Disneyland

Henry's first plane ride.  He was such a good sport. Mommy's anxiety about flying with a toddler was for none!

This was Henry's expression when I asked him if he was ready to go to Disneyland (for the first time) after we checked into our hotel room, attempted to take a nap (no luck...dummy Mommy...WAY too excitement to sleep), and got strapped into the stroller to walk to the park.

 First ride as a family.  Autopia.  Henry loves race cars.  This was a perfect first ride.

 Time to go flying in a space ship!

 Cousin Stella and Henry enjoying Winnie the Pooh ride.

 

Time to enjoy the ride with Cousin Mason.  Henry talked Mommy into riding this ride SIX times. 

 Dumbo was another one of Henry's favorite rides.  He smiled and giggled the entire time.

 Bumper cars were probably Henry's favorite ride.  In particular bumping into Daddy.

 Back to Autopia.  Henry is behind the wheel this time.  I think Mommy has whiplash after riding with him!  I see Drivers Education in his future. 

Are you seeing a common theme?  Henry LOVES, LOVES, LOVES cars.  Here, Henry got to thoroughly check out Goofy's rig.

 Checking out Chip and Dale's treehouse. 

 Tarzan's treehouse was even more fun!

 Nothing beats classic Mickey ears.

Except perhaps Tow Mater.  Henry's favorite movie is Cars.  His favorite movie in Cars is Tow Mater.  He was overjoyed to get to actually touch Tow Mater.

 Lines, lines, lines.  Making the most of it.  I love this little dude!

 Disney train.  Choo choo!!!

 Henry thought the caroesel was awesome, in particular because he could ride an otter (his favorite animal at the zoo). 

We had a FABULOUS time and made sooooo many great memories.

A MILLION THANKS to Grandma Sherry and Grandpa Keith for treating us to this amazing trip.  Happy 40th Wedding Anniversary!  What an awesome way to celebrate.  SERIOUSLY, thank you from the bottom of our hearts!!!  We had so much FUN!!!

Couple's Weekend in Astoria

Ryan and I spent the weekend in Astoria.  We started out with lunch at Wet Dog Cafe.  The beer wasn't all that great (actually pretty bad), but it had a great view of the river and the Duck's football game playing on ALL of the TVs.

 After lunch we ventured up to Astoria Column, where we climbed to the top to enjoy this view.

 By then the sun had come out in full force.  A great fall afternoon.

Astoria Column.  Looks just like it did when I was a kid.  Happy to see they continue to preserve it.

Ryan's all time favorite movie is the Goonies, so a trip to Astoria would not be complete without a visit to the Walsh House.

The highlight of the trip was our visit to Fort George Brewery.  The customer service was AMAZING!  The beer was also AMAZING!  After several samples, we enjoyed some wood-fired pizza and called it a night.

 This morning we were up bright and early to run the Great Columbia Crossing 10K. We both finished.  Ryan's a natural borne athlete, so it is no surprise he finished.  Me on the other hand, I was/am a nerd.  I am not an athlete.  So, I am super proud that I ran the entire way and finished!  The hill on the bridge was a KILLER!!!

Participating in the run is the only way a pedestrian can cross the bridge.  Pretty cool way to experience it.

Little Conversationalist

Henry has turned into a little conversationalist and I LOVE IT.  It is so much fun to talk to him and listen to what he has to say. Here are a few recent conversation snippets:

Me: Henry, after dinner would you like to get some ice cream.
Henry: Yeah!  ICE CREAM!!!  Go now!
Me: No, we need to eat dinner first.  After dinner, do you want hard ice cream or soft ice cream?
Henry: Hmmm...topping kine.  I waannn topping kine. Frozen yogurt kine.
Me: Oh, okay.  You sure you don't want ice cream?
Henry: No.  Frozen yogurt kine.  Yeah.  I waaaannnnn topppiiinnngggssss!
Me: What kind of toppings do you want?
Henry: Hmmm....chokate kine, spinkles kine, cooooookie kine, and sour pach kids!!!  Yeah.
Me: That sounds delicious.  Perhaps you could just pick one kind of topping.
Henry.  Nooooooo, ALLLLLLL of them!!!  YEAH!  Henry do it!  No help Mommy!

Henry: Mommy, where did your weenus go?
Me: Mommy doesn't have a weenus because Mommy is a girl.
Henry (looking very concerned): Mommy, WHY!?!  Where weenus go!?!
Me: Mommy wasn't born with a weenus, Mommy was born with a vagina.
Henry:  Giggled.  Ran off to play Legos. 
While playing with his Legos independently, in a sing-song cadence, he repeated "Henry has weenus.  Daddy has weenus.  Mommy have no weenus.  Henry has weenus.  Daddy has weenus.  Mommy have no weenus...."

Henry:  Mommy, why digger not moving?
Me: I don't know.  Perhaps it needs a rest.
Henry: Why no dumper?
Me: I think it needed to go to the dump.
Henry: Digger need dig now!  Digger need dumper!  Mommy go get it!  NOW!
Me: It is Sunday.  The Digger doesn't work on Sunday.
Henry: Where's working man?
Me: I think the working man is at home.
Henry: Why?
Me: People need to rest and spend time with their family.
Henry: I want working man come back, NOW!  Digger needs dig dirt!
Me: Perhaps we can come back tomorrow.
Henry: Why?
Me: Why not?

After a recent storm that left a bunch of debris on the streets:
Henry: Mommy, why street messy?
Me: Because there was a storm and the wind blew the leaves off the trees.
Henry: Why!?!  Need clean up.  Street messy!
Me: The wind will blow the leaves away.
Henry: NOOOOO!!!!  Street sweeper need come clean up messy!!!

On a recent trip to the pet store to purchase dog food:
Henry: Why we here Mommy?
Me: To buy dog food for Sophie?
Henry: Why?
Me: Because Sophie gets hungry, just like you do.
Henry: Sophie needs cookie.
Me: Okay, we can buy some dog treats too.
Henry: Sophie loves cookies.
Me: You are right.  Does Henry love cookies too?
Henry (as we pass the pet adoption area of the store): Yeah. Henry loves kitties too. Henry need open cage and let kitty out!
Me (as a dog lover, and trying to distract him): Do you love dogs too?
Henry: Yeah.  Henry loves fishies too.  Henry waaann go look at fishies.
Me: We need to go get dog food first.
Henry: Nooooooooooo!  Henry loves fishies.  Henry waaannn goooooooo loooook at fishies first!!!
Me: Ok, fine.
Henry (now in the fish isle): Henry loves gold fishies.  Henry loves teeensie fishies.  Henry loves BIG fishies. Mommy need buy some for Henry.
Me: Not today.  Perhaps you can ask Daddy.  (hehehehehehe)