Thankful Hearts

We truly have so much to be thankful for! I feel like I say that a lot, but I never want to take for granted what I have. The past two years have put so much into perspective and I feel that my outlook on life is so different from before. From the newness of life and then losing a loved one, I see each day as a treasure. W. T. Purkiser said, “Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.” I'm grateful, thankful, and living each day to the fullest.

 We decided to spend Thanksgiving this year at Disney World. I mean, why not? We typically spend the day at Grandma Glenda's house and we always go to see the Christmas decorations, so we decided to put the two together. The equation made for a delightful day in the parks. Our first evening in Orlando we went to Downtown Disney and the line to see Santa was very short so we thought...why not?! Our picture with Santa from last year belongs in a photo contest with the extreme look of terror on Connor's face, but this year he was truly delighted to visit with the bearded man. He even said "Hi, Santa". So sweet!

 Being that Connor has such fine blonde hair, the little man has had very little need for a real hair cut ever. I have in the past cut off his little duck tail, but I have never ventured into cutting the top. I loved being able to see the hair he was trying so hard to grow. That hair was starting to look like a comb over and we thought it was high time for a big boy hair cut. Enter the Main Street Barber Shop where they give you such perfect treatment and even save the first cuts and put them in a little bag. It took two years before Connor needed a cut, and I personally love that I don't have a hairy baby. My blonde bundle of joy is just perfect for me. They spiked the little ends on top and he even got special Mouse Ears to commemorate the event. I still can't get over how perfectly still he sat. He was such a good boy, and the lady cutting his hair was smitten with him. Too bad he didn't need a shave, we had the two bits ready!

 After his fancy big boy hair cut we headed over to the new Fantasyland that is still experiencing it's soft opening. Though not as exciting as Disneyland, it is nice that WDW is offering something new. They have gone to great lengths to put great detail into this new section of the park. I enjoyed all of the Beauty and the Beast design and found the Ariel ride to be exactly like the ride in California that we went on 6 weeks ago. Yay Belle, Eh Ariel. Connor got to enjoy LeFou's Brew at Gaston's Tavern and couldn't get enough of it. The bigger kids couldn't get enough of our lunch at the Be Our Guest restaurant, and now we just have to wait for our reservations for dinner! Perfect details everywhere you looked. It brought back so many memories of performing this great show in college. Uncle Casey and I thoroughly enjoyed the piped in music straight from the broadway show. Human Again, Home, and If I can't Love Her were of course being hummed and sung along with the accompaniment. We all got the last meet and greet with Belle after combing over her sweet little cottage. Aunt Kaitlyn played a perfect shivering Papa, Uncle Casey was a shining knight, and Mommy was the high belting wardrobe. We laughed and played, and met a perfectly chipper Belle.

 Connor can never get enough of the Carousel. Without a doubt he giggles the entire time, with shrieks of pure joy! He also can't get enough of Mickey Mouse. He can name all of his clubhouse friends, but "Mittey" is by far his favorite! When the mouse opened up his arms Connor went running right in and the proceeded to give him a big kiss! He couldn't stop talking about him before we saw him, and couldn't stop after we left. You know it was a highlight for him! He points out Mickey wherever we go, and always wants more of his dear friend. Don't worry sweet boy, you will see a lot of him being in this family!

 We even got to show a little LU Alumni pride (vote for our picture here in the contest I entered it in) with the Mouse Man and then headed off to Hollywood Studios for the evening.

 We never fully understood the draw of the Osbourne Family Spectacle of Lights when it was first described to us. We would continue to end our evening around the world at Epcot until one year we ventured into new territory. There is no going back. The lights really are spectacular and watching the lights dance to music is even more festive. The songs are perfectly suited to the show, and it gets everyone's toes tapping. Connor's dancing is my favorite and I giggle just thinking about his silly moves! If we could all just dance with abandon like that of a child, and if Christmas music played all year long........ (we would probably live in Who-ville!)

 After the dancing lights we went to eat our yummy Thanksgiving feast at Ohana. It is certainly a favorite among our family, and something we look forward to. There was no better restaurant on our list that we would want to eat at. We ate and ate until our little hearts were content, very much like every family on Thanksgiving day, except we didn't have to cook or do dishes!!!

Once dinner was over we thought, "oh Magic Kingdom is still open, let's go"! We definitely closed down the park, and it is always so magical being the last ones around. It is very rare to look out in every direction and only see a smattering of people, most of which are park employees cleaning up for the evening. We're hard core I tell you!

