Pumpkin Patch Pics 2

Well another year going to our neighborhood pumpkin patch (literally down the road). This time we went a little later in the day and it was perfect. Not crowded, a light breeze blowing and everything was open....Esther has been eyeing the bounce house everytime we drive by.
Of course, we used this time to take TONS of pictures...and I have to brag and tell you we only spend $4!!! Baker's Drive thru has these coupons and we got 2 free tickets to the petting zoo, so we just had to buy one ticket and then spent a dollar on some feed for the animals. Then we got 2 free ride tickets, so we only had to buy one ticket to let Esther bounce. The perfect fall day!!

Bring your kids to work day

A couple of weekends ago, it was Family Day down at March Air Reserve Base and it was our first "official" year since we have kids (or at least one kid) that can participate. Everything is free to the family of the Guardsmen & the Reservists. They have a free lunch, face painting, petting zoo, horse rides, balloon animals, giveaways and such. It was a lot of fun. Steve's brother Scott met us down there, so it was nice to spend a few hours with him as well.

Esther and her Uncle Scott...she's crazy about him.
Esther got her face painted for the first time...she held SO still.

Steve was able to show us the GCS he works on with the Predator. It was very cool and the kids got a kick out of it. Don't they look like naturals??

Gideon is ready to fly.

They thought they were pretty big stuff.

One of the guys Steve works with had a couple of his horses out there for the kids to ride...and Esther was in heaven. Her first time on a horse and she LOVED every second of it.

This really cute couple was there doing balloon animals and they asked to take a picture with our kids...well it was past Esther's nap time so she wasn't having it, but Gideon was all smiles....isn't he always??

We've got a stander

Actually Gideon has been pulling up on things for awhile now...he has even taken a few steps cruising around furniture and such. But I had to post these pictures and let you see what I see everyday. When I am getting things done around the house...laundry, vaccuming, etc and I can't be watching Gideon all the time, I lock him in the family room. Well, this is what I am constantly looking at....Gideon peering through the baby gate. And not usually smiling. I can be in the other room and not hear a sound, but as soon as he catches a glimpse of me, the tears start. Such a momma's boy. :)

Anniversary dinner

Steve and I went out for dinner the Monday before our anniversary and we have been hearing AMAZING things about the Melting Pot and we thought 9 years of marriage would make a good excuse to go. We did all 4 courses: cheese fondue, salad, main course (you cook your meat or seafood in broth) and melted chocolate.
It was definitely fun and a great experience (we were there for almost 2 hours), but WOW, pricey. We are glad we did it though and probably won't be back for a LONG, LONG time...living on one income will do that to ya.

In the car, on the way out to Rancho Cucamonga.
My sweetie with the sweets. They give you everything to dip in chocolate...cheesecake, marshmellows, pound cake, rice krispy treats, bananas, apples, strawberries, brownies..but ours by far were the bananas...we even asked for more.

The aftermath.

The end to a great and fun evening.

Thanks babe for splurging on me. I had an amazing time with you and it's good to know that I still have fun just being with you. Can't wait to see what the next 9 years hold.

A dream vacation

When I was a kid my family vacationed in Carlsbad (quite a few summers in a row). We loved it and always stayed in this little condo across the street from their main beach, but my mom has always wanted to stay ON THE BEACH. Well her wish was granted this summer. Steve, the kids and I rented a place with my parents right on the sand. I remember when we checked in my mom said...this is always been my dream. So glad we could do this for her (and for us).

The kid's first stroller ride on the sand.

Looking for shells with Appa.

Steve pointing to our place...see, right on the sand. Awesome!

Gotta have smores at the beach. We had a great fire pit for it.

Me being goofy outside our place. What was awesome is that even when the kids were taking naps we could still be on the sand.

My dad doing what he does best.

Nothing like a big hole in the sand to keep the kids entertained.

My BFF JoAnna took this picture when her and her daughter came down for the day...honestly, I think one of my favorites pictures of Gideon EVER!

Me and my bud. We had so much fun that day.

Yes that is Steve all the way out there with Esther...that girl has no fear.

We had a little pool set up on the beach for Gideon...such a happy camper.

Esther has had ice cream before, but never her own ice cream cone. All I can say is that girl throughly enjoyed every drop of it.

Check out the sandy hand.

My dad enjoying the amazing view we had from our patio.

Of course we had to find a park. We designated one day as a non-beach day and enjoyed lunch out, some park time and Legoland aquarium.

Esther insisted on going on the slide with Gideon...I had to help a little.

Steve having just as much fun as the kids.

Every morning, Esther had a ritual of going out and feeding the seagulls some popcorn. I have to say, the highlight of our vacation.

And when she wasn't throwing it, she was eating it.

Bubbles on the beach...what could be better??

I can't even imagine how much sand Gideon ate on this trip...probably would sicken me to know.

The last sunset of our trip. {sigh}

One last feeding of the seagulls.

All and all it was one amazing week. Perfect weather and the water tempature felt sometimes like bath water. Hope we can definitely make this a tradition.