Trick-or-Treat

For Halloween, Drew was still in Tampa, so it was just me and the little man.  We started our night at First Baptist's Fall Festival.  Andrew had fun playing all the games and bouncing in the bouncy houses.  

Bean bag toss

He won some cupcakes on the "cupcake walk."

I saw some of my choir kiddos all dressed up.

 and our favorite little lumberjack, Finnley

 Sorcerer Mickey and 2 Minnie's :)

 After the Fall Festival at church, we headed back to the neighborhood to trick-or-treat with our neighbors.  Katelyn and Jacki with Chiquita in the wagon.  (They had the right idea)

 All the kiddos

The boys had their turn in the wagon.

 Our pumpkins

This year Andrew did his own pumpkin.  He drew it with marker and I cut it out.

It was a successful night and we had a lot of fun.  He came home with WAY too much candy! (if there were such a thing).  

Auburn vs. A&M

What a fun weekend!  Andrew and I left Friday afternoon and drove to Auburn.  We spend Friday night with my long lost friend, Stephanie.  We were inseparable in college, working together with Tiger Splashers.  She and I were the original members of our "Ohana Night."  Every Thursday night we'd get together at my apartment, cook dinner, and watch Friends through ER on NBC....EVERY Thursday...without fail.  Our Ohana grew when we invited Daniel along.  Then came Ann Marie, Seth, and Andrew Nelson.  Then I graduated and I got to see them at my wedding.  Steph was a bridesmaid and Ann Marie and Daniel sang.  Then I moved to Hawaii and life went on without me.  I was home for Steph's shower and wedding a couple of years later and I got to see them again.  And then maybe a year after that on another trip home, I met Stephanie and her family at the Galleria in B'ham for a quick hello.  And that was the last time I've seen her.  I think we decided that it had been 5 years.  (which by the way is WAY too long!)  We had a blast sitting up late catching up.  It's like we had never been apart.  This is where I would normally post a picture of the two of us, but since Steph was still in her PJ's when I left her house on Sat, she said to tell you:

"Photo Unavailable" 

We drove over to campus around lunchtime on Saturday, but not before I stopped at Niffer's for some Mexi-Cali dip and chips!  Oh, glorious day they were good!  I met up with the gang and we had a makeshift tailgate.  Heather and Brian flew in from Dallas and her sister was there along with her former roommate Megan.  It was great to see everyone.    

It was a nice day...pretty warm so long as the wind wasn't blowing.  Andrew wanted to tie his head warmer so it looked like he was wearing a bonnet!

 Before heading into the stadium we went to visit my old bosses.  Paula and Gwen owned the dance studio where I taught and Heather was Paula's Nanny durning all those years at AU!  I haven't seen these ladies since 2004!  Those were some of the best days of my life and I miss dancing like crazy.  It was SO good to see them!

The Texas A&M game was "Military Appreciation Day" on the Plains so there were lots of military salutes going on, including a flyover after the National Anthem.  I guess that's why Spirit flew instead of Tiger.  By the way, that was the longest eagle flight EVER and I'm pretty sure everyone nearly had a heart attack when Spirit flew BEHIND the jumbo tron for a second or two.  No worries....she came back...eventually and took her sweet time circling the stadium.

You can barely see her coming in for a landing.  It still gives me chills every time!

 Me and my lil Auburn man!

 By kickoff, it was pretty chilly outside so we were all bundled up.  It felt great to this hormonal pregnant lady!  But the little Hawaiian was cold.  
The picture below was taken to show Drew that Aubie was sporting a flight suit, but I"m using it to show you proof that at one point during the game the stadium was full...

This was taken BEFORE half time.  SHAMEFUL!  I was so disappointed in the Auburn Students.  Yes, I know it was painful to watch, but there's no excuse for you bailing on your team!  If I were a player, I wouldn't WANT to play.  Be a real Auburn Fan and stick it out until the bitter end!

The paratroopers at half time were cool!

 and here's Aubie in his flight suit.

We sat in the A&M section with Heather and Brian so we got to hear LOTS of cheering!  Andrew was helping keep Heather warm in this picture.  

It was so good to see my dear friends and even though we lost MISERABLY, it was so good to be in Auburn!  I love that place.  It's a part of me.  And no matter if we win or lose, being there will always make me happy! 

