Happy Thanksgiving!

Well, well, well....If it isn't me FINALLY posting again!?!?   I know, I stink....I have been a lil' busy!  In all reality, where DID Sept-Nov go?!?!  Thankfully I have this week off, so what better thing to do that catch up on some bloggin!?

We are all doing really well.   We certainly had LOTS TO BE THANKFUL FOR!!!  Dalton is growing up so fast!  We can't believe it!  He is talking a lot!  This morning it was raining and he pointed outside and said, "Rain."  I didn't even know he knew the word!  It is just so much fun hearing him talk!  He has the sweetest voice...I bet all moms say that about their kids right?!?

Ok, enough chit chat...Let's get to some PICTURES!  We have a lot to catch up on...From riding the train in Tilden Park, to visiting Godfather John at Grammy and Poppi's, to Halloween...We are absolutely LOVING it all!

It was a HOT September day so we thought we would escape the heat and head over the hill to Berkeley's Tilden Park.  It is always cooler there....But when we got there it was HOT there too! Oh well, we LOVED riding the rails with our lil man.  Dalton was so happy to see the train.  He was a little leary once we got one though...

 I took this photo from my lap when Dalton was sitting on Trav's lap.  I love the innocent face. 

 Still riding the rails...Here's my mellow kiddo!!!

 This picture makes me tear up.  Here's a Daddy and son moment on the train.  Dalton and Travis are such pals...I am one lucky lady!

I always look forward to October.  There is a lull in the school year for a couple weeks and we manage to get away for a trip to visit my parents in Meadow Valley.  It was wonderful!  My godfather John was there for a visit from Minnesota, so Dalton got to meet John for the first time too!  He was FASCINATED with his pipe.   Of course, he couldn't get enough of his Grammy...one of his biggest fans!

 John, Dalton and Grammy

 Yes, Grammy this is my nose....

 While we were hanging out on the front porch, Poppi was in his shop creating a new masterpiece, a violin!  (Course, we now all have hearing damage from the noise of his saw!)

Halloween seemed to creep up on us this year.  Thanks goodness Aunt Shirley and Uncle Dan got Dalton's costume for him MONTHS early!....Our little monkey was a perfect costume!  Doesn't he look thrilled about the costume?  LOL!  It really only took a minute and he was happy about it.

 We took him to the pumpkin farm at our local Farmer's Market.  How funny is that little tail?!?

 Look Mom, no hands!

 Peeking through the haystacks.

 What does a monkey do when he gets too hot?  Pull down the zipper Miami Vice style!

 After running around at the pumpkin patch, we went to see Auntie Marlene, Uncle Mike, and Trevor.  Dalton LOVES his cousin Trevor so much!  It took him back to see him as Scooby Doo! 

 

Dalton sitting on his favorite stool to take in a snack...Cheerios!

By the end of the evening after visiting family, including spending time with Nanny, Uncle Derek and Auntie Candace...we had ONE TIRED MONKEY! 

Promise to post Thanksgiving pictures soon!:)

Friends!!!

Let the rat race begin!  Back to school for me!  I find it hard to find time now to sit down, let alone come up with the words to post.   Ok, not that bad, but really I have been trying to get back in the swing of things.   I am taking the time tonight....

We had a FANTASTIC, FUN summer!!!  To wrap up our summer days, Dalton and I were lucky enough the spend a day with our dear friends, Melissa and Matt and their awesome kiddo, Finn!  (at Matt's wonderful parents...Thanks Judy and Phil).
The boys were great together.  They happily played inside the playhouse...Ok...happily might be a stretch, but they did get along without much hitting in the head or pulling of hair!  Dalton tried the occasional "tan bark sneak" (ie...eating tan bark) while Finn looked at him and wondered if that was the secret to why Dalton is so big!  Here are the two pals in the kitchen...(Thanks to Matt's dad, Phil, who documented it all, as my camera has decided not to work properly!)

"Ok, Finn it's like this...take the tan bark and hold it in your hand...Make sure your mom doesn't see you.  While she turns around to talk to my mom, stick it in your mouth!  Works like a charm everytime!"

"Ok, Dalton I got it! Now give me some space!  I've got some super tasty treats to whip up in this kitchen!"

The innocent play lasted until Dalton decided to insult Finn at his own kitchen table!  (Look at the level of disgust on Finn's face.)

 While Finn and Dalton took a short break from each other, Dalton became fascinated with the orange cone, which Matt and Melissa had used as a megaphone earlier.  

Nice hair! (I have since cut that Jack Nicholson hair.)

It was a fun day with friends and we can't wait til the Harris family moves back to the West Coast so we can have many fun playdates!

