Ah-foo Ah-foo

The holidays are over, we’ve seen family and friends and the kids just keep getting bigger and bigger. The kids sharing a room is finally starting to work out a little better. It’s about time, because mom and dad really needed to get some rest. The bedtime stuff is pretty routine; books, teeth brushing, back scratching, and lights out. So far, so good. Now if only Katie would nap…

Just after the New Year, Grandma Nellie came to visit us for a week. Katie was still on her winter break from preschool so we took some day trips, like to the tide pools and then took a big trip to Monterey. The kids loved the aquarium and Katie played around in the pool with Dad at the hotel. Grandma got the kids passes for the year, so we’ll be back soon.

As the big day approached, Kate just got sicker. After days of high fever and general miserableness, the fever lifted and our regular, high spirited girl was back. Christmas brought her and Ben tons of presents. Some favorites include the bee game, wooden blocks and the wagon. We’re looking forward to having time off and taking lots of trips. Grandma Nellie is coming to visit us too.

For Thanksgiving, we took the kids down to Orange County to celebrate with the their grandparents. On the first day, Grandma Pat took us to Knott’s Berry Farm and Katie got her face painted for the second time ever. She loved it! Ben didn’t get to ride too many rides, because he’s still kinda little. Over the weekend we spent time with Kate’s cousin’s and with Dad’s cousin, Mandy. On Sunday, Grandma and Katie baked Mom a cake for her 36th birthday and it was sooo sweet. Mom got a new digital SLR for the big day. The pictures it takes are amazing.

This Fall has really been special for the kids. Katie’s preschool is in full swing, and she was invited to her first real Halloween party by her classmate E.J. It was at a karate studio and the kids had a blast. Katie even bobbed for apples. The next day our family went to an organic apple farm in Sebastopol. We talked to the farmers about organic, local produce, and then we were all set loose in the orchards. It was a really beautiful day. Today was Halloween and it started with a parade at Kate’s preschool. The music teacher had the kids rockin’. After school we went to Graham’s house for a pre-party, and then all the kids went trick-or-treating. Ben was a monkey, and boy was he cute!

After debating whether or not to leave the comforts of Chicago, mom and Kate boarded a plane for Buffalo. Wow, the storm that delayed our arrival really devastated the Western New York region. There’s almost no trees. Aunt Megan picked us up and cousins Lucia and Aidan were in the car. We headed straight to Becker Farms for an afternoon of hay rides, cider, and Katie’s first pony ride. Later in the week was Lucia’s 6th birthday party. Katie was in awe and had a great time playing pin the tiara on the princess and decorating pumpkins. She even said her pumpkin was for Ben, and made sure I had it with us– when we left the party, before we went to bed, on the plane, in the car… Finally, she gave it to him. So sweet. Grandpa Jake went with us up to Ithaca, NY so we could see mom’s friend Paul and his FOUR kids! The twins are adorable. You know it’s a lot of work but Monica and Paul made it look easy.

Katie had a week off of preschool and mom had the bright notion to take a trip. Okay, mom was a bit nostalgic for fall colors, crisp air, and family. Turns out the weather was so crisp, that our planned vacation to see family in Buffalo stopped short, in Chicago. Good news, dad’s family is from Chicago and Aunt Donna’s family really came through. Me and Kate were treated like queens, and what could have been a drag, turned out very fun. Katie loved the attention, the animals, the cookies, and the very cool park Cousin Corri took us to. Katie would have packed up Houdini the duck if I would have let her.

On a whim, Dad decided we should take the kids to San Francisco for the second day of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels air show. What a great idea. We rode over on the BART, walked the wharf in beautiful weather and the kids were able to see an amazing show. Ben really likes airplanes, so we thought he’d be the most enthusiastic. But, he was a bit scared by the noise, and it was Kate who gave the play by play to all of the other spectators. No pictures of the fliers. The kids took all of our attention.

Ever since watching her cousin Lucia’s recital last June, Katie has been clammoring to start ballet. Who knew that most schools start in the Fall and Spring, which meant our noodle had to wait months. Grandma and Grandpa gave her the lessons for a third birthday present, and she has Lucia’s tutu. The first day of class Katie was in heaven. The proof is on her face.

Last Sunday was one of those amazing Bay Area days. Warm, sunny, windy, with just a hint of fall in the air. It was the kind of day that just made you want to go fly a kite. Katie is pretty much a veteran flier, and Ben hasn’t caught the bug yet. No matter how good or bad the wind is, we always have fun family time at the Berkeley Marina.