Halloween Party

The Smith's hosted their annual Halloween bash, and we finally came in full costumes. Yes it was a bit last minute, daddy was still working on putting his costume together right before we left, and even though it may look impressive in the picture, we didn't do a very good job of making it comfortable for him to walk in... or even stay put, so most pieces came off shortly after the photos were taken. It was so fun for the kids to see us dressed up, and I think will definitely do our best to try and dress up with them at least while they are small. It was also fun to have a family theme this year. Daddy definitely encouraged it to Sascha by having her watch the Wizard of Oz. She also had a good time walking around Party City to get accessories for all of our costumes. I had a hard time finding red sparkly shoes for her, and ended up ordering them online and luckily they came right in time for her first dress up at the School Festival so all worked out in the end. Sascha was Dorothy, Cameron  was a little Scarecrow, Mommy was the Wicked Witch, and Daddy was the Tin-man. I was not planning on putting the green paint on my face, but of course was encouraged by Tin-man himself since he was putting silver paint on his face. I put some one and showed it to Cameron to make sure he wouldn't get scared and he just laughed pointing at my face. I think Sascha was more scared of my green paint than Cameron.

Before we left our house for the party Cameron managed to open a mini snickers bar and shove the whole thing in his mouth. Once I noticed it was too late... so this is how we find out that he is NOT allergic to Peanuts like we thought he was. So yay, we didn't end up in ER and got to enjoy our evening at a friends house and going trick or treating. Definitely a huge relief to not have to worry about a peanut allergy!

So all ready to go we joined our friends at their house which was decorated even more this year than the previous. Their inspiration came from the tv show "The Walking Dead". It looked pretty awesome! There were a lot of kids this year... what a challenge to try to do a group photo, but of course we attempted anyways! After taking photos of all the kiddos and the families, we were off to go Trick or Treating.

I am always a bit strict with the candy and was worried the kids will want to eat all their candy right away, but it really wasn't a problem. I let both of them eat a few out of her bucket and told them they can have the rest on another day. I did go through the buckets once they went to bed to sort the good stuff out, and get rid of the not so great candy, but they pretty much forgot about it the next day...so not much to worry about.

Grandpa David, Baba and Deda came to see us walk around in our costumes. Cameron went to all the same houses, he did not want to be carried around, and wanted to go everywhere by himself. He did fall a few times, but dusted himself off and kept on moving along... seriously? Like a little man that he is... he didn't get scared and did not want our help with anything, even carrying his bucket which was getting heavy from collecting all the candy. (More pics to come)

Pumpkin Patch and other Fall Festivities

Our annual tradition of going to the Pumpkin Patch continues. Instead of Bates Nut Farm, we finally made it to Oma's Pumpkin Patch this year. I actually ended up up taking a day off work to take the kids w/a friends playgroup. Once again we went on a HOT October day, by no means did it feel like fall, but we made the best out of it. The kids weren't thrilled to take many photos, but I managed to get at least a couple. Our hay ride went right through the farm and we got to see a 2 day old little cow.

We followed up that visit with another visit to the Pumpkin Station, full of rides, and jumping fun. The kids had just gotten hair cuts right before we came, so of course I had to a lot of photos. Cameron was even willing to get into the jumpies this time, he is no longer scared. The giant slide was Sascha's favorite, she had a grin from ear to ear going down every time. They loved the train ride as well as the rotating swings. They had just gotten their hair cuts before we got there, so they looked so pretty cute with non-messy hair and matching pumpkin shirts.

Another fun outing we had was to the Del Sur Festival, I think this is our 3rd year that we had come, and every year we have such a good time enjoying all the rides and hanging out w/the Slavin Family. Sascha and Matty were now old enough to ride a few of them on their own or together which was a lot of fun for them. I took both kids on the Ferris Wheel. Cameron got impatient and tried to get out, and I must say he could have totally slipped under the bar so I had to hold him tight and keep asking him to wait... patience is not something an almost 2 year old has much of, but I think he did enjoy the ride and the view from the top. You also got to pet a few bunnies and ride a pony.

