Halloween Part II

A week or so before Halloween our favorite photographer Liz offered up a Halloween shoot to returning customers. We did it for Adaline's first Halloween and I jumped at the chance to do it again with Spencer's first Halloween. Liz has a way of always getting a good shot, even when Spencer spent most of the session fussing :) 

Thanks again, Liz! 

Happy Halloween!

We started our Halloween celebration a few days before Halloween by carving our pumpkins into jack o' lanterns. 

On the Friday before Halloween, we went to the local Farmer's Market to trick or treat, just like last year. Travis took some great photos, but we can't seem to transfer them onto the computer. 

On Halloween, the kids and I went to the library for a Halloween Story Hour. Turlock may be a small town, but it sure takes care of its little ones. It was a great, well thought-out production complete with trick or treating in the library (for toys and stickers, not candy!!)At the last minute, I put a different outfit on Spencer- I can't  believe he fit into the costume Adaline wore LAST YEAR!

That night, we went up and down our street to our neighbors and had a great time. Well, Adaline and I did, Spencer made it to three houses and crashed out so Travis took him back home.

Adaline had so much fun she worked up an appetite. She was so tired she had to prop her head up on her hand to finish her second dinner. 

THAT is a successful night!

Best Friends

Travis took these two pictures about six weeks ago, but it's still the same...

They love each other!

Six Months Old

Okay, he's already 6 1/2 months old, but this video was taken at 6 months ;)

So Serious...

 For the most part, this is how Spencer looks at people...

but if you wait long enough, you'll get this...

Definitely worth the wait!

Pumpkin Patch 2012

I love that we live a block away from a pumpkin patch. Who wouldn't love that? 

 This year we even ran into Adaline's long lost twin, Jaxon. Jaxon and Adaline go to school together, but his mom, Regan and I went to school together in elementary school. Turns out they live a few blocks behind us! So excited to have them as friends :)

Happy Halloween!

Moving on up...

Come on, you know you're singing the rest of the song in your head right now :P

When we registered for shower gifts for Adaline 2.5 years ago, we must of hit the wrong button because we accidently registered for 2 strollers. We received both of them and really debated what to do about it. I had my heart set on a BOB jog stroller, but couldn't justify spending that much on one or asking someone else to, so we went with a nice, durable stroller instead, I think it was Baby Trend or something like that. When we received two of them, it seemed like we were meant to trade them in and get the BOB, so we did! And I LOVE it. It has lived up to its hype and has survived 2 years of Adaline and my runs (and I'm rough on it!). We've (read: Travis) replaced the tubes in the tires multiple times thanks to the foxtails that line the canals, but that's it. 

Spencer is finally old enough to ride comfortably in the stroller for our short trips, and he seems to like it!

But, I knew I'd need a double for our longer walks and my runs. Can't take just one kid one a run and just leave the other hanging around the house now, can I?

When we started thinking about two kids, I started scouring Craigslist for used double BOBs, because we were definitely NOT going to pay full price for one of those (I hate paying full price for anything!!!) and... roughly 12 months later, I decided we would be going with an off-brand, because the used BOBs were still running $250. 

I found a decent one in Auburn, which was the closest one I could fine (still 2 hours away!!) so we set up a meeting for our way back from Travis's work conference in Reno last weekend. The original owners kept the stroller in great condition and we've used it multiple times in the last week. I even took it for a run the other day, and it handled really well!

I think the kids like it too! It's definitely harder to run with the extra weight of both kids (I mean, come on, Spencer weighed in at 16 lbs TWO MONTHS ago!!) But I think I'll get the hang of it and pick my speed back up soon- I hope!!!

Bike Riding.

 Remember this? Well, Adaline still rides her first bike all around the yard. She has learned to peddle quite well so we graduated up to this beauty. She took her first ride in July, but she was still just a little short for it.

I think it was a little uncomfortable for her, and as the months have passed she's gotten bigger and fits a little better on it. She still would prefer to walk her bike instead of ride it, but hey, riding bikes is hard work! She'll be a pro by next spring :)

Good Old Zinc Oxide

I'm not quite sure why Travis has a fascination with zinc oxide but I speculate it takes him back to his childhood- I mean, he IS a child of the '80s from the east coast. He even had the white Don Johnson jacket to go with the zinc.

So imagine his delight when he stumbled upon a three-pack of zinc oxide. He talked it up and Adaline was so excited to have a pink (her favorite color!!!) nose, but he couldn't quite convince me to have a green nose. Sorry, Charlie, maybe next year :)

Five months

Yeah, I'd be blogging more, but I can't pull myself away from this guy long enough to put something together.
Sorry 'bout that....

Daddy's Home!!!

When Travis comes home from work, Adaline runs from whatever room she's in to come grab his hand. She barely says hello, she just grabs him and says, "Come play with me!" I was able to capture it one day...

 And then Travis gets to play with this guy...

We are so blessed.

The Slough

We have friends who's family has a private beach on the Delta by Elk Grove. Travis has been a couple of times with our friends to go wake boarding, and I've been invited for two years, but just couldn't make it happen until this summer. It was perfect for our young family! A great little sand bar for Adaline to play in, and a huge green lawn for her to run around on, and a massive shade tree for me and Spencer to lounge under. 

We had so much fun! Adaline was not quite ready to take a ride in the big boat, but she sure loved waving to all the boats cruising by. She wore herself out completely, and instantly fell asleep on the drive home- didn't even make it two miles before she crashed out. We can't wait to do it again! Thank you, Matt and Julie!

Marine Layer

Usually we see the marine layer coming in over the ocean in the late afternoon, but on one trip home from Santa Cruz, we saw it coming over the coastal range just north or San Juan Bautista. It was beautiful...it looked like a cozy blanket was draped over the mountain.  

Pardon the grainy photos, these were taken with my phone, through the incredibly dirty windshield, while we were driving :)

Dance Fever

One of my absolute favorite things about summer is the Concert in the Pines in Twain Harte. It is so relaxing to sit with people you love and enjoy the warm summer evenings with some good wine and good music. We started taking Adaline (here and here) when she was a baby and now Spencer is getting his turn.

He seems to like them... 

Even if it will be awhile before he fits into his chair.

Adaline has grown to love the concerts, too. She dances and dances and dances. 

She also became a groupie (thanks, Mom!)

Every time we go, Adaline can barely wait for the band to finish setting up. As soon as the first notes are played, she looks around for the first ready dance partner.

Of course she takes a break every so often, but then she's right back out there.

 Cousin Laura seems to enjoy dancing, too :)

 Spencer's still getting the hang of it, but he does love being snuggled up in my arms as we watch everyone else dance.