I don't think Dad could be any prouder...
The weather in Las Vegas has been absolutely fantastic this October, and I hate to rub it in, but there aren't too many cities where you can wear spring attire in the fall.
We have been taking advantage of doing lots outdoor activities before the weather turns and daylight saving takes away an hour of playtime. Since there were all sorts of Halloween festivities around town Mom and Dad took our family (and Cari and Helaina) to one of the local pumpkin patches to pick out pumpkins and enjoy the rides as well as the expectant carnival fare featuring deep fried, diabetic coma inducing funnel cakes, cotton candy, and caramel apples. Needless to say we all had a fantastic evening.
Presley and Nixon really enjoyed the pony rides, but at $5 a piece the four of us older girls had to sit this one out.
At home that night Nixon kept his pumpkin by his side. He even insisted that it stay in his room with him (it is still on his shelf).
On the weekend Macie and I both had early soccer games and enjoyed our time spent on the field with good friends.
That afternoon Dad and Macie enjoyed some fun daddy daughter time at Pole Position where they raced cars and played games. Macie wore her Jimmie Johnson dress and channeled his energy on the track.
Dad and Macie had a fun night together and capped it off with trip to In N Out for dinner.
That night I attended my first boy/girl birthday party with a DJ and a dance floor. Mom couldn't believe that I was becoming so grown up. She was grateful, though, that I chose to be a wall flower and hung out with the girls outside.
According to Mom I am becoming quite a young lady and both her and Dad are proud of the big helper I am around the house!
At home that weekend Nixon also worked on his driving skills thanks to his AWESOME birthday gift from Aunt Connie and the Umbarger family!!!
He has had so much fun driving around the neighborhood and taking Presley for rides around the yard.
Dad even set up a track in the driveway to prepare Nixon for his future career as a Nascar driver...
That evening Grandma Judy came to Las Vegas to help Mom around the house while she kept busy making bows and accessories for the upcoming festival where she was selling her stuff the following weekend. Mom was beyond grateful for the extra help and we had a great time hanging out with Grandma Judy!
The weather progressively began to get colder, and by colder I mean we had to wear long sleeves. Mom loved the change in weather mainly because she loves to accessorize with winter pieces- boots, ear muffs, scarfs, leg warmers,etc.!!!
Mom has kept busy making bows for this weekend and I was really happy when she let me join in and make a few with her. One of my favorites was a heart bow with a Valentine's Day theme. Before school the following morning I decided to give it to my friend Cari. She couldn't believe that I had made the bow ALL BY MYSELF!
Mom couldn't help but smile as she watched me walk up the street that morning.
All of us are growing up and maturing so quickly that Mom wishes she could stop time.
For the Fall Festival at school this year Cari, Macie and I wanted to dress as super heros so Mom worked her magic and customized (by request) a Wonder Woman, Hulk, and Batman costume. Her favorite was the hulk because she loved the muscles she sewed into the leotard!
Everyone loved our costumes and we all had a fantastic time at the carnival. Mom sold lots of bows and was happy with the outcome.
That evening our family had a birthday party to Celebrate Nixon's 2nd birthday. Nixon couldn't wait to dig into his cake.
He ate so fast that I don't think he stopped to breathe between bites.
Before bed he got to open his cards and his gift from Grandma Judy.
His birthday celebration continued on and the following morning he chose to eat Pirate Booty for his first course of the day.
When everyone was up we gathered together in the family room and Nixon picked a movie for all of us to watch while Mom made pancakes and eggs.
After breakfast he got to open another gift and this one BLEW HIS MIND:
He is such a sweet little boy.
Nixon's Birthday celebration continued on for a few more days,
We spent time playing puzzles,
riding in the yard,
and playing games on the trampoline. All of his favorites!
That's right, Disneyland!!! Our trip was unplanned, and by unplanned I mean totally last minute. As we were upstairs getting ready for bed the evening before Nevada Day Mom and Dad stood in the kitchen trying to decide what to do with a full weekday off school. It didn't take long before the light went on and they decided to make the day trip to Disney. They put us all to bed promptly and then went to work preparing for the following day. They even snuck Cari into my top bunk for a sleepover so that she could join us.
We were all woken up at 5am with a loud "surprise" and tales of the fun impromptu trip ahead of us that day. We could hardly believe our luck and all piled into the car while we wiped the sleep from our eyes. The drive was relatively quick and pain free (4 hours) In the back two rows we kept ourselves glued to the TV as we watched every episode of Barbie Life in the Dream House and snacked on the meals Mom prepared for the car ride.
We got to the park at 10am with bright smiles and anticipation of the fun day ahead. We spent the morning at California Adventure where Mom stayed with us while Dad kept the little ones entertained.
Mater's Tow Truck Yard is always a favorite with our family.
In the early afternoon we walked over to Disneyland to meet up with Dad.
Dad was having a fun time with Presley and Nixon, but was ready to switch off and ride some thrillers with the rest of us.
Apparently poor Nixon wasn't able to nap for very long and woke up extremely cranky.
Dad did his best to keep them entertained, but their tired bodies needed a break.
And so this happened...
