Merry Merry, part 1

Happy Holidays!  The craziest time of year, but packed full of fun!

[Thanksgiving 2016}

Lily participated in a dance/cheerleading class after school once a week.  It was her idea, and we signed her up after lots of begging.  She looked forward to each Wednesday and had a blast in her performance.  

 William in his second appearance in his preschool Christmas program.  Cutest little shepherd!!  He did great...he sang along and did all the actions!

A quick visit to Santa - however, William said "Mom, that wasn't the real Santa!  No way!"  So we had a good conversation about how Santa sometimes needs to ask a cousin to help out during busy season.  

Our favorite tradition!  Opening one Christmas book each night in our new Christmas PJ's.  

First ER visit

After a fun morning playing with our buddy James at the train park, William took a spill jumping off flower boxes.  I tried two different urgent cares who wouldn't see him for various reasons before just driving to the Emergency Room.  A little glue and two hours later, he was all patched up and ready to go back to the life of crazy, ornery four year old boy.  

William told his sister all about his day, going on and on about how brave he was and how the nurse rewarded him with a new hot wheel car because he was so good.  However, he failed to mention the part when he gagged on his tears and threw up all over me.  Guess that slipped his mind!  :)  

A month later, it's healed nicely and he is very proud of his scar!  

October fun

Lots of October fun this year.  I felt like Halloween dragged on forever!  :) 

Decorating sugar cookies to share with friends and neighbors

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden in Carefree.

Pumpkin carving with Daddy

Lily's class party 

And of course, trick or treating our neighborhood with our favorite neighbors! 

Del Mar

Lily and William have a week off in October for fall break.  Mom and I decided we'd take the kids to San Diego for the week to enjoy the beach and the gorgeous weather.  Once our trip was booked, Ryan and Dad quickly cleared their schedule for a few days to join...shortly followed by Mallory and Casey.  Our family likes to travel together and never wants to be left out of a fun vacation!  

We had the kids to ourselves for the first half of the week and just bummed around town.  Lots of time at the beach, a quick trip to La Jolla to see the seals, and exploring our home base of Del Mar (scoping out and trying all the restaurants is Nanny and I's favorite thing to do!).  But the real fun started for Lily and William once the boys arrived.  Beach baseball, Papa hopping and chasing the waves, evening sunsets playing in the water (after baths!!), and all the fun that comes with a week at the beach.  We loved Del Mar and can't wait to go back!

Soccer for William Thomas

William has been waiting for this day for years.  His very first team sport...soccer!  He is playing with all his best buddies including Chance, Tommy, and James plus lots of other neighborhood families.  William scored his team's very first goal and was one happy boy!  It's going to be a great season!

Happy birthday Daddy!

Happiest birthday to our favorite guy in the world.  We love him so much.

And a man who wears a crown all night long just to please his 7 year old daughter is obviously a keeper!