mom / a . . . fall 2013

I had a rough time coming up with an idea for Mom's birthday last fall, so when I met up with her and Dad for coffee one day, we ran out back to take a few pictures of her and A.  (I would have tried with both kids, but I know our limits :) )  It is best with just one of the kids--so next time we'll get some with Mr. J!)  These turned out so sweet, they have so much fun together.  Glad we got to capture that while A is still little!

Wonder Red . . . to the rescue! (Halloween)

Football Zombie (Halloween).

J decided to be the Football Zombie (a la Plants vs. Zombies game) this year.  I couldn't find a mask (locally...and waited too long to buy anything online) so we came up with this paper mache' get-up.  

This ended up being pretty cheap, actually . . . just had to pay for the paints!! Already had the football gear, and paper mache stuff was paper bag, newspaper, flour and water. Miraculous! 

Halloween 2013 .

Once we got some meds for J, he was good to go along with sister for some Trick-or-Treating. It was a fun night . . . we always enjoy a little time at the end of our culdesac with neighbors, and J found a friend later to go door-to-door with which was a fun bonus!

And just for proof that he DID actually smile in a picture, here is the one of J smiling :)

Wonder Woman (Halloween).

Eighties Baby that I am, I *loved* watching Wonder Woman growing up.  This girl has never seen it, but I bought her a Wonder Woman book last year that she loves.  She is getting older and got this idea on her own volition and stuck with it.  This was even more fun than my original idea (Mary Poppins, b/c she is obsessed with that movie) and has been a great blast from the past for me!

happy birthday, little one.

to our sweet and spunky little four year old, Happy Birthday!  and get well soon ... you woke up feeling so puny today (sad face).

spunk. pizzaz. energy. brains. humor!

Messina Hof, winery .

Took a tour of Messina Hof Winery this July (yes, it was warm out there!) and wow. It is amazing to see and hear about these vines, what makes them flourish, what hurts them, and see the entire wine making process.  I can't believe I have lived here since 1998 (mostly) and never been here!  Highly recommend to anyone around the area.  The owners are also super nice . . . was really neat hearing how they decided to start making wine.  They are always around and enjoy interacting with everyone that comes out to their place.  Here are a few shots of their vineyard, and one of their places they have a Bed and Breakfast. Oh! And their collection of antiques is fanTAStic, too.  Cheers!

rockin' the new school year.

Bittersweet time of year . . . end of summer, beginning of school, first day of school jitters.

I've missed you this week, J!  But I know you have some very lucky teachers to have a sweet and joyful boy like you in their class.
Looking forward to some lunch-dates once pre-school starts for little sister!

(pictures from the pre-braces era. more including the braces to come in the future!)

Party Barn, May 2013 .

Every year Dad's side of the family has their Ranch Party at the "Party Barn".  Got to take Jackson and actually go myself this year with some of us!  Good time to catch up with some, meet some others for the first time at the reunion beforehand, sit and listen to the GREAT music they had, and enjoy the beautiful weather we had that day! (this was in May)