Spooky

We just got out our Halloween decorations a few days ago.  The boys were basically in bed so we brought all the glowing ones into their room and played for a while.

I'm not so much on the fall decorations.  I love fall I just haven't collected too many over the years.  Basically these and a few breakables (that are staying packed up until the boys are older, I'm not dealing with a million pieces of broken glass witch thank you very much) are all we have, but I'm doing better than last year when we didn't even get these out!

Now for costume shopping.... wish me luck!

An anniversary

I'm only a week late in posting a happy 5th anniversary to us.  I'd say its a big one.  5 years - feels like yesterday, and it feels like much longer at the same time.  We celebrated in our normal fashion: staying in, take out, early bed times for the boys...you know, the good stuff.

I love busting out the wedding album and reminiscing about our wedding day each year on our anniversary.  The best memories were made that day.

Happy 5 years to the man of my dreams, my best friend, an incredible husband and father!!

When I think back on our wedding day these folks always come to mind!  We don't see you often enough but you are always in our thoughts.  You all helped make our day extra special.  Standing with someone on their wedding day is awesome (I know, I've gotten to do it), but in some ways its the support and the standing by us in the years that follow are even more meaningful.  Thanks to this bunch (and many others not pictured) for being part of our lives and the lives our kids.  You bless us deeply!

"Someone Like You."  - Van Morrison.  This song frequently pops up on our ipod playlist (we are big Van Morrison fans!!).  I love impromptu dance sessions to our wedding song, in the kitchen, hair in a pony tail, no makeup, usually yoga pants for me....that's marriage!!!  And I love that Scott recognizes our song and tells me "this is the song that daddy made you into a princess."

10 years together, 5 years of marriage, 2 beautiful boys and a life time more memories to be made.  I would say we are richly blessed!

Fall beach pics:

 I love the beach in the fall.  The summer crowds are gone.  Its a little cooler.  The sun sets earlier (so sometimes we actually get to see it).  And the boys still go nuts for it.  They play hard and get wet and sandy and there is nothing better!

A little cold??!!!

CHEEEEESE 

Who are these big kids?

 Sorry, just can't get enough of this cheese face.

 Scott loves to take his board, stand on it and wait for a wave to pick him up.  He only moves about 4 inches when it happens, but he thinks its rad so that is all that matters.  Its probably a little too cold to be full on boogie boarding in just trunks this time of year too.

Practice Thanksgiving

About a week ago we celebrated an early Thanksgiving at Mimi and Papa's while Aunt C was in town.  We had planned to celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving anyways, and when Aunt C scheduled a visit we bumped it up even further.

We went all out with a full Thanksgiving spread and it didn't disappoint.  

Then we enjoyed the fire outside after the boys had baths and got in their jams. 

Owen and Uncle Matt fireside.

Mimi and the boys.  They are so big you can't even really see Mimi anymore.

Main squeeze.

The only bummer part is not I'm in full Christmas mode.  I'm ready for cold weather and Christmas tunes and we haven't even had Halloween yet.   But I did seriously enjoy some left overs and I'm already looking forward to our next Thanksgiving meal this year.   And then the official start of the Christmas season (the music definitely isn't going to wait until then though...)

Art 'n' Science

 Just a little of what we've been up to lately...

 A little pinterest inspired stained glass window craft.  As usual, I was more excited about it than the kids.  Whatever, I love crafts.

Owen spent most of the time doing this:

 Confetti party.

 But they both helped clean up, so win!

Some fun slime purchased at the learning store.

And some back yard art:

In a box.  Is there anything better than a good box?  I don't think so...

Twins???

A zoo day...

Last week we headed up to the Santa Barbara zoo.  We hadn't been in ages, summer crowds are finally gone and the weather has cooled off, not to mention Mimi's sister is in town which made for the perfect formula for a great zoo day.

We got there when it opened and quickly realized that many of the animals weren't up yet.  No worries.  We killed some time at the play ground.

Hello ant hill!

This nugget really got the hang of the ant hill for the first time.  He went up and down more times than I could count.   He did great until he took a pretty bad fall and scraped up his chin.  That just meant he didn't have to pried away from the fun because up next was a train ride!

These two could probably spend the whole day at the zoo and never see an animal and be totally cool with that.  There is lots of construction going on right now (read: backhoes and excavators out the wahzooo).

Classic cheese face.  Love him.

Stealing smooches from my seat mate.  Already trying to push me away.  "Mom!!! The train is about to start, be cool." - occ

Then we finally saw a few animals before we sat down for our picnic lunch (which Scott had been asking for since we walked through the gates)

Giraffes, always a highlight

Look at these three big kids.  When did this happen?

Elephants are always a favorite too

After the zoo we headed back to mimi and papa's for more playing and of course some ice cream and popsicles.

Thanks for a fun day Mimi and Papa and Mimi's sister!