Happy Halloween! But no smelly feet please!

This year for Halloween Mason was Bilbo Baggins (from the Hobbit), Anna was a jockey, and Olivier was a Mad Scientist!  It is fun to see how the costumes have changed over the years and how it reflects how their interest have changed too.  

 I had to take a few extra photos of Anna's costume since I made her riding silks. 

And yes, we handed out about 30 lbs of candy and the kids buckets were filled to the top. 

Halloween Prep!

Okay, so it wasn't an all Halloween prep weekend!  The boys have some cool Hot Wheels tracks that they got for Christmas last year and it is fun to see them pull them out periodically and see what they can build.  They designed this and made adjustments to get the car around all the loops.  

Later in the morning they worked with Matt to carve pumpkins.  After they were gutted they drew designs on them and they were carved. 

 This is Olivier's pumpkin!

 This is Anna's!

 And this is Mason's!

 Matt carved our last two pumpkins.  This is one. 

 And this is the other!

Now lets just hope it doesn't get too hot so they last until Halloween!!

Happy 9th Birthday Natalie!

Today we celebrated Natalie's 9th birthday at the pool!  And crazy as it may seem I only got a few photos and none with Rhys in them! 

All the kids had a great time!  Swimming followed by pizza!  Does it get any better?!

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Today Anna went on the big field trip of the year for the 5th graders, a trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  They left school at 7 a.m. and arrived back just before 6 p.m.  We were blessed that one of the chaperones for the trip and she was so kind as to share these photos with us!  

Each student had to pick an animal to research and to do a future presentation on.  Anna really wanted to research penguins and was so thankful that she did.  And this one was playing with her too!  

 Anna and Lupe had a great time! 

Sunday Funday

Olivier had been asking to go to the bike park by the beach recently and today we decided to go an enjoy the nice weather.  I managed only one photo!  

But I did take a few videos! 

Not too long after we arrived, more people showed up and that made our kids lose interest really quickly.  They asked if we could head to the beach, so we did!  We spent some time along the shore and the kids had fun running in the dunes. 

Horse Show #2!

This weekend Anna competed in her second horse show.  Both days she competed in two events called Hunters Over Poles and Handy Hunters Over Poles.  They are events that run at the same time and you do the course once, then learn the second course quickly and go back in.  

Getting ready to warm up.  So grown up!   

 And off she went!

She finished that event up and then came out to learn the second course.  She was back in the arena six minutes after she finished the first round. 

 I thought this photo was interesting because it was so similar to the last photo I took from the prior event.  

Anna did a great job!  I was really proud of her because she was really warm, she was learning two courses quickly, and she really stayed focused.  There were 15 kids competing and it was hard for Anna to watch one of her team mates get second, not knowing what she was doing that Anna was not.  So proud of Anna as she congratulated her team mate and kept her positive spirit as she prepared for another day of competing. 

 For day two, the weather was very foggy which helped Anna in all her gear but thankfully we were ready for it so the rest of us weren't too chilly.  All of the Arnold's joined us in cheering Anna on today which is a wonderful boost for our sweet girl! 

 Less than five minutes later she was at the gate ready to go back in having memorized the second course.  And I am loving those smiles!

It was another day of no ribbons for Anna.  It is hard to see her disappointment but we saw Anna's beautiful character shine and we are so very proud of her!  As a parent you want your child to give it their all, regardless of how it finishes and Anna truly did that and supported her teammates as well even in the face of her own disappointment!  We are so proud Anna!  We love you!

Cal Poly Mustang Football!

Today the Cal Poly football team played the Montana Grizzlies at Cal Poly.  My uncle was their quarterback so they often come up for the games when they play each other and this year was no exception, and they brought a few extra with them!  

My aunt Lili-Anne having fun with Natalie, Anna and Mason.  And you couldn't have placed that foam finger there if you had tried, silly Anna!

 So we did a redo with more silliness, David, Michelle, Briar, and Olivier hiding Matt. 

 And here is the whole group (there are a few extras int he background).  We were 17 in total. 

And after the game, wait, no, before the game was over we headed to dinner.  It was clear Cal Poly was going to lose (and they did 28-48) and we were hungry.  I really enjoyed being able to chat with my cousin that I haven't seen in I don't even know how long.  

A good time was had by all and my heart is happy seeing family!