Trick or Treat!

Happy Halloween Eve

Julia's school celebrated Halloween yesterday. Her entire class made raccoon costumes and showed them off in a parade around the school grounds. The kids were just too cute....she and her little friend Kai were like two peas in a pod - matching piggy-tails and all.

Proud Big Sister...

A few pictures of the proud new big sister:

Welcome to the World Jacob!

No time in the past month to update this blog...so I am going to do a few posts with pictures of our new addition. Jacob was born in late September, weighing 6lbs11oz and measuring 18 inches. Pretty much the same as his big sis!

Children's Museum of San Diego

A few more pictures here of Julia at the San Diego Children's Museum. I cant say it was my favorite place...but it kept Julia entertained for a few hours. My biggest complaint is that the place is not air conditioned! Add that to a day that was over 90 degrees and me being 9 months pregnant and you get the picture of how I felt. I was told they didnt have A/C because they were a "green building". Whatever. :)

Quail Botanical Gardens

I had never heard of this little gem down in Escondido until my friend Joanna introduced me to it a few weeks back. It is a great place for kids - they have a dino-dig, mini train, a place to plant their own little plant, a treehouse (which unfortunately was under repair at the time we went), and every tuesday they have special toddler time with songs, books, & play. Of course there are the actual gardens that you can walk around and enjoy as well. Looking forward to taking Mom here when she comes in a few weeks...

Disneyland w/Grandma and Grandpa

A few weeks back my parents came in for a visit. We decided to head to Disneyland for a 3 day/2 night vacation. We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel which was just a short walk to the park itself - and all Disney, all the time. We all had a blast and Julia is still talking about it. She also still has "fairy dust" (i.e. glitter) in her hair...I cant get it out no matter how hard I try....thanks Tinkerbell.

"Sprinkle"

I got a nice surprise baby shower from all my wonderful SLR friends. I totally fell for their trick and had no clue what was being planned. Even as I walked into the clubhouse, it took a few seconds to sink in. I thought my friend Beckie and I were just going to get a pedicure and then return home - hence my VERY casual outfit. It was great fun and I am so thankful for having such beautiful and generous friends out here in Cali. :) Thanks ladies!

Summer Days

This past week we tried to keep busy with various activities...here are a few photos of Juila.


Feeding ducks at the lake.


Making Grasshopper Brownies with mommy - baking is one of our favorite activities because it involves licking batter and bowls full of yummy-ness.


Julia asleep after a long day - love this picture!


At Sealife Aquarium

Daddy Doll

There are so many companies out there doing great things for us military families. One of them is the San Diego chapter of the Red Cross. They are providing "Hug a Hero Dolls" aka. Daddy Dolls for small children of deployed service members. Julia received hers before daddy left and there we also have one for the new baby when he arrives. Here is a picture of Julia and her daddy doll.

My mother-in-law is in town for a nice weeklong visit. Yesterday we spent lying low and hung out in the backyard in what Julia calls her "tiny pool". After awhile Harley wanted in on the action and ended up looking like a drowned rat - but he had just as much fun as the rest of us - if not more! Then Julia decided that she wanted to be a dog too and fetch her toys from the pool as well....

Last weekend we went to SeaLife Aquarium with Joanna and Jackson. Here are a few pictures from the trip. It is attached to Legoland and we tried to go enjoy a bit of that as well...but Legoland on a Saturday afternoon in the summertime is NO fun. So we went and ate at Rubios instead!

Last Days

On our last days together before Jeff's deployment we went to Seaworld, the San Diego Zoo, Scripps Aquarium, La Jolla Cove and Carlsbad State Beach. Here are some great pictures of Julia and Daddy...

Day One

Well, it was our official first day of Jeff's deployment. Unfortunately, our first few days somehow ended up being Saturday and Sunday - prime family days. Thank goodness for my friend Stacy who invited us to Legoland with her and her friend and their kiddos. Nothing like fellow wives with deployed husbands to pass the time.

Here are a few pictures of our afternoon.