Fall: November

Our favorite guy turned 35 this month! Happy birthday, A!

In other big news, he won Staff Marine Musician of the Year! It's a huge honor, and he will also receive the Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal. Here's a detailed article about him and his award (here).

The Marine Public Affairs Office released these great video featuring A!

Z having a blast at a neighborhood birthday party.

 A day trip to Pasadena with our Greek family.

We enjoyed a nice Thanksgiving with family in San Clemente.

Fifteen of us made it out for the feast.

Z with Great Aunt Linda and 2nd cousins Bryce and Tristan.

Continuing the Meadows family tradition, the "pine cone" almond and cheese appetizer.

 L's cousin Paul.

 Dog-pile on Great Grandpa.

Kitties creeping up on the napping daddy.

 Our little turkey.

L and her mama.

 Two peas in a pod.

 Another beautiful Southern Californian sunset. So thankful for this little family!

Next up, the Christmas season is upon us, starting with a Christmas tree lighting on base at the Marine Corps Exchange.

 A random polar bear.

 It's the most wonderful time of the year!!!!! More to come in December....

Fall: October

October started off with the annual trip to Bates Nut Farm with our church friends.

Z and her triplet buddies.

The kiddos on the tractor ride.

Some of the families in our connection group.

Meanwhile, A was staying on a ship with the Marine Band in San Francisco for Fleet Week. (With his old deployment buddy, Ben).

To say the ship experience was interesting would be an understatement, but at least the views on the deck were beautiful at sunrise.

Back in Oceanside, L and Z participated in our church community outreach by passing out water bottles to bikers and runners on the bike trail during a heatwave.

Z was a trooper despite the nasty heat.

Straight home from San Francisco, we got to see A perform with the Marine brass quintet at Park Semper Fi in San Clemente.

Another beautiful, crazy-hot day. These poor guys in their black, wool uniforms!

Always a treat getting to see Daddy perform locally.

This month, we also enjoyed a surprise, midweek trip to Disneyland.

Fun family times...

After school trip to YogurtLand with fun neighbors.

Checked out another pumpkin patch in Carlsbad.

West Coast Marine Musicians' Birthday Ball in San Diego. Happy 240th Birthday, Marines!

Princess Belle single-handed horseback-riding at our neighborhood Fall Festival.

 Princesses having a blast!

 Z and her buddies from school (and our sweet neighbors).

We also attended the baptism of Z's second cousin in Pasadena. It was our first time at a service in a Greek church.

Z sitting with Greek cousins in the church.

 At the last minute, Zoe was asked to carry a candle during the ceremony and she did great!

 Looking like an angel.

 A and his folks at the reception located at a historic restaurant in downtown Pasadena.

The guest of honor, 2nd cousin Yianni.

 

 A and his cousin.

 Z loved playing with little Georgie.

 And Z loves Greek dancing!

 Always a fun time in lovely Pasadena (city hall in the background).

 And we finished off the month with a bonfire and passing out candy on Halloween.

 Princess Belle and the family pumpkins.