Friday, October 31, 2025

Halloween Party with Friends

She likes making scrambled eggs for herself.

Friends came over for a long walk to collect seeds and sticks and a few minutes of play in the house.
 

This year's Halloween costumes - a cowgirl, a viking, and a teenager.

Originally our kids decided they wanted to go to a church festival instead of trick or treating for Halloween. Then our friends invited us over for a Halloween dinner, games, & a movie. They immediately chose to spend the evening with friends. We haven't all laughed so hard in a long time.


The first game was racing to blow leaves across the table. Little kids were helped as much as possible.
 

 


Then a ring toss on a pumpkin

We laughed the hardest as everyone tried to move a small cookie from their forehead into their mouths. It was hysterical. We learned that Amelia and Andrew were pros. 
 

His first try while holding Tate. Then we moved Tate so he wouldn't be handicapped.
 


These two never fail to melt my heart.

Toss candy corn in your partner's mouth. (Patrick is still working on his cookie face technique).

Movie giggles to end the night. Bellies full of pizza & candy; hearts full of joy.



 

Sunday, October 26, 2025

Carolyn Comes to Visit

Carolyn came to spend a week with us. We started our time together at the Botanic Gardens. We explored, and the kids completed some leaf sketches/rubbings that they needed to do for school.
 


We played games together.

We finally finished the 2000 piece puzzle!

Carolyn came along with us to a homeschool field trip to see a play of the War of the Worlds radio broadcast. It was a fun show!

Taking walks

On Saturday, Patrick kept the kids while I took Carolyn to the Reagan Library.


She had requested a sunset on the beach.

 


On Sunday, Colleen and I took her ice skating.




It was a sweet week to spend time together.

 

Sunday, October 19, 2025

Sunday Sunset Beach Walk

We took a walk one Sunday afternoon on the beach and happened to be during low tide and approaching sunset. It was magical as always.


 


 


Colleen diligently cares for her garden.

Austin's regrow garden is super productive!

 

Saturday, October 18, 2025

Highland Festival & Pumpkin Patch

October continued to be a full month. In between working hard in school, we juggled projects, adventures, and outings together.

Colleen finished sewing her quilt and worked for a week on cutting up all the raw edges.
 

An afternoon at the climbing gym with Roko.

The best part of visiting Chara & Whitney was playing with their kittens.

Middle School Pool Party

Watching the GA-AU game with friends. I brought my Teva cup over for a giggle, and Lauren pulled hers out.

She still loves to help him button up his shirt every morning. One day she'll be too old for this, right?

We attended the Scottish Highlands Festival in Ventura. Patrick was able to join in and see all the highland games with us.
 

They let the kids (and adults) try lifting the equipment.
 

 



Enjoying Welsh cakes

Bagpipe & drum competition

Our homeschool group went to the pumpkin patch & corn maze



We let the boys go in by themselves.

Afterward, Austin hauled little kids around.

Taking Amelia to see Romeo & Juliet