Fun in the Sand

This last weekend we went to the coast for the first time in 2 years!! Needless to say, we were overdue! Matthew was only 3 months old the last time we went and, obviously, had no idea what was going on. That was the first time Sami had actually enjoyed the sand and not cried. SO we were so excited to head over and spend the weekend playing in the sand and eating completely unhealthy food! We had a great time. We got there around dinner time on Friday so we just watched the waves from our hotel room and the pier after dinner. The next day we set up camp on the beach around 9:30am (after cinnamon rolls of course!) and didn't go back to the hotel until almost 3pm! We took the EZ Up, our chairs, blankets and lots of toys. The weather was fabulous..almost hot! We could not have asked for a better day and then we finished it off with yummy McClintock's! The kids were so cute building their sandcastles and playing in the water. Sami did not want to get out all day..she loved every minute of it. Matthew, on the other hand, loved the sand and mess..but the water was another story. He would be fine until the water reached his knees, then he would take off running back to dry land. Sunday we checked out of the hotel and headed to Avila. We went the the Avila Valley Barn where the kids fed some goats, checked out the chicken and ponies and I found some great Thanksgiving goodies! We had lunch at the Apple Farm before heading back home. I wish every weekend could be that weekend....

October in a Nutshell

I cannot believe that it is already November...where did October go?! I am going to borrow my friend Mary's idea and just give a run down of our month. Who knew life could be so busy with only 2 kids and working part-time?!

October 1: I worked all day, had a dentist appointment and Sami had soccer practice.

October 2: AT&T installation ALL day long, but totally worth it! My mother-in-law comes for dinner.

October 3: I worked all day

October 4: Sami had a soccer game & Josh (our nephew) had a football game. That afternoon we put out all of our fall/halloween decorations. Sami loves the fake cobwebs! While I worked on the indoor decorations, Sami created her first floral arrangement. I must say, it turned out pretty good. Grandma Cilla would be proud...check out the picture!

October 5: Church, my month to teach Sunday School

October 6: I worked, went to the gym after work, Sami had ballet at 5:15 then off I went to our first PTA meeting

October 7: Picture Day at school

October 8: I worked all day, Sami had soccer practice

October 9: Bible Study in the morning, Uppercase Living Party in the evening

October 10:Funeral in the morning :(, babysit in the afternoon

October 11:Sami had a soccer game where she SCORED HER FIRST GOAL!! She was hurt earlier in the game with a bloody nose being the result. She was determined to never play soccer again. Well...Build-a-Bear bribery did the trick and she went back out to score her first goal. That afternoon she and I went to lunch and Build-a-Bear to fulfill the reward-GREAT DAY!

October 12:Church

October 13:Work all day, Visiting Day at Sami's ballet, Preschool Board Meeting that night
October 14:BAD DAY...I was rear ended by a guy going 50mph in a raised 4x4 truck. I had just picked Sami up from school and Matthew was in the car. I was at a complete stop behind a city bus that had just pulled over to pick someone up. The guy didn't see me until the last minute, so he did break and was able to go to the side slightly. His passenger side front end caught my drivers side rear end. The damage wasn't as bad as it could have been but I got whiplash, yuck! The kids were ok and asking for a snack just minutes after it happened. We still made it to Sami's 1:00 dentist appointment and to pick up my nephew from school! Needless to say we were all exhausted come that evening!

October 15:I worked all day, Sami had soccer practice in the evening

October 16:Women's Bible Study, my mother-in-law comes for dinner

October 17:Volunteer in the classroom, took dinner to our friend Ray who recently lost his wife

October 18:Sami had soccer - our turn to take snack, shopping for my godson's baptism
October 19:Taught Sunday School, my godson Mason was baptized with a get together afterwards-I am so blessed to be a part of his life. I love that whole family!

October 20:I worked all day, met with the auto adjustor to get the car fixed and Sami had ballet

October 21:Hair appointment, chiropractor appointment, met with our Pastor to practice for our Lay Witness at church

October 22:I worked all day, took the kids to get flu shots on my lunch break, chiropractor appointment and Sami had soccer practice

October 23:Women's Bible Study, massage at chiropractor, mother-in-law over for dinner

October 24:Volunteered in the classroom, Sami had her awards assembly where she was given STUDENT OF THE MONTH FOR RESPONSIBIBLITY!!! Grandma Linda and Papa came to watch as she was surprised with the award, we are so proud of her! I had a chiropractor appointment and that night we got pizza for dinner (her favorite!). I surprised Sami with tickets to see High School Musical 3! We had so much fun just the two of us on a "date" as she would say! The picture has her teacher Mrs. Basso in it...we feel so blessed to have her as Sami's teacher, she is amazing!

October 25:Sami had soccer game, Joshua had a football game, practiced with our Pastor one more time

October 26:Church, we went before the congregation and gave our Lay Witness about our experience with Matthew. You can watch the entire service for that day at http://www.vumc.org/ and click on Video/Audio Communications. It was a powerful experience that Cory and I will never forget but are glad it's over! We went to Hillcrest Farms pumpkin patch in Reedley afterwards with my parents, brother, his girlfriend and my nephew. A great way to the end the weekend!

October 27:got the car to the shop in the morning, I worked all day, chiropractor appointment and Sami had ballet

October 28:Volunteered in the classroom, massage at chiropractor's that evening, everyone came over to our house for pizza and pumpkin carving.

October 29:Worked all day, chiropractor appointment after work

October 30:Women's Bible Study, massage in evening

October 31:Happy Halloween! Volunteered in the classroom for the "Fall Celebration", had a chiropractor appointment afterwards. That afternoon the kids got dressed in their costumes (Sami was Minnie Mouse and Matthew was a surgeon) and we went out to Westgate Gardens where my grandma lives for their festivities. Afterwards it was chili dogs and trick-or-treating with the family.