Sunset Harbor Cruise

To celebrate our 8th anniversary, we took a sunset harbor cruise in Newport Beach.  Our anniversary was back in September, but we just barely got around to celebrating.  Turns out we couldn't have timed it better if we'd tried!  The weather was perfect!

 Eight years of wonderful! ;)

 It was a bit windy, but still a gorgeous night! 

 En route...

 Going...

 Going...

 Gone!  This was on the way back in to the harbor. 

A beautiful silhouette of the evening sky.

After our cruise, we headed over to South Coast Plaza and walked around for a bit before eating dinner at Maggiano's.  It was the perfect anniversary celebration!

More Missed Moments

Here are a few pictures from Brad's phone that just haven't made it on here yet.

 Back in August we went to Brad's cousin's wedding in San Clemente.  It was so fun to see his side of the family and enjoy a rare date night.

 A fun post-work night at California Adventure.

 Playing with their water toy in their PJs - what could be better?

 Lexi was super excited over the "slip and slide" they created by dumping all the water from the water table on the slide.  She seriously went down it like 100 times in a row!

 Striking a pose - Ariel style!

 Our two Minnie-fanatics enjoying some quality time in Minnie's room.

 Followed by a family tea-party in Minnie's backyard.

 We love Mickey!

 Lexi, the ice-cream thief reveling in her spoils! ;)

Just hanging out watching a show with their buddies.

Halloween!

We've started a little tradition of doing a pot-luck dinner at our house with some friends and then hitting the streets with our hordes of little ones together.  This year we had 9 adults and 8 kids - so we adults are still pretending to be in control!

 

 Libby looked gorgeous!  Diann made her princess dress and she really stole the show.  What a cutie!

What cute little trick-or-treaters!

 

 

 

The Stewarts stopped by for a little bit...just enough time to scare all the little ones!  Turns out a boxer with a black eye and a creepy zombie are a bit much for the little tykes!

 Our girls with the Chang boys - AKA Elmo and Cookie-Monster.

 And Zeke in his Woody costume - their whole family was the Round-Up Gang.

And the Crocketts represented with a homeless kid who "will work for candy" and a witch.

(I'm hoping my friends managed to get some better pictures for me to post later.  These little mongrels would NOT keep still!)

What a fun Halloween to spend together with friends!

Trunk or Treat

Our ward hosted its annual Trunk-or-Treat at the park and the girls had a great time.  There were fun carnival games, great food, and LOTS of candy!  Such fun to dress up and spend time with friends!

 The girls are all ready to go!  Golfer, ladybug, and the prettiest princess EVER!

 The good ol' donut on a string game!  Notice Lexi's complete disregard for any rules that are established - that's par for the course with her! ;)

 The dainty princess trying so hard to be a lady!

Brad joined the costumed girls by throwing on a poncho and hat.  He didn't think that quite did the trick, so as soon as we arrived he popped the hood and smeared some engine grease on his face.  How gross is that!?!  But, I must say, it did make the costume! :)

Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest

My parents always host a family pumpkin carving contest and this year it was bigger than ever!  Now that the Stewarts live here, that was an additional 5, but then Tam & Eric, and Jannica and baby Kobe were here, too, so it was a real party!  So fun!

 It started off with a delicious dinner of Tortilla soup - yummy!

 And then the carving began!  One table of artists...

 and another!

 Jannica and Kobe were the only party-poopers that didn't submit an entry.

 Libby got to work with Pops, and help Daddy a little bit, too.

 Ty and I finishing our last-minute entries before the final judging.

 And...viola!  The masterpieces in all their splendor!  And the winner was....BRAD with his adorable teddy-bear on the far left.  Way to go, Brad!

Our family with our submissions - the traditional jack-o-lantern, the "black" cat, and the victorious teddy bear.

Thanks for a great night and fun tradition, Mom!

Pumpkin Patch Visit #2

Our friends the Changs host an annual Fall Breakfast and then we all head to the Pumpkin Patch for some fall fun.  This year we did Pumpkin City, so the girls got to hit up some of their favorite rides again - so spoiled!

 Daddy was there to spoil them this time and even got them tickets to the petting zoo.

 Lexi loved the pigs!

 Libby loved the swings - and did them twice!

  The train ride was fun with Zeke and the Chang boys.

 The "teacups" were fun...for the first 3 minutes.  But they let you ride for what feels like hours, and as one who doesn't get sick very easily, even I was feeling a little nauseous.  The girls loved it, though!  Brad, you will note, opted out of the experience entirely.

 It was a ridiculously hot day, so we tried for a fall picture in the shade.  I love how just completely wiped out both Libby and Lexi look!  What troopers!

 She sure does love pigs - I wonder where she got that from...Pops!

 What a cute little pumpkin princess!

 And pony rides, too!  Can you tell Daddy was in charge of buying tickets?  He went wild, as always!

 Libby loved her horse and was lasso-ing all around the circle.

We love the fall! ;)

Lexi's Photoshoot

A family friend of ours, Melissa Stewardson has started her own photography business and needed an 18 month old to model for her.  Though a few months shy, Lexi was close enough and got to have her very own photo shoot.  She was not quite as cooperative as one would have hoped, but what can you do?  Melissa did manage to capture her signature Lexi face, though!

 

 This is Lexi's signature "blue steel" face, as we call it.  For all intents and purposes, it means no, but to us, it's so much more!  Love that crazy girl!

 Who needs models that smile when you can have this?! ;)   Priceless!

 Or a cheesy one like this.

 

That's my little munchkin!  Gotta love her!