Happiest Place on Earth

We were lucky enough to have 

cousins... and they're mommy and daddy, 

(of course) come visit us.

First and foremost, fun and play were on the schedule.

But our girl cousin's birthday wish was to go to

Disneyland!

Luckily, the Michigander Ridgeways wanted some company...

they didn't have to ask us twice.

All smiles before the day got started...

The boys don't really get the whole princess thing :)

Watch out Disney, a ninja is coming...

and Captain America...

on the train ride to Toon Town

Tons of photo ops in Toon Town...

And a little known fact about posing for a photo:

When the photographer squats down, so do you...

I guess :P

Cute faces

on a coaster...

That was fun

Contemplating his feelings about going on It's a Small World

Excited to go the ride

Figuring out where to go with Papa

Keoni falling asleep after the lullaby on Pirates of the Caribbean,

the ride was too dark for an already tired dozy boy :)

These too were so cute, 

when we'd meet back up they'd enthusiastically 

tell each other what they did, or rode or saw :)

Cousin Love

For only having one day to spend at D-Land,

we had a fun-filled day...

and we can't wait to go again.

Merry and Bright

It's that time of year again, when...

Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas...

all hit like a whirlwind and then it's the 

New Year before we know it.

Here's a Halloween shot...

Take note of our decorations...

They might look familiar to you, if you frequent Pinterest.

I pinned and digested all of my favorite diy decorations,

then regurgitated the parts I liked onto my mantel;

Complete with a harvest moon I painted and
the pumpkins they painted...

The boys and I had a lot of fun

making these spooky decorations.

The orange, yellow and brown decor lasted through Thanksgiving

and then it was onto the red, green and gold.

We got our first real tree the day after Thanksgiving,

cause we were so excited.

We picked out a good one and headed home to decorate.

I liked the boys' method of trimming the tree...

[Putting ornaments only where you can reach]

So the middle to lower part of our tree was well stocked 

with red and gold bulbs :)

We added a few more decorations around the house.

Again with the Pinterest Inspirations.

In preparation for Christmas decorating,

Oni and I had been collecting pine cones 

that had  conveniently fallen off the trees near Kainoa's bus stop.

Hey, why pay for the decoration,

when you can get the pine cone for FREE?!

Add a few tree trimmings and some dollar store accoutrements

and there you have it... a cheap, easy, yet festive display.

I like the cheap part the best, just like this idea I found

of sticking dollar store ornaments inside of my existing lanterns.

But my favorite decoration has to be these smiles...

and these silly faces...

and whatever kind looks you call these...

Merry Christmas

&

Happy Holidays!!!

Avila... Again

I debated whether to go to the Barn

and spend the little bit extra on pumpkins...

While sitting and eating corn, Kainoa says

"I'm really glad we come here"

He gets it.

It's the moments and memories that are worth it.

Roasted corn... 

Yum...

Big Smiles

They made it through the corn maze...

it was no big deal...

 as you can tell by their faces :)

strolling through the patch...

picking out pumpkins

I asked Oni to squat down,

 so I could get him in the background shot 

of a pumpkin...

I guess that turns him into a Ninja...

We got a good one...

or at least a heavy one

I'm glad we come here too...

These smiles are worth it :)

Oni, Oni, Birthday Boney

Nana got to sneak away from work and home

to come celebrate Oni's birthday with us.

Nana brought some pretty cool gifts that

quenched the Birthday Boy's Power Ranger thirst.

We went to Big Brother's Fall Festival at his school.

Played some games, then went to see a movie.

Thankfully Mama the Baker came through again

with a Ninja Turtle cake request.

He wanted everyone to see...

"Come and see my cake!!"

And he couldn't help but taste test it...

Caught ya!!

lighting the candles...

"Happy Birthday to you!"

It's my party and I'll eat my cake 

without a fork if I want to...

It's good to be 4 :)