Fishing Fun!

A new favorite weekend activity is enjoying fishing (and breakfast burritos) on weekend mornings.  We set out during Thanksgiving break.  We are thankful to live in a place where we can enjoy the sun year round.

Fun in Santa Monica

During Thanksgiving break we spent a day in Santa Monica, visiting friends and playing at the pier.  First we saw Baby Alexis and her mom, Wendy, at a park.  It was a quick visit, but very sweet.  The best part was getting the "opportunity" to explain to my children about homeless people as we stepped over them to play at the park.  I was surprised that they were not more confused about seeing people sleep on the sidewalk.

After the playdate, we were off to the carousel at the Santa Monica pier for Marlow Slattery's 2nd birthday party.  Aaron went to high school with Marlow's dad so it was fun to see friends and catch up.  While the carousel was fun, the kids were dying to hit the "real" rides on the pier.

Avalon and Baby Alexis

 Water table fun for all three!

 The birthday boy, Marlow, and his mommy, Marissa.  He was a tired little guy!

 Cupcake!

 Icing (its all she eats)!

 Carousel fun.

 Waylon and Avalon rode the big kid rides with Cooper Muir.

 Avalon was such a big girl, riding by herself.

 Checking out the Santa Monica surf.

 The kids LOVED the "drop" ride.  Its now our new favorite at Legoland as well.

Family photo on our way out of dodge.

Totally Thankful

Thanksgiving was very nice this year.  Since we were not hosting, we had a relaxed morning (with an outdoor breakfast!) and a walk around the neighborhood.  Unfortunately, I totally forgot to take out my camera during our dinner at the Beckers.  It was a fun night with lots of good food and catching up with everyone about their activities during the past year.  Waylon loved playing with Jack Schubert, and Avalon and Alexis quickly bonded again.  We appreciated their playmates so we could really enjoy our dinner & adult beverages.

 I dont remember how this happened, but the kids headed out to look for food for their (plastic) bunny.  Avalon tried valiantly to pull her much larger brother around in his wagon.

Mr. Bunny:  the reason for the outing.

Fun with Friends

I have been bad about taking photos lately, but did shoot a few during recent dinners and playdates.

 W & A with Sydney and Ivy.  I would have said that they were carpool buddies, but the younger girls soon decided they did not like riding with other people to school, and we've gone back to double drop offs (one at Pre-K and another at Kinder).  We'll try again in a few months.

Superheroes:  Noah, Ryan, and Waylon

Weekend in Santa Barbara

In early November we travelled to SB for a quick weekend vacay.  We stayed at a VRBO next door to our friends, the Frasers.  I also got to visit my college roommate, Kristi, and her family.  It was a nice weekend filled with good food, wine, and conversation.  Waylon loved playing with the Frasers' dog, Daisy, and Avalon loved mothering Baby Sydney (age 2).  Best of all was the jacuzzi in the backyard of the rental house.  Fun times!

 Waylon usually pooped out before Daisy on the ball throwing--but it was a close call.

 The only thing better than riding in a kiddy car is getting to push someone smaller.

 Waylon was wonderful, showing Baby Sydney toys.  Of course they were hers, so she probably had already seen them, but sweet all the same.

 Hot tub time!

Halloween 2011

Both kids opted for the Star Wars theme this year--Waylon as Captain Rex from the "new" Clone Wars movies, and Avalon went traditional as Princess Leia.  Try as I might, Waylon refused to be Luke Skywalker, denying me my dream of the perfect family costume extravaganza.  Actually, Waylon announced he was going to be Captain Rex on Nov. 1st last year and never wavered.  Avalon changed her mind several times each day--starting in about June.  I finally had to mark a date on the calendar and tell her that she had to choose on that date.  Worked like a charm, and after a little "suggesting" she was the most powerful princess of them all!

Pre-Halloween Fun

Dressed up to go to a halloween party or Waylon's school halloween carnival.  All of the activities are sort of a blur at this point.

 I love that this Princess costume calls for a blaster rather than a tiara.

 Hero worship.

 For all of those people that wonder if my (seated) kids are twins, this photo should make it clear that Waylon is literally twice her size.

Brick or Treat

 I thought we should make the most of our Legoland passes and go for the after hours trick or treating the weekend before Halloween.  Waylon didn't want to go so Avalon and I drove the 30 minutes down to Carlsbad to learn that I was wrong about the time, and the park was closing.  Oops!  We walked around and snapped a few photos in her secondary princess costume--Snow White.  As a consolation prize, I took her for her favorite dinner--Mac n Cheese!

Halloween Night--the BIG Night!

We spent the evening with the Gratteaus, which was a blast.  Waylon worships Will, and Avalon worships Abby so its cute to watch them run around after their heroes.  We all started the evening with a neighborhood party, and then were off and running for trick or treating.  Avalon made it part way, and then went back to the house with Grandpa.  I think Waylon could have kept going all night!

 Avalon with Rapunzel--I mean Abby.

 Will and Waylon

 The whole gang!

 Avalon was excited to see two rock star pirates (and closest neighbors), Rachel and Chloe.

Inspecting the loot.

More Soccer 2011

I was usually too busy watching soccer (and screaming like a banshee) to take photos.  However, here is the culmination of the rest of the seasons photos.  

 Zack, Brady, Matt, Reef, Waylon, and Owen get psyched up by Coach Rob (probably just moments before the game started since our Coach was usually an itsy bit late).

 Go #5!!!

 Waylon spent most of the season with his tongue out.  It must have helped him focus.

 Sideline antics.

 The mighty Fireballs (clutching their post game snack bags):  Brady, Cayden, Zack, Waylon, Reef, Owen, and Matt.

 Pre-game warm up (out of order)

Avalon and Baby Mia were wonderful cheerleaders when we played her brother, Landon's, team.