Happy Halloween!

This year's Halloween festivities started on Friday. Every year, our company decorates the entire office and the kids come to trick or treat. The kids started in the arts and crafts room to make their bags. Zoe was a dog this year...SO CUTE!

My two pups :)

This Halloween took place on a picture perfect fall day - actually, it felt a bit like summer it was so warm. The beautiful view of the mountains from our front porch:

Zoe was not feeling well (top 2 teeth coming in) so, unfortunately, we weren't able to go trick or treating this year. Less candy in the house is probably a good thing!

On another note, here is a flashback to the early 80's (clockwise from top left - Shannon, Natalie and Francis.) Muah ha ha ha ha!

Pumpkins...

Here we are at the pumpkin patch. As you see, Zoe was having a lot of fun. ;) I think she was hoping for a pony ride ... I guess wagon rides just aren't the same.

The Chosen Ones.

Wayne was here to help us carve the pumpkins...and good thing he was because I would have just thrown out the pumpkin seeds. Instead, he taught me how to bake them! Delicious!

The final products!

Douglas Preserve

Here is Zoe discovering dirt, rocks, acorns and mud puddles at Douglas Preserve. I was clearly too lazy to change her out of her pajamas.

Maya is truly her best friend. She never wanders too far from Zoe...unless there is a squirrel.

14 Months Old!

Yes, it's hard for me to believe but our little Zoe is 14 months old today! It's getting harder and harder to capture a good chair picture...she's such a little monkey and she hardly ever sits still.
This photo session lasted all of 10 seconds now that she knows how to get down from chairs on her own.
At 14 months old, Zoe loves music (reggae and hip hop are her favorite - like mom), dancing (well, it's more like twisting around and throwing her arms up in the air - like dad) and getting surprised (especially when we chase her around and try to scare her - like Maya).

She can now immitate 4 kinds of animals: lion, dog, cow and fish. She can also count to one, yes one, on her fingers. And we've recently discovered that she likes rain!

We love you Zoe! And we WILL make you take the chair picture on your 15th birthday :)

Crepes, Ponies and Pumpkins

Zoe and I flew up to see Mimene and Fanfan this weekend. The flights were completely full both ways and I could see the dread on people's faces when they realized they'd have to sit next to a toddler...but Zoe was a perfect angel! All she needed were snacks and her toothbrush (her two obsessions) to keep her happy.

Dad watched Zoe while I worked on Friday. I think they both had fun :)

Zoe had quite a few "firsts" this past weekend. It all started with her first taste of real crepes. But she didn't like them with nutella (I mean, who doesn't like crepes with nutella??? I wonder if she's really my daughter afterall...)

We headed up to Apple Hill late Saturday morning where Zoe had the chance to see her first pony (pony rides are a must next year) and we were able to get her first annual pumpkin picture.

And here she is taking her first tractor ride. Doesn't she look thrilled?

Next year she will be old enough to go on a pony ride and old enough to eat a famous Apple Hill caramel covered apple!

Fresno Weekend

We headed up to Fresno this past weekend for Lisa and Dave's wedding festivities (CONGRATS again you two!!!). I knew we'd have a ton of fun as soon as they made their entrance:

Zoe was quite the party animal - she was busy running around, dancing, saying hi to everyone AND she kept on trying to dip her pacifier in my wine (Mimene - erase that from your memory ;)) Hmmm...I wonder who she takes after?

We were able to spend some time at Jeanne and Tom's place beforehand. The slide was a hit and both Zoe and Maya were introduced to Turd the Turtle. He is 42 years old!

(If you look really closely, you can see Zoe's bottom two teeth - so cute!)

I regret not taking more pictures but hopefully I can get some more from family and friends soon!

Hanging Out At Home

This picture of Zoe climbing into the fridge should crush any doubt that she loves her food ...

Here is her innocent look. Do you think she's trying to tell me that it was Maya who climbed into the fridge...?

The girls spent this past Sunday morning looking out for kitties and birds. Now if only they could point out where that annoying gopher is :)