Little sister N was funny, fast, cute as a button and happy.  And those curls, they are a photographers dream.  The session was lots of fun and I am totally in love with the tutus mum brought along.  I heart the pink baby one the most, sigh, so perfect.

Enjoy your sneak peek M & M, your girls are delicious, thanks for sharing them with me…

I think we were singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star here, isn’t she a doll

I love this image, I love her curls, the way her hair is swishing and just that she is doing what little girls do…

So now I got to meet his little sister and she was just A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E!!!  And she had this face she would pull sometimes when she smiled that was seriously the cutest funniest face ever.  She had us all in stitches.  I loved her smiling eyes and her chubby arms, esp her arms because they were so soft and cute, she just really is a sweetie.

Even though baby A was the main focus of the session, I still managed to get some of N as well, and yes, he still loves biccies, all food actually, hehe.

It was great catching up with you again G & J, the kids were gorgeous and I know you’ll love the images.  Oh and I’ll let G know when the Bon Jovi tickets are on sale, I know he wouldn’t want to miss it, hahahahahaha…

I love love love this family image…

L is so grown up now, but still full of energy and one thing that hadn’t changed, he still loved to dance!!!!!  At the moment he is totally into Michael Jackson and he was showing me quite a few of his smooth moves, he’s a cool guy, there is no doubt about it.

And little X, well she was a complete hoot.  She pulls the most amazing funny, cute, crazy faces and I could’ve giggled with her all day.  Her smile completely lights up the world (she looks just like her beautiful mummy).  And she had so many cute outfits, I just adored every single one.

The only thing we couldn’t manage in this session was lots of sibling shots, Miss X was happier to be the sole star of the show, and if I was as cute as her, I’d feel the same way hehe.

Enjoy your huge sneak peek D & X, I adored so many images from this session, I’m afraid your gallery is enormous, eeeeek, I have no idea how you will choose, I found it impossible myself.  I had such a great time catching up with you.  Enjoy!!!!!!!!!

Never fear mummy, we did get a few sibling shots…

I wonder what she is thinking here?  I think it might be something like “if I pull his hair I bet I could get that lollipop and make a run for it”

And these next two, well they just make me giggle, these kids are so adorable

Big sister S is a total sweetheart, she started school this year and of course she is full of business, so much going on, so much that she is learning, she’s divine.  This was my first time meeting little sister K and she was such a little doll.  Probably not a huge fan of the frilly dresses we had her in but she looked so sweet, I love the clothes mum brought along.

It was great catching up with you and hearing what’s been happening A & L, and your girls were absolutely amazing.  I was so impressed with how quickly the session went, they were true stars.  Enjoy your sneak peek…

Okay, well I am TOTALLY IN LOVE with this image of the girls.  It’s a priceless, amazing moment and I wish I had a shot like this of my kids (hell would probably freeze over before my two would do this, hehe).  Isn’t it just beyond sweet?

The girls are both such happy little things

I am totally loving the missing front teeth, it is such a sign of a 6 year old

Those eyes, you could totally drown in them

B & T, thank you for bringing your gorgeous girl to me, you know how much I adored her, since it was very hard for me to let her go home with you, hehe.  I could’ve photographed her forever.  Enjoy this little preview…

I adore this one.  Mum and dad kindly indulged me and let me try out my new “santa hat” on their girl.  She is going to be the poster child through December at the top of my blog.  Isn’t it the cutest thing you ever saw, oh and the baby is pretty perfect too, hehe.

I love how snuggled up she looks here, just makes me want to scoop her up and squeeze her

T & M, I loved hearing about your overseas travels and I’m still a little grossed out by some of your stories about toilets hahaha.  I thought mine from the US were bad but you guys take the cake on that one.  Thanks for the heads up.  Europe may have to wait I think hehe.

Enjoy this little peek at your gorgeous boy…

I told you he was “movie star” handsome

Baby M is loved

The beginning of his love of soccer, hehe

This is the way he sleeps all the time apparently, isn’t it the sweetest

Sigh, why do boys always have the best lashes????

We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel which was so lovely, the rooms were filled with quaint Disney touches that I adored.

We arrived there late the first day, entered the park after dinner for our first wonderous glimpse of “Walt’s park”.  I was in love instantly.  All of the attention to detail, I could talk about it forever, and if I ever get the chance to go back and not be so rushed, I will take even more photos (2000 images of Disneyland still wasn’t enough).  A real priority for us was to get our “mickey ears”.  Aren’t we cute?  The Singing Chef doesn’t do “ears” so he got a Disneyland cap instead.

This image makes me smile, sound asleep with their ears sitting beside them, having beautiful fairytale dreams

First thing you see through the gates.  Everything was decorated for Halloween, absolutely everything.  It was really cool since it’s not a holiday we celebrate here, it was all new and interesting.

Then you walk under a bridge that has this Walt Disney quote on it.  This quote is so completely true, I totally felt like a child again when I was here.  It was magical.

Sleeping Beauty’s Castle – the focal point of the whole park and a total dream come true for me to see.  The Singing Chef was surprised how small it was, but I think it’s the perfect size for this park.  I loved everything about it.  Just looking at these images makes me smile and remember.