Pics from the Pumpkin Patch with my friend's playgroup


 

I just liked this serious expression on your face (taken by a photographer at the festival)
 

Family photo

Palm Springs - our post Summer getaway with friends

Shortly after our trip to Florida we already had another trip to look forward to, Palm Springs with 4 other families. We somehow were able to book a weekend when everyone was available and got a pretty good deal to stay at Las Palmas resort for 1 night. The main attraction there is Splashtopia... awesome place for kids complete w/Sand, lazy river, splash park and multiple pools. Unfortunately there was construction going on and the slides were not open, but we still had plenty to do.

We got there nice and early Friday and enjoyed 2 days in Splashtopia. We even rented a Cabana for Saturday which was really nice to have for the kids to take naps in.

The weather was still HOT, I am pretty sure it hit 100, but we hardly even noticed being in the water most of the day.

The kids were troopers in the hotel, dinner and in even in the water. Sascha got braver and braver, even took the floaties off at one point to practice her swimming skills.

We went all went to dinner at the Spaghetti Factory on Friday evening. The kids had their own table (except for the little ones who sat with us - Cameron & Isla) and Sascha sat there the whole time. It was a bit crazy with 10 small children - all under 5, but everyone did so well!

It was a really nice little get away and we'll definitely be back next year! Unfortunately I brought my camera without a memory card so all the photos I thought I was taking were actually not there (big Ooops!) Luckily our friends took a few :) so no memories are lost!

Summer fun

Well it's nearly October and I am just now looking back at our summer. Once again we blinked and it was behind us. I do love the summer months. I love taking a day off here and there and spending it at the beach, or just having a lazy night at home, watching kids run around in the back yard. I always do wish I could do that more often then I actually get to. We are so lucky to be able to play outside in the warmer weather and the longer days which we tried to enjoy to its fullest.

Sascha stayed at her preschool and did 2 summer sessions where she had a lot of fun. On the weekends we were busy with Birthday Parties, going to the beach, pool, or parks. A few times we went to the splash park in 4S Ranch which the kids loved.

We even attempted a 1 night camping trip in Carlsbad. I am pretty sure I spent more time packing, and unpacking and cleaning than the actual time we spent camping, but all worth it! We were able to wake up and just go to the beach and spend the whole day having fun in the sun with friends.

We checked out a padres game, thanks to a friend of daddys we got some awesome seats pretty close to the field. Cameron was in awe of everything going on, so he definitely enjoyed his very first Padres game. He started goofing off towards the end so we moved up a bit higher where we had the whole row of seats to ourselves so he could get up and walk around whenever he wanted.

We took Aaron Paddle boarding for his Birthday. It was so much fun. We got lots of photos because my dad stayed behind and took them of us. Luckily I stayed on the board the whole time, and we had an awesome time.

(Pics to add...)

First Day of Kindergarten or Transitional Kindergarten

We didn't have much time to "prepare" for our first day because we had just returned from our vacation the day before. We hadn't even adjusted back to real life yet, work, school, making lunches... but it wasn't going to wait for us... it was time to go back to school.

Sascha was pretty excited to be a "Kindergartner" this year. Not much changed as far as the school, her classroom or the teacher... all of that has stayed the same since they keep the Kindergartners in the same class as the Primary Students in a Montessori school. I am so thankful for the loving environment that she feels comfortable in where she gets to learn and thrive so well for at least another year. So we didn't have to worry much about adjusting to a big school, new teacher and new students, she ran right in, just like she always did... yet something felt a bit different. She seemed older, more mature, excited to be called a big kid... I don't know what it was, but my heart ached a little bit. It didn't seem real to me, my first little baby? a Kindergartner  Sure we may repeat the same for next year since that's when she'll officially be of age, but it's still pretty difficult to swallow... wasn't she just born? a tiny little munchkin at 6lbs that came home with us... yes that was almost 5 years ago!
Here are a few photos on her first day of school before we left the house.

