Noe's New Trick

After many rounds of jumping on the bed, we decided to teach Noe how to do a somersault. "Hands down. Head down."

Exploring Batiquitos Lagoon

Another Friday adventure exploring with some little buddies. This time it was the Batiquitos Lagoon by our house. The little ones love to look through magnifying glasses at bugs.



Snack time.

Encinitas Fall Festival

Today there was a little break in the rain, so we headed down to the Encinitas Fall Festival. They close down the streets and have tons of vendors & food. It was just nice to get out of the house and get some fresh (chilly) air. Here's Noe-looney striking a pose and walking the tight rope.






(With Daddy the day before)
On Wednesday, Noe and I trekked to Disneyland by ourselves. It was quite interesting. Tantrums, big belly mama who can't go on many rides, and lots of pitstops, but it was still fun. The best part was that they decorated "it's a small world" for Christmas and I went nuts. I had more fun than Noe. Here we are with Goofy and here's Noe pointing out all the decorations.


What happens when ballerinas don't nap. They fall asleep on the kitchen floor. :)

Mackenzee's Birthday

It's our niece Mackenzee's birthday and here's Noe with her "goo goo goggles" singing for Kenz.

Happy Birthday Kenzee! We love you!

Adventures of Noe

Hangin' at the park.


The Halloween photo shoot of our little turtle.



Riding the Christmas Carousel while shopping with Grammy Sue.



Tasting the cookie dough. It seems to run in the family! ;)

Nojoqui Falls

My Dad had a car show at Nojoqui Falls Park, just outside of Buellton/Solvang. We decided to round up all the crazy kids and show support. Then we decided to venture up to the falls. It was absolutely beautiful.


Such a big girl.



Our attempt at a family photo.



Such a shot of labeling: Crazy Canyon, Upset Noe, and Auggie looking extremely cute, but he's definitely up to something.


Augs and Noe...best friends this trip. It was too cute.



Daddy and Noe. Love.


Crazy kids.



They made it!

The ballet party

Last Saturday Noelani helped her little friend Madeline (Patrick's best friend's daughter) turn 3. She had a ballet party at a dance studio. It was so stinkin' cute to see so many little girls having fun twisting and twirling. It was Noe's first experience in a class situation without Mom to tell her what to do. Very interesting...:)





Noe and her friends shakin' it.

Swami's at Sunset

Our little explorer group decided to check out the tidepools at Swami's beach, due to the super low tide and absolutely beautiful weather. We had such a great time and then we went up two blocks, picked up Patrick from work and got some tasty viddles. :)


Checking the tidepools for any signs of life.



A little snack to recharge.





Why we love living by the beach.



Finishing the night with a little Barbie mermaid/surfing movie on Mommy & Daddy's bed. What a great day!

Noe's dance sequence

We have a dance mix specifically for Noe on our computer. We usually have dance parties every morning or at night when Patrick comes home. P was trying to watch the Laker game, when Noelani came in and insisted on dancing. So Pat found the music channels on the tv that we always skip when changing the channel, but I think they're now gonna save our lives! We go through and Noe says, "no...no...umm...no too rock-n-rolly...yes this one!" Very decisive little bug!

Tap shoes and naked quad riding

Noelani got some hand-me-down tap shoes from her cousin
Mandy and boy is she loving them. Her moves are a little
sketchy on the kitchen floor ~ 2 big spills already ~ but the
tile has been so much fun.

Lolo (Patrick's Dad) sent Noelani an early birthday present.
A battery operated quad. She wouldn't ride it until Daddy
got home, because it was too loud. Here she is riding her new
toy bareback. Crazy kid.

Grandma Norm

My brother always creates such great tributes to those that we've loved and lost. Here's a copy of his latest blog entry about an amazing woman ~ our beloved Grandma Mouse. Man was she sharp, witty, hilarious, loving and warm. We will definitely miss her, but I know the angels just got another good one.

We'll miss you...........

What we lost, the heavens gained.
My great Auntee Norma (my grandma's sister) quietly joined the angles this past weekend.

She was simply amazing. A sense of humor that would leave you buckled over and you could never leave her presence without a smile.

As kids she was known as "Grandma mouse" because of her vast collection of mouse collectibles and later became "Grandma Pie" to my boys. Her apple pie was simply amazing and Canyon would randomly say "we need to go visit Norma" and I knew he had pie on his mind.

More than a memory of nick knacks or culinary gifts, was that fact that she was the most loving and understanding person you could imagine.

I just love this shot. Its Norma on the left and my Grandma on the right. So much history has been seen and so much love shared through the eyes that are hidden by the Terminator glasses.

I will miss her waves and smile as I drove past while she walked her dog. Or the way that she just "got it." Weather it be a joke or a current event, it was more like you were chatting with a peer than a 90+ year old matriarch of the family.

I tried to keep this as light hearted as I could because she would not want people to be down, but rather have you just smile when memories of her enter your head. We will dearly miss you Grandma Norma. I'm sure she has someone above in stitches as we speak. M

Noe-looney the Turtle

We went to a little pre-trick-or-treating party at a friends'
house. Then 6 lil munchkins all under the age of 4 went trick-
or-treating. It was hilarious! They would just open doors and go
inside, at least 2 would trip and fall at each house, and they all
decided that 1 piece of candy was never enough. The best was at the
houses where no one was home. They would just keep yelling
"trick-or-treat!!! Open the door! We're here!" We'd have to corral
them at every door. Probably the cutest thing I've ever seen.


Noelani the turtle.



Noe-looney riding a friend's trike.



One satisfied turtle after receiving a hefty "treat".


Eating a cookie with Mama Pirate. I couldn't get a picture of Patrick
fast enough, before he took off his afro. He was the funniest 70's Hawaiian
surfer, but none of the other adults were dressed up so he ditched his costume.
I, on the other hand, was in it to win it (plus I had nothing else to wear). ;)

Hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween!!