Welcome Fall

Fall is finally here! Our days are getting cooler and shorter. We spent this weekend mostly hanging out at home. We got Dad to get down the Halloween decorations and dressed up the house (inside & out). I love Halloween because it feels like the start of the holiday season. Before we know it, Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here. 

Crazy Jake...

This is a new thing...Sophie likes to lay on the floor and act silly.

What a little angel...now if I could only get Jake to act like this all the time. :  ) 

Another new thing...Sophie likes to climb up on the kitchen chairs. Makes me nervous...

Each day brings something new with these two little monsters. So smart, so precious and I love love love them! Jake is all about Phineas & Ferb right now...a cartoon about these 2 brothers who are always into something and a sister who is always trying to 'bust her brothers'. He loves firetrucks, tractors and pretty much any kind of truck. When he tells a story he uses the word 'actually' a lot. It's very cute. He's doing great in school and I am so proud. Sophie is INTO EVERYTHING! She's walking everywhere. Her new words are hot, outside and whole bunch of other words I can't make out yet. I put her on the toilet yesterday for the 1st time. I figured I'd start earlier with her. She seems to be showing interest, so let's see what happens. Hopefully it will be easier with her than it was with Jake. Sophie loves eating chips and Jake loves cheese! So, we have to get ready for Halloween. I think Jake is going to be Batman and Sophie will be Dora. But, we'll see...that could change in an instant with these munchkins. 
Happy Fall Everyone! 

Homecoming King

Alec...my nephew...Jake & Sophie's cousin. He's 17 and a senior in high school this year. He just got voted 2010 Oxnard High School Homecoming KING! Seems like yesterday he was just a baby, we had so much fun with him. You know when he was born, my Mom, Dad, Sara and I shared the responsibility of caring for and raising Alec. As soon as he came into our lives we fell in love instantly. I have always loved Alec like my own child. He's been such a good kid...he's smart and good in school, has been awesome at every sport he played, been a leader and has always been a joy to have around. I know he's going to go far in life. I am so proud of him and love him dearly. Jake & Sophie LOVE him a lot too...he's so good with his little cousins. Deon & I will always be there for Alec. 

Congratulations Alec

We love Nana & Grandpa Bob

Sophie watching the balloons...she was amazed

Nana & Bob are here! Jake started calling my Dad by his name, Bob instead of Grandpa since the day he started talking...it stuck!  We all (Pa, Coco, Nana, Bob, Deon, Jake & Sophie) went to Buffalo Thunder Casino this weekend. There was a music festival going on. We had a good time. Jake & Coco went swimming, while the rest of us went to the see Los Lonely Boys. Then we had a delicious dinner at Gabriel's in Santa Fe. A good day with family. We also went to the Balloon Fiesta...Earth, Wind & Flyers was this years theme. Amazing as always! 

Jake & Pa in action

Perdy girl

Here's Jake...with Teddy. He doesn't go anywhere without him lately. 

Dad and the kiddos...

Jake, you can't have a pisto yet! 

Um, who gave Sophie the lollipop? 

Nana & Bob having a cold one and enjoying the show...Los Lonely Boys!

We were all sitting at the pool and couldn't remember what balcony was ours. So,  Nana Pat ran up to show us. 

Jake in the tee-pee! 

Jake & Sophie rolling around...

5:30am: Balloon Fiesta! It was such a beautiful morning...about 60 degrees. 

Every time a balloon would launch, Sophie would point and get all excited! 

Pictures don't do it justice...it's really something to see.

We were right under the Darth Vader balloon when it launched.

Darth Vader and his storm troopers were walking around...this guy decided to take a rest by me. 

I love HEARTS! 

Jake & Bob enjoying the view

SPONGE BOB, SQUARE PANTS! 

Nana & Sophie watching the balloons! 

You know...it's really something to have parents like Nana & Bob. Two people who really love you, support you and more importantly...people you want to spend time with. We are very blessed to have Nana & Bob in our lives...and Coco & Pa too! We love them and we all get along so well...it's great! We have so many wonderful memories together and I look forward to many many more! We love you and thank you so much for coming to visit. Hope it's not too long before we see each other again. 

A family outing...

This weekend we were going to head to the mountains, maybe do some hiking, take a walk...we just wanted to do something together and enjoy a beautiful day outdoors. We decided to stay close to home and go to the Aquarium/Botanical Gardens. It's about 2 miles from our house, but we felt like we were a million miles away. It's so beautiful there...nature is really amazing. We had a good day. 

Jake turning on the water! 

Sophie was catching the water coming out of this giant water jug.  

  

Jake & Sophie found this slide...carved into a tree trunk. It was fun! Mom even went down it.  

This is my favorite picture of Sophie...standing in a carrot! 

Hi guys! 

MONKEY SEE! 

MONKEY DO! 

Hi JAKE! 

This place is so perdy!  

There is a butterfly sanctuary there too...they were all so beautiful, just flying around us. 

A great day...

Thank you God, for all the little things. We are so blessed! 

I love my family.    

The State Fair

We went to the Fair this weekend. Spent most of our time EATING! But it was so good! Corn dogs, Steak sandwiches, fried twinkies, frozen bananas, snow cones, and on and on. YUM! Jake's ready to go...sportin' the sunglasses and hat.

And ridin' in style and comfort...took the wagon so Jake & Sophie could cruise. 

Dad and Jake watching the Native American dancers.

Pa & Coco being silly...

Sophie & Dad posing for the camera. 

Jake enjoying some sweet treats. Sophie usually doesn't wear hats, but she kept this one on today...probably because the sun was so hot! 

Jake couldn't wait for the rides...there's Jake & Dad coming down the big slide.

Here's Jake and his cousin, Diego riding the bumble bee ride. The bees were holding up peace signs...so Jake held up his fingers and yelled peace everytime he passed us. You're so cute Jake! 

By this time...Jake was done. He was just kicking it. 

The girl discovered cotton candy...she loved it but when it got all over her hands she didn't like it. Such a girlie girl! 

So we were about to leave and we hear this band playing...The Big Spank! They were awesome. Sort of reminded us of Ozomatli...our favorite! Even Jake & Sophie were dancing. It was fun! 

What a good day! Jake & Sophie had a great time...you were both exhausted. When we got home, you both passed out! Until next year...