We set up our Christmas tree the week after Thanksgiving. Brit had fun helping with the ornaments.

This one is a Kangaroo to represent our trip to Australia this year. Brit really liked it.

Brit helped put the Angel on the top of the tree.

This is what happened afterward….Brit played with the ornaments.

It’s been quite the fun time. He can’t seem to leave the red and silver balls alone. He pulls them off the tree then throws them or kicks them because he thinks they’re balls. He even got his first time out over it…but to no avail. He insists on playing with them. So, now our tree looks kind of retarded with all the balls on the top half, and a few of the other ornaments he can’t hurt on the bottom. Oh well…at least he’s having fun.

I love having our decorations up and turning the lights on. Brit gets excited when it’s time for “yites.” It just makes our place feel warmer and cozier.

Yes, this was like a month ago, but at least I’m getting to it.

When my friend Leslie came to town we had lots of fun going out and playing. Her one request was Disneyland, and since Mark wanted to go for Brit’s first visit, we ended up going on Labor Day. Yeah, we were a little nervous about the crowds, but it really wasn’t bad.

We started out in California Adventure and he really liked the Bug’s Life rides and area.

Heimlich’s is a fun little train that takes you through a bunch of food and things from a bug’s perspective. The Animal Crackers even smell like cookies!

Britton, Leslie and Me on the Lady Bug Spinner ride.

Of course, Britton had to play in the water fountain.

Family photo time…waiting for the “Bug’s Life 3-D Show”

Brit’s first time on a Carousel. He was excited they were fishes. He sat up there and didn’t even get scared.

Mark and Leslie waiting to shoot forward on California Screamin’

I just love this expression. He’s eating grapes and loving it.

It’s a small world. Very fun and exciting.

This pretty much sums up Britton’s face the entire day. We weren’t sure if he was having fun on everything or what because it was pretty much a blank wide-eyed look. But, we think he did….

Forget the baby stuff, Brit went on the big, scary grown up rides like Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean without so much as whimpering. It was surprising, because he’s usually such a sensitive little soul. Maybe our insistence that it was fun helped a bit.

Brit and Daddy driving a car in Toon Town.

So, we waiting and saw Fantasmic. People said it was the first night for the dragon, so we figured it was a must see. It didn’t disappoint. Here’s the dragon from Sleeping Beauty in all it’s fire-breathing glory.

And poor Brit was so tired he missed the whole thing!

We knew we had to get him some souvenir from his first trip to Disneyland, and if you know me, you know I hate knick-knacks and junk toys. So it had to be something more substantial that would last. He ended up getting a Disney Bedtime Story Book and after a long search, and a million “No!” answers, we found him the thing he wanted–a stuffed “MoMo” (Nemo)

Our funny little guy just will not come out with the word “yes” he can sign it, if we make him, but whenever he’s asked a question, it’s still “no” If he doesn’t answer, that’s pretty much a yes. So, when we showed him a bunch of things, it was always no. When he wanted it, he immediately hugged it to him. That’s how we knew we’d found a match with Nemo.

We had a lot of fun and we’re really glad we went. Since it was in our best interest to get a season pass (since it’s cheaper than going 2 times) we did. Now Brit and I and friends can go down whenever we want–which works out perfectly since we have family coming next week who are going….now we can join them. Yay!

We’ve tried to keep it pretty quiet, but the news is mostly out now, so we figured we’d share. (Because some people think this is totally blog worthy) Brit has an agent. He’s been in a couple of things, and his first appearance has aired!

Details:
What: Pilot episode of “Cougar Town” on ABC.
Who: Baby Stan, the main character’s best friend’s baby
Screen time: About 20-30 seconds
You can watch it here:
Britton on TV

We’re pretty excited about it. A little bummed his other scene– where they dressed him in cute clothes and he has an expression on his face–got cut, but whad’ya do?

We’ll let you know when his other part comes out as well.

He pretty much gets parts because he looks like a baby that was already used and they need a back up or fill in. There haven’t been lots of auditions–thank heavens–so it’s not too stressful. We figure it’s a nice way for him to get some college money socked away.

Wow, already 18 months old! I can hardly believe how the time has flown. His personality is so much fun and we have a great time together. He loves his daddy and is always so excited when he gets home–always runs over and gives him a hug.

Here is a random assortment of pics we’ve been meaning to post, but I’m super behind…

With these he brought me my camera, handed it to me and then posed. We have a cheeser on our hands.

He gets soooo messy when he has spaghetti, but loves it!

He woke up from his nap after church, and apparently wasn’t too happy about it.

We went to the park for a little photo shoot:

Walk with me...

Playground

Huh?

I don't think so!

So funny

And, his stinkin’ cute pics from the RockerRoos photoshoot

We’re all really excited for Sunday when he gets to go to nursery at church. He looks longingly at the kids playing in the courtyard every week, and he’ll finally be able to join them!