The night before... we read a special book

Family Vacation to Florida

We have been looking forward to this trip for a while, as most of our trips. This one was the longest yet, 9 nights away to visit Jeromey's side of the family. Sascha had a week off school so we were very excited to all get to spend time together and away from home. This was the kids first trip that required us to fly and Sascha was beyond excited. Ever since we booked the tickets in June, she's known that she will get to be on an airplane and fly to Florida to see aunt Sarah. I knew she would do fine on the plane, Cameron on the other hand I worried about. We didn't have to buy him a ticket, so I knew he'd be sitting on our lap the whole time, and somehow we'd have to entertain him for 3 and half hours and then again for another hour and half, not to mention the layover. We totally survived. It wasn't super easy or anything, but totally doable. Cameron   didn't want to get in the stroller as we were getting ready to board the plane, and Sascha gave him her little bear and he instantly calmed down, then when it was time to get out of the stroller and walk into the plane, he freaked out too. So I had to pick him up, and carry him in. Yes I totally felt like "that" family getting on the plane with a crying baby, having everyone stare at me. Luckily once we sat down and got settled into our seats, I quickly searched for the pacifier (no we haven't weaned him yet! I purposely decided to wait till after the trip... and I am really glad that I did!) he calmed down instantly and never really cried again. We were pretty well prepared with snacks and goodie bags for each one and it kept them busy just about the whole time.

We landed safely in Panama City where Sarah met us at the airport with a "Lewis Family Sign" and we were on our way to aunt Maria & uncle Mike's house in Niceville a little more than an hour away. They had just finished moving into their new big house and were gracious enough to let us stay with them. It was kind of a home away from home because of how comfortable they made our stay. We had a home cooked  dinner 4 or 5 nights in a row. Sascha especially loved how everyone sat together at the table. I didn't realize it until she asked one of the nights when we didn't all eat dinner together, why we're not all sitting at the table. It's amazing how kids pick up on these great little things. We hardly get a chance to all eat together every night, so I think this was definitely a special treat for them. The kids did great sleeping in a new place. The time change couldn't have been better, and allowed us to stay out till 10pm (8pm our time). Cameron even took great naps in the pack n' play if we happened to get back in time. So we really didn't have to adjust much to the time change there or when we got back.

The nine days we spent away went by too fast which is a great sign of having so much fun. We got to visit with family including Jeromey's other cousins Josh and Michael John, grandma Dottie. We did come a few days right before hurricane Isaac - yes just our luck to come during a hurricane. By the time it got to where we were, it was reduced to a Tropical Storm, so it really wasn't too big a of deal. The only trouble was things were closed, so for about 2 days we couldn't do too much stuff around the city. We made the best of it, hanging out with family at home, and still doing things outside like setting up 4 slip'n'slides together, or putting rain boots on the kids and letting them run around the deck outside.

Sarah was with us the whole time, taking us all over Destin (pretty much our personal tour guide and driver) : we visited the beach, the Gulfarium, and the parks. We went on a few nature walks which the kids especially loved and for a swim at Josh's in-laws house while briefly visiting with Josh's wife Sally. Over the weekend we got to do all sorts of fun activities like zip-lining and paddle boarding. We got to go to Tallahassee to where Sarah lives and experience an FSU football game. Our last day was actual Labor Day, which also happened to fall on our 7 year anniversary. The whole family went to the beach where we rented a few paddle boards and everyone really enjoyed paddle boarding (even the kids tried it out!), It was followed by a delicious lunch with everyone, after which Jeromey whisked me away for a couples massage and a super romantic dinner at the Beachwalk cafe in Destin. It was really one of the nicest, most romantic dinner places we've been to. I was once again surprised. I should already know that something is coming, but somehow every year he still manages to surprise me. So the family took the kids home, while we had a nice afternoon and evening to ourselves to celebrate the 7 happy years we've been married. I felt like one lucky girl!

Before we knew it we had to pack up and get ready to head back to San Diego. The morning we left we drove through some crazy rain... pretty common in Florida. I don't think I've ever driven through a downpour like that. Pretty scary! Roads were getting flooded, and  The weather itself was pretty darn hot, and sticky! I don't think the weather agreed with me, especially on the zip-lines! I was very happy to get back to San Diego weather, although for some odd reason we had a few very humid days shortly after we came home. Strange how it followed us home.

It's always sad to leave, and we all had such a wonderful time together making many memories that we will surely remember for years to come.

We had a ton of awesome pictures, and I hope to make a Vacation book of them soon, but here are a few favorites.