We have so much to be thankful for. I count my blessings daily, and I am in awe of the life I am able to live. My family is amazing, we have a roof over our heads, we don't have to worry about our next meal, we have clothes on our back, we have access to fresh clean water, we have good jobs, and at most we have first world problems. Life is all about perspective. What perspective we take on each situation, and how we view our world really dictates so much. I am blessed. Blessed to be a wife, mother, daughter and sister. Those that are my opposite are my dearest treasures.

Tricking, Treating, and Talking

 Because of how crazy busy we've been I was only able to post once during the month of October. I'd say that's a pretty great problem to have! I was never able to post the pictures of us celebrating his birthday once we came back from Cali. We took the special little guy to Chuck E. Cheese and he had a blast! Who can't resist games and tickets? Though I don't think Mr. Cheese is nearly as cool as Mickey Mouse. There's no competition, really! We just traded one mouse for another!

 Our little Connor-boy is so loved, he opened so many gifts and was so tickled by all of his goodies! He couldn't wait to open every little thing, and plays daily with his presents. I'd have to say his new Chuggington tracks are probably his favorites, but it's a close race!

Between all of our traveling we were able to get in a brief trip to the pumpkin patch. The same one that we took him to as a newborn little bat. There was no sleeping baby this time, and he made it his mission to try to pick up every single big pumpkin he could find. He is really really really strong. I thought we might have a case of smashing pumpkins on our hands but no mess was had! Just pure fun!

Connor's buddy Everett celebrated his first birthday and we celebrated with a fun costume party! The kids had a great time on the bounce house and slide, and the little games kept everyone occupied! All you need is some cheap toilet paper and a ball and you can keep toddlers satisfied for hours! Parents were encouraged to dress up to and we went as Supergirl, Clark Kent, and a Pirate! I love that we were all able to bring our kids and see friends we hadn't seen in so long. It is amazing how we have all grown up, and have families of our own now. God has truly blessed us! Now let the pranks begin....I can only imagine!

Halloween was EPIC!!!! Connor went as Mater and was a hit! He was basically the human version and rode around in the real thing! Overalls, hat, and smudgy cheeks completed the look, now onto his chariot. 

Daddy and I spent a Saturday constructing our masterpiece out of cardboard from our new neighbors moving boxes, spray paint, a wagon, and some good 'ole creativity and ingenuity! His eyes I used posterboard and Sharpee markers, and even cut holes in the pupils for him to see through while he was sitting inside. Mater only has one headlight, and of course we have to include every detail, so we included a poplight that lit up as we rode from door to door. A paperplate and a papertowel roll cut in half made for his super easy engine. Having a die-cast version of Mater on hand is necessary, just make sure your little one doesn't continue to want to play with it and proceed to hide it, over and over again!

 

 Connor LOVED it! We had so much fun riding around the neighborhood but for Daddy and I, our most cherished memories are of the amount of talking he did. After teaching him baby sign language there are still some words he favors to sign. "Thank you" was one of those words until it came time to Trick or Treat. Our little orator promptly said "Thank You" to each neighbor but even figured out how to say "Tick or Teet"!!!! PRECIOUS!!! We looked forward to each new door to see what would come out of his mouth! We went around with Aunt Kaitlyn and some of her friends, but they weren't going fast enough for our little race car driver. He kept saying "Come on guys" to get them to move faster! We were laughing so much! He would come back from each door exclaiming "MORE CANDY"!! He had a fantastic Halloween!

 Election night was last night and I know so much seems uncertain. If I have learned anything in the last year it is I don't know what the future holds, but I know Who holds my future. I don't always understand why things happen, and I know I can't control everything, but we have to learn to roll with the punches and move forward. We are so blessed! We have a beautiful family that loves one another, we have the opportunity to travel and explore, we have a lovely home, and we have the most amazingly gifted little boy! I was amazed last night as he over and over again counted to 10 all on his own!!! He has not even been 2 for a whole month, and he's ready for Kindergarten! Let's not mention how he's been in big boy underwear all day and now playing football with Daddy! My kid is awesome!

Disneyland for Connor's 2nd Birthday

"To all who come to this happy place: welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past - and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams and the hard facts that have created America - with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world." ~Walt Disney

 More than anything in the entire world, I love seeing Connor happy! When thinking about what we would do for the quickly approaching second birthday, I thought of a Planes, Trains, and Automobiles theme. I had all sorts of ideas for that one, but being the Disney family that we are, we came up with a better idea. Disneyland in California just opened up a new section of their park: Cars Land! A perfect representation of Radiator Springs, and a perfect place to take the special birthday boy! No party needed, just our loved ones and some Disney magic, and memories that will never be topped. To be able to visit Mater, Lightning McQueen, Mickey, and a long list of others, all on his actual birthday will never be outdone. The joy that lit up his face was unreal, and it was three full days of bliss for one very precious little Petersen. We did end up with a theme of riding vehicles, but they consisted of Main Street's Fire Engine #1, the Buena Vista Trolley, Tea Cups, Roller Coasters, Choo-Choos, buses, and boats! Connor couldn't wait to list the things he rode each day! Dining with the characters for breakfast and eating with Pirates for dinner was surreal! The rides themselves were so familiar and yet different and exciting is was thrilling to try each new thing. Two rides that Connor loved the most were the Tea Cups and the Carousel, and I'm so glad we have them at WDW! I have so many thoughts and memories but I want to share some from the perspective of the other great people on this trip!

