Disney, Disney, Disney

Has anyone ever experience too much Disney? Don't get me wrong; I had a blast. The best part was seeing Gabe's pure joy at each adventure. If I never experienced sensory overload before...this was it. I, like Gabe, needed an afternoon rest...not for the sleep, but the peace and quiet. Which type are you...action vacation or relax vacation? I have determined after 29 years of my existence that I am a relaxed vacation person, but Gabe and Brad bring out the adventure side of me...at least to take pictures. I love the foreshadowing of this picture above. Notice Brad's slightly tense grip of the car, and Gabe's carefree enthusiasm to get moving! In the spirit of simplicity, I won't post every singe Disney photo I love, but e-mail me if you want to see the rest...

On the 7th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

A chandelier for my entry!


found here .

Yum!

We were so sick of turkey and dressing, that I fixed a huge pile of vegetables for dinner last night. This was a wonderful autumn recipe (click here for recipe), and I am now a fan of parsnips (never had them or cooked them before.) Where have I been? Parsnips are delicious!

This is a recipe I will keep around. It came from Food&Wine magazine, which my brother and sister-in law gave us for Christmas last year. Every recipe I have made from Food&Wine has turned out well. I am not a huge fan of new recipes and tend to stick to the old tried and true ones (Better Homes and River Roads are my ultimate go to's--can you get more traditional than that?). I made it minus the butternut squash and pecans, just because I didn't have them around, but I bet it would make it even better. If you try it, watch the cooking time...mine would have burned if I wasn't waiting by the oven salivating at the wonderful smell!

Gabe with Santa last year:

Gabe with the same Santa this year:


He's not wailing, but he is still not sure about the whole scenario. Of course, this isn't his official Santa picture. I just thought this expression was funny. We have a smiling one on our mantle.


This is Brad with Gabe this year:



And Brad with Gabe last year:

He is always happy when his papa is near!

BTW, Brad voted for the football sweater vs. the precious Christmas outfit I had for him. I guess the Thanksgiving outfit did him in.

My little pilgrim

I just want to eat Gabe up when he wears his little coat and hat. These were all lovingly handed down from Gabe's cousin, Braxton. Brad can't stand it, but for Thanksgiving I had to go all out...not on the cooking, but the outfit.


So, we went out to eat. Gabe was a doll. I'm sure it had a lot to do with the waiter who brought him lot of gifts (crayons, coloring book, orange slices, chef's hat, cherries, helium balloon...you get the picture.) Hey, whatever it takes!

Chugga Chugga Choo Choo

There have been lots of trains in our world lately!

Halloween (boy, am I behind)

The candy has been eaten. The decorations are put away. Thanksgiving is on our minds, and I am just now posting about Halloween. We had a blast with our neighbors and friends. This is Gabe waiting for the big event.

Gabe with his best buddies, waiting to get out the door. (Picture quality is horrible, because it was dark)

The trick or treat limo, pulling up to its next stop.

Gabe sharing candy with a robot/friend.

On the way home, we stopped by the firehouse for a photo/candy. I don't know how to shoot all this reflective stuff without issues, so this is the best I could do. The fireman were happy to see a mini-me. Gabe had a glassed over, so tired look by this point, but wouldn't you know it....he was up at 6am promptly the next morning...never fails.