Strands at sundown

Amelie insisted on walking alone down the path. She is such a big girl these days, I can hardly believe it. She did end up falling face first, but she was still pretty proud.
It was getting so dark but the lighting was so amazing. I wish I could have seen well enough to focus the camera a little better but you get the idea of what an amazing night it was.
Our little Miss Sunshine

Ami and Dad star-gazing.

After two solid weeks of crazy rain the sun came out and the past two days have been totally breathtaking. We got to spend the morning at the beach surfing and then after a meeting Ryan had in the afternoon, we went back. Seriously, if you've ever lived here, you know that after the rain comes the most clear, clean air, and everything is so green. It was 80 today at the beach and it's almost November.

My Baby Dont Mess Around

I LOVE these girls... But today this shout out goes to my one and only #1! That's right Baby, "it's your 28th Birthday and you're still smoking hot" (This is the official phrase of Becky's birthday this year so that's why it's in quotations and also the reason for the post heading because when I say Becky's 28th birthday phrase I think of that song:). Where do I start to talk about the love of my life? Out of the billions and billions of people on the earth past, present and future; I'm so glad that Becky was born on the 27th day of October 1982. Just think, if she had been a 1981 girl she definitely would have been out of my league and snatched up long before she realized I would ultimately be 3 inches taller than her (fun fact: Becky once said that if it weren't for the 3 inches that I've got on her, we wouldn't have gotten married) and acceptable to marry. Luckily October 27, 1982 placed me just 8 months behind her in the world; just enough time for me to grow up and convince her that she truly is the girl of my dreams and I wouldn't be able to make it without her. I can't exactly explain just how in love with this girl I am. Let's just say that she still catches me looking at her the same way I looked at her on the day I asked her to marry me; completely and hopelessly in love with this girl. Becky has gotten more attractive and more amazing with age; I'm not being facetious she really has. I always thought that I would be the more patient one in our marriage, the one who would really set the example. I was completely wrong. Becky constantly amazes me with the type of things she does as a Mother and especially the type of things she does for me. Becky is one of the most selfless people I know; she is constantly thinking about other people (an NF for sure). Baby, I really could go on and on and on but I'm trying not to be too corny. I love you so very, very much. You were always the one for me and I'm so glad you were sent 28 years ago today so I could find you just when I needed to and make you mine forever. Love you, love you, love you Baby. I hope you have the best day ever.

Take me out to the ball game...

The cheering section.Ollie's team the "Angels".

Ollie has got a pretty good arm and is all around athletic I think. So this team is made up of 3 and 4 year olds and I tell you, some of those 4 year old are giants. My little Ollie boy is going to have to hold his own next to kids a head taller than him and you know what, I'm not that worried. But seriously, why do they group kids a whole year or more apart. A years a big difference when you've only got 3 under your belt.

Hitting was no problem. Running the bases however was quite a challenge at first.

Nice throw Ollie!

In case you didn't know, my husband was quite the baseball player in his day. The pitcher actually. No big deal. So Ollie's got a great coach to teach him all the neccessary baseball stuff like, "atta boy", bum smacks, chewing gum, spitting out sunflower seeds, and of course the technicalities of the game. There is something really hysterical about watching kids under 5 play sports. I really enjoy it.

Pumpkin patching

My cousin Andrea's little girl Cambria had a school field trip and we were invited to go! We went to a place called Tanaka Farms in Irvine and it was so darling. We got to pick pumpkins (of course), pick vegetables, take wagon rides, and pet sheep and goats. Ps, these two are second cousins but couldn't they totally be siblings??

They said the kids could take a pumpkin as big as they could carry. I guess Ollie was trying to maximize his take home value.

Picking green beans.

Andrea and Cam. I love these girls and love that we get to hang out all the time.

Carrots are yummy. We came home and made soup from these.
Look at that pint sized body. She look so hilarious walking around because she doesn't look like she should be yet. Move out of her way though cause she can sure go.

A stray radish being put to good use.

So I've heard this rumor that California has no open space anymore and is too overpowered by smog to resemble a country side. Well here's proof to the fact that I think here is pretty awesome. This farm for instance is 10 minutes from Newport Beach. I would have to say that's called having the best of both worlds. Trouble is, we get to pay and arm and a leg for picking vegetables cause it's so "organic". I can't even begin to imagine what kind of money this farm is raking in. Literally.

Ollie found the center of the corn maze! I actually had no idea where he was and hoped I would turn the corner and find him. Luckily he was there. He was lost a few times throughout the day. Thank goodness I had a few other eyes watching.
Mom, come this way!
Amelie was not sure about being put up here with all these pumpkins. Can you tell?
Ollie and his cuteness. I love love love Halloween!

We did haircuts last night!

Last night we decided the boys needed a trim. I love when Ryan's hair gets long but we're always a little worried about people at work thinking he's some kind of beach bum when clearly that's only who he is on the weekends. So he needed a refined, businessman cut. Oliver on the other hand was ready for a change and I was in an 80's type mood so this is what we got. Personally, I'm in love with it. It's fits his little personality so well. I'm sure the grandparents will all cringe:) Ahh the benefits of being the mom.

Coloring inside the lines

(that face cracks me up)

I am completely AMAZED at how deliberate and careful Ollie is when he colors. He is getting to be so creative with his art, I really think we might have quite the little artist on our hands. All day he is asking to color or draw, he can't get enough. It is one of my most favorite things to watch him draw. Anyone know of a really inexpensive but awesome art class. Where's my sister Regan when I need her!

Our weekend

The walk to trestles. Notice Ami's feet:)
Ryan checking out the non-existent surf. Usually after a long walk to Trestles we'd be bugged that there was no surf but today was exceptionally gorgeous.

Sandy babies...

and water babies.

The tide was so low there were lots of things to explore.

Cute Oliver...inspecting something as usual.

We got all the birds to fly all at once by throwing rocks. Not so nice but still very fun.
Amelie loves watching birds so this many at once was quite a sight to behold.

Then she tried to fly like one of them.

Just being cute with her cute Dad.

I am in love with the fact that these two can play together now. Life has officially gotten much easier.

My aunt said yesterday, "don't you love when parenting is team work". Ryan is the best at this. He is always there to do more than enough and makes my life as a mom so much easier.

Then later that same day we headed down to Strands to meet up with some of our favorites. See if you can spot Ollie all the way down the path. Mom and Dad do not move fast enough.

Ami feels very comfortable at the beach doing her signature crab crawl.

Art Friday with Andrea.

Checking out the many creatures on the rocks.

Boys being boys.
The color and glow of this evening was so pretty. It was a perfect October beach day. One more reason why October is the best.

After getting drenched and freezing, Dad gave Ami the shirt off his back.

And you just can't beat this.