Cousin Fun!

Good times were had by all last weekend for an early family get together. My favorite is watching the little guys play, get along, and have fun. When Nick, Alissa, Erika, and I were little we made chocolate from molds for Easter time. We thought it was about time these little guys started the tradition... they sure had a good time painting on chocolate details and filling up the molds...but most of all doing it together!

Halloween Updates in December??????

Halloween came and went and I forgot to blog about it. Here are a few October high lights of just some of the fun halloween/harvest activities we did!



Cassidy celebrating "Silly Hat Parade Day" at school.




The Ross Clan comes up for a visit...sooooooo fun!





Carving Pumpkins with the neighbors on Buttercup!
Outside carving...why didn't I think of that sooner!






Headed to Trunk or Treat with the Steimle Family!




And finally...actual Halloween night with our little football player and our cow girl!

Fiesta 2010 Fun

Well, this event was a while back, but as I sit here in the house and try and get "christmas" ready...for a family get together..I am remembering one of the family get togethers from summer. What good times there are to be had with family at Fiesta. Kaden and Cassidy both love being in the Santa Barbara Children's parade. They enjoy riding up, down, and all around State street yelling "viva la fiesta" to all the people in the streets. Cassidy was feeling special in her pink cow girl boots and Kaden too in his "mariachi" outfit and boots! Even though we are fairly close in distance to Santa Barbara...it has not been easy to get together with the cousins. However, the kids just pick up right where they left off everytime we do get the chance. They love seeing eachother and have a blast. Although some of the crew will be in Madagascar for the next few fiestas...we will hopefully continue the parade! VIVA!!!!!

Thanksgiving Fun!

A few highlights from Thanksgiving...



Chocolate making with "the cousins" Jory and Jayce!







The kiddos celebrating Turkey Day school!





YMCA Turkey Trot !



Good times with Family at Chick and Mona's. Delicious food, cooking, dancing, looking back on memories.

With out further ado...

It is December which is such a fun month. Celebrating Hanukkah has been so fun so far. The kids are enjoying lighting the candles, trying new foods (latkes), and of course opening presents. I have been holding off putting Christmas stuff out so that the kids could understand a bit more about Hanukkah. But, I can wait no longer. I've got family/guests coming over next Saturday...And it is time to get out "Christmas".

And I am so LUCKY! I asked Matty earlier this weekend if we could get the tree up sometime this weekend. And without any poking, prodding, or additional asking..the tree is UP!!!! THANKS sweetie! I love you!



Now...I've got 7 million other things to get out! Happy decorating!!!

Maui 2010

Maui is a great place to be. We had a GREAT vacation...although we wish it had been a few days longer! Whether we were snorkeling, water sliding, eating shaved ice, or visiting family...it was fun! Here are a few highlights of a GREAT trip! ***More ocean pics to come when I get access to the Thurrell camera.

Lahina with the kiddos!

Rainbow shaved ice in Lahina. We sat the kids against a store front window. It seemed that a cruise ship had just unloaded because there were literally 15 sets of grandparents that took pics of the kids on their cameras. Colin said, "we are like celebrities"!

Largest Banyan Tree!

A favorite souvenir of Kaden's!


Cassidy waiting for the boys to pick out their carved treasures.

We let Kaden use the camera for the first time. He took about 200 pictures (which I thought I would be deleting), however I am loving looking at life from his perspective!




Kaufman Family in Up Country


Cassidy enjoying Auntie Marianne's swing



Kaden realized he does enjoy riding a horse...just not as much as snorkeling!



Cassidy knew she wanted to do this and was thrilled to ride a horse!



Here is a favorite "inside" pic!


Morning time!