Fall is in the Air

October has been full of fun fall festivities for our family! We visited Bates Nut Farm in Valley Center with our church group. It was Z's first real pumpkin patch experience, including a petting zoo and tractor-hayride.

This little pumpkin thinks she's worth more that $6.50.

 Our church group.

And on base, our housing community had its own little Fall Festival that included pony rides and a wagon ride pulled by Clydesdale horses!

L and Z waving from the back.

We took a fun trip to Disneyland. We love that the Marine band gets free tickets in return for performing there!

Thea joined us too!

Somebody loves those turkey legs.

The Tea Cups are still her favorite. (That's L's cousins, Paul and Paige, in the other Tea Cup. We just happened to run into them that day!).

Too much fun!

This month, Z had to say goodbye to her friend Austin who moved away to Michigan. The gang's last time together at the playground. 

We attended the Marine Corps Birthday Ball for our 7th time. It might be our last West Coast Musicians' Ball for awhile since we're transferring to the East Coast!

L also attended a Ladies Retreat in Big Bear with women from our church. Here's her roommate, Sadie (a mother of triplets!!). 

In the same weekend, we also went to the San Diego State Homecoming football game. We first caught up with some old friends at the band alumni tailgate party at the stadium. 

And we'll conclude this fun-filled post with pumpkin-carving (first time in years for us)!

A roasted the pumpkin seeds while the girls did the carving. 

Aren't they cute?!

Busy Summer: Part 3

With A coming home in August and getting a few weeks off work, we were able to end the summer on a high note.

During this month, the Gee Family visited California and we had fun outings with the whole family.

Beach day in the Dana Point Harbor.

Z catching a ride in Gigi's kayak.

 L finally trying the stand-up paddle board.

Z loves spending time with her cousins.

Rough life.

 During their stay, P turned 4 years old and we celebrated with a baseball-themed birthday party in the park. The Richardsons joined us too (yay, more cousins!). Happy Birthday, big boy!

 The required silly group shot.

We also took a little kid-free getaway to Las Vegas where we saw two spectacular shows and visited a few used record stores. All dressed up to see Penn & Teller's Magic Show!

Visiting the famous pawn shop featured on the "Pawn Stars" TV show on the History Channel.

 L in her usual retro attire for the amazing 'Love - Cirque du Soleil' production featuring the music of The Beatles (full review on L's music blog here).

A and the Blue Meanie (from The Beatles animated film Yellow Submarine).

 The groovy entrance.

All the while Z had fun with her grandparents.

Even A's uncle (Theo Alex) visited us from New York!

Annual Greek Festival fun!

A ready for surgery at the Naval Hospital.

We also took a little day-trip to Hollywood and spent quality time looking through the stacks of used vinyl at the famous Amoeba Records Store. 

 After a yummy dinner at The Grove, we topped off the night seeing one of L's favorite '60s British bands perform at the legendary Troubadour in West Hollywood (full review here).

 We had a blast at another bonfire with our church group.

Dress-up time!

Hmm, I mustache you a question.

Boy, what a great summer, but the best part is having Daddy back!