 Daddy said:
Disneyland is fun. Although I know you won't really remember our trip, I can assure you that we all had a ton of fun. When mommy first suggested we go to Disneyland for your birthday I was sure it would be the trip of a lifetime. We were not let down. I so enjoyed watching your eyes light up at every turn. Cars land was lots of fun but the two moments that stand out to me the most are you riding your first real roller coaster and the nemo submarine ride. 
While walking around toon town, we saw the Goofy Roller Coaster. To our delight the height limit was only 35 inches. We took you over and had you stand next to the height requirement pole just to be sure and you towered over it. Off to the ride we went! You got to ride with mommy and I sat right in front of you and videoed the entire ride. It was bittersweet. You had a smile that went from ear to ear and I know you had so much fun but at the same time, I realized that you were growing up and that's ok. The other ride that really sticks in my mind was the Nemo Submarine ride. At first you were a little unsure about sitting in that submarine but as soon as we pulled out your face lit up at all the amazing under water creatures. You saw sharks and whales and even Nemo and Dorie. You could hardly contain your excitement. When the trip was over and it it was time to fly home, I was sad but knowing that I had a head full of amazing memories made it a little easier.

 Grandma Glenda said:
I have many favorite moments. One of them was on the ferris wheel. I was really excited to ride it after seeing the way the cars swung and slid on their tracks. Then when we finally got in our gondola, it was really fun. Connor loved it and Kristin was screaming and not too sure about it! The divergent looks on their faces was priceless. I also liked the screamin' roller coaster and the way the Haunted Mansion was decorated for Halloween and Christmas. I loved watching Connor greet all the Cars characters. He was so aware of how special everything was and it was a joy to see him excited to be there. It was fun squeezing into some of the rides with Casey and Kaitlyn, taking lots of silly pictures, laughing a lot, and eating a lot. Being in Disneyland with the whole family for his second birthday was incredibly incredible!!

Aunt Kaitlyn said:
I enjoyed everything about Disneyland! I think my favorite things were the ferris wheel (with Kristin screaming) and World of Color. But I also liked Radiator Springs a lot; everything about it. It was a cool town and the rides were fun. I also LOVED THE BREAD BOWLS that we got our soup in. I liked the Haunted Mansion, but I would like to also see it without the Halloween decorations. Another thing that I liked was the Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island. It was really fun and very different from Walt Disney World. I'm not sure I should mention how small and disappointing the castle was, but everything else was so wonderful, it didn't matter. I want to go back there some day!

 Uncle Casey said:
Disneyland really was a magical place, like they say. I was surprised at how the park opens itself up and draws you in. And small? Hardly! We saw the familiar rides and lands that WDW has; but they're all turned upside down and not laid out in the same way. It's like when you see a friend in a dream, and they don't look like themselves...but you know it's still your friend. Like that.
And what is this whole California Adventure?? It was a great California version of Hollywood Studios with a little Epcot thrown in. (Two great parks, am I right? Who could resist?) I don't see how anyone can't love California Adventure. They have bread bowls. Sourdough bread bowls that they make right in front of you. Count me in.
But we were there for Connor, and to see him enjoy the parks was a treasure in itself. Cars Land was epic, and it was obvious he was enjoying every second. Laughing with Mater and Lightning McQueen was incredible. (And did I mention cone food?) 
Overall, it was an incredible trip, and the Disney magic is still fresh in my mind. I am all about that Pirates ride being longer - and the thrill of a different Tower of Terror. I won't forget how pleasantly overwhelmed I was by World of Color. Or dying of laughter on the Ferris Wheel. I'm still thankful for living in Florida with WDW, but I can see why some people still call Disneyland the happiest place on earth.

 I can't believe you are two! You really have turned into a little boy, and my baby is quickly disappearing. The way to talk, and how independent you are keeps me on my toes and brings so much laughter into our lives. You are so smart, and I am so excited to see what your future holds. This trip was truly amazing, and we really have so much to be thankful for! You are so easy to travel with, and it encourages us to do, and go more! Disney didn't just provide the magic for our trip, our love for one another did! We are so proud of you! Happy Birthday sweet boy!!!