By the time we met up with them they were tired and hopped up on sugar. Mom couldn't wait for the rest of the afternoon. We rode roller coasters with Dad while Mom and the little ones burned off some energy in Toon Town.
We all met up for a ride on the Pirates of the Caribbean in the late evening and Mom, Nixon, and Presley were so exhausted they could barely stand up.
We stayed at the park with Dad while Mom took the little ones back to the car to pack and prepare for the drive home. By 10:30 that night we were cold and tired and started our trek back to the car. Thanks to her over planning Mom had the car prepped for us and meet us at the front gate. She later joked that all of us were snoring long before we hit the freeway.
That next week at school we took advantage of the upcoming holiday and dressed up everyday.
A few days before Halloween we carved pumpkins in the driveway.
We were pretty happy with our finished products.
Dad came to school that afternoon to watch the parade and participate in our classroom parties.
For the costume parade I chose to wear Great Grandpa Art's Marine hat with my camo outfit.
When the bell rang at the end of the day we all dashed towards the doors excited to go home and get dressed and ready to Trick or Treat.
Nixon was ready first and took some hot laps in the street while Mom dressed the girls and I.
Macie was ready next and was in full bat mode. Mom was dissapointed that she couldn't talk any of us into fancy costumes this year. She was at least grateful that Macie gave her full creative control when making her bat costume. She didn't care what it looked like as long as she could wear fangs. At its completion Mom was actually impressed with her fancy bat made with fur and tulle.
Presley the CAT was next. Mom didn't take many liberties with the construction of her costume. She kept it simple and cat like and Presley couldn't have been happier.
I took the longest to get ready. Mainly because I had tons of parts to my costume. Mom had the most fun making my zombie scientist costume. We watched from the garage as she maniacally trashed the white linen collared shirt, pleated black skirt, tie and lab coat using a lighter, dirt, and fake blood. She was having so much fun that a few different neighbors stopped by to check in on her to make sure she wasn't going insane. The finished product looked pretty zombie like and I loved being dressed as a nerdy scientist.
By 4:30 we were all dressed and ready and hit the cul de sac to meet up with our friends for a pot luck before the impending sugar coma that was sure to come.
When the sun finally set the parents gave us the green light and we all took of for the closest house. Presley helped Nixon from the curb to the door and was so proud of herself.
It was so dark out that we all found it difficult to see. Thanks to Dad and his Mac Gyver like skills Nixon's quad turned into a spot light that lit the way. Using one head lamp for a front head light and one head lamp turned onto the red light setting for his back break lights Nixon's quad was legit!
Mom and Dad went home to put everyone to bed and let me stay out with my friends in the neighborhood. She later told me that Presley was so cracked out on sugar that she had giggles for days.
I came home that night at 10pm feeling the way I looked. Thanks to chunks of skin and dried blood all over my face and hair I had to shower and didn't get to sleep until almost 11. As I laid in bed I knew that school the next day was going to be rough but I had such a fantastic time that I would do it all over again if I could.
The first week of November was beautiful in Las Vegas. There was a subtle chill in the air and all the trees began to change colors.
On our walk to school one morning Presley and Macie spent some time playing in the fallen leaves. The look on Presley's face was filled with pure joy.
As beautiful as the fall scenery is I think that the main reason Mom loves the fall season is all the great coats and boots she gets to dress us in each day...
As Macie and I are growing up and developing our own sense of style that we want to express Mom is beyond grateful that Presley adores being dressed up each day.
With a few weeks before our Thanksgiving travel Dad decided to take Nixon to get a hair cut.
After he was all cleaned up he looked so handsome.
Our family had a mellow week at home following our regular routine, but Nixon did manage to get an unexpected tour of a fire truck!
Presley and Nixon had another fun trip to the Children's Museum and loved seeing all the Christmas decorations.
The following weekend Mom went to Northern California to visit her good friend Stephanie whom she has known since high school. It was Mom's very FIRST time away from all of us, and it was Dad's first time alone with all 4 of us. We were all a little unsure of how the weekend would pan out, but after the first day on our own we Dad had this whole thing in the bag!
We had a play date with the whole neighborhood at our house,
and after feasting on pizza and watching a movie we capped off the best day ever with an ice cream party at the kitchen table.
By bedtime that evening we were all in a sugar coma and exhausted from a day of play.
The following morning Presley and Nixon snuggled together with Dad in bed and watched the Nightmare Before Christmas- our favorite holiday movie.
While he was making breakfast the two of them played a game together on the computer. It is so cute when the two of them get along.
Before long he had finished making bacon and eggs and we all feasted on his awesome cuisine. After seeing the pictures Mom was worried that we may not need her at home after all...
After a day full of soccer games and play we all gathered together for snacks and a movie.
When Mom returned home that next night she was pleasantly surprised that the house was still standing and all of us were in one piece. As much fun as she had with her friend she was glad to be back home with the family.
The holiday season is upon us and fun can be found all around town. We have gone ice skating in the outdoor rink next to our house and can't wait to participate in all the Christmas festivities when we return home from spending Thanksgiving in San Diego.
Check back soon to hear all about our Thanksgiving with family and friends in sunny San Diego.
