Ghosts, Skeletons, Pumpkins...

Day of the Tread! 

We did our first bike ride, Day of the Tread. Everyone dresses up in costume and rides or walks. All proceeds go to the Children's Hospital. We were missing one thing though...Jake. He was sick with the flu so he couldn't go with us. We were all sad, but we plan to do it again next year so we can all go. It was fun! 

Pumpkin Patch! 

Took our little pumpkins to the Pumpkin patch

Dad was leading us through the corn maze

Sophie had the best view of the maze

Feeding the animals

The big slide...Dad was waiting for Jake at the bottom...I thought this was a pretty cool picture

Whoa...hold on Jake! 

Sophie was playing in the corn box (corn instead of sand)

And you know Jake...

Always working. Also posing in front of the John Deere

Sophie driving the John Deere, just like brother

The best looking John Deere tractor driving boy I've ever seen! 

What is it about John Deere that Jake loves so much?

Ride em' cowboy....

Sophie was cracking up...

Taking the hay ride over to the pumpkins. But, we were more interested in the John Deere pulling us, right Jake? 

My two little pumpkins

Sophie was getting tired, so she sat here to rest

HAPPY 

HALLOWEEN

Look at the Balloons

The 2011 Balloon Fiestas are here! And, for some of us...it never gets old. We had the pleasure of having Nana & Grandpa Bob in town to enjoy it with us. And, they must have brought the great So Cal weather too. It was so beautiful. Not cold at all...mid-60's in the a.m. We were very lucky because by mid-week the temperature dropped dramatically, it rained and they canceled 3 days of the festivities. And, this weekend the mass ascension was a cool 40 degrees. Brrrr! Nana & Bob also got to see a Soccer game while they were here...and Jake scored a GOAL! Thank you to Sophie's Ninos, Anna & Mike for bringing Bob & Pat to us. You guys are the best. And also for spending time with our 2 little monsters. Wish we could see each other more often. We miss you all! 

6am: on our way to see the balloons go up

Here they go....

Bet you didn't know we were a family of astronauts? 

This years new addition, the butterfly

Sophie & Jake checking out the astronaut

Now that's the face of a brat

Balloon Glow...my favorite. Weather was still perfect, check out everyone wearing shorts

This is a funny picture

Jake having fun 

FAMILY! 

Jake & Sophie enjoyed their visit with Nana Pat & Grandpa Bob...lots of love

Riding in comfort, all snug in the wagon

Go get the ball Jake! 

WOOHOO! 

TEAM GOLDEN EAGLES

Shadows are amazing when you're little...

My little stars

I have a fun, tractor loving, John Deere expert, car & truck fanatic,
construction site worker, the hardest working, 5 year old
I've ever met! He has the most beautiful eyes, a sweet smile, he makes me feel so special and I love him. He's 100% boy! That's my Jake 

And, I have a little cupcake. She's all girl. Loves her some lipstick, playing dress up, putting on makeup, wearing my high heels, dolls, shopping, she has the most beautiful skin, her hair is so silky with natural high-lights. I love her little legs, feet & toes. I love Sophie. 

Jake started soccer. The Golden Eagles. He received the 'Sportsmanship' pin after the first game. Here's Jake & Sophie posing for a pre-game picture. 

You want some of this?!

Both of my kids have been a serious HANDFUL lately. Sophie, going thru the terrible two's and so so head strong on top of that. Jake, going thru this super defiant stage, testing and pushing his limits to the max. But, no matter what, no matter how tired we are, no matter how stressed we are...WE LOVE THESE KidS. Deon and I wouldn't change it for anything. The precious things they do outweigh everything. Sophie looks at you and says, "I love you" or gives you a hug or looks at you with this sweet look. It just melts you. Jake tells you a funny story about his day at work or about his friend, Joe. Or, he won't say anything and will just come up and snuggle with us. I mean, it always leads to, "Mom, rub my back or scratch it or rub my head or hold me". Whatever it is...we just have to remember that they are kids, they are normal and our lives would be pretty boring and worthless without them. We just have to be their examples. Set boundaries, create limits, discipline and make sure they grow up to be happy and healthy people. So, for now, we just continue to love them and enjoy the crazy, roller-coaster of a ride.

Say it aint so...my baby is 5

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JAKE! You blessed our lives 5 years ago and have been amazing ever since. You are so special to Dad, Sophie & Me. I love your vibrant imagination. Lately it's your new friend, Joe. The stories you come up with are brilliant. Today you woke up with a cold, so I said you could stay home from [work] school. You thought long and hard about it and said, "no, Mom...I can't miss work because we are starting a new building site today and they are dropping off a huge crane." I said, "can't you call your boss or co-worker and tell them you're sick." You said, "No, I can't, I have to be there." It was absolutely the cutest thing. And, I will always keep that in my memory bank. We had a very Happy Birthday celebration. You woke up to what looked like Christmas morning...lots of presents. You were excited. Then we brought cake and ice-cream to school. Then lunch at Chuck E. Cheese. Fun stuff! 

Sophie loves her Daddy

Serious Sophie. Dad took one look at this picture and said he was scared because, "she's so pretty". 

My attempt at the John Deere cake again...Jake loved it

We celebrated Jake's birthday at school. He was happy

I love these kids

Jake's class...and Sophie too

The girl can hul-a-hoop

Lunch at Chuck E Cheese, check out the Rock Star

This was Sophie's favorite ride of the day...over and over and over

KISSING Chuck E? Um, good thing Dad didn't see this one Sophie

Jake & Chuck E. When Sophie saw him coming she moved quick, didn't want anything to do with him.

Our little GUITAR HERO

Jake & Sophie are growing pumpkins at Pa & Coco's...they are so proud of them. Hopefully they will be ready for Halloween.