Metrolink Christmas Train

A few years back, our neighbors told us about the Metrolink Christmas Train and we have made it our annual tradition to take Bennett to see it. Metrolink converts a passenger train into a holiday train complete with Christmas lights, Santa Claus, Reindeer, and even blows snow! When they stop in the station they do a little Christmas show and sing some carols, then the characters get off the train and hand out candy canes and pose for pictures. Bennett was a little sick this year, so he didn't get in to it as much as usual, but he absolutely loved watching the train pull in and out of the station. Cool free thing to go do in Southern California!

Picture Day

Everyone on Dan's side of the family went to Sears the other morning to take our family portrait...which mind you is a giant feat when there are 3 kids that are 6, 3, and 2 years old. The kids just looked so cute that I had to take a few pics of them.

Bennett and Sam playing cars in the lawn.

All the guys acting like they are pushing over the giant Christmas balls...which incidentally I guess the mall didn't have it in their budget to change the 2008 to 2009 on the ornaments!

Bennett playing on the front steps of Nick and Ardis' house. Loved the vintage truck in the background though!

Bennett's Preschool Thanksgiving Feast

I got to help cook for Bennett's Preschool Thanksgiving Feast. What a fun day. All the classes got together and had lunch in the same room. Of course, the turkey of choice was really chicken nuggets, but the kids loved it! We made tons of mashed potatoes, nuggets, and fruit. I am just in awe when teachers can get 30 preschoolers to sit in one room and that the wiggleworms don't get up and move around the whole time!

Bennett and his pals Christina, Marina, and Samantha.

Bennett's Class at the Feast.

I just loved the turkey hats on these kids...so funny! Bennett and Samantha cracking each other up after school. I just thought that this was a Kodak moment (taken on a Canon camera :o)

Travel Town November 2009

One of Bennett's favorite spots in the world is Travel Town. We decided to meet up with Dan and hang out at the trains for the day. Just so happened that the model trains were up and running that day, and we could not get Bennett to leave! He loved watching those trains go round and round. We also got to ride on the LA Live Steamers...totally cool little trains that they run on Sundays. Fun outing!

Lake Arrowhead...a Touch of Fall

Went for a drive up the mountain to mom's place in Lake Arrowhead, and got to see the actual change of seasons there. The trees were all changing and just gorgeous. It was VERY chilly weather, and the trees were all shedding their leaves, but I caught a glimpse of fall here. Just so pretty that I wanted to share a few pictures.

Lake Arrowhead..Riley and Bennett Best Friends

Took a trip to mom's condo in Lake Arrowhead in November...and my mom and sister were there too. Bennett is just in love with Cheryl's dog Riley and can't seem to get enough of her. We had a good time just hanging out at the condo and at the village.

Bennett and Riley touching noses. Not sure if Riley liked this too much, but she dealt with it for a cute picture. :o)

Bennett waiting ever so patiently in his PJs and slippers for the birdies to come and take the peanuts off of the railing...a favorite pastime of ours in Arrowhead.

We went to eat at Papagayo's Mexican restaurant, and they had these cool toys that they gave the kids to play with called Wiki Stix.....you can bend them into anything you like. We made eyeglasses! Might I say...Awesome thing to give kids while waiting for a meal!

Disneyland - October 2009

We stayed overnight at Disneyland after the Mickey's Trick or Treat this year and went to Disneyland the next day. All the fall decorations were up and it is such a fun time to go there. I love seeing the pumpkin carvers carve all sorts of Disney characters into the pumpkins. It was hotter than usual that day for October, but a gorgeous day.

Halloween 2009

By the time Halloween rolled around we thought that Bennett had decided to dress up as a doctor for Halloween...but at 5:45pm, just before going out, he decided he wanted to be a cowboy! Good thing we have a good dress up box here! Of course, I'm biased, but I LOVED him dressed up as a cowboy with his horse. :o) We went out to my sister Cheryl's house to partake in the madness that is trick or treating at her house. She had about 450 kids come by. Crazy! Bennett just loved handing out the candy.

In front of Cheryl's yard...her graveyard Halloween display.

Bennett with our neighbor's kids Kelly and Finn. So cute!

Cheryl crafted her own special wig this year complete with lights in it! She is showing off her front yard display!

Mickey's Trick or Treat

Dan, Bennett and I met up with my mom and sister at Mickey's Trick or Treat at Disneyland. So much fun. We couldn't get Bennett to wear a costume that night..oh well! We decided to stay overnight and got adjoining rooms at the Disneyland Hotel, and Bennett was in heaven just being able to run between the rooms. It was fun just being able to stay overnight down there and not drive home at 11:00pm.

Waiting in line for the 3D Toy Story Mania ride.

Dan and Bennett on the ladybug ride in Bugs Land.

My mom and Bennett sporting their 3D glasses for the Toy Story ride.

Mom, Cheryl and I.

Bennett's Preschool Halloween Parade

Bennett's Preschool had a Halloween Costume Parade where the kids got to go trick or treating from classroom to classroom and show off their costumes. Bennett told us for a month that he wanted to be a fireman or a policeman for Halloween...then he ended up being a doctor on that day. Made a pretty cute doctor if I do say so. :o)

Bennett's class..there are 2 girls missing...but yes...Bennett is the only boy with 10 girls in his class!

Bennett and Christina

They ended the parade with a music session singing silly Halloween songs out on the front lawn of the school.

Carving Pumpkins

I missed out on this day. I got so sick and had to stay home, but Dan took Bennett to his parent's house where they spent the day carving pumpkins and having fun. This was really Bennett's first pumpkin carving experience. They said that no way no how was Bennett sticking his hand in the pumpkin to pull out the seeds and the stringy stuff! Too funny.

Legoland Brick or Treat

When we found out that we could get in to the Legoland Brick or Treat for free, we just decided one Saturday to hop in the car and drive to Carlsbad. Very cute idea..lots of fun for the little kids. Bennett loved it, but then again he loves every visit to Legoland. I loved the little ghosts,etc that they had around made out of Legos.

Bennett learning how to trick or treat.