Our first morning, in fact the first hour, was my favourite hour of the trip.  Completely hands down.  We went to Fantasyland and rode all of the younger children’s rides.  All of the fairytale rides, all of the rides we’ve always heard about.  First Peter Pan (my fave), then Dumbo, and Snow White and Alice in Wonderland, etc. (we had to ride the tea cups the next day because the ride was being serviced)

OMGoodness, I laughed and laughed on this ride.  We rode it all together the first time but spinning isn’t a favourite of The Singing Chef so for the next time he took the pics and we laughed.  We discovered it was more fun to put your arms out and your head back.  I didn’t realise how silly I looked at the time but actually, I don’t care, it was so fun

My girl on Mary Poppin’s horse.  When we first rode the ride she was so shattered that another little girl was on it.  After throwing her dirty looks the whole ride, haha, she finally got to ride on it the next time.  See the detail of this horse, it was stunning.

As I mentioned, the whole park was decorated for Halloween, it really was spectacular.  I definitely need to go back one Christmastime.

Walt & Mickey, sigh, I was so happy to be here

I had to get the kids a Mickey and Minnie.  I wanted to buy myself one also but felt it might be overkill.  I can just borrow theirs.

The Haunted Mansion was all decked out with the “Nightmare Before Christmas” theme.  It looked awesome

Our favourite ride as a family, mainly because we are so competitive.  It was the Buzz Lightyear ride and you shoot stuff through the ride and get a score at the end.  The Singing Chef won everytime except for one, and that time I won, and I ended up with the highest score of the trip.  Yay me.  Suck it Singing Chef, hahaha.

When Walt Disney was alive he had an apartment above the firestation and whenever he was in the park he would put a lamp in the window so that the staff knew he was there.  Since his death, they leave a lamp on in the window all the time.  That made me smile.

Waiting for the parade.  I sat for an hour to hold this spot but just before it started hopped up to take a few photos.  The parade was amazing, it still makes me smile.  I’m so happy we videoed it.

Waiting for the Pixar parade over at California Adventure Park

They have a stage show of Aladdin too.  It only goes for 40 minutes but the quality of the show is first class.  The Genie was my favourite.  He did lots of adlibbing and was very very funny.  This was worth the 40 minute wait in the hot sun, thank goodness.

Collecting photos with Characters and autographs became the kids favourite past time and I have to say I loved it too.     We have tons and tons, but I will just share a couple…

We lined up so long for this shot.  Don’t even get the Singing Chef started on how he felt about that, hahaha

Snow White was adorable

Love you Cinderalla

Hopefully…we are still able to stand next to each other for the shot after 3 weeks of being together 24/7, hehe

Restrooms  -  not toilets (they don’t like that word) they call them restrooms.  And Disneyland had some of the fanciest.  And don’t get me started on the self flushing toilets that occasionally flushed when you were sitting on the toilet.  Oh and the fact that the water level was a little too high for comfort to your bottom.  The Singing Chef had many toilet concerns, haha, and we had many discussions and laughs about it.

Halloween Party at Disney Californian Adventure Park

We bought tickets to a special Disney Halloween party since it would be a once only experience.  I didn’t take many photos this night but some of the costumes we saw people in were astounding.  The effort and detail were incredible.  It made me kind of wish Australians celebrated Halloween.  And we got to go trick or treating.  There were tons of candy stations set up all over the place and we brought tons of lollies home.

Here we are on the second last day.  It was very hot and my feet were a science experiment of blisters but hey, we are still smiling so it just goes to show how magical Disneyland really is

Our runners – we all bought new runners about 6 weeks before we went away so that we could wear them in.  We essentially wore these shoes everyday, even though we took others, these were the most comfortable

You may find this hard to believe but I didn’t buy myself anything on this trip until the very last day.  Unlike The Singing Chef, I wasn’t in the US to shop.  I was there to see and feel and be.  That is of course until I hit the Christmas decorations shop at Disneyland on that last day.  I pointed out to him that I had made no comment to him about all of the money he had spent on clothing and sunglasses, and caps and and and, you get the picture.  So I told him I expected there to be no comment made about my purchases.  And to his credit, god love him, when I walked out of that store with two enormous bags, he didn’t bat an eyelid.  Thanks honey.  So all I bought myself were Christmas decorations, I promise to share some pictures of them when the house is decorated (which is only a few weeks away)

The absolute last thing we did at Disneyland was the kids went to Build A Bear and made these cuties.  It was a really fun experience and the shop and staff were wonderful.  I would definitely do this again if we ever go back to the US.

Okay, we are at the end of the trip.  There was so much that we saw and ate and heard and learned and I wish I could articulate it all properly.  The trip wasn’t all wonderful, finding food for Fraser was a complete nightmare and at times it was really painful.  But with that said, everything else went according to plan, all of my overplanning was totally worth it.  The experience was amazing and I am feeling happy and blessed and content with the whole thing.     That’s enough for now.

Back to work, hehe.         

