Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

Earlier this week, we went to the Uesugi Farms Pumpkin patch with Layla and all of the kids from school. It's become an annual trip and the kids and parents really seem to love it. We always do the hay ride and it's a pretty ride on a big trailer being pulled by a tractor through pumpkin patches, big sunflower fields, and so many beautiful fall colors. Then we ride the train and carousel and run around the hay.

When we went last year, Oliver wasn't walking but he was very interested in standing next to a metal fence and banging a metal chain against the fence. Well, funnily enough... nothing changes in a year. Oliver walked by the same metal fence and was, again, intrigued by it. The proof is in the pudding, I mean pictures...

{2008}

{2009}

Some other pics from the pumpkin patch outing:

{On the hay ride}

{Trying to take a group photo, but the sun was in their eyes, LOL!}

Birthday celebration with family and friends

I recently celebrated my birthday and had very nice and mellow celebration at home with my sweet boys and Derek... and a few of my closest friends... Lara, Christina (with baby M in her belly), Justin, and Monica, Mallar, and Morgan. We ate yummy pulled pork enchiladas that Derek and I made together, chips and guac, margaritas, and a yummy cake from Satura bakery. It was exactly how I wanted to spend my birthday!

Some of my fav pics from the night:

{Morgan and Miles (and nose doggy) giving me some sweet love}

{Morgan and Miles helping me blow out the candles}

{Miles giving CC's belly a kiss}

{Lara (taking a little nap) and Oliver watching Mary Poppins}

Daddy talk

I am amused/bewildered/concerned (but mostly amused) at the things that Derek teaches the boys to say. It must be a dad thing to teach your kids "quality" phrases and sayings.

A few to share:
1) Last week, Oliver came up to me and said "What up dog?"
Teacher = Derek

2) Another time, both boys came up to me and said "Puhhh shawwww"
Teacher = Derek

3) Last night, Derek was teaching both kids to say (in a strong, masculine voice) "Step into a Slim Jim"

Oh, there's more...

4) Miles will say "Did you get tickets?"... "For the gun show" (and flexes his muscles)
Teacher = Derek

5) Miles also says "Do you hear the thunder? Because here comes the lightening"
Teacher = Derek

(Author's note: I truly look forward to the day that we get a call from Miles' school/teacher asking where he learned such phrases. I will immediately hand the phone over to Derek and say "Here Derek, it's for you." LOL)

Oliver passes Layla's hair cut test...

Oliver's hair was just looking hideous - way too long on the top since the last time Derek tried to take him for a haircut, Oliver was just crying hysterically and Derek gave up after about 5-10 min. So, I finally asked Layla if she would take him.

I swear, she has magical powers (or she drugs them, lol) and somehow she gets kids to stop crying and freaking out while they are getting their hair cut. She took Miles for us when he was around 2 and ever since then, he's been fine getting his hair cut.

And... yesterday was the same with Oliver. She said he cried a bit at first, she told him to stop, he took a deep breath and stopped. And, viola... Oliver's hair is now nicely cut and even! She's the best for taking him - I LOVE HER!!!

Here is the big boy Oliver with his new haircut. He looks so big (and orange). I can't believe he will be two in 1 month:
And Miles is getting harder and harder to photograph - he just refuses to sit and smile for a picture. So, here's an action shot (with a lollipop in his mouth - how safe, NOT!). Doesn't he look way too grown up in this picture! What the heck?! :(

A family of fast eaters

This morning, Miles and Oliver were sharing a bag of Annie's bunny fruit snacks. I said to Miles, "Make sure you get your fair share because Oliver eats those very fast." Derek said "I eat fast too." And Miles said "And Papa eats fast too!" (his grandpa in Seattle)

Oh my god... we were dying laughing!

A fun fall weekend

We had a really great, busy, fun fall weekend with the boys!

On Saturday, we took the boys to their first Stanford football game (and it was my first game too). We tail-gated before hand with some friends and the Stanford (crazy) marching band came right up to where we were and played a few songs. Miles even got a high five from a saxophone player and he was THRILLED. We went into the stadium and attempted to watch the game, but pretty impossible to do with two active boys cruising around. We also attempted to take a family picture, but Miles didn't want to be in the picture. :( However, my smart boss reminded me of this great Adobe product called Photoshop, so Miles is now in the picture! :)

After the game and naps, we went to Layla's (our amazing daycare provider) for an amazing Pakistani dinner. The kids got to run wild in her house - something they never get to do - and the adults got to eat delicious food. We got home fairly late and I decided to let Miles spend the night in our room with us. Daddy quickly went to the couch, but Miles was in 7th heaven! It's sweet how excited kids get over the little things in life. :)

Sunday, we drove to Los Altos to meet up with Celine, Carlos, Lou, and Alice for the Los Altos Fall Festival. The weather was perfect - sunny, but a nice crisp breeze in the air. The kids had lots of fun in the jumpy house, slide, and then got a fun ride on the "train"!


Sunday afternoon, our friends Bob, Pilar, and their adorable baby girl Julietta came down from SF for an early dinner. They were so sweet and they brought gifts for everyone! It was like Christmas in October! Auntie Lisa joined us later and we had a really nice night.

The boys were so much fun this weekend and I felt like we were one big happy family. Good times. I love fall.