Second half of October (Halloween)

We just had to hit up another pumpkin patch before the season was over. The kids really enjoy going to 

this one. Z could remember everything from last year. It was like Christmas morning when I told them where we were about to go. Lots of screaming done by both kids. I thought it was so funny. We went around 4:30 in the afternoon and it was still pretty hot! 

One morning we did a simple craft were I cut out different shapes and then they picked what they wanted on their pumpkin and ghost. I realized I had never really had Jane do a glue stick before, so it was a fun first for her. I was dying when Zac decided he needed to add arms and legs to his ghost and arms to his pumpkin.

The Saturday before Halloween the Zoo does a "Boo day." Everyone can come in costume and get snacks at different check points in the park. They also give out tickets for a free ride. The kids were excited to ride the train with Dad! Z also got to make a ghost out of Kleenex and seeds for the birds to eat. It was a fun activity. Pretty crowded, but with a pass we did not feel the pressure to see it all. (Just the way we like it!) 

That night it was trunk-or-treat. The kids enjoyed getting a little precandy to Halloween. Jane went around once and decided that handing out candy (and eating some) was better then seeing some of the "spooky" decorated cars. I took Z around for round two. We alsoThey also enjoyed being with friends in the ward and also doing the cake walk most of the night (glad they were not sad about not winning one!).

Zac REALLY wanted Jane to be a firefighter with him. I thought it would  be really cute too, but I couldn't find a friend with a jacket that we could borrow. I was glad he was okay with her being a ballerina. It was fun to dress her up girly. She is not really into princesses yet, so I thought this was a perfect girl dressup. She was cute telling us that she was going to be a "ballerina." It has also been fun to have the tu-tu to just play in.

I love Jane's little bun.

Zac insisted that we got inside and get some pictures in the firetruck. I totally agreed...I mean we do have a firetruck and all. :)

Jane with her friend Alyse. Matching ballerinas.

If there is anything that Zachary loves it is directing "traffic." I really thought he would want to be a crossing guard or police man for Halloween, but when he picked fireman I didn't want to talk him out of it because we already had the costume! Well this day was like a dream come true for him. We were the last ones in our line at Costco and we had the sign that our lane was closing. He was loving showing everyone the sign and directing them to other lines.

FHE pumpkin carving. The kids actually really enjoyed helping iwth all of it. Jane was brave and touched the "insides." Z thought using a spoon was a good idea. They drew the faces and we carved. I would say a success!!

While Z was at school and I was cleaning Jane thought it was fun to play with all my bracelets.

I forgot we had this costume that would have fit Jane. We had to have some fun in it before Halloween was over. Jane LOVED it and didn't want to take it off. They both were laughing and laughing at the tail and the mane. Jane kept saying "roar." It was the cutest thing ever. I loved Zac's bedhead and Jane's eyes in this picture. 

On Halloween Zac got to wear his costume to school which he thought was pretty cool.

 That night we went out with our neighbor across the street. We went around the block with him to all the houses that Z told me everyday that he wanted to go to as we would do our daily walks. The kids were pretty cute saying "thank you." And Zac always wanted to add in "have a nice evening." Jane would talk so quiet that I'm sure they didn't hear her half the time. At houses that were "spooky" Zac would make sure Jaden went first to the door. (Such a nice friend.)

After doing our block we put the kids in the stoller to head over a few blocks to where the "real party"

is in our neighborhood. A guy worked for Disney and does crazy things every year. (Last year was a pirate theme...pictured below.) This year a flying saucer had crashed into his house. In the dark he has lights, noises, people walking around in uniform, and an alien thing popping up. It's pretty intense. Jane did not want to go through, but surprsingly Zac did. Lee said that the only thing Zac said to the guy passing out candy was, "Your house is awesome."

The entire street goes all out. Almost every house is fully decorated. Most of the people just sit outside because there is a constant flow of people. They have the street blocked off so cars can't drive down it. This night they even brought a firetruck to help with the flow of traffic. They were letting people take pictures on it, so we had to jump in for a family picture with our very own fireman! 

We also stopped by a ward members house in the same area that had "the world of color" from Disney Land going in their front yard. It was pretty impressive with the water, colors, and music! People sure are creative!!

2013 A few days before Halloween

2012 Pirate theme

World of Color.

Home enjoying the goods!!

First Half of October

 We went to the Livermore airport open house again this year. We see the planes flying all the time, so it's fun to get up close to them. The stunt shows are always entertaining too. It was super sunny and warm this day. We were glad we came right at the beginning! My favorite part about these pictures is Zachary. He was the one that asked for everyone of these pictures and told us what to stand by...but yet we couldn't get a smile out of him. :)

 Almost everyday we do an evening walk. Sometimes we will go to the school across the street and play, other times we just go around our block. For a few weeks we had to check up on the progress of this sidewalk that was removed because of some tree roots. We almost went here daily to rearrange the cones. This picture was a special day because they had finally poured the cement!! We only had about two more days of rearranging the cones until they were gone. Luckily Z thinks the new "white sidewalk" makes you go really fast. And now we make it around the block about 10 minutes faster without the stop to make sure everything is perfect.

Conference weekend. Pumpkin bread french toast was a hit!

Jane has a habit of putting her hand in her shirt when she sleeps. This day she needed both!

 Jane pushing an empty swing and Zac with a stick. Typical park day.:)

Love these two!

Preschool field trip to the pumpkin patch!

This years class: Alyse, Lucas, Bodey, Zac, and Ryan

Taking good care of his sister.

This kid has amazing balance. He can ride a razor scooter so fast!

Jane LOVES her binky. The only time she gets it is in her bed, so she also loves her bed. In the mornings she will wake up and just want to read books in bed. Z ends up getting everything from her room and throwing it in her bed. (I'm glad she does not have much in her room!) She will stay for over an hour until I have to just pick her and get going for the day.

I was cleaning the kitchen when I looked over and saw this. They are sure cute.

We finally got Jane a helmet that fits!!!

Jane likes to ride her bike short distances. All the time she will just get off and just start walking. I usually am on a razor scooter, along with Zac, so I don't really want to carry both her bike and my scooter. So, this day I told her she could just carry her own bike. She thought it was a good idea. And actually walked further then I thought she would. Eventually she got back on and rode it and was totally fine. 

 

One of their favorite things to play with is this firetruck we got from a friend. They will gather up random things and play fireman, babies, or house. It's super cute to see them doing so much together. They sure love each other. These pictures were taken the day that we found out we were expecting a GIRL in March! Zachary had been saying he wanted another Jane in the family. He sure loves his sister. And doesn't know anything that could be better. (I'm thinking that in a few years he might change his mind about being the only boy!) We are all excited to have this little girl join our family!!