Mickey, Pooh, and Tigger

Bounce, bounce, bounce -- just like Tigger, that's what Luke did during a week in southern California for his second birthday. We spent Jan 1 - 7 in sunshine and enjoyed every minute of our trip. Our most expensive attraction was a visit to the ER at the Children's Hospital. Luke had a stomach virus (as did Tammy the day before) and vomited shortly after our plane landed in Orange County. Luke was fine a few hours later, so we continued with our plans. We spent a day at the science museum, a morning at the beach, a morning at a playground, a few afternoons at the hotel pool, and three days at Disneyland and CA Adventure. We were fortunate to visit the theme parks when most lines were 5 - 15 minutes long. We saw quite a bit! Below is the list of the adventures we had at the parks.

Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Dumbo, It's a Small World, Goofy's House, Mickey's House, Chew Chew Train, Ladybugs, Hot air balloons, Disney playhouse (show), Pixar parade, Finding Nemo, Autopia, Rockets, Toy Story Mania, Bug's Life, Tiki Room, Jungle Cruise, Winnie the Pooh, Casey Jr. Train, Storybook Canalboats, Muppet 3D, Monsters Inc, Talk with Crush, animation museum, Carousel, tortilla factory tour, bakery tour, Pixar parade (again), Disney railroad, Mr. Lincoln's movie, Castle walk through tour


The science museum


Learning to play hockey


Mr. Toad's Wild Ride


Goofy's playhouse


With Mickey!


At Balboa Beach


Waiting for Bug's Life


On the rocketship


With Pooh!


Chew Chew Train

End of December 2009 (65 photos), by Tammy VanDeGrift

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

Luke's 2nd Christmas

Whew - the Christmas season sure seemed to sneak up on us this year. As usual, December was filled with lots of activities with friends and family. All of our events were so much fun; too bad December only comes once every twelve months. Some of our December highlights include:

• Tom and Tammy sang in a mass choir Advent concert
• A holiday party at Grandma Eileen's house
• Attending a UP Christmas concert with Kristin and Steve
  
• Spending an afternoon with Meara (one of Tammy's long-time friends who now lives in CA)
• A holiday party with the church choir
• Attending several UP basketball games (our team was looking so promising until we lost to Portland State...rats)
• Making cookies at Kyle's house
• Family get-together for Christmas Eve
• Family get-together for Christmas day
• Evening at the Grotto for the Festival of Lights (with Luke's best friend, Anna, and her parents)

Maddie and Luke at Grandma Eileen's


Anna and Luke at UP's Children's Christmas party


Anna and Luke getting ready for the Christmas pageant


Look at the adorable animals


Meara, Luke and Tammy


Having fun with Grandma Eileen


Ah, the tractor


Kiddos at Paul and Vickie's on Christmas Eve


Gift exchange!!


Our family (Luke never seemed to look at the camera at the right time)


The cousins


Maddie's doll


Opening gifts with the cousins


Christmas morning!!! Santa came.


Building the fire station with duplos

Lions and Turkeys

We spent Thanksgiving weekend in Birmingham, Michigan with Tom's family. Enjoy a few photos from our trip:



Having fun


Uncle Doug and Luke


At the Lions-Packers game


Doug, Drew (cousin), Marcy (aunt), David (uncle), Tom, and Luke


Having fun at the park


Tom, Doug, Tom, Luke, Nancy, and Tammy

October already

As you can probably infer from my lack of posts, I have been busy this school year. I have no idea how half the semester passed by so quickly! Our family has enjoyed the fall season. Some of the recent activities include:

• Birth of Luke's second cousin, Amaya
• Mark's (our nephew) 4th birthday
• Oktoberfest in Mt. Angel
• Several UP soccer games
• (oh, and Tammy took a very quick trip to MN last weekend)

Luke loves to swing


Tammy and Amaya (born 9/9/09 to Matt and Renee - my cousins)


mmm...what are you eating, Luke? Wayne always feeds you well.


Jim, Tammy, Maddie, Luke, and Mark


Dagny, Mark, and Caleigh (Dagny and Caleigh are my cousin's kids)


Riding the cars at Oaks Amusement Park


On the train at Oaks Park


Enjoying Silverton folks at the Oktoberfest


Luke enjoyed the blow-up play area at the Oktoberfest


Class of 99 Gustavus reunion

All good things come to an end...

Summer is coming to a close now for me. School starts in one week! It has sure been fun watching my little guy grow up a little bit. During the past few weeks, we have had fun in the sun. We especially enjoyed a family vacation to Eagle Crest for our anniversary (mom joined us, so Tom and I got to golf one day...mom and I golfed together on a different day). We also had fun with our friends (Bridget, Matt, and Ben) at a Beavers game last week. Enjoy the photos:


Have you figured out gravity yet, Luke?


Luke loves water


Fun at OMSI


mmm...ice cream


A walk at Eagle Crest


The splash park


Cutie pie


Swim time


Enjoying mini golf


Mini golf


Having fun with Ben at the Beavers game


Luke's first karaoke

Kiddie Rides

I took Luke to Oaks Park on Tuesday to enjoy the pre-school kiddie ride time. He was a real trooper and enjoyed every minute we were there (and fell asleep less than 30 seconds after I started the car for our drive home). He rode the kiddie cars and motorcycles by himself (rode the cars about 6 times!!). The two of us rode the train, the rocking ship, the giant slide (several times), Lewis and Clark Adventure, the hot air balloons, the carousel, and the tilt-a-whirl. What a fun morning!!

Luke also saw baby Mary last night when we had Steve, Lacy, and Mary over for dinner. Luke took some interest in the baby, but was most interested in playing with the bouncy seat.


On the train


Luke loved driving the car


On the motorcycle


Steve (with Mary) and Lacy (with Luke)