A day with the animals...

I went on a field trip with my kinders to the Fresno Zoo.

Kyle said he would teach Graham about animals while I was gone.

It was a long day. But these pictures brought constant smiles....

Thanks husband. You are quite the home schooler...

Flight Family

October came and went so quickly. How do people keep up with all of life AND keep a record of the oh-so-fun moments that fill it?

Sweet little pumpkin... 

We carved our pumpkins with our Alix family friends... I decided not to be too ambitious this year and went with the trusty U and polka dots. Look at it sparkle...Woo wee.

We ventured out to Ashe Bash at LBC. It was PACKED. Good thing Amelia Earhart and her pilot son were on scene. 

The baby cows are my absolute favorite. 24 hours old. Love. 

(Plus, you get chocolate milk at the end of the tour!)

Did you know Charles Lindbergh and Amelia have a love child? True story.

Babe the blue ox made an appearance... Cute little thing.

Fueling up...

Little girl Alix joined the bash... Ashe Bash Crashed.

My fly boys...

Graham's first Halloween: check. 

Cutest pilot ever: check.

Good 'ole Kern County Fair

There were so many things that Kyle and I were giddy about sharing with Graham once he was born. Believe it or not, Kern County Fair was one of them. We love the fair!

I have always loved it, but then add in the fact that we made it a yearly tradition with Zach and Caitlynn, and our excitement quadruples. (Have I mentioned I love tradition??)

This year we messed up our planning so we didn't get to pal around with the Bell's... We missed them.

It's fun to think about when Graham will actually be running around these corrals and giggling at the animals...

But in 2011, he's a sleeper.

Graham meet goat. Goat meet Graham.

Oh yeah, and this happened. HUGE, ongoing poop session. Hilarious. We used an entire thing of travel wipes. We laughed until tears...

But we felt much better afterwards. And since we were alert, we could take in all the sights and smells of the amazing Kern County Fair. Until next year...(ahem, Z and C)

Hello Fall.

Bakersfield seems to skip fall. We may have a few "cool" days here and there but usually we go from 100s-80s and then jump to 50s.

We have to use events to gauge our fall season. The traditions we cling to symbolize the fall months.

2011 was no exception...and now Graham was in tow!

Tradition #1: Nipomo and the Avila Barn!

Nipomo naps. Precious boys.

Aunt Caitlynn and Uncle Zach came to Nipomo! There was a lot of "love on Graham" time...

The fall visit to the Avila Barn. A fall must. So the camera was pretty busy...

My pumpkins.

Not so thrilled pumpkin.

We love them. Obviously.

Grandma and Grandpa joined in the weekend fun.

Alike in so many ways...

Ok, so Graham doesn't have a firm grasp on the fun and tradition that comes with the Avila Barn pumpkin times quite yet... But he will...

...and he will love Fall because of it...fingers crossed.

To Grandpa's House We Go

My days before having to be back to work were numbered...So we decided to take advantage and take a family trip up to Grandpa and Barbara's house. Grandpa had finished the bunk house so we had our first slumber party!

Graham's a happy boy in the morning...

Silly tongue.

We love Uncle Zach...

And Aunt Erin keeps us moving...

Don't make fun of our cul-de-sac! A fresh new look is on its way...

We loved our walks.

And saw so many new things...

Love these boys and their precious moments...

Grandpa and his pups.

So much to see...We'll be back.

Mego Prego

I loved being pregnant. Loved loved loved.

It went pretty smoothly this time around. What a beautiful miracle.

5 months. Yosemite. Spring Break.

6 months. Moving into our new home!

7 months. Hawaii family vacation! Everyone thinks you're pregnant, might as well show them they're right...

7 months. Kyle's first Father's Day.

8 months. Dress like a cow and you get free Chick Fil A.

What a sight. We got a lot of smiles and a free meal. So, worth it.

8 months. Running out of clothes...

9 months. Millie Cat and the Swens visited...

Any day now, Graham, any day now.

The day before induction...August 12.

Kyle and I went on a last "family of two" date night. Gorgeous picnic in the park. Yes, that's a Bakersfield park night.

We went to the hospital the next evening and my days of pregnancy were brought to an end... Honestly, I miss them sometimes. I guess we'll have to have another...One of these days.

PS I don't so much miss these beauties. But they were my biggest symptom...So I'll count my blessings and chuckle at these beastly things...