Proud to be an American

The week before Veteran's Day a Field of Honor was put up at Merced College.  All the flags were amazing and the kids loved driving by and looking at them all.  They would bag me to take them to look at the flags everyday.  One day after school we went and looked at all the flags and read the stories about people that have and are serving our country.

Tuesday the 5th was election day.  I thought it was a great learning opportunity to take the kids with me.  Surprisingly Aubrey was very interested.  Election day was special to us because my boss Stan was reelected Mayor for a second term.  That night we went to his campaign dinner.   

Aubrey's teacher finally called and I got to volunteer in her class room on Wednesday.  I helped the kids make their turkeys for the class room door.  It was great I LOVED it! I felt so happy to be in her class and it was wonderful to see her teacher teach.  I really appreciate all she does with the kids.  It's amazing how much they are leaning.  Aubrey is already writing sentences and is doing great with her sight words and is starting to read.  Her math is outstanding which it was before school thanks to dad and her coloring/art is fabulous and I like to take the credit for that.  On Friday Ms. Stapp asked if I could arrange for Mayor Stan to come in and talk about the flag with the class.  He is a retired Marine and since it was almost Veteran's Day it was a perfect day to have him talk.  I got to go and watch and then Stan, Spencer and I all had lunch with Aubrey after.

Also on Friday Titi came to visit.  We had so much fun hanging out with our favorite Titi.  We got to watch lots of movies, shop and eat out a lot, so much fun!  The kids and Titi made the BEST chocolate cake from scratch on Saturday.

Monday morning before the parade we did a little art project.

Last year I pretty much jumped right into Christmas stuff right after Halloween so this year I'm trying to slow down the Christmas excitement and really focus on Thanksgiving and teaching the kids about it.  I have had fun decorating.  Carter has been asking if we are going to have a party ever since I hung this banner. 

It has been fun hearing all the things the kids are thankful for.

All ready for the parade!  Aubrey made this hat and flag at school and the teacher asked them to wear it to the parade.  She was very excited.

Aubrey marched in the parade with the Girl Scouts.  Carter and I were going to tag along but when we got there I asked Kendall if her mom was walking and she said no so then Aubrey tells me that she doesn't want me to walk with her either and that she was a big girl, that was harsh!  I guess I have to remember that she is growing up.  

The parade was huge and I felt naked with out my little girl.  A few times I was worried and nervous not to be with her but she was in good hands and I tried to just sit back and enjoy the parade with Carter.  We ran into my good friend Wendy and her daughter Carrie so we sat and watched the parade together.

Oh the joys of a parade right at nap time!

Well Miss Aubrey was on the other side of the group when she walked by us so I didn't get a picture of her walking on Main Street.  After she walked by Carter and I ran to catch up and walked with her the last part of the parade.

I thought this was a cute activity they did in class:

The parade was wonderful.  We are so thankful for all the people that have and are serving our country! Thank You!!

After the parade we came home and Aubrey got the flu, so not fun!!!!  I have got to have her home the whole week which is the plus side.   

My Birthday

I was one lucky girl to not only have a weekend birthday but for it also to be the longest day of the year.  It was day light savings so we got to set the clock back an hour that day.  It was fun to have an extra hour.  The most wonderful part of my birthday was waking up to the two cutest kids ever and my wonderful hubby on vacation.  The kids both made me beautiful cards and were very excited for me to open my gifts.  It was fun opening my gifts in the hotel room.

 After we opened gifts we had breakfast and then went in the hot tub.  After packing up we did a little more shopping and then had lunch at Panera Bread (so excited for the Merced one to open!). We then went up to the Sacramento Temple.  It was so beautiful up there on the hill. I love taking pictures and this was a great place to play with the new camera.

 We then meet up with my family in Stockton at my favorite restaurant, The Spaghetti Factory.  My family makes me feel like a real princess on my day and I love that!!!  They spoiled me like crazy! 

Such a perfect day!!! I'm so blessed to have such a wonderful, loving, great family!! I had an amazing birthday weekend!! Thank You all!!

Apple Hill

I have the BEST hubby ever! He always spoils me so much around my birthday.  Since my birthday was on a Sunday this year we decided it would be fun to do a mini vacation.  After a night of parting on Halloween who would ever want to go to school the next day?  Not us so we played hooky and left for a 3 day weekend up in the apple hill area.  Last time we did this we stayed in Folsom at a great hotel that is right across from the Folsom outlets, 30 minutes to Apple Hill, pet friendly, two room suite and a great price so, that is where we stayed again this time.  Friday we spent the day shopping, eating and relaxing in the hot tub.  Saturday we all woke up early and headed up for a day up at the farms. It was BEAUTIFUL! The weather was great and I think since Halloween was all over and the following weekend was Veteran's Day weekend made it so my birthday weekend was not crowded at all!  The kids loved exploring and all the kid friendly activities.

 We went on a train ride at one of the farms.

 They even let Deuce hop on.

 Enjoying an apple smoked turkey sandwich for lunch.

 Pony rides.  

Carter and Blacky

Aubrey got to go on a horse.

 The guide brought Aubrey and Sassy over to meet us on the side lines.

 It was so much fun having Deuce with us. He is all healed up and we are so happy that he is part of our family.  He is doing really good and is a little less wild but not much!

One of the best part of the days was all the treats we had.  We had hot cider, cold cider, apple fritters, apple donuts, and one of my very favorites, apple pie caramel apples.

It was a great day!!