Heather, I"ll see you in D.C. in a few weeks!!  I can't wait!

Andrew's First Field Trip

Today I went with Andrew's class to Sweet Season's farms for his very first field trip.  It was blazin' hot!  The kids were kind of miserable in the corn maze.  I kept hearing, "I'm hot. I'm thirsty. When are we getting snack?I'm starving."  lol  it was HOT and I felt bad for them since there was no water fountain and we had to wait until we finished all of our activities before eating lunch.

Speaking of activities...first up was the cow train...a definite hit with all the kids.  That golf cart was really movin' too!  

 Next up...the corn popper (a bouncy house type "pillow" on the ground)

 This was by far the kids' favorite!

 They posed for a class picture before going to "corn college" where they learned all about how corn is grown and all the uses of corn.

 After lunch the kids played on the playground.  There were slides and swings, but where did my child want to play?  In the giant pile of red dirt!  Talk about FILTHY!  He had to have a bath when we got home.

 King of the mountain

We headed home after the field trip and packed our bags for our weekend in Auburn!  

Costume Capers/Bear Jamboree

Today started out at school with Andrew's "Costume Capers."  The whole school dresses up and they parade around the track for all the parents to see.  I got out there before the kids marched in from their classes and I saw my little pumpkin holding hands with Ariel (a.k.a. Shaylee) all the way to the track.  (Even though according to him, he "loves"Harley, so apparently he takes after his Daddy in the ladies department. 

 Once they started marching, I spotted Logan our neighbor and Andrew's good buddy.

 Several times along the way the kids would stop and do a dance.  This would be the Cha-Cha Slide. "Hands on your knees, hands on your knees." (That's Andrew's teacher, Ms. Harris in the pink.)

 There were lots of unique costumes, but my personal favorite was this peacock.  Too bad she was "sprinting" on the track and I didn't get a better shot of her.

 My lil pumpkin heading back to class.

 After school, we went home and did our homework and then it was time to head back to school for their fall festival called the "Bear Jamboree."  Andrew played lots of games....

 ...ran the bouncy obstacle course about 100 times....

 ...and won lots of silly prizes!

It was a fun night.  The PTO did a great job putting it all together.  Andrew has already asked if they'll have one next year!  (I think he approved!)

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween

Yes, you read correctly...MICKEY!  We went back to Disney World for one more trip before Aubrey gets here.  And this time it was for the special Halloween events they had going on.  My in-laws and my nephew were also there so we joined up for some pre-Halloween fun.
Andrew and I flew from Panama City.  I didn't want to have to drive 7 hours, plus Southwest airlines had tickets for $68/each one way!  It ended up being cheaper than gas, so flying was a no brainer.  (I'd gladly do it again so as not to drive down there!)  Drew picked us up from the airport at 8:30.  The preggo had a headache and swollen ankles, so I opted to go rest at the hotel while the boys went to Epcot.  They had just enough time to catch some of Illuminations and ride Soarin' a couple of times.  

The next morning, we were at Epcot when it opened.  Drew convinced the Pecina's to get season passes since they live in Tampa now, so they met up with us for part of the morning.  We all rode a few rides together like Soarin', The Land, and the Nemo ride.  (Wanna know why Drew is not on the ride with us?  Because he left my camera in the mesh compartment of Soarin' and had to rush back over to get it.  Lucky for him no one took it!)

 I tried to get a pic of the boys but Andrew was playing shy and wanted me in there too.

 After we finished up at Epcot, we rushed over to Hollywood Studios for our lunch reservations at Mama Melrose's.  *Make it a point to eat here!  DELISH!  And check out the kids' desserts: Spaghetti and Meatball cupcake!  Too cute!  (Icing noodles with a chocolate sprinkle covered cake ball drizzled with raspberry sauce)

 The rest of Saturday was spent at Hollywood Studios.  We got home around 10:30 and hit the hay for our busy Sunday.  We woke up and drove to Animal Kingdom Lodge for the breakfast buffet at Boma.  We stayed there on our last trip but didn't have time to eat at Boma.  We just got to smell it on our way out the door!  Needless to say it was very yummy.  There were traditional breakfast favorites along with African inspired foods too.  SO GOOD!  Upon our arrival we were served "Jungle Juice" (POG for you Hawaii folks {passion, orange, guava for the rest of you} I'd love to go back sometime for the dinner buffet.  Drew says the desserts are to die for!

