Thanksgiving

We had a low-key Thanksgiving this year with just us. A day of cooking and eating, then three more days for adventures - no wonder it is one of my favorite holidays!

Making the stuffing first thing in the morning. Whew, then time to rest!

Fat Mr. Turkey! These small birds sure do cook up nice.

Pilgrim, Turkey, and Chocolate Turkey - far more interesting that actual Mr. Turkey.

The spread.

Cheer up, cranky pants.

That's better.

In case you are wondering about Nina's outfit. Those are size 0-3 months baby clothes. I got out the boxes of Nina's old clothes a few weeks ago, and it has become her favorite past-time to see which ones she can squeeze into. It is pretty hilarious, but we are hoping she loses interest in the next couple months....

Overheard

Recently overheard:

• "For Christmas, will the turkey bring me things?"
• "Daddy, you are wasting my money!!!"
• "I want to go back in your belly"
• "Daddy, do you know what I am going to be for Thanksgiving?", "What?", "A clown!!!"
• "When Neo and I get married, I am going to have a cupcake."
  
  

San Francisco Girl

Feeding the piglets.

Nina helps out on the nesting activities.

Sunning the belly. 26 1/2 weeks.

Trick or Treat!

This was Nina's first year for Trick or Treat. The businesses on California Ave had a nice event during the afternoon, perfect for the little ones. Over the past month, Nina had shown a lot interest in the Halloween decorations and various "scaries". On day when we were driving to school, out of the blue she asked me slightly nervously, "Is it going to be more scary on Halloween?". She wasn't too interested in the idea of dressing up, but we did manage to lure her into her costume with the prospect of candy.

The wild lion sets off to stalk her prey.

Most victims never knew what hit them.

Ok, that's enough - let's check out the loot.

Straight for the lollipops. 3 in a row.

A well deserved rest back at the den.

Ardenwood Farm & Pumpkin Patch

Fall is here! A great time to head to our favorite farm and pick up a few pumpkins.

A very friendly cow and horse stood right by the fence for easy petting.

We also got to pet goats, sheep, and rabbits.

The farmer's tractor was a huge hit.

Pumpkin Patch!

Nina gets an A for effort. That thing was hard to pull in the rocky soil!

There! That's more like it.

Our loot.

And finally .... belly shot! Here I am at ~23 weeks. Getting there!

Derek & Cecile's Wedding

Last month, we attended Derek and Cecile's Wedding. It was held at the California Academy of Science, a truly fabulous venue for a both children and adults.

Wow, another family shot. Miracle of miracles.

Nina's favorite person was also there. "Jane, come here! Jane, look at this! Jane! Jane!"

Nina and Hannah. Too bad we didn't get this shot from the other side, but still it captures the moment.

Biiig snake.

No one told us there would be kangaroos in the Rainforest exhibit.

The whole affair only served to feed Nina's wedding obsession.

Ring around the rosy

Ashes, ashes, we all ....

The party definitely kept this guy up past his bedtime.

Higher, Daddy, Higher!!

Gilroy Gardens

We made a trip to Gilroy Gardens a couple weeks ago ($10 tickets, what a deal!). Fabulous fun for Nina, and we had even more fun seeing what a blast she was having. And look! One for the record books....

an actual family photo! As you can see, Mirko rather enjoyed the skill games.

Paddle boats.

Strawberry ride.

The Apple and the Worm - this one was remembered as the "fast ride".

And to make the day complete, face painting and sugary goodness!

Summer Fun

Nothing like an evening in the park.

Ok, you can take my picture, but I am NOT going to smile.

Taking a break.

But life isn't all fun and games. Somebody has to make dinner.

Packages Arrived!

"Thank you, Baka! I really like all the new clothes, especially the strawberry shirt and red skirt."

And my cowgirl boots are fitting pretty good these days too.

Grammie!

Grammie was in town for a visit last week. Nina very much enjoyed skipping school and hanging out with her, but the highlight of the trip for me was Friday when I got to skip school and we all went to the beach!

Santa Cruz, where the water is warm enough that you can actually put your feet in without your toes falling off!

Surfer girl.

Highlight of Santa Cruz is the boardwalk with games, rides, and french fries.

Nina rode the helicopter all by herself. That is a first!

Wonderful visit!

Nina and Grammie spent a lot of time at the pool. On the last day of the visit, Nina figured out how to hold onto a noodle and kick her legs to swim around. Of course she wanted to do it "all by myself!". So now she is becoming an expert at motoring around like a half-drown rat while swallowing gallons of pool water. "Again, again!", she repeats.