Santa's House

Naperville generally tends to do everything above and beyond, and it appears no different with Santa. For the last couple years we have attempted to go to the Santa's House that is constructed on the Riverwalk, however, in years past, line was too long, nor could the kids wait that long.

This year, we ventured down earlier on Friday (6pm). Line was still 60 minutes, but I think the Disney experience of waiting in line made it seem easier on the kids. There really is not a ton of people there, problem is Santa literally spends 5-10 minutes with each family...so it gets pretty stretched out.





Afterwards, Carter/Connor got a hot chocolate at Starbucks.

Disney

Trip to Disney World went much better than anticipated. Kids were great on the plane...Connor was content to watch iPad stuff the entire way and Carter was happy to look out the window and play with his seat belt the entire way.

Other than the park being way too busy...kids loved it. We were at the Magic Kingdom to nearly midnight two nights...and they made it at Epcot one day from 9am to 9pm...


Connor on the flight to Florida...


Carter was happy to poke around with his seat belt...


Getting into Orlando airport.


Connor and Carter on the Buzz Lightyear - a fave of theirs...


Connor at the speedtrack.


With cousins at the pool.


Connor "occasionally" wanted some photos by "himself".


All the cousins.

No, Carter is not taking the picture...grandma was watching him while Connor was going on some of the "bigger" boy rides at Epcot.


Grandma and grandpa with all 8 grandkids, while all the moms and dads ate a few tables over...


On the "orbiter"...






Teacups were a fave as well...


Carter "taking" a man break back at the condo.


On the tiger/pooh ride.


One of the rare chances to get a group shot at Animal Kingdom.


The boys checking their maps.


On the safari ride.






Saying goodbye to cousins at Magic Kingdom.


At the airport in Olrando, heading home, preparing for the 30 degree Chicago weather.

Trick or Treating

Couple random tidbits:

On Thursday morning, the boys were eating breakfast and the Connor had spilled something. Carter responded with a properly pronounced and spaced, "O"..."M"..."G". The kid just turned 3, yet he is able to speak in the language of the average 14 year old girl. For those that have no clue what that means, its short for "Oh My God!" or OMG in the texting universe. He told us that Ms. Tara at school says it all the time. Crazy what they pick up.

Also, after getting back from trick or treating - Connor wondered why where all the "customers" were. He was referring to the fact that it was past 7:30 and no trick or treaters were coming to the house. Apparently, in his mind, trick or treaters are customers.


Headed downtown for the trick or treating at all the shops/restaurants at noon. 3 years in a row with gorgeous Halloween weather.


Connor ran into a much older shark lady.







Getting ready for round two of trick or treating at 5pm in the neighborhood.


Lots of folks put quite the efforts into their Halloween displays.

And occasionally, the streets got pretty busy. Note all the "wagons" parked.


The wagon was used to haul candy versus anything else.

Another spooky house as it got dark. We actually made it a solid two hours with minimal bickering.


Nearing the end of the night, of course it is Carter the one doing all the work pulling his older brother back home.

Naperville Park District Halloween

Going for a hayride...

...more so a urban hayride.