Disneyland

In mid-October we were lucky enough to take a trip to that magical kingdom, Disneyland. We had a wonderful time and the weather was perfect.

Astro Blasters ride, one of our favorites!

One of Carson's favorite activities is the Jedi Training Center where children are picked at random to come up on stage and receive some Jedi training (i.e. light saber instruction). This year Carson was picked as one of the padawans and he was thrilled to don the padawan robe, learn how to use a light saber, and even battle Darth Vader. He is now a certified Jedi - dark side beware!

Carson holds his Jedi Training Certificate high in the air.

Rachel at the wheel on the Autopia ride.

The Iron Man exhibit.

3D glasses needed for the Star Tours ride (which we did 6 times).

Our first night in Disneyland we had an early celebration of Rachel's birthday at Goofy's Kitchen, a delicious buffet restaurant where we met many different characters. Rachel collected autographs from each character she met. Despite their cumbersome outfits, all can sign their names amazingly well.

En route home from Disneyland we stopped to stretch our legs at a beautiful area called Cedar Pocket, on the Virgin River in the northwest corner of Arizona. The kids love to play in the sand and throw rocks in the river and its a nice break from the driving.

One Saturday in October John saw some people filming a movie in our town and when he walked over to ask them about it he found out that they were looking for kids in costumes to be extras in the movie. Carson could not be bothered but Rachel was excited to put on her costume and be in a movie. It turned out to be more waiting around then filming but she was a good sport about it and ended up being filmed in several scenes. The film is not due out until next summer and it will be called "My Dog Zeus".

Young movie stars meeting with the director (Rachel in blue dress).

Rachel's being filmed while saying her line.

The trick-or-treat scene.

I wanted to share something Carson brought home from school recently. They are learning about the ancient Egyptian pyramids in first grade and their task at school was to pretend that they are a pharaoh and draw three things they would want to bring with them to the after life. Carson's pictures are below and he described them to me. The first picture is Rexie, his favorite stuffed animal (a T-Rex) that he takes to bed every night. The second picture is, "a trophy full of money". When I asked him who the third picture was he said, "you". It was one of those moments when my heart was just full and the tears started flowing, one of those treasured moments of being a Mom.