Halloween fun

When we decorated for Halloween, Audrey set up the paper skeletons in a cheer formation. Love it!

Getting ready for Halloween party!

My friend made me five gravestones for my yard--so great! I painted them and will add inscriptions next year (only so much time). 

Declan as Harry Potter met Voldemort at the church Trunk-or-Treat party. Classic!

Gotta love Trader Joe's!

Declan was Harry Potter again, Audrey was a purple monster, and Ian was a Minecraft creeper.

Trip to Boston

I don't know what I've done to deserve a friend like Beth, but I am so grateful for her. She offered to watch all my kids for four days and nights so that I could tag along on Mr. B's business trip to Boston. What an incredible city! I had so much fun touring around by myself one day, and then Mr. B joined me for more touring the next day. The architecture is beautiful, we had some delicious food, and we enjoyed wonderful experiences.

Granary burying ground

Beacon Hill neighborhood

Acorn Street

A backyard gate

Make way for ducklings statue

Commonwealth Ave

A Baptist church

Boston Public Library

Church near Copley Square

Modern Pastry pistachio cannoli 

Paul Revere's house

Crypt coffin in Old North Church

Crypt in Old North Church

Old North Church organ

Old North Church

A park near the North End

Brattle Book Shop (outside)

USS Constitution

On the ship

Tour of the Freedom Trail

Hotel selfie--so happy!

Family fun

We had a fun family day out at Swank Farm, even succeeded at the corn maze.

Butterfly parade

We welcomed the monarchs to Pacific Grove again with a parade. Audrey, as a middle schooler, doesn't march, but since she's a cheerleader, she actually does! Fun that she's still in it. She looked great with her squad. Declan was an artist (second grade) and Ian was a gold miner (fourth grade). We had A LOT of fun at the bazaar afterward, which is like a carnival. The kids played for hours, wining lots of tootsie rolls and plastic toys and enjoying bouncy castles and friends. 

September

Audrey performed at the fair with her cheer squad. Her dad got to watch and then they had some fair fun! 

This girl hauls so much to school: cheer shoes, PE clothes, trumpet, extra music binder, plus all the normal stuff. She doesn't love days that she has to wear her cheer uniform to school, but she looks super cute! 

Ian and Declan got their orange belts at karate--woohoo! Audrey is taking a break from karate to do cheer.

Declan is also doing soccer this fall. He loves it!

Audrey and Claire went to a PG youth center dance for middle schoolers. They thought it was loud. But they had a fun night together. 

That same weekend I took the girls to the opening of a bookstore in Carmel. Food, crafts, storytime, free Lula's, books to buy--what more could we ladies ask for?

I read the kids The House with a Clock in its Walls and then took them to the movie. We sure love Jack Black. It was a fun memory!

Just like when Ian was a second grader in the SOS, Declan gets to bring the class otters home occasionally.

Sunday morning shenanigans--it's a hot tub!

Another day's shenanigans--look what we made with soap and water, Mom!

Mr. B performing with Del Monte Brass.

Mr. B got to go to his cousin's wedding in WA and see his adorable little nephews, Thomas and Walter.

Mr. B got his purple belt--first karate belt test! So proud of him for trying new things.

The instructor, Mr. Durney, is an amazing person. We are glad to be part of the American Karate family.