Family Photos 2012

We met with our favorite photographer, Anna Feccia, to have some family photographs taken.  She has an amazing talent and we are so lucky to have her work grace the walls of our home and capture the memories of these ages in our kids' lives.  Here are some of my favorites:

Apple Hill

I have been wanting to take the kids up to Apple Hill for a couple of years now.  The fall and winter always seem to get so busy, so when we were planning out our fall weekends over the summer, I made sure to put Apple Hill on one weekend day in September.

Our first stop was Rainbow Orchards for their famous apple cider donuts.  They are made to order and come out hot and delicious.  I think that they got the stamp of approval from everyone!

Aidan, Bailey, and Jessica also joined us for the day.  The kids had a great time running around the grass area and hay bales.

Mia was a fan of the fresh apple cider.  I'm not sure what she liked better:  the cider, or drinking from the mini carton.

We stopped at Larson's Apple Barn for lunch on their back patio.

Our final stop for the day was at Denver Dan's Apple Patch, where we were able to pick our own apples.

There were also pony rides!

All in all, we had a great day.  There is so much more to explore in Apple Hill and I'd love to go back again next year.  One thing we decided for sure:  it was too far for a day trip, and next time we will go for a weekend and stay overnight.

Luke the Kindergartener

Just a quick update on Luke's first few weeks at St. Martin's.

First of all, and most importantly, he seems to absolutely love it.  These first weeks have reconfirmed for Michael and I just how ready Luke was to take on Kindergarten.  He has absolutely risen to the occasion, loves going, and just seems happier than ever.

Outdoor family movie night at St. Martin's - watching The Lorax and having dinner (and wine) under the stars with some of Luke's new friends and their families

Back to School night - having a look at some of Luke's art work from the first few weeks

Luke counting and sorting the cans in our pantry as part of one of his project-based homework assignments

Luke being honored as Kindergarten Student of the Month for September!

Soccer days

Both Mia and Luke are playing soccer this fall.

Luke is playing through NVYSL, and has practice two evenings a week and a game every Saturday.  Mia is playing through Kidz Love Soccer one evening a week immediately following Luke's practice.  She has been asking to play for quite a while now and is so, so happy to be playing.  Every time we drive past the field where she practices, she says, "Mommy, look, that's where I play soccer!  Can I play today?"

Needless to say, we spend a lot of time at the soccer field!

Luke watching Mia practice

 and Mia watching Luke.

Soccer player Mia on her first day of practice

Mia's first dental appointment

Mia visited Dr. Weatherholt today for her first dentist appointment.  We set it up to be a visit where she could just get comfortable being there and sitting in the chair - Dr. Weatherholt would meet her, count her teeth, and give her a prize.  We had also decided that if she did well that they would just go ahead and do her first cleaning.

Well, she did great!  Thanks to Luke for talking it up (when I told him that I was taking her to the dentist after I dropped him at school he said, "Awww, when do I get to go see Dr. Weatherholt?  I want to go!"  Umm, O-kay - huh?), Mia was excited to go and happily sat to have her teeth counted and cleaned.

As of today, she has 16 teeth.  Yes, that means that 4 are "missing" - those 2 year molars are not yet in.  Maybe sometime before she turns 3?  Dr. Weatherholt did not see anything just under the gum line, so we may have some more time before they make their appearance.

Everything looks very healthy and I was so proud (but not really surprised given her personality) how well she did.

A boy and his dog

I picked Brooklyn up from the dog laundry and brought her with me to pick Luke up from school.  He was so thrilled to have his dog ride home with him, and I think that Brooklyn liked it too.  She seems to enjoy riding along in the car.  Made me think that I should just bring her with me more often.

Two of the sweetest beings I know

Earthquakes!

We met up with the Moores and took the kids to their first San Jose Earthquakes game this weekend.

Yet again, our children's love for sporting events seems to be directly correlated to the amount of cotton candy that they consume.

Luke and Bailey

Just your average Saturday

Buzz Lightyear reads to Mia

Mia's fashion decisions go unmonitored