Pumpkin Patch 2014

The day after our Bollywood Birthday Bash, the whole family took a trip to the Pumpkin Patch. 

Our family tradition is to always go to Usuegi Farm the first weekend of October, but the temperature was going to be 100 degrees that day. We said forget it (what's up with all this crazy warm weather this late in the season?)

So, we headed to Half Moon Bay, where it would be about 20 degrees cooler, to try out Pastorino's Pumpkin Patch. 

(to be honest, I'm not sure we will go again because the traffic was horrible to get into HMB. It took 1 hour to drive 5 miles). 

In the end, we all made it safe and sound. 

The kids were excited to be there...

Both the small kids

and the big kids =)

Moriah was so happy to be with her Maji, and didn't mind being dressed like her sister that day

Last year, Olivia was a little pumpkin in my belly, and this year she was playing with the pumpkins. 

And beating them.

Whenever cousin Skyler is around, Jadon is attached to him at the hip. Skyler is such a good big cousin, and took Jadon on all the attractions.

To our surprise, there was a cute little petting zoo

And Summer picked up a little chicken for Moriah to see...right in front of the sign there that said not to pick up the animals. Whoops ;-)

We enjoyed a hay ride...around the parking lot...I mean, farm.

The Cousins

And Uncle Alex held onto Preston the Divo and Olivia the Diva. 

These two are so similar in their faces, mannerisms, temperaments, etc.

ACTUALLY, all three of them are kind of in the same boat...or trailer.

This is what we saw once we got past the parking lot.

Pretty.

After a train ride

And a pony ride (with Nano filming in the background)

We finally got around to picking our pumpkins. THIS is the one my very opinionated Moriah wanted. She was extremely adamant about it.

Thank goodness Justin was there to carry it. 

Even though it wasn't our traditional pumpkin patch, we still had a lot of fun with the family.

We might see you next year Pastorino's. 

Thanks for a good afternoon!

Paul Wright, Young Life Capernaum, and San Jose Rock n' Roll Marathon

For those of you who followed our blog way back in the day, you would know we love Paul Wright. We had his music posted on our sidebar with every single song that Playlist would allow. 

Justin has had his CD in his car since college...all the way to this day. 

His music has carried us during the hardest, most trying days in the hospital. 

This guy has been apart of our lives for the past 10 years. 

So, when I saw on FB that he was playing near us, we HAD TO GO. 

 We even got the chance to meet him afterwards!!

We don't get star struck often, but we did with Paul. 

 We were like a couple of giddy girls (Justin's words, not mine ;-)).

To top off the night, the concert was benefiting Young Life for children with disabilities...this was like our two worlds combined. We didn't know Young Life Capernaum existed, and that they even frequented Sub-Acute Saratoga! We met the founder, Nick Palermo, also author of the book, Missing Stars, Fallen Sparrows, and we look forward to connecting with him and his wife some more. 

Needless to say, it was a GREAT date night for us. 

The next morning, I got up with Auntie Nina to do my first 5K. 

I know this is not a big deal for most. But, it felt like I lost all my muscle after having Olivia, and I couldn't even run 1 mile when I first started training for this. I think everything goes downhill after having the 3rd child. 

I'm happy to say I ran the whole 3.2 miles in 34 minutes and something seconds (I wasn't paying attention), and I officially became hooked (I was probably running off my high from getting to see Paul Wright perform the night before =).

 Auntie Nina will of course be my running buddy and motivator for my next goal of completing a 10K.

Yay for awesome dates and accomplishing goals. 

These have been some good days, and I'm so very thankful. 

Katy Perry Kitty Cats

Ha. I actually had no idea what a kitty cat was until I went to my first Katy Perry concert recently.

Decked out in our funky costumes, fake eyelashes, pink wigs and all, me, Auntie Nina, Cousin Summer, and Best Friend Kate went to see her!

 But, not before I succeeded in making my children laugh

 And scaring them to bits

 There were Car Selfies

 Parking Lot Selfies

...And at last, we got in!

Kate and Summer sported their new Katy Perry tshirts

 And Auntie Nina and I danced the night away (I think Summer and Kate were happy to be sitting away from us ;-)

 I don't know the last time was that I went to a concert, but this was hands down one of the best performances!

This Mama thanks you, Katy Perry, for a much-needed night out. 

Meow ;-)

All Things Fall: Apple Picking

So back to Gizdich Ranch we went to pick some apples. 

Even though there are several apple orchards in the area, we chose Gizdich Ranch because 

1: we have been dreaming about their pies ever since we had it during the summer when we went Strawberry picking. 

 2: we knew it was wheelchair accessible. 

We arrived on a nice, cool day, and Jadon Appleseed got right to work, picking all of the apples.

The only reason we were able to go is because Nano was in town helping us out for the week. We have not had weekend Nursing for about 3 months now, and have stayed pretty close to home on the weekends, so this was a nice adventure for all of us. 

And Moriah was stoked to be out, as always.

 Like with strawberry picking, we had to remind Jadon several times to not eat the goods until we paid for them!

 We've got some pretty cute apple-pickers ;-)

Olivia was more interested in walking around in the dirt, falling in it, touching it

Until Nano picked her up to keep her clean 

After 20 lbs of apples, we headed to the picnic area to have lunch

Unfortunately, we went on a day when everyone else in the area decided to go apple picking, and we had to wait over an hour to buy our lunch and pies. 

The pies were worth the wait, but next time I'm packing a picnic lunch.

They had this awesome area for the kids to play

We wrapped up our day after Jadon jumped from these hay bales and face planted. 

He was fine =)

I think he would still say it was a great day!

So Long Summer

We ended our summer with a "So Long Summer" Concert at our church, Dwell. 

The girls hung out on the blanket with the grown ups...while Jadon was off running around, playing with his buddies

Good music

Good food (from food trucks)

Good dancing

And good company 

It was the perfect evening to bid farewell to summer

We topped it off with mine and Justin's very first date in one whole year!!!!

Wait...now that we finally made it to the beach by ourselves, can you stick around for a little bit longer Summer? =)

Thanks to Maji and Nano for coming up to give me and Justin our special date.
I'm hoping to have another one with this guy before a year though!

Even though it was a GREAT summer with the kiddos, I welcome the fluffy sweaters, warm drinks, pumpkin patches, and pretty much everything CHRISTMAS. 

Happy Hollow Outings

Take 1

With Jadon and Olivia

"The Bench"

Take 2

With Moriah, Jadon, and Olivia

"The Bench" 

And an extra headlock for good measure

Happy Hollow Adventures never get old.