Halloween

Gonzo had a few people over for a Halloween/Pumpkin carving party the night before Halloween.  I took Blip to carve his pumpkin...and I'm so glad I did!  Gonzo stepped in and helped Blip carve his pumpkin since Mike was working.  I am NOT a pumpkin carver...or an artist, so I was more than happy to let Gonzo help out. 

Gonzo also got out his "drone" and flew it for everyone.  Blip was in airplane heaven.  He talked about it for days and days...and still mentions is when we talk to our about Gonzo.  Blip loves all things that fly, but having one so close and land in Gonzo's backyard made it even better.

Blip also discovered the fun that can come with a doggie door.  He didn't use the door after that...

Blip had to bring treats to school twice the week of Halloween, so I found two different ideas on Pinterest and made some treats that turned out pretty cute without being too much work!  I was too tired to bake this year, so this was the next best thing.

I am lucky enough to be off on Fridays, so I was able to get Blip ready for his school party.  He was the cutest Clarke Kent...ever.

We kept the tradition alive and trick or treated with Blip's boys (aka Richelle's boys and their friends).  Blip actually "got it" this year...and boy was he excited to ring the door bell, exclaim, "Trick or Treating," collect candy...and let's be honest- he talked to everyone he could.  He is the most social child I've ever met...he is super curious and make everything more fun.

I realize that over the next few years Blip's boys will be too big to trick or treat with us, but I don't want them to keep growing so big.  It seems like everything is going and moving too quickly.  I just want time to slow down a bit.  I guess for now I will just try to treasure every moment we have.

Girls' Trip

Over the summer, Michelle asked us girls if we wanted to take a weekend trip to California.  We all broke out our calendars and picked a date in October that worked for everyone.  October seemed SO far away, but it came quickly...especially after Natty had Dawsyn in August!  Time seemed to move even faster. 

We made some tentative plans, and decided to wing it on most of the weekend.  Initially Michelle wanted to go to Disneyland, but in the end we decided it would be too crowded (Halloween weekend) and too m much for Michelle. So instead we did other fun things...like shop, eat, and get pedicures!  We drove over on Friday morning and stayed until Sunday afternoon.  It was a great weekend with the girls!

Friday night for dinner we went to Ruby's on the Pier.  I had never been before...I think I'm the only one who hadn't been to that beach.  Not sure how that happened, but it was a fun first!  A fun first with milkshakes and humidity!

On Saturday we shopped a bit and then had yummy soup in bread bowls and salads at BJ's Brewery.  Then we headed to a local place to get pedicures.  Saturday night we spent time at Downtown Disney before heading to Goofy's Kitchen for dinner.  Michelle had never been there, but we thought it would be a fun place for her to get her Disney Fix since we didn't actually go to the park.

The weekend went by too fast, but it was a nice few days away from real life spent with amazing friends!  Dawsyn joined us and was a PERFECT angel the ENTIRE trip.  She was the perfect age to tag along and we all took turns kissing and hugging on her sweet little self.

I don't have a ton of girlfriends, but the few I have are amazing and priceless.  I love them each so much and I'm thankful they are in my life.

19 Weeks

Our Little Sister is already 19 weeks along!  We had our Level II ultrasound scheduled for this week.  Everything looked perfect and she was measuring exactly where she should be.

It's a little strange to have zero issues.  Strange, but really nice.

Pumpkin Patch

I was looking over the calendar for October a few weeks ago and realized the ONLY weekend available to go to Pumpkin Patch would be the 18th or 19th, so I sent Sarah a text…hoping that weekend would work for them.  It did!  So we made plans to go to the same Pumpkin Patch up north that we went to last year…Freeman Farms in Chino Valley.

We made the arrangements and started talking it up to Blip.  THis year he seems really interested in the holidays…last year he couldn't have cared less, so this is a fun change with his age.  Ms. Barbie decorated her house for "Halloween Time" (as Blip calls it) and we went to Mickey's Trick or Treat Party, so I was hoping he'd be getting in the Halloween mood in time for our Pumpkin Patch visit.  

The three of us talked about going to the Pumpkin Patch ALL week.  Last weekend we were out of town, so Blip and Mike didn't get any time off together.  This week was a normal work week except Mike had Friday off instead of Monday.  I talked up going to the Pumpkin Patch as much as possible, and we also talked about our family day on Saturday every night on FaceTime with Daddy before bedtime.  By the time Friday night rolled around Blip was excited…not sure if it was the Pumpkin Patch or the fact that all three of us would be together, but he was excited.  He continually asked about going…and then made sure all three of us would be together- "Mommy, Daddy, and Codybear at the Pumkin Patch, Mom?"  

Poor kid…we are together so rarely it seems it's starting to weigh on his mind.  Mike and I live for the weekends…I guess he does too.

On Saturday morning Blip woke up around 8:45 and started calling for me (which is not typical…he usually calls for his daddy).  So I went into his room and said, "Good morning!"  The first thing out of his mouth was, "Pumpkin Patch day!"  I scooped him up and we hugged and jumped around with excitement about our fun plans for the day.  

He was so happy when it was finally time to load up in the "new car" to get outa town.  Grandma, Grandpa, and Ivy rode with us and we caravanned with Patrick, Sarah, Molly, and Tucker.  We arrived with about three hours to spend doing activities at the Pumpkin Patch.  

We started with the carousel, but Blip didn't want me to stand by him…he wanted me to ride my own "horse".  However…the animal next to his little grey horse was a big pink pig.  Since I feel like balloon…I guess it fit.  We spent a few minutes in the petting zoo, took a hay ride (he LOVED the tractors), took a train ride, saw some horses, danced around on the stage, rode a little tractor, and finally went to find a pumpkin.

We searched and searched for the perfect pumpkin…taking a few obligatory annual pictures as we went.  The weather was hot in the beginning, but was really beautiful by the time we were searching for pumpkins.

After we finished up at the pumpkin patch we stopped for dinner in Prescott Valley at the Cracker Barrel.  We always have the best time…glad this has become one of our favorite traditions.

Children's Museum with Daddy

We finally found a free second to visit the Children's Museum again.  This time Daddy was able to go with us, so that was extra fun!

The third Friday of every month the museum stays open late for members only.  It's the perfect time to go...right before the normal time ends until nearly the end of the extended hours.  

We had fun...and I really loved that Mike was there to chase Blip around.  They had fun playing together...and I always love watching them interact.

We went to Mellow Mushroom for pizza and naked wings after we finished at the museum...yum!

Redondo Beach

Our last day in California was a beach day!  Richelle, Blip, and I had to take Brooklyn to the airport first thing in the morning, but we came home to special homemade donuts requested by Blip.  Doug made his little donut dreams come true…complete with chocolate frosting and "M's".

After that treat we got ready and headed to the beach! We drove along the coast and enjoyed the beauty…and the ginormous, unaffordable homes.  Once we arrived…all the boys picked out an oyster.  Even Blip.  Then we wandered around the pier until we found a spot in the sand to settle into.  We played on the beach for a few hours.  By the time we left everyone seemed to have had enough sand and sun.

For dinner…yum…Doug made us homemade Mexican food.  OMG…the food got better and better as the meals were rolled out.  I wished and wished I could have stuffed more of that Mexican food into my belly.  It was soooo good.

When the day finally came to an end it was just sad…knowing it was the last night of our quick little vacation.  Blip and I were excited to get back home to Mike, but sad to go back to the real world.  I LOVE taking these quick trips…they make the everyday craziness seem much more tolerable with a break every now and then.  We loved staying with Kristi and Doug and the boys.  They were awesome hosts…and we felt very welcome.  I can't wait to go back!