Fall is here is Southern California!

The first signs of fall...cooler temps and leaves! The kids had a blast running through our (small) leaf piles today. (Tom, it only took me about 5 minutes to rake my yard :) )

Both kids knew right what to do, running, jumping and throwing the leaves into the air.

Nana and Papa's Visit

We have a beautiful hiking trail a couple of miles up the hill we live at the base of...and so we got out early one morning and went for a wonderful hike. We all took turns carrying the kids on our backs...but as you can see, they really enjoyed hiking themselves. I put the last picture in because we were playing boats (Our dog kendall was the whale or the seal we would point out) and we were singing "row row row your boat". Well Gordie now walks around paddling with his arms singing "woo woo woo woo" it's so cute!

Nana and Papa's visit

Long Beach...and the Aquarium of the Pacific

My parents arrived at LAX early in the morning so we just continued down the 405 to Long Beach. We had fun walking around the Seaside village and enjoyed a nice lunch at the YardHouse (Becky, if you check this...it's were we ate when you were here for your conference). My dad decided 11:30 was a little too early for a Yard of beer...or we would have had to carry him in the stroller!

Then we headed over to the Aquarium. We played with sharks and sting-rays, watched sea lions splach around and saw lots of cool fish! Both kids enjoyed the day...as well as my parents and me!

Both kids were so excited to see my parents. I don't think Gordie let go of my dad for the first several hours we were together!

Nana and Papa's visit

Catalina Island...a wonderful day!

We took the one hour boat ride over to Catalina Island, leaving the Port of Los Angeles (which was cool too!). We had a nice outside ride over to the island, had fun playing in the water on the beach (Adelee and Nana more than Gordie), shopping, eating ice cream, eating a delicious Mexican dinner mmmm mmm, and exploring the island. We watched seals play in the water as we were boarding the boat back home, then got to see a couple of whales hanging out in the water on the ride back. The captain of the boat stopped the boat and we just floated around watching them come up and down. I know Gordie didn't see them, Adelee may have seen them...but the ooohhhs and ahhhhs from everyone on the boat were very exciting for both of the kids.

I ran my first 10k on that island about 5 or 6 years ago...looking back at the hills I ran up...what was I thinking!?

A little update

We are continuing to have fun!

Gordie is everywhere and into everything! Adelee too. They both love coloring and Adelee is doing such an amazing job with it! We went to the Noah's Ark Exhibit at the Skirball Center. Both kids had a blast making rain, thunder, wind and lightening...putting the animals on the ark, and sweeping up the animal's poop.

I've gone 2 nights in a row without nursing Gordie in the middle of the night...I'M FREE! (but miss it a bit) It is kinda weird sleeping through the night! (we'll see if it lasts!)

Adelee and I have been feeling crafty!

Adelee and I had a wonderful morning doing crafts. Adelee practiced sticking stickers, gluing, then moved on to coloring and play-doh. Meanwhile, I did some sewing. I didn't do all of the things in the picture today...but in the past month. From a "man-bag" for gordie (cause he is always carrying around Adelee's pink purse, to a baby pillow case for a friend, to pillow covers for our old sofa pillows. I also sewed a little tractor over a "Splendid" little boy's shirt that had an advertisement on it (got it in a gift bag)so now gordie can enjoy the soft cotton without advertising a store in Beverly Hills and that they love Tori Spelling's daughter Stella.

I am also knitting 35 squares to sew together to make an area rug for our living area. (I have 4 1/2 done...)

Here's a little photo. I took the photo with my computer so it probably isn't the best quality.

We have been having loads of fun!

We are keeping busy with trips to Flagstaff (but I forgot my camera, so check out Mackenzie's blog for those pictures), birthday parties, playdates with our friends and lots of fun with Aunts and Uncles!

Adelee is talking up a storm, loves dance class on Saturday mornings, is potty trained, and is a MONKEY!

Gordie is everywhere! He is falling less, climbing more. Starting to say some more meaningful sounds...but is still frustrated that he can't tell me what he wants. He can point to his nose, which is so cute! He is starting to really like dancing! And he is done with every meal before I have a chance to sit down! Oh and he still loves playing hockey! Unky Nelbo was playing hockey in our driveway the other day when Gordie walked over, picked up his hockey stick and started playing along side of him. It was so cute.

So here are a few photos and a video of the kids.