Crazy Hair/Sock Day at School

Madden's Preschool Pumpkin Patch Trip

Nothing makes Madden happier then going to school and being with his friends.  So when I told him he was going to get to go to the pumpkin patch with his friends from school he was ecstatic to say the least.  He was so excited that he made us leave early and we were sitting in the parking lot waiting for the rest of his class to show up.  The room mom was so sweet to set up this awesome playdate.  We got the whole pumpkin patch for an hour all to ourselves.  The kids were able to ride all the blow ups over and over again, feed the animals, ride the rides, and take home a pumpkin.

Madden the Scarecrow.

Madden and his buddies spent more of their time in the bounce house.  They were just boys being boys, rough housing and having a blast together.

Madden was pretty me attached to his best buddy Carter's hip for most of the trip.

Petting the animals.  It was really the only time the boys were calm.

Madden's best buddies in his class.  He begs to play with them everyday he isn't at school.

Braiden, Carter, Enzo and Madden.

Big hugs good-bye to Carter.

We couldn't be more blessed with Madden's preschool class and classmates.  He calls everyone single one of them his best friend.

Dance Viewing Week

Last week is one of my favorite weeks of the year.  It's viewing week at Skylar's dance class and I could not wait to see how she has been progressing.  After dance season ended last year I was worried it was going to be her last.  She was complaining about class each week and I was nervous she wouldn't want to continue.  Luckily for her, I was able to get in into the same class as her group of friends which I think made a big difference.  Within a first few months I could already see a difference in her.  She wasn't complaining about class and I was catching her always doing little dance steps at home.  She even begged me to put her into ballet this year which would be her third dance class of the week.  Viewing week went so well.   I saw a lot more confidence in her and I was extremely proud.

Stella, Sophie, Skylar and Sofia.

She does one hour of jazz class.

Then an hour of Tap.

Thursdays is her hour ballet class.

Recital is going to be such a whirlwind with her possibly performing in 4 different numbers.  Next viewing week is in March and I can't wait to see how she is doing by then.

Pumpkin Patch 2016

Sadly, this was the first year in the past 4 that we didn't make it out to Bates Nut Farm for our pumpkin patch visit.  With Skylar being in school all day and so many after school activities we just couldn't find the time to drive out there.  With Halloween creeping up and us not having a pumpkin at the house yet I decided to take the kids to the Carlsbad pumpkin patch down the road.  

This pumpkin patch is off the freeway so the kids have seen it several times and really wanted to go into the corn maze they had.  Skylar was a fearless leader and was able to find the exit.

Skylar and Madden celebrating the maze run.

Madden was the king of the haystacks.

They painted mini pumpkins and then while they dried we picked out pumpkins for the family to carve.

Madden got a little grumpy at the end.  

It wasn't Bates Nut Farm and they didn't have the awesome array of pumpkins Bates has, but it was still a fun afternoon for the three of us.

Masquerade Fun

Halloween is by far my favorite time of the year.  I love dressing up and there is nothing better than dressing up for an adult Halloween Party.  Last weekend the Lund's hosted a Masquerade party that was a complete blast, plus it gave me a reason to finally wear my new jumpsuit. 

#peppertreeposse 

The cat girls of the party.

I even ran into Torey who was in Theta with me.  Had a great time partying with her again and catching up.

Alvin and Jake using the beer bong to its fullest.

It was a great night.  We all danced for hours and had the best time with friends.  I believe the Fire Department came once because of the fog machine and the police department because of the music. Think those are all good signs to a good party.  Jake the next morning said the difference between partying as an adult is that when the cops are called your party doesn't get shut down.  

Presidents Club Trip

I couldn't been more proud of Jake and everything he accomplished last year for work.  He hit so many sales goals that lucky for us his company paid for 3 trips for us this year alone.  Presidents Club, of course being the most important was a goal that Jake hit really early in the year.  When it was announced that the trip would be taking place in San Francisco/Napa, I must admit I was a little bummed seeing that we live in California, and we had just been up to Napa in February, but I just had to remind myself it's a free/kid free trip.  

The company put us up at the Fairmont in Union Square, which was beautiful.  On the first night they set up a really nice happy hour in the world famous Tonga Room located in the hotel, and then we took a party bus to a restaurant where we had a private room and ate a fabulous meal.

(Suzie: the picture with the Tony Bennett statue is for you)

The next day was the all day wine tour of Napa.  For those who know me, you know that I don't drink, so the tour wasn't quite my cup of tea, but I must admit I really enjoyed the beautiful scenery of each winery.

I loved that each winery was decorated for Fall.  Pumpkins were everywhere.  We went to 3 different wineries.  The last one we went too was definitely my favorite as we were able to walk through the wine cave and the view was everything you think Napa should be.

 I'm practically an expert on wine now and think I'm pretty good on Napa for a couple years.

After the longest bus ride back into the city, we met up with Clint and Dallas for dinner and drinks.  I headed back home the next morning and Jake stayed one more extra night to zip line with his co-workers.  

I feel so lucky that Jake is working for such a great company, who really take care of their employees. 

September 2016

Had a awesome girls night out celebrating Huiwen's birthday in Del Mar.

Rochelle took Madden to the botanical gardens.

Kids got to go back to their favorite place Boomers, and this time their favorite person got to join...Sophie.