Pumpkin Patch

We went to the pumpkin patch with Aunt Sara and Theo. The kids had a blast with each other and after two hours we had to drag them out of there. They could've stayed all day.

First Day of School

We had awesome first days this year! Grace started on August 22. She is going to Horizon Prep again and is in the 3-day Pre-K program. She has one of her best friends, Emma, in class again and she loves her teachers Miss Makayla and Miss Kaitlyn!

Caiden started KINDERGARTEN on August 27!!!  He jumped right in without missing a beat. He's going to Ocean Air Elementary school just up the street from our house. We've been walking most mornings but with an 8am start time sometimes we are hauling ass in the car for the 3 short blocks.
His teachers are Mrs. Persidok and Mrs. Solowczuk (quite the mouthful for kindergartners). The first day he lined right up and then kept waving, smiling and saying, "Bye, Mommy! Bye, Daddy!" about 15 times as they were walking into class.

At the "meet and greet" Friday before class started.

El Capitan Canyon Camping Trip

Last month we drove up to Santa Barbara with our friends Neha, Vishal and their kids to stay at El Capitan Canyon. The "camp" grounds have all different size cabins, yurts and a camp ground for tents. We stayed in a cabin that had a fire pit and picnic tables right outside. 

We got in around 4pm on Friday and the kids ran around like crazy people after the six hour car drive we had to endure thanks to LA traffic. They were having a wine tasting and live music at the main market lodge area so it was a perfect welcome!

We bought firewood and s'more stuff from the market and took it to our cabin.

On Saturday we headed to the beach.

On Saturday night they had a BBQ and live music at the front market lawn.

On Sunday we went wine tasting in the area. We went to Fess Parker, Andrew Murray and Kalyra Winery. 

Caiden and Ariya could not get enough of the grapes. They ate so many right off the vine.

Trip to Nebraska

I took the kids to Nebraska the first week of August. The first night we went down to the lake and Grace caught her first fish. She was SO happy, just look at the smile on her face.

We rode the mini bike a lot. Grace didn't want to get off and kept telling us to go faster. GREEEAAAT.

My Dad built a slip'n'slide off the deck of the house into a pool. The kids spent hours on it.

Harper and Rowan came down to play. Rowan and Grace, future husband and wife.

Mickey and I went out on the town one night!

This was a few days into the trip and Grace caught a bigger fish.

On the last day Caiden caught a real big fish!

Caiden's 6-year check-up & Grace's 4-year check-up

Caiden weighed 43 lbs. (37th percentile) and 44 inches tall (28th percentile). He passed his hearing, eye and blood pressure tests. He also got two booster shots that he needed before starting Kindergarten.

Grace weighed 33 lbs. (38th percentile) and 38 inches long (22nd percentile). She also passed her hearing, eye and blood pressure tests.  Unfortunately I took no pictures during the appointment.

Birthday Party

We did another joint birthday party at the park for the kids this year. It was a home run! We had cotton candy, an obstacle course and of course...Chipotle! Thanks to everyone who made it a big hit!

More firsts...

The beginning of summer kept us super busy. We spent loads of time at the beach and many other fun adventures!

Ice Skating...Grace's "big girl" bed...Gwen gettin' some lovin' from Uncle Marc....Theo's 3rd birthday...bowling...Caiden passing another belt test...surf camp...golf camp. Seriously the summer has flown by.