Lately he’s trying to say every thing and comes out with new words all the time. Like purple, yellow, cookie, book, bubble, water etc. Finding Nemo is his favorite movie and called him “MoMo” He still loves Signing Time, and we got a few more this week at the Expo–Thanks Erin!  We’re now practicing drinking from a cup. He does pretty well, but definitely needs help still.

When we read stories he always remembers if we do special actions–like reaching our arms out wide or our toes in the air, or giving Mommy hugs. It’s so cute. Right now we must read his Alphabet book with the animals/touch and feel every night. He loves the Bee and says it by name.  Maybe that should be his costume this year.

We just love our little guy. He’s soooo sweet and gives great hugs. Happy Half Birthday Baby!

For the last night of our trip we had to get a hotel because our time share time ran out. We found a place just south of town. Here’s the view from our room looking toward the city.

To get there, we took our 3 suitcases, laptop bag, diaper bag, toy bag and stroller with Baby from the hotel to the tram stop about 100 yards away. Rode the tram, unloaded said items with a great amount of help from the super friendly Aussies and dragged our stuff to our new hotel, about 50 yards away. We promptly decided not to do that again and take a cab to meet the bus for the airport.

Anyway, we spent the early part of the day looking at the War Memorial. It was built to honor the soldiers who fought in WWI, but has since grown to include the other wars as well.

Mark and Britton on the steps

Daddy helping

Ceiling of the rememberance room

I’m not sure what the official title is, but in the center of the big memorial they have a square room built to honor the soldiers. There is a stone cut out, so that on 11-11 at 11 a beam of light from the sun rests in the center of a memorial in the center of the floor. At certain times of the day, everyday, they hold a mock ceremony with an artificial light. It was pretty cool.

Balcony View East

Balcony View North/East

The odd-shaped thing in the middle-right is the entrance to the visitors center.

View North

It was sooooo windy up there! Brit was pretty excited about it though.

After that we went to the Botanic Garden. No, not botanical. It’s botanic, because it has a herbarium with it.

It is a really large area, with many walkways and differing landscapes. It was started just a few years after Melbourne itself was settled, so it’s about 150-160 years old or so. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable about the plants and the garden itself. She’s owns a landscaping business, so she knows a lot. This first part is by the children’s garden. It was inspired by a children’s fairy tale that take’s place under the sea–no, not The Little Mermaid. These are the seaweed and kelp

Under the sea

Lakeview Terrace

Where's the bird?

This bird just kept squawking and squawking, really loudly. It definitely wanted us to know it was there.

That's another lake

The terrain and foliage was varied. Sometimes you felt like you were in an English garden and others in the tropical forest. We saw people with picnics and just hanging out and we were sad it was our last day for touring.

After the tour, we got some food. Brit was pretty tired…see, he does cry.

Noooooooo! I hate it all!

But, then he found birds…

Oh my goodness! Birds!

Hi Shadow, nice to meet you

But, then he found a new friend and they followed each other everywhere.

That night we went to St. Kilda, a beach town a couple of miles south to see what we could see.

Sunset

After walking down their ridiculously long pier, we made it here to the rocky harbor and fishing area

Pretty boats

Harbor

Yes, I am cold. It was really windy and pretty much freezing. The only reason I don’t look miserable is because I have my hat. And, don’t worry, Brit is fine because he has some of Mark’s strange genes that prevent him from feeling cold. See, still smiling. Strange boys I have. =)

It is a really cute area with cute houses and apartment buildings. We ate dinner at a Thai place and then headed back to this view:

We had a few hours to kill after the market, so we headed back to the Southbank to Eureka Tower. Here you can see our hotel. It’s is the white building by the Victoria University, and you enter from the back, far side for some reason.

Hotel and other Melbourne buildings

Eureka Tower is the tallest residential building in the Southern Hemisphere (by floor-the spire on another one is higher).  It has 92 floors and there is an observation deck on the 88th. The following pics were taken from there.

Melbourne and surrounding area

Fascinating!

Woah, it's moving!

Brit seriously loved this! He followed it around for so long.

Woooh, we're in the air

Mark and Britton went out on The Edge! It was basically a box that had  clear walls and floor that moved out from the side of the building.

Windy!

There was also a balcony that was exposed that anyone could go on, and man was it windy and cold!

Eureka Tower from the ground up

Another random art piece

It was fun seeing the city from so high. We could really see for a long way.

Brit loves to snuggle up with his daddy and watch him play his computer game

Here he’s in his “art shirt” from a painting session and then had to watch “baby time” which he now signs.

When he gets his glazed look and juts out his chin, we know he’s in the zone. I’m really trying to only let him watch it a couple of times a day, but he gets so mad when he can’t watch “baby” anymore. At least he’s learning another language, right?

