Trick-or-Treat! Smell My Feet....

Happy Halloween!!  We had a fun and busy day.  I stopped by the school for Lily's parade.  Dinner was my favorite part. We had chili dogs and witches brew.  The kids named everything with a spooky name, which I have since forgotten, but they had a good time with it.  After dinner the tree kids gathered to trick-or-treat around the neighborhood.  They had a great time with lots of spoils.

I left Damon in charge of the photography that night so this is the only picture of the kids.  I'm very sad about that.

 If you can't see Adam in the picture... He is the short all black character.  He was a dementor with scary gross hands and everything.  Noah is a roman soldier and Lily is a snowflake dancer.

Halloween Weekend Fun

We are finally trying to get into the Halloween Spirit after the birthday spirit left the house and the lovely stressful spirit (I'm glad that one left us).  We made fall treats and new meals, Chicken Parmesan and Molasses pumpkin spice cookies, had Grandma and Grandpa and Robyn and Riley over, watched favorite Halloween movies, made our Jack-o-Lanterns and our cake-pop pumpkins.  Needless to say the sugar has been running freely in the house and It isn't even Halloween yet.  The sugar-detox will be forth-coming.

I will be glad when this holiday is over.

Birthday Fun!

We decided to celebrate my birthday a little early and go to Disneyland on Oct. 20th.  Apparently everyone else decided to go that day as well.  It was to crowded for our taste.  We managed to go on a few rides and find a few smiles.  It was bitter sweet because it was the last time we were going on our passes and we aren't renewing them. 

The next day Damon stayed home from work to hang out with me while the kids were at school.  That's what I wanted for my birthday.  We had a relaxing morning, played some tennis, went to the grocery store, watched some cooking shows and Mythbusters and just enjoyed some downtime.  Then the kids came home.  We managed to have some fun with them too. I think we watched a few episodes of Phineas and Ferb.

Saturday, which was my actual 35th (there I said it) birthday, I woke up with a bit of a sinus headache, but didn't think much about it.  I did take something.  I stayed in bed until 10:30am reading a fabulous book (I'm so sad I finished it because now the story is over).  By 2pm my head would not stop hurting.  Damon was at a scout thing all day with Noah.  To make the rest of the day short I stayed in bed until about 8:30pm when the headache finally subsided.  Wasn't the best way to spend my birthday, but I was so happy when my head finally stopped hurting.  I also got to talk to lots of friends and family on the phone which is always wonderful!

Sunday we finished up the birthday festivities with dinner, cake and ice cream.  None of which was prepared by me (woohoo!)  The kids were so proud of the dinner and dessert they helped make.  They even plated it very nicely.  Apparently they have been taking notes from Chopped.  I was proud of them too.  I almost wish I could celebrate more than one birthday a year, almost.

A special Visit

Nana had a few days off from school and so she and Papa decided to come spend it with us. They didn't want to tell the kids they were coming. So Lily got an extra special treat when she looked out the window after she got home from school on Thursday. She was running through the house screaming, "It's Nana! It's Nana!" Then she couldn't open the door she was so excited. Adam didn't believe her so he had to come check it out for himself. Noah saw their car when he got home from school and couldn't get in the house fast enough. It was very cute.

While Nana and Papa visited we managed to do some of our favorite things. Damon went golfing with his dad, I went shopping with Nana, Lily, Adam and Noah got 2 extra people to love them for a few extra days. We were all happy. The girls also got to escape to the spa and get our nails and toes done. We managed to make it to our "Family" restaurant, Red Robin. 

 Noah also had a swim meet that Nana and Papa got to watch and they went to Lily's ballet class.  I don't think they got much rest while they were here.  We were very sad to see them go and the kids are already counting the days til we see them again.

A Surprise Visit!

Auntie Dara came down for a visit this past weekend because she wanted to come to Disneyland with the kids.  We didn't tell them that she was coming and the looks on their faces when she walked in the door were so cute!  Sadly, Noah didn't get to go with us to Disneyland because of school, but the other two did get to miss school.  We had a fun time even if the park was a little bit to crowded for my taste.

Good new things

Noah has certainly had his fair share of new things this year.  A new school, new way of school, new responsibilities, new sport, new scouts.  No wonder he is exhausted all the time.

Noah has always loved swimming.  He has a swimmer's build.  I finally convinced him to join a swim team.  It's been so hard, but good for him.  His first swim meet was only 2 weeks after he joined.  For his first meet he did so well.  We are all so proud of him.

Noah got to experience something that all 6th graders should go through.  I did, my siblings did, most of my friends growing up did.  It's called Jr. Cotillion. It is a social etiquette class where boys and girls learn how to be ladies and gentlemen.  It is good to see old fashion values still being taught.

 Lastly, Noah was able to go to his first boy scout court of honor this past week.  He earned his Tenderfoot.  We are proud of him for starting on this journey towards becoming an Eagle Scout.  We love watching him mature and grow.  We love it, but it also makes us sad.  It's hard watching our kids grow up, but it is also a good thing.  Congrats Noah!  We love you!