November

Well I am backed up on blogging once again. Do I get the excuse of it is the busiest time of year!?

James started taking an after school chess class. He loves it. Craig and I both do not know how to play chess so James was teaching Craig! 

 My Mom and I went to lunch with my Grandma one day. e are so bad at getting out to visit her, we really need to make a point to go out there more often!

My girl friends and I decided we need more girl time and are planning to get together once a month for a girls night in! Here were a few of us that made it for the month of November!

 Jake's school pictures! 

There is this new phenomonon for kids called the Rainbow Loom. Boys and girls are crazy about this thing. It is a bracelet maker and you use rubber bands. James wanted one, there are tons of different styles and he can only do one kind. So who do you think gets to make them all? Yep me! It's fun, I did think my days of jewelry making was over though. 

 Soccer season ended and both boys had their team parties at Chuck-e-Cheese.  

This was Jake's first time at Chuck-E-Cheese!

 This was his favorite game

James takes after me, in loving ski-ball

The Dad's were having fun too!

 James asked me one night if we had a bible, I told him yes and he wanted me to get it so he could see it. Then he wanted to take it to bed and read it! Awe….

The next couple nights that was the book he choose to read before bed. So I started at Chapter 1. Adam and Eve!

 This year we didn't do a whole photo session for Christmas cards. My niece Alex took a few photos for us...

This is probably one of the best photos I have ever seen of Jake! Love it!

 We only went to Disneyland once this holiday season. :(

 The boys making gingerbread cookies.

This bear sat down next to James and I was really surprised that James didn't freak out. He played along quite well!

The boys didn't want to sit on Santa's lap but Craig wanted a pic with Mrs. Claus!

 Fun on rides!

Jake and Dad on the jelly fish

 Jake was finally tall enough to go on one of James' favorite rides. Goofy's flight school! He was a little scared! He did really good but didn't want to go on again!

Craig and I went to the Peterson Automotive Museum. My Dad had donated a car to the museum before he passed away. We have always wanted to go see and it was finally on display. But the day we went they had just taken it down the day before. So we toured the vault and got to see it that way. It was pretty cool seeing it there. It even got me a little emotional. 

 This was a picture taken by a professional photographer when the car was on display. 

We met Jake's friends for a play date one afternoon. I love that he is having his own play dates now!

James had a family project…we thought ours came out pretty well! It is made from pine nuts, rice, pasta, flax seed, paprika, mustard seed, a coffee bean for an eye and feathers!

 The day after Thanksgiving Brendan the Elf made his appearance and he brought Elf cookies!

I can't believe I didn't take any photos Thanksgiving! We had a great weekend with all our family! 

October

Our moth of October has flown by! I can not believe it. Brianna told me this week there are only 50 days till Christmas! WHAT?? Crazy.

The beginning of the month we went to Disneyland for our friend Wyatt's Birthday. Jake and I went while James was at school and then Craig and James met us later. 

 Mason, Wy and Jake. No one is looking at the camera!

 Wyatt and Jake on a ride. 

 WHile we watched the parade James hid behind his map! Silly boy.

JAmes was brave enough though to try a new ride. The Grizzly Bear Run. I don't get this kid. He goes on scary rides but then won't go on the Little Mermaid! I actually think I have figured it out. He doesn't like to go on rides that are inside and dark. But he will go on way scarier rides!! 

 James started his Faith Formation classes at church in preparation to make his first communion! He loves the classes!

 Jake and I were part of helping hands at school and we made Brownies for his classmate who had a baby sister! 

 Jake had a field trip to the fire station. Jake with his friend Michael.

I was so glad I could go with them. Love this part of being a stay-at-home- Mom.

We took a tour of their station and the fireman got all dressed in his gear. I was surprised Jake wasn't scared of him!

We were all so excited that all the kids got to spray the fire hose!! So fun!

Jake with his best buds, Alex and Michael. I don't know why they are doing that pose!

 Jake's class

 We have another child high on the bell curve of losing teeth! Jake lost his first tooth!! And two weeks later he lost his second! He didn't want the tooth fairy to come so he didn't get anything! He was a little scared of her coming into his room.

 We went down to Newport one day and took the duffy out. It was such a beautiful day.

 Last month I forgot to mention that James has a new teacher. They did some re-arranging of classrooms because they didn't have a very high enrollment of Kindergarten this year which affected everything and James ended up in a new classroom. Which we were happy about. We absolutely love his new teacher.

 James' self portrait...

 He was star of the week and here is his poster...

 Jake was helper of the day and got to bring home his class pet, Patches.

 Jake had Grandpals day at school. Nonna and Nonni enjoyed their day with him. Jake made them both bracelets. 

 So sweet...

We went to the rip off pumpkin patch that you can't hide from. The kids always see it and can't wait to go! 

Luckily the workers don't pay much attention to the time you spend on the slides and we got a lot of time in!

The weekend before Halloween Jake's pre-school had a trunk-or-treat at his school. We went with my friend Carrie and her kids.

 James was player of the game! So he got to take home this Minion for the week! He is doing SO much better and has shown tremendous improvement! 

We had an adult night out for my friend Lindsay's Birthday! So much fun but we are noticing our age with staying out late and drinking! Glad we had nothing to do the next day!

 This was the first year since we have been married that Craig has carved a pumpkin! 

He will now be carving one every year until the boys can do it themselves! 

 It was a family affair! 

 Our three little pumpkins!

Jake...Spyro from Skylanders!

James...Steve from Minecraft

We went to Vince and Lisa's house again. The kids love passing out candy!

Jake wasn't too big on trick-or-treating this year. He only wanted to go to houses that didn't have decorations. He went to about 5 houses and then wanted to go home. James went to a lot this year. From year to year you never know how they are going to react!

 We have so much fun with our cousins!

One morning I came downstairs to this! It melted my heart! <3 p="">