 After breakfast we went to church and then back to Animal Kingdom for the first half of our Sunday.

Drew and Andrew learning all about how the fish eat the hippo poop!

 By the time we got on the safari ride, it was about 12:30.  Every other time we've done the safari, it has been first thing in the morning, but I must say....this could have possibly been the most active we've seen the animals!  (I won't bore you with the thousands of pics I took of them, but I will share the lions)  Last time, we didn't see ANY lions.  This time we saw 3!   They were all chillin' on the rocks.  It didn't beat the time we actually heard the lion roar, but it was pretty awesome!

 Next, we ventured over to Dinoland for Andrew's favorite ride at Animal Kingdom. (only because we can't get him on Everest!)  Last time we were in Disney one cast member told him he was tall enough, so he rode and had a blast.  He immediately went to ride it again and the new cast member standing at the entrance told him he was too short. Bummer!  This time he had no problem, so he was happy!

 We walked the nature trail to the exit and saw these little beauties.  I couldn't help but post their picture.

 We decided since we were going to be in Magic Kingdom until Midnight, that we might should take a nap for my/Aubrey's Andrew's sake. ;)  So we headed back to our room at Old Key West and took a refreshing snooze.  Then it was time to go to MK for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party!

 Darth Maul is taking over main St.

 We had time to eat dinner, do a little trick-or-treating, and get set up before the parade. The in-laws and our nephew made it back from the Saints game just in time.  The parade started with the lights going out and a reading of this:The headless horseman rides tonight

upon his fateful trip.With silvery scythe of steely deathheld fast in bony grip,he sweeps it swiftly forth and backas over the earth he glides.And none in the world is safe tonight for the headless horseman rides.  

Then, the headless horseman rode through the streets.  (Apologies for the poor quality.  He snuck up on me and this was the best I could get)

 Some of the parade floats....

 Since it's Halloween after all, the Villains play a big part in the party.  They even get their own stage show at the castle.  It was really neat.

 Due to our new found obsession with ABC's "Once Upon A Time" and Drew's never-ending love for Snow White, we had to have our picture made with the Evil Queen.  (I laugh because I just can't do an "evil" face.  I tried, but it just looks like I smell something!  LOL)  We loved watching the Evil Queen pose with all the sweet little girls.  She never broke character and was pretty nasty.  She was great!

 And then, what would Disney be without fireworks.  Their special "Hallo-wishes" spectacular was catered toward Halloween.  I loved all the different colors and designs they put on the castle.  Sorry for the million castle shots, but I had to share...

 At the end, all the lights around the castle and main street went out and there were fireworks nearly 360 degrees around us...all white!  It was very effective.

 We rode as many rides as we could and hit all the trick-or-treat spots before the park closed.  Our last ride of the night was the Speedway.

 On our way out, we noticed how even Main Street was all "Halloweened out" with blues, greens, and purples.  

 After a very long wait for the monorail to take us to the parking lot, we FINALLY made it to the room around 1: 45am.  Luckily we didn't have anything to do until our breakfast reservations at 10:50, so we slept in!  Amen and Hallelujah!  We had breakfast with the mouse and friends at Chef Mickey's in the Contemporary Resort.  The kids had a blast! 

 Mickey even posed with me for a 25 week belly shot!

 Pluto

 Donald!

 Minnie

 She's Grandad's favorite!

 Every so often they sing Happy Birthday to all those celebrating.  Everyone dances and waves their napkins in the air.  The kids loved it.

 Goofy is Andrew's favorite! 

 After breakfast we had 2 1/2 hours before we had to head to the airport, so back to Magic Kingdom it was!  Andrew wanted to finish up some of the things we didn't have time for the night before..like the carousel. 

 And he always loves to "pull the sword."

 Alex and the in-laws were heading to another park so it was time to say goodbye.

 And much like every other trip to Disney, we had to finish up our trip with Dumbo!

It was a quick 3 days full of fun!  Andrew and I headed back to the panhandle and probably won't be back until Christmas of 2013...when lil Aubrey will be making her first Disney appearance.