Despite the fact that I am back to work, Travis and I did find it necessary to take a moment last weekend to celebrate my friend Jonifer's birthday.  We all went on a sailboat ride in the Santa Cruz Bay.  SO WONDERFUL!  I highly recommend it!  The weather ended up being beautiful and we saw tons of wildlife....sea lions, otters, and even dolphins!!!

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Nothing quite like a gorgeous view to help you relax...

On the way back into the harbor, Travis tooks these shots.

We hope to do this again! 

Still LOVING Summer!!!!

Of course, we are still really enjoying Summertime!  It is going by WAY TOO QUICKLY though!
Fortunately, we have spent lots of time with family and friends.  We recently went up to my parents in Meadow Valley and to Bucks Lake.  We also had a chance to meet up with some dear friends of mine and their families while we were there.


Dalton had a BLAST playing in the hose in Grammy and Poppi's backyard.

He just got SOAKED!!!

Absolutely SOAKED!  We were laughing so hard at him..The water was COLD! (But he didn't mind!)

He had a blast exploring Grammy and Poppi's backyard.  Playing with the swing...

and playing drums on the patio table....

Then it was time for fun with the Stentzel, Huff, Ramirez, Bandel, Beer, and Doyle families at Gansner Park.  SO FUN!!!  The kiddos were so adorable together.  Dalton had fun getting into all sorts of things...even charcoal! 

The kiddos: Dalton, Tyler, Maisie and Sydney

There was time to play ball with Daddy...

and time to steal the ball from everyone...

and time to sit with the ball with a toy dinosaur on his head...

Of course all the grandparents adored this time too!

Elena's mom and dad, Loretta and Dan, BBQed up some DELICIOUS salmon and filet mignon!  AMAZING!  Along with other tasty sides!

The next day it was off to Bucks Lake to have some more fun!  Kellyn, Trav and Dalton played in the lake, which as soon as Dalton saw it on our drive in he said, "Wa, wa"...smart!

Dalton LOVES it up there!  So we decided to stay the night too!

Camping in the tent didn't work as well as we hoped, but we'll try again soon! 

The next day Dalton had fun playing with Kellyn as we packed up.

Then back to Grammy and Poppi's for more fun!

THERE'S MORE FUN TO COME SOON!

Playin' at home

Today was a nice day with the little man.  We ran some errands in the morning and then attempted a nap, which ended up being a coughing nap for the poor kiddo.  He is teething like crazy!  Despite him feeling not 100% he was such fun.  I set up our new little plastic pool that sprays water.  He had a blast!  At first the spray surprised him...

Then he got excited...

After at least a half hour of playing in the pool he was ready to warm up and wrap up...

And ready for more fun tomorrow!!!

Back to reality...But good to be home too!

Well our Hawaii trip is there and gone!  We had a wonderful time!  Here's some documentation of all the fun! 
Dalton got a taste of his first shave ice...

He liked it...Then decided to try Uncle Derek's...Which must be better right?!?

"Yep!  So good I think I'll help myself...."

 

 

Eating out was "interesting" at times.  Actually he did pretty well.  Not to mention he got really good at being cute....  Dalton is talking up a storm lately.  He was a hit with all his "Hi" and "Byes" to anyone around.

There were lots of beach days!  We LOVED those!  (Especially when you have a boogie board leash to chew on!)

And practiced being cute some more...

Went shopping at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.  Of course Dalton just loved being with Nanny! 

Saw the penguins at the hotel...

Played with Daddy and practiced being cute some more!  (while taking advantage of a photo op!)

Went to a favorite beach, Koolina.  Got some love from Uncle Derek and Auntie Candace, whom he loves both sooo much!

 Played with Mommy....

Ate dinner at Shore Bird with Cousin Kenny...

Took some family photos while the sun set on the beach...

 

Went to the North Shore and Haliewa...a favorite place on the island for us. 

Ate DELICIOUS tacos at Cholos....not to mention a great place to have a cold drink!

Spent some time running around in super cool denim diapers...NO, not all of us!  Just Dalton!:)  

Can't wait to go back to Hawaii already....

 

The beauty of being home was that the next day we had a short visit from our dear friends Melissa, Matt and Finn.  A great thing to come back too!  Dalton and Finn were so cute playing together...

Of course Finn loved that his "Auntie" Lici put MOUNDS of tasty treats (aka Baby Crack) in front of him to gooble up.  Check him out double fisting it!

Finnian is ONE CUTE KIDDO!  

They played nicely together...Dalton loved being back home with all his toys and Finn thought they were pretty cool too! 

 "Hurry up Finn!"

"Whatever Dalton!"

The visit was WAY TOO short but we were delighted to see them regardless.  I couldn't get over how funny Finn is!  Love that kiddo too!  Plus it was wonderful to be able to hang out and catch up with Melissa and Matt.  We miss them dearly on the west coast!!!!