Almost Halloween!!!

Our neighborhood housing office hosted a Halloween Spookfest yesterday!

So it was the first chance for the kids to wear their costumes!!

We also carved pumpkins last night!!

Spiderman & Cheerleader are ready for trick-or-treating!!!

 Maddy's bunny with a bow

 Abby's classic jack-o-lantern

Oh no......

Well, I gave in on Abby's birthday and let her get a makeup kit she's been eyeing.....

This is what happens when you let your sister do your makeup!!!!

Not to worry, they went straight into the bath after this. But I know they LOVED every minute of doing it!! Sister fun!! Abby may have been a bit aggressive on Maddy's cheeks :)

Fall Festival

Abby's elementary school hosted their Fall Festival this past Friday

The kids had so much fun and it was a very well done event.

Each class created and manned a booth for the night. Everything from pick a lollipop, make a cupcake, decorate a bird feeder pretzel, ring toss, sack races, musical chairs and MORE!

Abby's class hosted the Chili Contest, and there was also a cake and scarecrow contests too!

Tired Maddy

 This is what happens when you have a really busy week and fall asleep on mommy's lap before dinner. She was a pink and floral mess!

Hawkeye Ball 2013

This past weekend we were able to escape to our old stomping grounds in Point Mugu for our annual Hawkeye Ball event! Mike's sister Linda graciously came down to stay with the girls at our house for the weekend so we could retreat and see old friends!!

We were only in town 24 hours.....but we made the best of it!

And of course had a blast with our friends at the ball itself Saturday night.

Abby's Birthday

Donuts & Presents!! These two don't ask for much more!!

And......she RIDES!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuDDc0NnFHI

This is the You Tube link to see Abby riding her bike!!

She finally overcame her fears and learned to ride completely unassisted over the weekend!!

She's been battling us for a few months now and is a pro!!

Mike took them for a 40+ min bike ride around the neighborhood and she rode solo!

Miss Climber

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUiMYlauURA

This is a You Tube link to Maddy climbing a rock wall at the park last weekend!

Turning SIX!!!!!

Our BIG girl turned 6 last week!!!

Abby's birthday dinner out of choice.......BENIHANA'S!!!! (hibachi grill)

She has quite the refined kid palette!!

Great night out to celebrate her! They go all out for the kids there. Balloon hats, ice cream!! Mmmm

 Goofball little sister

 Goofy birthday girl

Busy with Friends

Last week I was lucky enough that the stars all aligned and I could help out my best friend (and college roomie) with her kids during the week in San Ramon. My kids had the week off for Fall break, BONUS!! Her mother-in-law normally helps a lot but was on vacation for the week, so I jumped in to help! We had SOOOO much fun! I was "mom" to all four of the kids during the day, and they played NON-STOP for 3 days!!! And didn't want to leave!!

So nice to be close to those I love and care for these days to be able to do things like this!!

This is her little guy, Connor (18 mos)-- Such a love!~!

 Maddy loved their patio swings

 Abby loved worm hunting in the backyard

 Cailin and I even got out one night for a drink without the kids!!

10+ years, both married and 4 kids later.....STILL no surprise, we are super close!

 Duck pond visit (sad, her daughter Sienna was in preschool the days I took pics...)

Monterey Navy Ball

Two weeks ago was the Monterey Navy Ball.

Mike's mom Susanne came to stay with us, and doubled as a babysitter that night so we could escape to the event. The Ball was held at the Naval Post Graduate School campus, in the old Del Monte Hotel.

Drinks in the Trident Room Bar downstairs before the event with our neighbors!!

 The end of the evening.....a few drinks later :) GREAT night out!!

Thank you Grandma Smith for the awesome grandma-sitting!!