Day 10 – New York

The day flying to New York was a killer.  We had to get up at 3.30am, to be at the airport by 4.30am, to fly out at 6am.  We then flew into LA at 7am and had to change airlines and recheck in and then wait around until 11am to board our flight to New York.  The flight was 6 hours and we arrived just before 8pm at night (with the time change).  So yeah, killer of a day.

Our hotel was right in the heart of Times Square and it was amazing seeing all of the neon signs and a place that you see in movies ALL of the time.  We were tired but excited to be in this amazing city.

Here is Times Square (but this wasn’t taken the first day because we arrived in the dark)

Days 11-16 – New York

We spent today going on a 5 hour guided bus tour around the city.  As with everything else we did, I had researched the perfect company extensively and we were not disappointed.  Our tour guide was the most knowledgable, funny, interesting man ever.  He totally made the whole thing amazing and the 5 hours flew.  The Singing Chef was grumbling hopping onto the bus, he was tired and not looking forward to 5 hours of touring, but he loved it too, and it was mainly due to this guide.

We briefly looked at Central Park, went past Broadway and Times Square, caught the Staten Island Ferry and went past the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

Here the family are in front of the Brooklyn Bridge

We went to Wall Street and saw lots of beautiful buildings

Here is Ground Zero as it looks now.  Hard to believe this “construction site” is where one of the worst tragedies in the world happened.  Our guide had many personal and touching tales to tell about friends he had lost and friends who had survived and I have to say his stories choked me up more than the site did.  It will be good to see something finally built on this area.  Sept 11 must have been so scary in this city, I can’t even imagine.

Then that night we were off to the Bruce Springsteen concert.  The Singing Chef and Fraser were beside themselves.  There ended up being about 60-70,000 people there and the concert was great.  For a 60 year old man (can you believe it) he looks pretty great and has an amazing amount of energy.  He was really big on the crowd singing along and I must admit to loving that.  Fraser totally rocked out, he was very funny and cute.  I think the Singing Chef had a tear in his eye a few times at how much Fraser was enjoying it.  This was a really great day for The Singing Chef.

A girlfriend had told me we must visit this little “diner” in New York and we were not disappointed.  All of the wait staff sing throughout the evening.  It was fun and at times I felt like I was in the middle of a movie.  The food wasn’t amazing but the show was worth every penny.

This is Scooter our waiter, belting out a tune, he was amazing.  They all had fantastic voices.  This was a fun night.

Here are the kids at FAO Schwartz Toy Store.  It was so amazing, so enormous and a total kids (and grown up) paradise.  We also went to the big Toys R Us in Times Square.  It actually has a ferris wheel inside the store, unbelievable.

This is the store where they have the Big Piano from the Tom Hanks movie Big.  I was soooo excited for the kids to be able to have a dance on it.  I loved that movie when I was younger.  They also had two staff who are called “piano dancers” and they actually play songs with their feet, all the while dancing.  It was completely amazing and for some reason I got a bit choked up watching this.

On one of the days we were there we went and saw Mary Poppins on Broadway.  I have to say this was one of my favourite things for the whole trip.  It was outstanding.  The sets were  so beautiful and amazing and the costumes and music were perfect.  Liv and I were in heaven.  Loved it.

One afternoon when the boys were tired and grumpy, we left them to rest while Liv and I went to Madam Toussaud’s Wax Museum.  I can’t tell you how much fun we had here and I am kinda glad the boys didn’t come.  We were able to be ridiculously silly here without worrying about embarrassing anybody but ourselves.  The wax models were so life like in person, I’m sad that the photos don’t do them justice.  This really was so much fun…

Me and my BFF (well okay, not quite BFF but we’re close, hehe)

Liv and the Milester (that’s what she asks her close friends to call her)

Liv and B getting their “all the single ladies” groove on.  I had a couple with Beyonce too but Liv forbid me to share them publicly, not sure why

Liv and her crush of the moment – Johnny Depp

Me and my fella, George.  Doesn’t he look in love?

Liv and Bruce

Me showing Madonna how it’s done.

And last but not least, my boy Jon.  He’s my little snugglepuss, hahaha

We went to the top of the Empire State Building.  The views of the city were awesome.  The Singing Chef doesn’t like heights but it was his idea to go here, and then promptly wanted to leave from the moment we got there, haha

It’s hard to imagine Central Park sitting right in the middle of this busy city

Planet Hollywood.  We ate here a few times, the food was good and the movie memorabilia was wonderful.  Here is Liv hamming it up with Sly

We took a carriage ride around Central Park which was soooo wonderful.  What a cool experience.  The carriage and horse were beautiful and the driver told us lots of gossip and pointed out where all of the movies and TV shows have been filmed.  I loved this.  I would love to come back and do this again one Christmas.

Central Park is so interesting.  It’s this quiet calm green lush place, right in the middle of this noisy fast enormous city.  When you walk further into the park you seriously can’t hear any noise and it’s hard to remember that the city is just right there.  We loved Central Park.  And the kids were excited to finally have somewhere to run around.

Next it’s off to Disneyland and the last 5 days of our trip.