On Saturday, before we headed out for some trick-or-treating we headed over to Golden Gate Park for a pumpkin carving party thrown by one of Lauren’s classmates. Apparently, this is a tradition that’s been going on since 1998 or so – pre kids(!) It was an awesome time – check out some of the highlights below…
Family Picture - Halloween 2015 (Maile 6 and Lauren 2 and 3/4ths)
Maile made her very own trick-or-treating bag - she used it for a bit that night, but was concerned it wasn't big enough for all the candy...
Some serious pumpkin carving going on...
Maile was very excited to pose for the caricature artist...
... and loved the result too!
Lauren putting some good thought into painting her pumpkin...
This year we had a couple of princesses on our hands (well, technically Maile was a character from Lalaloopsy). Once again, Grandma Gail outdid herself with a couple amazing costumes that the girls absolutely loved. They got good use out of them too – wearing them to school on Thursday for a Halloween parade and then out and about on Saturday for some serious San Francisco style trick-or-treating on good ol’ Avila Street (fast becoming our traditional spot).
Maile Girl in her Lalaloopsy outfit.
Our Orange Princess, Ms. Lauren
The full crew ready for some trick-or-treating...
And we're off! The parents were playing catch up the rest of the night...
Thank you Grandma Gail! Maile and Lauren are already thinking about what they want to be next year!
You’ll need to wait until Sunday to see this year’s costumes, but thought it’d be fun to take a stroll through Grandma Gail’s creations over the years…
2014 - The Bees
2013 - The Unicorns
2012 - The Flower
2011 - Maile Elmo
2010 - Curious Maile
2009 - Totoro
On Sunday, we went with some of Maile and Lauren’s classmates to the Pumpkin Patch at Nicasio Valley Farms. The girls had a lot of fun running around with their friends – and we brought home some killer pumpkins that we are looking forward to carving this upcoming weekend!
So. Many. Pumpkins.
How about this one?
Heavy.
Maile and her friend Aiden haven't quite figured out the wheel barrow...
Dudes. You are doing it wrong.
Cutie pumpkin for a cutie pie...
Lauren and Elena goofing around...
On Saturday, after dinner, Christine and I noticed Lauren and Maile sitting off by themselves reading and coloring. There was so much craziness going on around them, but they were perfectly content and quiet with each other focused on their respective projects. Christine and I got a good kick out of it – not sure if the picture conveys, but it was quite sweet.
Sisters on the quad...
... hard at work 🙂
Perhaps a glimpse of the future on a TBD college campus…
This weekend was my 15th Stanford Reunion – kind of crazy to think it has already been 15 years. On Friday night, Christine and I headed down solo and had fun catching up with old friends. On Saturday, we took the girls down for the day and had a great time running around campus. They really put on a fun event for the whole family – we had a blast spending time with Nerd Nation!
Lauren Nerd
Maile Nerd
Daddy Nerd and Maile Nerd
Lauren Nerd and Mommy Nerd (Lauren Nerd is in the 'avoid pictures if possible' phase...)
The hot dogs were delicious (and cute!)
The girls got their portraits done - Lauren kept a close eye on things...
... and then did her best to sit still when it was her turn (which was super hard to do.)
And, of course, plenty of fake tattoos.
It looks like Maile won’t have to worry about her daddy reading her journal…
Maile's journal in Mandarin
This picture was in the school newsletter today and I absolutely loved it. Lauren is the girl in the center with the flower dress.
Coconut Tree students carefully observe ants around the olive tree.
One word: bubbles.
The amount of joy a little soap and water brings is just amazing. A good way to start the week…
Clearly this is Lauren's happy place.
I wonder if one day she'll see these pictures and remember?
Man, I hope so 🙂
Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.
(Click here for the video.)
This past week, my sister Elyssa and Stephen celebrated their second wedding anniversary. Reminded me that their wedding was our first as a family of four – and boy did we have a good time dancing up a storm!
Daddy and Maile all dressed up and ready for Auntie's wedding!
Mommy and Lauren - taken a few minutes before Lauren passed out for the ceremony 🙂
