November '17

Its probably about time I update the blog for the end of the year.  Rewind to November which always flies by with only a few weeks between Halloween and Thanksgiving.

Let's see, we met up with Mimi and Papa and Auntie + cousins for some tide pooling one weekend

Which always is a good a excuse to snap a picture of my four favorite kids.

And if you thought since it was November that we wouldn't be getting in the ocean, you'd be wrong.

Sea treasures:

Tide pooling is definitely in my top 10 things to do:

So is hanging with my favorite girl:

Fall beach sunsets can't be beat!

We are a fun bunch if I do say so myself.

Up next, long weekend...perfect for lazy morning board game marathons....

And heading over to Mimi's to celebrate her birthday!

Happy birthday to the greatest Mimi of all time!

Saturday and Sunday that weekend were dedicated to our last meet of the year.  Nothing like going full ninja to get you in the competitive spirit:

Coach Gabby, such a treasure this one!  She was not the coach being paid to attend the meet but she showed up anyways to cheer on her kids.  We are super grateful for all she has taught Scott. (Owen has a different coach)

This was Owen's first official meet and I call it a win because he was only DQd once, haha.  So maybe not all of his strokes are quite legal yet. ; )

Scott swam all his usual strokes and then upgraded with a 50 fly and his first ever 100 free.

Since we had parents in town to watch the meet Brian and I headed out for date night in Ventura that evening, sushi, drinks and a beach walk at sunset - color me happy!

Back at it on Sunday!

Both boys did amazing and we are so proud of their hard work this season.  Scott especially conquered some major nerves!

The following week we scored some tickets to the Magic Castle in Hollywood.  I was sick as can be but I wasn't about to miss this opportunity (its a members only type of thing so tickets are tough to come by.)

No pictures allowed inside but we had a blast.  Saw some super cool magic and had fun with Brian's coworkers.  Here's hoping to score more tickets in the future when I don't feel so lousy.  Because let's be honest magic is much cooler after a cocktail or two than stone cold sober.

Saturday that week was the Bridges silent auction.   And this year most of us ladies decided to leave the husbands at home (you're welcome husbands!) and make it girls night.  I won movie tickets for Owen to go to the movies with his teacher and a hike with the PE teacher for Scott. We ended the evening at a local bar owned by one of our Bridges families!!

Up next, our school Thanksgiving celebrations:

Friendship feast in kinder. 

And a birthday celebration for Ms. Marsi, a woman I can't even really put into words how thankful I am for, no mistake her birthday falls during Thanksgiving week!

End of the year soccer party for Scott

 And then it was Thanksgiving break, kicked off by words with pretzels by Owen.

Owen: "Mom, can i have pretzels?"

Me: "No its 8:00 you can have more breakfast."

Owen: "Not for eating, for spelling."

for the record I only helped with a couple letters.  But it turns out it was for spelling AND for eating.

More end of soccer:

His hair, i just can't!

And a celebratory trip to Karma baker:

Sunday before Thanksgiving we headed to Mimi and Papa's for our first of many Thanksgivings, and since we were all gussied up I did my best to get some photos

The Campbells clean up alright I guess ; )

Up next: Thanksgiving camping adventures

Halloween weekend 2017

Halloween weekend also brought us to Scott's first "big" swim meet.  At the end of summer he moved up a level in swimming and can now compete in real meets.  To say he was nervous is a huge understatement.  But now having been through two usa meets we now know he just has to get through that first race and the nerves start to subside for Scott. But trust me I had some conversations with a few former teachers/swim moms about how to support him through this.  

Getting geared up for his first race, 25 fly

You know you have experienced swim mom friends when they send you pictures like this:

Pre race zone:

After day one of the meet we headed straight to soccer.  We made it just in time, but I had already told Scott's coach to sit him out first quarter just in case we ran late.  Scott was not please about this and was ready to play.

But by quarter 4 he was D-O-N-E.  So tired.

But at least I got a cute pictures of his some of his school friends ; )

Day two, and why not bring other sporting equipment to give you something to do between events.  Because sitting and relaxing would just be silly right? 

More pre race pumping up:

Love this kid.  So proud of his hard work!

We ended each day on high as Scott won his heat in both 50 free and 50 breast.  My brag moment: he placed in all his events except backstroke, he hates backstroke, with a passion.  Ha. 

We got to come home for some pumpkin carving with Grandpa and Gerri and the Daniels family.  So even though Scott was exhausted he rallied for a fun festive night.

Owen and Maddox took it upon themselves to "carve" Ryker's pumpkin, and by carve I mean mutilate with a batter operated knife and eventually cut in half.  Fun with kinder friends! HA!

The boys:

The Campells:

The friend crew

Oh and totally unrelated to Halloween, we got our soccer pictures back:

Monday night it was time for more pumpkin carving and crafts with the water polo crew.  For the record we are no longer hopping in the pool and learning water polo with coach james, its a little cold for that.  But we all decided we loved our monday night potluck dinner so much that we'd keep it going strong!

Owen glue gunning with Lenka, she's the best!

Halloween at school.  

Owen wore his costume for 4 minutes.  Scott decided not to wear his at all.

Brian and I decided to get into the spirit this year.  Thanks Uncle Bob and Aunt Rachel for the costumes!

Fred and Wilma, gladiator/Alexander the Great and a pirate

Scott also decided to never put on his gladiator helmet - so there you have it. 

Only a month behind, not too bad right? ; )