Cancun~pleasing to mind, body and soul.

When we booked our Cancun trip, I had done all the research. I researched the hurricane season and knew when they typically hit the Cancun peninsula (May-October). Apparently, the week before we got here the weather was beautiful, sunny, warm and clear skies. And apparently, after we are leaving- also the same. While we are here, - cloudy skies, torrential rains, high winds and hurricane warnings. Yes, I said it. Hurricane warnings. It's actually quite comical and romantic in a silly kind of way. We have had so much bonding time as a couple and with our good friends as well. Because yes, we are not all off and running in all different directions. We are only limited to a few activities- the SPA being one of them and long and lazy dinners - talking and laughing. Also, after dinners, sitting under the decks and watching the rain and having drinks. Really, it's an absolutely awesome trip. I haven't even included the small glimpses of the sun we have gotten are bonuses! Robert and I even decided we were going to swim in the rain and enjoy the pool- very romantic. We have had so much fun with Kim and Brian, Shelley and Joe, all of whom are wonderful friends. In a marriage, you definitely need that time alone to bond, talk and relate. I must also say that you need that time with your married couple friends also. It helps you relate with your friends on that level too. We have had so much fun!

Our journey up North, on the way to Cancun!!

We headed up north today where our awesome family friends (J & J) took care of the kiddos while we escaped for 5 days! On the way, we visited Papa and Nana! It was so much fun! Kids were excited because it was a vacation for them too! Thanks for having us Dad and Marilyn! We were lucky because we got to see them going UP and back Down!!

Halloween 2009

Halloween is fun for us because it does signify the start of our fun Fall months ahead. We all love this time of year in our house. Gracie was Spiderella and Cole was Darth Vadar. They were so cute and later we met up with our friends and laughed while the kids bobbed for apples, a first!!


Spiderella and Darth Vadar

All of the neighborhood kids

This was really cool, a neighbor had gotten very creative


Robert and Alex, not sure what there were!

I think this should be Robert's new costume for when he plays?

Kids bobbing for apples with their friends, Abbey and Christopher

Gracie's catch!!

Student of the Month Day and Vocabulary Hat Day

Gracie received Student of the Month today. She was surprised and acted shy, but she is getting better when recognized in front of a crowd. SOTM students are recognized and get to sit with their parents after the awards presentation and enjoy snacks. They wear their sticker all day so that people can congratulate them. Throughout the month they get interviewed and receive the honor of being the leader in their class, among other little things. Cole and I were very proud of her (Daddy too even though he was unable to be there)! Keep rockin' it Gracie!!


Today was also Vocabulary Hat Day. The students choose a word and then make a hat and draw out the definition of their word. Then they wear it and do a parade through the classrooms to show off their hats. Love Gracie's word! And her beautiful pictures to go along with it!

girl scouts at their annual Halloween party.

Gracie is in her 4th year of girl scouts. She is 2nd year Brownie and next year she will become a Junior, where she will switch from brown color uniform to green. I remember this when I was her age, although some things have changed: i.e: smaller amount of years per each group. Daisies are now Kinder and 1st, Brownies are 2nd and 3rd grade, Juniors are 4th and 5th- It is going too fast.

Gracie and her buddy, Payton.

cole and school.

Cole likes school, although he acts shy when asked about it and/or going to and from school. I haven't figured out why though. He feels proud of himself when he does speak about it. He smiles and beams and boasts. AND DOESN'T SAY MUCH...hmmmm. No details, no stories, no nothing. "Come on Cole. I'm your mom, I want to know what you did today, what you learned, who you played with, what your teacher said." He just stares at me and shrugs his shoulders. I guess that's the boy in him. I am so not used to this- I am used to Gracie jabbering away when I pick her up and at the dinner table about what went on at school. And then I get Cole's answer, "Hmm, I don't remember."

Too funny and too typical. I love my boy!

Annual trip to Bates Nut Farm.

We love going to Bates Nut Farm in Valley Center. We go here every year, in fact I remember taking Gracie when she was 2 months old. The kids look forward to wandering through the patch and finding "just the right" pumpkin. They love going through the corn maze and riding on the tractor ride. It's pure delight for them. There is only one thing I wish I could change- THE WEATHER. It doesn't "feel" right to this Northern California girl to be wandering through patches and taking in all the fall colors with 90+ degree weather! That is just UN-normal! I should NOT be wearing a tank top and shorts and even a few weeks later on Halloween definitely SHOULD not be wearing a tank top. (YES, true story!) I will never adjust to this non-seasonal weather down here. You will never be able to get the Northern California roots OUT -of-the-Girl!!