winter wonder land

On Friday we headed up to Palomar Mountain so the kids could see their first snow.

We made snow men..

went down a slide on our rubber door mat...

and had lots of fun.

It was bright and sunny, and there was no wind. The kids didn't complain about the cold till the end when all of our pants were wet from melting snow. If we make it a habit to go play in the snow we really need to get some snow pants.

Then on Tuesday (yesterday) Rhiannon and I went ice skating. Her for the first time, me for the first time in 12 years. She did really well for her first time, and for her age. They have little walkers for the little kids, and once I let her go on her own using one, she didn't fall down once.

Basket Ball

A couple weeks ago Rhiannon and Dad got to try basket ball. 3 is a little young to really play the game, but running the drills was fun for Rhiannon.

There were a lot of kids and a coach that encouraged them to yell often. A far cry from ballet, which we are taking a break from.

Running, jumping, throwing a ball...

Dad got a work out too. He was actually tired after this class.

Just call her air Rhiannon.

Next is soccer. This class is a new sport every 2 weeks. Fun stuff.

Welcome to the world baby

Today we got to meet Abigale Elizabeth for the first time. She was born on November 1st. Another new friend to play with! Matt and I went to school with Abigale's parents, so we have known them for a long time.

"what? we didn't do it"

We also got to see Aiden who is 3 on December 9th. As soon as we got there they were off and playing.


They were so funny to watch. Life long pals.

Yeah, not shy.

Michael, Abigale, Rhiannon, and Aiden

"Good bye!"

Happy Birthday Avery

Saturday we got to go to Avery's birthday party. There were lots of little ones for Rhiannon and Michael to play with.

Rhiannon always looks forward to seeing Avery and Isaac. When ever we see Avery, Rhiannon says "she's so cute, I just love her". It's really funny. Rhiannon really wants a little sister.

He does all his own stunts. Isaac was loving the slide. Mike liked the slide too, but he can't get himself up there on his own yet. It's amazing what a few months can do at this age.

Two big one year olds.

Gymnastics

Rhiannon's favorite thing to do. We started in the Mommy and Me class when she was 18 months old, and she has not grown board of it yet. It actually is a confidence booster for her, because when she says "I can't do it" about anything, like climbing into the car, I say "you do it in gymnastics", and she tries. Now I always tell her "use your gymnastics muscles", and she'll try anything.

Rhiannon's "forward role"



She can't quite climb the rope, but she can hold on while you swing her.

She can now get her feet up on her own.

Balance beam. Everything we pass while walking becomes a balance beam.


Not a great picture, but her feet are off the ground. She holds herself up on the bar.

Doing "bear walks" on the parallel bars. She climbs up on this one by herself too.

Rhiannon the gymnastics star.

Halloween

We got all dressed up and ready to go to a carnival that started at 3 pm.

The carnival had a jumpy and games for Rhiannon. She won herself a cup cake, and Mike a ball.


Michael is a climber. He even scaled a big rock on his own.

Then we had dinner at Mission Hills' cafe before going "trunk'or'treating".

Glow stick! I didn't know how going from car to car in a parking lot for candy would go, but Rhiannon actually had fun. Every one had there trunk and area decorated, and most cars also had a carnival game set up for the kids to play. She even did a gold fish walk 3 times. She did not win the gold fish, which is probably a good thing.

Rhiannon got the duck with the 'x'. She kept saying "did I win the the race?"

Ring toss.

Mike was mesmerized my the crowed, the costumes, and his glow stick. It was getting near bed time and he was sleepy, but still good. We finished and headed home by 7:45.

Rhiannon and her loot. I asked her if she had a fun Halloween and she said "yeah, Halloween is not scary." She had been worried about that.

Bates Nut Farm

Again this year we hit up the pumpkin patch. To Mike they all look like balls to play with, so he had a blast.

We walked all over checking out the "big macs"

Daddy's rule is you have to be able to pick up a pumpkin to get it, so here is Michael picking up his pumpkin.

We also saw all of the animals, and fed some of them. Every one else was also feeding the animals, so most of them wouldn't really take the food, but the lama did.

Farmer Mike in his farmer pants, checking out the pig.

This emu spent the whole time we were watching it eating invisible food in the air. Maybe it was trying to convince some one to throw it some food. Matt tried, but emus are not good catchers.

Nana, Michael, Rhiannon and Daddy looking at the animals. We also went with Papa, Grandma, and Grandpa and Uncle Kevin too.

There's Papa and Grandma.

Mikey really wanted to eat the hay. He kept telling me "ih goo" (it's good)

Waiting to ride the ponies.

Rhiannon with Daddy and Michael with Papa. Every one had a good ride. As soon as Mike was put on the pony he was rocking and kicking like "lets go". When the ride was done he cried and was reaching for the pony wanting more. Papa had a hard time walking away, he really wanted to pay for another ride and stand in that line again to put him back on.




Uncle Kevin and Rhiannon found a good spot on a big rock to check out Bates Nut Farm from above.

And then we all watched Grandma ride of into the sun set.

Another fun day.