Ellie's 3rd Birthday Party

We had Ellie and Autumn's third birthday parties together again this year as the girls are best buddies.


Pre party action shot!

The party turned out to be a Tangled (Rapunzel story), Star Wars (Kristie and I found Star Wars pez dispensers we couldn't pass up), Mexican (we got a pinata) theme.

Contemplating the cake

Ezra trying to take out the pinata

I love this action shot of Judd (NNNOOOOO, not the face)

Lucy taking out the pinata. She did a great job.

Dad's helping divvy up the candy

Oops, out of sequence, Garrett taking wack at the pinata

Great warriors, Lukas and Heath, battle it out while Lucy watches. It was a gorgeous day and all of kids played outside most of the time.

The birthday girls

Awesome weather!

They crack each other up.

Trip to San Francisco

We went to San Francisco for the American College of Emergency Physicians meeting. Ian and I went to meetings and we had Ashley come and help us with the kids. I took the kids out on Friday to the "best coffee shop in San Francisco", Sightglass, which is was. I had a maple bacon donut, Ellie had a chocolate spice donut and Garrett had a plain donut, mmmm.Would you mess with this kid. Garrett had biffed it just prior to leaving our rental apartment complex.

Cool gal at the park.

Lovely San Francisco day. It was 83 degrees that day

We were right next to the Yerba Buena Gardens and the Zeum Children's Museum. They had a big celebration on Saturday and Sunday and we took the kids. Garrett was multi colored by the end, including his tongue from eating the chalk.

Let us out!!

I'm a tough guy mommy.

Garrett's First Birthday Party

Our little monkey! The party spread

My little guy is one!

So cute!

Aaah, this food is so goood, bring on the cake!

Ellie and Autumn, practicing their skillz

Mmmmm. Carrot cake muffins are good.

Heath showing Garrett how to play with his new toy from Heath.

The gang helping Garrett play with his toys (left to right: Lukas, Heath, Garrett, Autumn, Ellie)

Visit to Amah Mar and Baba Mike's House

In early September, the kids and I went to visit Amah Mar and Baba Mike. We spent a lovely Saturday afternoon at the Huntington Library and Gardens. Their children's garden is wonderful but you have to bring a change of clothes. Ellie and Amah Mar, cool shades

Garrett and Baba Mike, cool dudes

I love this stuff man! (Forget keeping them clean or dry)

Ellie and Garrett practice their rock skills

Strawberry Icecream girl. A well deserved treat after working so hard to play in the water garden and the rainbow tunnel.

The gang's all here

Ellie and her friends having a tea party

Moooooooommmmmm!!! We went over to Drake's house (my friend John Abdelshehid's son) for an afternoon to play. Drake is a month younger than Garrett.

The Potholes were conquered

The Three Amigos begin their sojourn

The trout were plentiful. Don't worry, they all lived to tell the tale of their encounter with the great hunter, Michael Crane

King of the Hill

The biggest pothole. This one looked good for swimming for humans

Yosemite back country is a beautiful place

First Day of School

The Cubby!

"There's Autumn, my friend Autumn"

Ellie was very excited for her first day of preschool. She wore her backpack for at least a half hour prior to leaving for school. All reports were that she had a good time, she "climbed up the stairs, crossed the bridge, crossed back over the bridge and climbed down the stairs" on the playground. She also told me she "fell into the toilet and a little boy laughed" and then Ellie laughed when telling me that story. I have no idea what that really means, but I have decided not to worry about it. Now I have to figure out how to make creative lunches and bring tasty snacks for her room.

Oh, the life of children

Why mother? Why do you block my way into the kitchen with a dirty babygate? I must throw myself at it so I can get back to the business of climbing up my sister's stepstool onto the kitchen counter and trying to eat salt and grab knives. Why would you stop me? I just want to eat paper and climb on the couch and knock the speakers over. I'm just trying to be me. Oh man, sister. I cannot believe you dressed me up like this. I am so going to get you back some day. On the other hand, I love the attention.