Each of my kids has a “First Year” picture book that they love to look through on their birthday morning. I keep them tucked away most of the time so they stay nice and special.  Natalie LOVED looking through hers and had a lot to say about it!

Later on, we had a little party for her with some of her sweet little friends!

Last month Natalie’s class field trip was to the tidepools… it was a beautiful day and we did find some critters!

Christmas Eve at my Aunt’s house:

The set of fake mustaches were my White Elephant gift… so awesome.

The outside table might have gotten a little silly, and Laura might have regretted sitting with us.

 

Jamie built a castle out of cups and those party poppers.

Ben’s White Elephant gift was a package of Gerber Puffs (baby food), which he thoroughly enjoyed after dinner with his BFF Aunt Jamie.

Christmas Day brunch was at my house after church:

 

The End!

A quote from Natalie as I was taking the picture above: “Daddy, I’m helping you by management!”

As soon as we got home, Ben dashed off to find his plastic saw… he knew exactly what to do.

An afternoon of painting salt dough ornaments with Grandma.

Our kids were Violet and Dash from the movie “The Incredibles” this year.  We are getting a lot of use out of these costumes, since the kids have been acting out the movie for weeks!  They even introduce themselves to strangers and friends alike as Violet and Dash. Unfortunately Violet’s mask disappeared the week before Halloween…

Since our neighborhood isn’t great for trick-or-treating, we headed to Old Town Camarillo on Saturday, where the stores pass out candy. The kids were very excited to walk with Jessica!

Sad attempt at a family portrait:

Theirs turned out much better!

This is a foggy morning at the adorable McGrath Farms with Natalie’s preschool, Little Lights.

Ben had to be front and center (and asking questions) when the farmer was talking about organic farming.  Maybe a future career for him?

There was a corn maze on the way to the pumpkin field.  Natalie loved it and called it “aMAZEing”.

Later that week, we were at Underwood Farms with friends.  We didn’t buy any pumpkins– it was all about the pony rides!  That same day we went to Pete’s Pumpkin Patch with Andy when he got off work.

We had a great time at our church group’s Fall Festival: truck rides, games and cookie decorating at the Gerry’s blueberry ranch!

Then to Pete’s again for more family fun with Ted, Lennie and Jessica!

Lots of fun times!  The kids are begging to make their pumpkins into pies, so that is our next project.

(picture via a la mode)

Granted, it’s about 3 times the size of my living room with 5 times the natural light, and doesn’t have to do triple-duty as a dining room and office, but it was exactly the look I’d been wanting.  The blue-green-gray paint in that room would leave my smaller, darker living room looking more cozy than airy, so I decided to go with a more true gray (Moonshine by Benjamin Moore). Plus the kids room is a very similar greenish gray, and I didn’t want it to look the same. I’m VERY pleased with the result!

BEFORE: warm tan (November 2010)

NOW: cool, bright, and gray

In my dream world I’d have a couple of these beautiful lamps in there, too. (Pottery Barn gift cards welcome for Christmas/Birthdays! )

Still not sure what I want to do here. The dining area always stumps me.

Wouldn’t something like this be amazing??

(via blessedbeyondmeasure)

However my next project is decorating for Fall, which begins this week!  (I don’t acknowledge the beginning of Fall until mid-October, so I’m not disapointed with California’s lack of fall weather.)

{Wine makes Little Caesar’s pizza totally fancy, try it!}

{We inherited all these tiny cars. What a great toy for endless fun!}

{I love our house and especially our covered patio. In summer, our living space doubles and I can host larger groups of people!}

{No, we did not get a super cute Labradoodle puppy this summer, though I’m sure nothing would thrill Ben more. She belongs to the cousins!}

{Natalie comes up with these outfits all on her own, she’s pretty good, right?}

{I was trying to get some photography practice, playing with light. Easier said than done!}

{Ben is my little chef. He begs to help me make coffee, bread, and pesto (“leaves” as he calls it), and takes it very seriously. He will eat anything as long as it has pesto on it (such as asparagus). I’ve made it so many times for so many years, I don’t use a recipe any more, but I recommend this one if you want to try it (which you should). Sometimes I leave out the pine nuts and it still tastes awesome.}

{Other random ways we entertain ourselves at home:}

{Watching a movie while brushing Natalie’s hair.}

Well I am out of time and really needing to get to bed… and I haven’t even posted pictures from September yet! More to come…

Some people… aren’t:

Brought to you from the files of “trying to get the kids used to waking up earlier for preschool”.