Halloween

It was a pirate / skeleton themed Halloween this year.

I still have not figured out how to take a good picture of a Jack-o-lantern. Will someone let me in on the secret.

Santa Cruz

We finally made it to the lighthouse only to discover that it was the wrong lighthouse. We needed to head up the coast about 5 miles.

The girls enjoyed the beach even though we were in the wrong spot.

Natural Bridges State Park

Monarch Butterflies

More butterflies. It was such a beautiful sight.

This one was ready for his close-up.

The Mystery Spot

It's a good thing I have a van that seats eight. Here we are crammed in like sardines.

Back Row: Morgan, Aunt Christine, Madison. Middle row: Grandma, Grandpa and Michaela. Front Row: Laurie and Dale.

It is still a mystery.

Madison was chosen to help out for the ball rolling uphill trick

Morgan climbing up the wall.

Dale hanging from the door frame.

Morgan's 10th Birthday (almost)

Since my family was here, we celebrated Morgan's birthday a week early. She didn't seem to mind. With all of our traveling, I told Morgan that I did not have the time to make her a fancy cake. She said it was OK and asked if she could have an ice cream cake.

I keep forgetting to buy birthday candles. I found a package of candles that spelled "congratulations!" Morgan was determined to make them say something else. This is what she came up with. And yes, all the candles were used. Pretty clever!
Opening the mass of presents.

Someone needs to buy that girl some jeans!


This is what happens when someone decides to buy something that is not on the list. You get three of them.

Apple Hill

Enjoying carmel apples at Apple Hill.

Lost in a corn maze at Kids Inc.

Michaela finally gets her pony ride. She was asking all day to ride a pony.

Morgan, Aunt Christine and Madison enjoy a bus ride at Abel's Acres. (Just about the only thing there that did not have a long line.)

Math Contest

We were a bit surprised when Morgan came home from school and said "Guess what mom. Mr. Taylor (the school principal) came into my class and asked me and 3 other kids to come out into the hall with him." She then explained that they were chosen to participate in the SACMath Elementary school math contest. Dale and I were a bit surprised because math is not her best subject.

There were about 20 kids from their school. 3 fourth grade teams and 2 fifth grade teams. The tests were very challenging. At the end there was an awards ceremony. One of the fourth grade teams did very well. But that was about it for the school. They gave the kids their tests back along with the answers. Morgan did not win any ribbons but she did not come in last either. We were very proud of her efforts and believe it or not she even said that she had a good time.

Pumpkin Patch

I survived another year at the pumpkin patch with the preschoolers. We were there from 8:30am to about 1:00pm. After lugging the two pumpkins for what seemed like a mile I told Michaela that I was tired. She offered to drive us home. I was very tempted to take her up on her offer. It was a good thing I didn't because she fell asleep on the way home.