He really loves his pasts and tomato sauce

And look at that cute long hair he had…it’s so funny how different he looks with it short.

I know I should maybe just pick one or two pics when he’s doing the same thing, but his expressions are so varied and so hilarious that I can’t help it…

His I’m trying to smile, aren’t I cute face

His real, genuine smile…He LOVES these paint things. Me, not so much. They’re really like water paint and soooo messy! He was colored for days. But, he did have fun.

We got some big crayons and a pad since he’s really into coloring lately. He’s quite proud of himself I think.

demonstrating his skills.

See mom, I have yellow and purple. They’re great!

He’s still switching constantly between left and right hands, but I’m thinking ultimately he’ll be a righty. Bummer!

A few weeks ago I got an email from my friend Paige basically asking if I wanted to drive to Utah with her, then up to Idaho to see our friend Ashley and her hubby perform in a play. I’ll admit, I wasn’t super gung-ho at first, but figured, why not? What’s the worst that can happen? Famous last words? Not so much.

We left last Tuesday night, and after a couple of stops to make the babies (Brit, 16 mo and Mav 18 mo) comfortable, we made it into Vegas to stay with friends Val and Tracy Smith.

This is most of what we got the rest of the trip…nice happy boys, or nice sleeping boys. We did stop in Cedar City for lunch, a nice playground romp and a visit with my friend Angie and her daughter Lexie–we didn’t get pics this time Ange!

Thursday my mom and I went to a conference for women with businesses, and it was pretty helpful. Pretty soon, our products are going to be available at their site http://Createdbymom.com.

Friday we drove up to Burley, Idaho to surprise Ashley with our visit. We made sure we got there after they’d already left for the play. Here’s a pic of the cast of Paint Your Wagon. She and Jason are the leads, which is nice to be able to do in a small town. We were so excited the whole time. They both did so well, and it made me miss doing theatre so much! Maybe once I leave LA. Anyway, after the curtain call, the cast passes the audience and goes outside to greet people. We stood up and shouted to get Ash’s attention and her expression was PRICELESS! It made the whole trip worth it. Her thoughts are here on her blog. We hugged outside and it was so fun to see her, and how excited she was.

We visited for a long time that night of course, and in the morning we did some more. The kids played outside, which is always a happy thing too.

Brit, Hudson and Hailey. Brit looks bigger than Hudson in this picture, but he’s not really. Maybe he just has the longer torso.

the boys all playing “together”

We tried to recreate a picture we got of the boys as little babies all lying on the couch together…I can’t find it. Anyway, they were not having it. First Mav cried, then Brit cried (hence the binky) then Hudson cried…so we moms joined in. It was so great to visit! We’re really looking forward to the Hulls coming down this way soon.

On our way back Brit and I stopped at my grandma’s house for a while and he loved playing with all her toys. Many of them are from when I was little. It’s cool to see how kids love the same things no matter when it is. I also discovered Brit’s love of blocks…I guess I’ll be getting some soon.

My mom always loves to get her picture with Brit, and apparently he likes it too.

So you don’t have to ask…yes they’re twins. Brit can tell them apart, can you? Just kidding.

We were sad to leave, but happy to come home the next day. The drive back wasn’t quite so uneventful as the drive up, but we were attempting to make them stay in the car all day long, what did we expect. Though, if they’d actually napped more than an hour they might have been in better spirits. In the end, we just put Nemo on for the third time, and there was happiness again.

So, are we crazy? Maybe. Are there more road trips in the future? Quite possibly.

So, this weekend I’ve been thinking enviously of small towns across America (and Independence Days of my childhood) celebrating the 4th with parades, parties and pomp while I’m here in Los Angeles where that is in limited supply. As a tradition-fanatic, this has been hard for me. But, as it turns out, it doesn’t take a block party or a parade to make the holiday, you just have to make it your own and appreciate what the holiday means.

So, what did we do to with our holiday? Mark found album art for his vast music collection, Britton read books and played with his toys and generally kept us running around all day. Good thing we have a small place! I caught up on housework and made my obligatory “holiday sugar cookies” since I have a Star cutter now. (See, it’s that tradition thing coming out again, though the 4th is a newly acquired holiday. I’m usually too busy or not around or didn’t have a cutter for it.) Brit thought it was an excellent time to practice his drums though. He can even do it laying down.

We had burgers for dinner from our Dream Dinners, I made beans and corn on the cob. Then we headed out to Culver City for fireworks. We’d debated going downtown near USC, but Brit was already acting tired, so that was definitely a no-go.

They were at Culver City High School and we set up our blankets outside the bleachers and all the “stuff” going on inside because 1. I knew Brit wouldn’t want to sit still and I’d worry about him falling through the bleachers (and Mav) 2. We had a perfectly good view where we were, and 3. Mark said it was crowded in there.

A band was playing and Brit couldn’t hold still

With Wondering Awe….