December Fun

December has been a combination of emotions but we have done some fun things with the kiddos. Here is some of the fun we have had:
Picking out and decorating our Christmas tree:

Ok, so this isn't the one we picked but the kids liked the Charlie Brown tree:)

We had an awesome day at Smith Ranch in Julian where we rode a mining train, went in the mine, panned for gold, learned to pump water the old fashioned way, walked a rope bridge and busted open fresh chestnuts. The Smith's were so nice and the kids had so much fun, what a great experience!

We had an afternoon of baking w/Auntie Erin:

And Jackson was an angel in his play at school. The first picture is his reaction to seeing Lily and I in the audience. What a sweet guy! He did so well and sang his little heart and at the end of the evening a surprise guest arrived. And boy were the kids happy about it!

More fun to come!

Thanksgiving

We had a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. Our health, our wonderful friends and family, a home, jobs, and so many more things that I can't name. It is easy to get caught up in the day to day grind and feel down when things aren't going our way, so I am always happy when a day like Thankgiving comes around when we can remember to be appreciative and thankful for what we DO have.
This was our year to stay home (rather than travel to Santa Barbara or Visalia) so we spent it with the Riordan side of the family.Tilly and I started the day w/a run up Iron Mountain (I don't know who's idea it was to run up it instead of hike, but I survived!) with some friends and acquaintances. It was literally freezing out but most everyone still managed to show up and have fun. It was nice to catch up w/an old high school bud (James and his beautiful wife Amy) and try to keep up w/the Lovell girls (they are quick!).
Here is a picture from the top:

Jack headed to basketball with the guys when I got home and Stacey, Dawn, Nicky, and I took the kids for a walk on the trail by our house. Then we headed home to make pretzels, pumpkin pie, and salad for dinner that night. We spent the afternoon and evening at the Riordan's and it was really nice having everyone together and having time to catch up with the family. Pat and Stacey made a delicious feast for all of us.
Some photos from the night:

Sprong Fall Celebration

Last weekend Dennis and Erin hosted their annual Fall Party and it was perfection. Erin was nice enough to take some family pictures for us before the party started:

Although my photos don't do it any justice, the shop looked absolutely beautiful. Dennis built a flawless fire pit, smoked three huge turkeys, and strung lights all the way up to the top of their windmill and all along the fence leading down their driveway.  Erin had candles and decorations galore and she set up a kids table with crafts and games for the kids. The two of them put so much time and effort into everything and it turned out perfect. Tons of good food, and good company and the night was complete!

Thank you Erin and Dennis for a memorable night. Can't wait to do it again next year!

80's Day!

Yesterday was 80's day at Lily's school and I could not resist dressing her up. Jessica and I hit up the thrift store to see what outfits we could come up with. I think Noah and Lil turned out looking pretty darn cute:

Lily also thought it was important to tell her friends that "Mommy knew EXACTLY how to dress me today because she grew up in the 80's". Wow I feel old!!!
Lily also made Noah a card that day that I HAD to take a picture of because it was so sweet! Totally innocent but she does adore him and I think he feels the same. Well, maybe:) I like how she tried to write her name in cursive-fancy!!

Weekend Fun and Halloween Shenanigans

This past weekend was such a blast! It started off Saturday morning with a visit from Nicky and Brent who drove down from Utah for the weekend. The kids had a great  time playing games and we had a chance to visit and catch up w/them. Later that day (much later than we anticipated because of a "mysterious illness") Uncle Kyle and Aunt Jennie arrived for the weekend. What a breath of fresh air to have those two around for a few days. They are so easy to please and there is no stress to have a schedule or things planned because we have fun no matter what we do. That night Erin and Dennis came over for dinner and some pumpkin carving. Jennie casually mentioned that her Halloween costume for the following night required a "bumpit" and I about lost it! We have seen infomercials for them and always thought they were so ridiculous so Erin and I had to try them out:

Funny stuff:)

Then, on with the pumpkin carving. I knew Jennie's would be adorable but was not expecting Dennis' to be so creative!

I think everyone had a great time and all the pumpkins turned out super cute

Sunday we went to Erin and Dennis' for fun on the farm.

Then on to the Halloween Shenanigans! We had a lot of fun getting dressed up and ready to head out the door to our pre-trick or treating party. I think everyone looked great and what a fun time! Our street gets completely out of control and I was trying not to have an anxiety attack about the madness. We had a nice big group of adults and the two kiddos so I knew we had a handle on it. Erin and Dennis joined us as did Grandma Stacey and Nicky and Brent. Brent had never had a "real" trick or treating experience so we broke him in while he was here. Him and Nicky put on the plug and socked costume when we got back and they went out for some more trick or treating. We had so many trick or treaters at our house that we were out of candy by 7 pm!