Pumpkin time

Again this year, we made our annual trip to the Davis Family Farm in Sloughhouse to pick out our pumpkins.

The kids went only a little way into the corn maze with me, just enough to run down a few paths. They would have liked to run around more, but considering the maze is 3 acres, I was worried about losing them!




Before we filled up our wagon with pumpkins, the kids liked being pulled around for a while.

These Cinderella pumpkins are one of my favorite.

Eric actually got to go with us this year. In years past he has always been working or out of town, so we were happy to have him with us this time.

Each kid got to pick out their own pumpkin to carve once Halloween is actually here. Carson picked his out right away and was happy with his choice. It took some extensive explaining to convince him they we were not going to carve them as soon as we got home today.

Holly barely tolerated all of my picture taking during my quest for the ideal fall photo. She really didn't like the scratchy hay on her legs and was ready to get down from the hay bales as soon as possible.

Holly and her friends

This is one of those little moments in our daily life that I knew if I didn't take a picture, I would soon forget. Right now, Holly's nap and bedtime requires an entire entourage of dolls, babies, and stuffed animals. She also insists on having both her crochet blanket and the blanket that RahRah made for her, regardless of hot it may be in her room already. Anything less then all of these things in her little bed just won't do, and will result in whining and crying.

Tate's 6th Birthday - September 20, 2011

After a busy morning at school, Tate celebrated his 6th birthday at Bounce U.

The kids took turns climbing the giant slide and zipping down to the bottom. They had so much fun climbing and bouncing, they soon had red faces and sweaty heads.


Holly got a chance to do some bouncing too!

Tate had just a few of his closest pals join him. His friends are Wilson, Russell, Holly, Colin, Rhyan, Owen, Andrew, Carson, and Tim.

In the "party room", the kids had lemonade and cupcakes before opening presents.

I made Tate's party cupcakes and he picked up the pirate flags to add to the top.

The proud parents of our 6 year old birthday boy!

Everyone was excited to see all the fun presents that Tate got to open. The party "hostess" helped Tate with the present opening routine and wrote down all the gifts on a list, while I got to sit back and enjoy the party too.

After the party at Bounce U, we headed back home for the family party. RahRah, Papa, Mimi, and Pa joined us for a spaghetti dinner. Then we followed it with a little more cake. Tate and RahRah made this cake together at her house just for the party.

Tate got lots of cool presents, but this one happened to be from RahRah and Papa. A Scooby Doo movie and a Dragon Cart. What more could a kid ask for???

Gilroy Gardens

We went to the beautiful Gilroy Gardens and amusement park over Labor Day weekend this year. The park is so great for small kids like ours since all of the rides are pretty cute and mostly slow pace. On this sunny day, Eric and Carson paddled around Coyote Lake in the a swan paddle boat.

Holly and I paddled around the lake also. Holly did a great job staying in her seat, much to my relief, because I was worried she might try to bail out and we would both end up wet.


We went to the Gardens with another family who have become very good friends of ours. My friend Kate was kind enough to take Tate out with her in the duck paddle boat. They were team "Tate and Kate".

It was such a pretty little lake to enjoy on such a beautiful day! The paddle boats are swans, yellow ducks, and mallard ducks and were made in Switzerland.

Carson wanted his own turn on the "barrel ride" which was a similar spinning ride like Disneyland's teacups.

Tate was the only kid in our group who was tall enough to go on the swings. Sometimes there are perks to being the " big kid".

Of course we had to go to the Holly Garden while at the park. This garden has over 20 different types of Holly shrub, tree, and topiary.....who knew there were so many different kinds!

We went on the spinning "Artichoke Dip" ride....Holly loved it.

Tate and his friend Wilson also got into the gigantic artichoke for a spin.

Yes again, another spinning ride. This time a giant garlic clove to get everyone dizzy. Beautiful olive trees surround this ride which are 100 years old.

Part of our park entrance fee included a special Labor Day "all you can eat" BBQ lunch. Everyone had chicken, hot dogs, watermelon and salad. It was a good chance to rest a bit before braving more spinning rides.

Holly loved her push-pop for dessert after the BBQ lunch. We stripped her of her shirt since she only had one clean shirt to wear for the day, and we didn't want it covered in sticky push-pop for the rest of the afternoon.

Every kid loves a carousel!

All good things must come to an end and Carson and Holly had as much fun as they could handle!

The Karate Kid

Perhaps Carson has watched too much KungFu Panda, but he has been wanting to take karate classes. So, we decided that now was a good time to give it a try. They claim to teach qualities such as respect, focus, and discipline, (in addition to self defense and fun). So, how could we say "no" to to all that!!!

Today was Carson's first class, so the first thing he learned was how to bow to his teacher and to "stand like a black belt" (which means to stand with legs together and arms tightly at his side).



Our karate kid!!!! After just one class, he already thinks he is an official Ninja!

Summer swimming

We have spent a lot of time this summer at the gym, California Family Fitness. It has been such a great place to spend our afternoons cooling off in the pool. Holly likes to play in the pool with our diving rings. The pink one in her hand in this photo is her favorite.

They really do more splashing around then actual swimming, but they have tons of fun.

Holly loves the water and can splash and play just as much as her brothers!

Tate has really gotten to be a good swimmer this summer. He is much more confident and is so proud of his improvements.

At the end of the afternoon, its time to dry off and head home for dinner. Before leaving though, the kids usually talk me into getting them each a Popsicle at the pool's snack window.

First day of school

Tate's new kindergarten teacher, Ms. Hellen, packaged up a packet for each of the parents which included a keenex, a bag of tea, a cotton ball, and a note which read the following.

Welcome to kindergarten...

Thank you for entrusting your child to me,

I promise to do my best everyday

to be your child's companion in learning.

This morning, after you have wiped your tears,

make yourself a nice cup of tea, and relax.

Then, hold the cotton ball in your hand.

The softness will help you recall the gentle spirit of your child.

I will work alongside you this year to help your child grow.

Tate with his kindergarten teacher Ms. Hellen

Tate is ready outside his classroom for is first day. All of the kids who will be in his class are listed in each of the circles posted in the window behind Tate.


Ms. Hellen blew her whistle and welcomed all of the kindergartners on the playground to their first day of school. After lining up, she had all the kids blow their parents a kiss goodbye, along with a wave, and they were on their way into the classroom.

Then, we were on our way to Carson's first day at his new preschool. He started at the City of Rocklin preschool, his new "big boy" preschool, bright and early also at 8:30am. He will go three days a week here which is located at Ruhkala elementary. Ruhkala is only about one mile from our house and will be a great place to spend the next school year!