So let's Play Catch Up

Do you see how long it's been since I've posted a blog? Life just refuses to slow down for some reason!
So let's catch up shall we....

October Fleet week

Columbus/My Birthday weekend is Fleet Week, and this year we brought both my and Jason's parents to enjoy the spectacle. We had a wonderful time, ate some de-lish Italian food at Luisa's, followed by some SF food truck cupcakes! As usual, Fleet Week did not disappoint.  I understand there are some people who find the whole event obnoxious and encroaching.  But for this family just seeing, hearing, and even feeling the planes and Jets is awe-inspiring...to see my boys with their jaws dropped and eyes amazed, the whole experience couldn't be better!

Jason and I celebrated our 8 year anniversary and I had a birthday the next week. (I can't remember how old I am since having children, so we don't need to acknowledge the actual year!)
We combined our celebration week into a one night stay at the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay...ate the famous lasagna and pumpkin frites at Pasta Moon, followed by pumpkin fro-yo(hey, we were in Pumpkin central!) and sat in beautiful silence next to our patio fire pit! The next day was unseasonably warm, 78 degrees to be exact and we hiked over to Pillar Point where the historic Mavericks surf competition takes place each year.  I was soooo overdressed and hot but was able to buy some sandals to feel more comfortable... we had a gorgeous weekend.

Some token old wedding pics...

Remembering the cake fight....I think everyone should have one!

Fire pit action with my Coach shoes!

                                                    
                                                                   Oh right, and the hubby!

                                                                   
                                                                              Maverick's

                                                       
                                                                  Quiet sunrise all to myself

I kidnapped my sister to a country music concert...Keith Urban!!! So of course she couldn't fight back, he's too perfect! I haven't been to many concerts since having the boys, but this one was incredible!

Of course there was Halloween, big T chose to be Tim Lincecum, little T refused to where his giraffe costume so we all decided to be "Timmy's" Giants entourage.  It was a warm night, kids had fun, Tanner even went up to one door by himself to get some candy (he was a little weary of the whole process but was happy to have a firm grip on a baseball instead of his Trick-or-Treat bucket!)

Jason ended up being Baby Giraffe the rest of the night!  Here's the family picture Tanner didn't want to be part of!

Cameraman

Here is my son documenting his odd sprinkle obsession...cupcake? cookie? ice cream? brownie? No just a bowl of sprinkles...why not

                       

                            Here he is again, getting his hands on the camera while I'm cooking

Mom's 50-Something birthday

My Mom seems to be getting younger with each birthday!

I adore these moments she has with her grandbaby's

Her birthday wish was to spend the day with us at the beach, and it was a perfect day

While I'm Cooking....

Talan was sous chef for my Mom on this particular day...here is is seasoning our chicken with fresh herbs.  He took this very seriously, and the flavor turned out incredible!

This is what happens while I am cooking before I leave for work - Talan snapping dozens of pictures around the kitchen, he especially enjoys close ups of the prepped food

These are Broccolini stems, exciting

Zoo Day

I think if my Mom had it her way, we would take the kids to the zoo every weekend! She just loves watching the boys get such enjoyment out of seeing the animals.  Of course you couldn't tell from this picture of the 4 of us...we had just walked through the entrance and they want to stop you to take a picture, and Talan is like, "Um I sooo don't have time for this! The animals are waiting!"  We always try to get to a zoo early in the morning because that is generally when the animals are most active, not to mention when my kids are the happiest and least worn out!

The Mandrill is such a unique animal, it's head profile is similar to a lion, but the body of a primate - Odd

Tanner calls a Hippopotamus, "Bippo" and Talan still says "Hippo-Hot-amus." I refuse to correct their cute little sayings because one day they'll do it themselves and they will just be all grown up!

                                                                          Sleepy Tiger

 Talan's current favorite, a Snow Leopard

See this tree frog at the bottom of the picture? It was so grumpy looking!

The SF Zoo has had a Tarantula exhibit for a while and we've visited it twice already...of course Talan thinks it's the coolest thing ever, much to my horror.  The stuffiness and humidity in that building doesn't really improve my outlook on arachnids so while he stared FOREVER at each tank with my Mom, I stayed outside with the baby breathing fresh air watching the Cranes.

                                                     One section of the Anaconda=Massive

Tanner's current favorite animal is the Giraffe, which he calls a "Baaaaaf" (who knows where they come up with their interpretation of the words!)

For lunch we met my sister at the Beach Chalet then played at Ocean Beach across the street...we were lucky to have wonderful weather, then again this is the best time of year in the city!

Busytown

When Talan was a baby, I must have taken him on some kind of outing nearly every day.  I always wanted to be busy and never wanted to be stuck at home with an energetic 1 year old.  We went to every park, zoo, farm, museum in the Bay Area...every week.  I spoiled him. Of course he was constantly engaged and stimulated which is what toddlers need.  And I am forever thankful for all of that one on one time that we had together for 4 years. 

I mention all of this because having 2 children now...well...that desire to have to go, go, go, busy, busy, busy every day...well that has fizzled a little bit.  I'm not saying I don't take them on outings, but that feeling of having to be constantly somewhere is less apparent of late.  I value more now being at home and just playing and being imaginative at home with what we have....I have days of feeling cooped up and crazy-eyed with annoyance or frustration with the monotony of course, don't get me wrong! It certainly helps the baby having a big brother to follow around!  

On this particular day they were so focused and busy "painting" and washing their little playhouse! I love watching them being busy together, not just because it allows me to be able to read a magazine, but more so because they have such a blast doing it!

Kindergarten

My big boy on the first day of kindergarten at Sakamoto Elementary School!  He chose his outfit of course,  stating with conviction that this made him look "Cool" and insisted on not needing a jacket because that would cover up his "awesome" shirt! Clearly he was supposed to start 9th grade instead!