slide.

Once again, it's ok because it's all Lego.

Nap time - the double stroller we brought worked great!

I think we have Aubrey doing the exact same thing (without script)

from 5 years ago when we went.

Everyone got a turn.

Aubrey on the Helicopter ride.

And Taylor (who had to choose a police one).

One of Thatcher's favorite places at Legoland was in the builder room. He probably spent 2 hours total there over the two days. Aubrey and Taylor didn't mind either.

Aubry and Taylor got to team up and compete in a robot challenge.

You program the robot on the computer and then set it out on the course.

They did really well (aside from some inter-team conflict) and finished first.

At night was Brick-or-Treat.

Even Bridger got some treats (and a Lego Brick). We were dressed as tourists.

So, you may be wondering about the monkey's on the kids backs. We'll they were our sanity and life-savers. It allowed the kids to roam around without roaming too far. We got all sorts of comments about them. Such as, only dogs should have leashes. But, most of the comments were favorable and we even saw other kids with them on. Our kids didn't mind them and we couldn't have lived without them, never mind the comments.

Bridger throwing a tantrem on the floor of the airport on the way home. Our flight was delayed 5 hours so, needless to say, we were all extra tired by that point.