Day of the Dead

Dillon recently joined Girl Scouts (more on that later). To earn a fun patch for Dias de los Muertos, we headed to Old Town to snap some pix with a bunch of skeletons.

Quinn was too scared to pose with this lady.

Fun glow-in-the-dark skeleton band.

Say "queso!"

Never a bad time to practice ballet.

Their behavior was really deteriorating at this point.

No idea what's happening here.

Good Eats and Gourds (2)

Now for some pix of the farm, including the kids' first time "playing" badminton!

Craig's happy place is with the hens.

Dillon's world champ look (belt courtesy of Frank).

Action shot!

Pre-game stretches.

Weight lifting.

Sissies!

Wrestler bay hale podium.

Good Eats and Gourds (1)

So as you know every year we like to try out a different pumpkin patch. After six years we've pretty much figured out what we like and don't like. What we do like: BBQ and farms. So we did both this year. One of our favorite BBQ places opened up a new location right across from a farmstead so we made an afternoon of it. My favorite pix are of Dillon's uber serious expression, really getting into her GLOW (Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling) costume at the BBQ joint.

Pout face.

Showing off our birthday manicures.

Quinn as wrestler/train conductor.

Gearing up for some yummy 'cue.

Dillon exuberance at its finest!

America: Hot Dogs for Every Man, Woman and Child (2)

And some pix on the golf course. Some people had a snow cone machine and were happily handing them out to any children passing by (i.e., Dillon and Quinn). If you want to see some pix from years past, look here and here.

Free range children.

Quinn was not a willing participant.

Annual wild animal photo.

Snow cones!

America: Hot Dogs for Every Man, Woman and Child (1)

No surprise about our July 4 routine: we went up to Carlsbad again. We don't have a ton of "traditions" in our family, but this is one I love. And the kids love it too. First, some pix at home. You'll see Dillon's fashion philosophy is "more is more." Also I can't resist July 4 balloons!

Giant rocket pop balloon.

Seriously contemplating life in modern America.

Prop distribution seems unfair.

Sibling snuggles.

Parade of two.

Wordless Wednesdays (118)

Taken 3/17/2018

Adventures in Learning: Electric Boogaloo

Another random sampling of our girls edumacating themselves.

Snack time is the best time!

Running wild with BFF Reece.

Playing puzzles.

GOOOOOOOAAALLL!

I don't have any recent ones of Dillon, but here are some outtakes from the fall.

With pal Luna.

Watching the stinky cows with Avaleigh and Luna.

December is the Time (for Ho Ho Ho) Part 4

To wrap up our yuletide festivities, our annual holiday hike:

Little slow poke.

Family selfie!

Sissies.

I've also wanted to make a buche de noel for years, but it looked too intimidating. This year, I finally made it and I think it turned out pretty good!

That's right, it's a cake that looks like a log.

Finally, what would Christmas be without Chinese food?

Waiting for shumai.

Perusing the menu.

Playing with the menu.

Eating cotton candy burritos.

Either eating or taking a nap.

December is the Time (for Ho Ho Ho) Part 3

As you can see by now, I am dressing the family in our matching PJs at every opportunity! Christmas morning was no exception. Here are some pix of the present-opening extravaganza!

A kiss for daddy.

Quinn got some new shades.

And a new orange chair.

Dillon's happy place.

The tree.

Playing with Craig's childhood dogs,
renamed Ava and Aunt Julie.

Cozy with the gifts.

Aaaand...a little Christmas morning "Jingle Bells." Dillon is on lead vocals, while Quinn provides some back-up, plus interpretive dance.