Texas!

Sydney, Cole and I headed to Texas to visit the Ducote family for a few days.  Last we saw them was in January at Lindsay's wedding so were anxious to see them and to meet their newest addition, Julia. 

Waiting in the security line.  She is an amazing traveler!!

All ready for takeoff. 

He was all smiles here. The rest of the time, he was busy!  It was tough keeping him in a tiny airplane seat for 3 hours!

The travel was well worth it though!  We had such a great visit in Texas.  Playground, parks, splash pads, trolley rides and museums.  We tried to keep the kids busy while not exhausting ourselves :)  

These two picked up right where they left off... like no time had passed at all.  They played SO well together the entire 4 days!!

Joseph and Cole in the garden by the library

Looking for ducks

Swinging before the splash park

Happy water boy

Ella!

These pictures crack me up!

Lunch time after the trolley

I remember Sydney wearing this outfit on a beach in Hawaii!!

Snack time at the playground

Walking back to the house. 

Poor Aunt Lisa always had an audience whenever she did anything with baby Julia

The cousins!!  5 kiddos under 4 years.  It was BUSY but FUN. 

She L.O.V.E.D. Julia.  Still talks about holding her!

Cole was really interested in her as well.  He kept saying "baby" and would go up and kiss her.  

Love her.  

Sydney helping give Julia her paci. 

And then she laid down next to her.  

Such a sweet baby.  

We found Ella and Cole in the pantry playing one afternoon.  Cole was riding the car and Ella was grocery shopping. 

Ahhhh.  So comfy.

And... this is what Joseph and Ella were doing when Sydney was in the bathroom.  Needless to say, all 4 enjoyed spending time with each other :) 

Sydney (3) and Ella (almost 2)

quick ug

Cole (20 months) & Joseph (almost 4)

It rained one morning so we headed over to their local Children's museum. 

Looking SO big. 

They loved the train table

Caught a few fish

Sydney spent awhile at the LEGO table

Joseph was on call to protect us if a fire broke out

While Sydney and Cole ate!

Sydney was the chauffeur for the firemen

Ella taking a turn!

After getting their faces painted

And this little one just hung out!

Hugs for Julia. 

Poor Julia :) 

But... it doesn't seem like she minded the attention. 

Aunt Lisa let Sydney help with bath (well... Sydney kind of insisted and wouldnt get in her bath until she could wash Julia).  

Kiddos in the tub. 

Ella would drink out of the faucet all during bath.  Made me laugh every time!!

Playing in the backyard

We made up this game called high five.  The kids would jump off of the bed and try and give me a high five.   Not the safest game as we had a few close calls with the wall and dresser but no one was hurt and everyone had fun!  Sydney still asks to play this game now!

Ella giving a high five and then jumping!

He would say "baby. hold her." So, Aunt Lisa let him hold baby Julia!!

Rockin' out. 

Two crazy monkeys!

Rich ran a 10 mile race Saturday morning so we went to cheer him on!

We attempted a photo shoot with the kids laying in a circle and Julia in the middle... disaster :) 

So we headed to the couch where it got a little better... but not much.  Sorry Nani and Poppa - we tried!!  

After our pictures, we had a fun dessert of ice cream with toppings to celebrate our last night there. 

Waiting to board our plane in Texas to go see Daddy!

Ahhhh... what a sight to come home to :)  Thanks for having us, Ducote's!

Date with Daddy

Sydney and Daddy headed out on Saturday, October 4th for a fun morning, just the two of them!  Cole and Mommy got to stay home, clean and run errands :) 

They took off and headed south to Balboa Park to check out the train museum.

And then headed to the zoo...where Daddy let her get her face painted and ride the bus!

This little boy missed her...all morning he kept asking for Sydney!

Happy she's home!

He missed Daddy, too!

And her favorite part of the day may have been going to "Old MacDonalds" (Mc Donalds) with Daddy...and getting these fun glasses in her happy meal!  

October Beach Day

We've had another heat wave this week so on Thursday, we asked Nani if she wanted to join us at the beach and took off for the morning.

Walking to the beach

These two played with the sand toys for quite awhile... beach days are getting a little easier :) 

Finding rocks with Nani

Finished off our day by swimming with Poppa!

End of September

And just like that, it's October!  Here are a few pics during the end of September:

Dave had a work event downtown on the USS Midway so we gave him an early birthday present and we stayed the night downtown and Sydney & Cole had their first sleepover!  Sydney was SO excited to pack her backpack full of clothes and her toothbrush!

All ready!

Cheese!

Sydney let Cole borrow one of her backpacks.

They were waving bye to us before we left our house :)  Poppa was out of town for work but Nani graciously took them in for Saturday and Sunday.  We are SO very appreciative.  They had a blast...and we did too!

<3

Walking/riding to the park.  Sydney saw her balance bike she got for her birthday (that she wasn't into) in our guest room and decided she liked it and wanted to ride it!

She's getting good at it (it has no pedals... you pedal with your feet which is supposed to make the transition to a 2-wheeler easier)

Daddy and Cole

We had a playdate last week and there were 8 moms and 18 kids!  Surprising, it was one of the easiest mornings ever - everyone got along so well (this is only a portion of the group)!

Cole loves walking on the sidewalk now... just like his big sister!

She asked him if she could hold his hand :) 

Both kiddos went to the dentist this month - it was Cole's first visit.  Sydney did SO great!

Nani offered to come along since she wasn't working that day and I am SO glad she did.  I would have been doable, but crazy, by myself!

Sydney is loving drawing these days!  She is over at her easel all the time now!

Can you see the people she's drawing??

We got out our fall decorations last week and this is the outfit she chose!  She makes us laugh! 

She was in rare form - I wish this picture came out better.  And those Halloween socks... she wouldn't let me wash!  She wore them for 4 days straight!!!