Getting Ready for Vacation

So we're headed to California this week - a visit with Ryan's dad and step-mom, visit with cousin Michelle and Byron, Disneyland with Eric & Jen and their girls Avery and Sydney. Here are a few snippets from my "to-do" list:

Camera, Extra Batteries, Diapers,Wipes,Pictures, Amanda Christmas,Mei-Tai Backpack,Ryan GPS thing, Shaine clothes for 6 days, Zach clothes, Shorts (4),Pants (2), Shirts (5 – 3 short, 2 long), Sweatshirts, Shoes, Socks, Toothbrushes, Silkies, Jammies and then Natalie - Pants/Shorts (5),Shirts (5, Jammies, Blankie/Kitty, Sweatshirt, Bathing Suit

Other tings to do: Dogs to G&G (Tuesday?), Fill up cat litter and food,Stop Newspapers, Mail key to Dru, Call Disneyland Ticket Lady (Jen), Switch Purses, Change Work Voicemail (Fwd to Mom?)

What we bring with us: Stroller, Car Seat (N & Z), Diaper Bag, Ryan DVD Player & Videos, Things for kids, Laptop, Gum, Snacks for kids, water bottles.

This list doesn't even include all the work things I need to do too! The only problem with vacation is that it takes so much work to go out of town, one begins to wonder if it is worth it (I think it will be once we arrive in Long Beach and I don't have to wear a coat). This is my first "go" at packing for 2 kids and myself . . . this is Natalie's first airplane trip, a test-run before we go to Hawaii in April. Hmmm, wondering what crazy mishaps will occur and what i'll forget. Must remember snacks for kids on the plane because I am NOT paying $5 for crappy airplane food.

On another note, Martin Family Thanksgiving was quiet at my parents house (which is definately the exception to the norm). Zach said he was thankful for his kitty Steve. Natalie napped and I am thankful for happy, healthy kids. Right now, I'm thankful for sleeping kids. Hope everyone had a nice holiday! Let the Christmas madness begin!

A day in the life

Natalie is FINALLY walking. She still prefers to crawl, but she is walking. It's so very cute. Instead of having only 2 parents ogling over her, she also has a very proud big brother.

On another note, I decided to cook the other day . . . and this is what happens when mommy makes dinner:
Natalie takes out every tupperware piece



And Zach puts Mascara on to look like a football player (please note the pretend gun in his hand)



And the dog just sits there . . .

The Cuteness

Early in the week, they dressed up for school.

(Natalie, our 15 month old, "I am too stubborn to walk because I'm the world's fastest crawler . . .")

I'm not one to go on and on about my kids being so cute . . . well maybe a little bit. But Natalie takes the cake in her butterfly costume.

Trick or treating downtown Bainbridge yesterday was crazy but cute. Zach always takes a few minutes to warm up, but then gets pretty into it. We went with a friend and her kids (Elizabeth, Kepler & Arden) so we had 2 blonde Spidermen and their companion Tinkerbelle and Butterfly little sisters. It was pretty cute. The boys especially liked pointing out the really scary costumes.

The day started with a trip to Seattle for some errands and trick-or-treating. Our dear babysitter Alyssa was in a horrible accident August 1. She is still in a wheelchair at the hospital but will be released in a week or so . It's only the 2nd time we've been to visit her. Poor Zach, he has a hard time with his emotions about visiting her. Last time we saw her she was still in bed, with casts. When we left, he cried on the way home, "Mommy, go back to the hospital and bring Alyssa home now." This time, he was too nervous to go into her room until I literally dragged him in there and he realized that she is the same Alyssa but with great, purple hair and a wheelchair that zooms around.