Happy Birthday Lucas!

Sunday, our little Superhero turned 4 years old. I can't believe it! Lucas is such a funny little boy with a sweet termerament. He brings so much laughter into our home. We love you Lucas!

Am I ready for this???

Ok, yes, most of you know we're having twins! I've been waiting for my first trimester to be over to officially reveal the news. We couldn't be happier for this blessing...times 2!!

Happy Halloween!

As you can see, Eleanor was Cinderella this year for Halloween, and happily so. Lucas on the other hand, was not so happy with his first pick Venom costume (that he begged and begged me for when we were at Marshalls). He claimed "the muscles are way too big." So, he ended up changing into his last years costume, Spiderman. He was upset about that at first also and said "Mom, these muscles are bigger than last year." Dave and I had to explain to him that you need big muscles to be a superhero. Guess he finally bought it.

Pumpkin Patch

One of the kids' favorite things to do at Halloween is to visit the pumpkin patch. It really is lots of fun. The most fun thing for them was chasing each other through the hay maze with their flashlights.

Aren't kids amazing?

Lucas loves to play games on the computer while Eleanor is at school. I still get amazed at how many gadgets kids can work these days.

Would you care to dance?

Eleanor loooves setting up tea parties for us all. On this particular afternoon, she got dressed up (notice the make-up) and invited her Daddy on a date. They ate and danced...it was glorious!

Terrific Kid!

Eleanor got the Terrific Kid Award again last month for her first grade class. She was so excited for the assembly, she asked Sherry to come over and curl her hair that morning before school. I'm so proud of my daughter!!

Disneyland here we come!

We decided to take the kids on their first trip to Disneyland this year. It was such a blast! The kids did not want to leave and frankly, neither did I! We stayed at a great Marriott right across the street from the main Disneyland entrance so we walked everywhere. It was perfect. Here are some highlights from our trip...
Eleanor and Lucas meet Mickey Mouse
....and Tigger
we stood in line for 45 minutes to meet some of the princesses and get their autographs. Eleanor loved talking with Princess Aurora!
Mulan actually got Lucas to get in the picture with her and Eleanor. He wouldn't go near any of the others!
and of course if there's a firetruck in Toon Town, Lucas will find it!

a stop at Newport Beach

of course we couldn't go down south without going to the beach! My kids would have been seriously bummed had we not gone for a day. We went to Newport and enjoyed the cool weather while the kids collected sea shells and played in the water. After trip, while driving out of the Grapevine down into the desolate central valley Lucas said "Dad, where are you going? This is not California!! This does NOT look like California!!" I think he really loved the coastal California better than the central valley!

we got to see Mike and Sarah too!

Saturday night Mike, Sarah and the boys drove up from Coronado to meet us. We had such a great time visiting with them. We had this gormet buffet at a resturaunt right across from Disneyland (it was actually the WORST food we had all eaten in a long time!!) The kids had such a wonderful time playing and getting reacquainted with each other. We can't wait to see you guys again!!

and finally Downtown Disney

after we ate dinner at the Rainforest Cafe...food was not the best, but the atmosphere was really cool!

the kids at the Lego Store at Downtown Disney

typical male

So while Eleanor was busy working away making a great meal for all of us, Lucas laid there reading his Batman coloring book....

First day of school

Today was Eleanor's first day back to school. She is in 1st grade this year! She was so excited this morning. She was up and dressed before I even woke up. I have been dreading this day. She now goes to school til 2:00! It's only 9:30 and I miss her so much! Lucas and I will be planning lots of fun things to keep us occupied for the days while she's at school. Am I pathetic or what? I thought parents were supposed to be excited when their kids went back to school! Eleanor is just such a sweet little girl and I absolutely love having her around me. I am excited to see how she does this year in her new class. She did so extremely well in Kintergarden (she was reading at a 2nd grade level by the end of the year) and she only missed 1 word on a spelling test for the entire year! Dave's Mom used to always tell me that the reason she cried so much when she was a baby was because she was so smart, and that she just got bored all of the time with baby things.. so she cried. As I watch her grow and see how smart she really is, I think she may have been right!

Present from Grandma and Grandpa Evans

Eleanor has been blessed with 2 sets of wonderful grandparents. Dave's parents always send sweet cards with money for the kids on their birthdays...which goes into the kids' savings accounts (they'll thank me one day!) This year Grandma and Grandpa Evans sent Eleanor this cute outfit for her Bitty Baby. She looked outside every day for the UPS truck and was soooo excited when it finally came. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Rahm...and Grandma and Grandpa Evans for always being so kind and considerate to your grandchildren! They love you so much!

Piano Prodigies...maybe?

Lucas and Shadi (our friend and neighbor) have a love hate relationship. I find very few moments like this one where they are actually quietly playing together!

Happy 6th Birthday to Eleanor!

Eleanor turned 6 last weekend and we had a little party for her with some of her favorite people. She invited our favorite neighbors over (which includes her FAVORITE babysitter Naz) and of course Aunt Rachael, Uncle Dale, Britton and Rebecca. Uncle Gary and his family were gone this weekend and unfortunately couldn't make it. Eleanor got a Nintendo DS from me and Dave which she can't hardly put down. Sherry, Naz and Molly got her a High School Musical microphone that plugs into the tv and you can do karaokee. She LOVES it! She has a really good singing voice (although she's pretty shy about it.) When noone's in the room with her she really belts out the music! It's so dang cute. Aunt Rachael's family got her a Littlest Pet Shot board game which is really fun. Her birthday was great and we're so thankful for all of our wonderful family and friends who made it so wonderful for Eleanor! opening presents
more presents
Eleanor and Rebecca
blowing out candles
these are our favorite neighbors and wonderful friends of ours. Sherry, Naz and Molly (and Shadi is 2 but wouldn't get in the picture!)

Nice Outfit Eleanor!

Eleanor was teasing me the other day and said that this is what she wanted to wear for her first day of school. Does this girl have class or what??? Oh, and those shoes are high heels!

Another year, another birthday.....

Dave has been absolutely perfect in the flower department this year! Not only did he send me 2 dozen roses for our 8th anniversary in May, he sent me these lovely lillies for my birthday this week. Thanks honey! Even though he was gone, my 33rd birthday was enjoyable. I spent the day shopping with Rachael (got a sitter for the kids) then we took all of the kids to one of our favorite Mexican resturaunts that night. And to top it off, this afternoon I went to get an HOUR massage at the day spa. What a treat!!

Kids loose with my camera!

These pictures are what I found on my camera after I spent a few minutes on the phone this particular afternoon. You think I would have noticed what was going on.....