Time for the Pumpkin Patch

I love the fall because it means we can go to the pumpkin patch. It is so nice living so close to such a great pumpkin patch, every year Del Oso Family Farms seems to improve. This year they made a lot of improvements: like the country store, the zip line, the train ride and a tractor ride.

The kids had a blast playing on the tire mountain, running through the hay maze and jumping on the pillow jumps. We rode the train, raced the cars and went to the petting zoo. Just when we were going to get the pumpkins it started to downpour. So I guess that means we get to go back again :)

We were able to get some great shots in before our trip got cut short.

A rare moment of sibling love on top of tire mountain

Dani taking the leap from the tiresYou have to just laugh at this girl sometimes

Smile Dani!

Dani was ready to catch Daddy

The kids loved the pillow jump

Chris doing his tricks!

.....always the joker!

Dani and I went on the train ride

Dani was so excited for the train ride

Feeding the goats

Dani found shelter in Daddy's jacket from the rain.

She loved her cookie!

Hanging out at the country store

Momma and her babies

Me and my girl

Back in the day....

Here I am enjoying a RARE quite Saturday morning thinking how desperately I need to update the blog with all that has been going on around here. I was reading through some blogs and my friend reminded what today was with one of her posts.

Do you remember where you were 20 years ago today at 5:04pm PST, October 17, 1989?

I do! And I don't think I will ever forget either. It was Game 3 of the Battle of the Bay World Series between the SF Giants and Oakland A's. My dad had gotten tickets to the series and was going to let my sister and I take turns going. Today was my turn.

My dad and I were on the huge escalator that takes you tot the third deck of Candlestick Park (yes Candlestick because that is what it will always be called in my book). We had just gotten to the top and stepped off the escalator when the rumbling started. At first it sounded like people in the stadium were pounding the feet in excitement for the game. But then the stadium started to roll. I had never seen anything like it, waves of concrete rippling through the ground. Then the panic set in. People started rushing down the large concrete ramps to get to the ground. Chunks of concrete were falling on the walkways and people were everywhere. I wanted to run with them. But no, my dad grabbed my hand and we headed under the breezeway out into the stadium. My dad was in the construction business, he knew how this worked, we needed to get somewhere where nothing was above us. We found our way to our seats through the chaos and just sat. All the players and their families were on the field and everyone was just in shock from what had just happened, but I don't think everyone really knew how bad it was yet.

My dad had said there was no point in leaving yet because the roads were going to be jammed, plus he wanted to make sure the game was going to be canceled before we left and also that we would get tickets to the make up game as well. I know typical man!!! So I sat there just looking around. My dad had on his headset radio listening to the news and I was peeking at the large hand held TV the guy a few seats down had....yes it was 1989.

I tapped my dad on the shoulder. "Dad, dad, dad. Part of the Bay Bridge collapsed, how are we going to get home?" He thought I was crazy said that was not going to happen, then he saw the TV. Soon he started to join me in watching the guys TV and we saw that part of the Bay Bridge had collapsed and saw the horror of what happened at the Cypress structure in Oakland. I think at this point he realized we should probably figure out how we were going to get home since all the bridges were closed so the one freeway that would take us around the bay to get back to Orinda was going to be packed.

Then there was my sister and mom. My sister was home alone waiting for my mom to get home from work. Not quite sure what she was doing but I am pretty sure she ended up at a friends house that night. See this was before cell phones so it was very hard to get in touch with everyone. My mom had just gotten on the 5:00 BART train at in the city to head home from work. They were in between the Powell Street station and Embarcadero Station when the quake hit. The train went dark and they had no clue what the city would look like when they got above ground. About an hour later they had to walk that tiny catwalk on the side of the tunnel to get back to the station. My mom walked for a bit then eventually got on a bus and headed to our friends house in the city.

The nice thing was my dad was on the same page. My dad and I drove to our friends house as well to wait it out. It was nice to see that my mom was there when we got there. Some time early that morning we drove home when they finally opened up one of the bridges.

The next few days were spent at home watching the news and seeing the damage. Big earthquakes are about the only thing that closed down schools ever int he Bay Area so this was quite the treat to have no school for a few days while they check all the buildings.

So I guess I will never forget exactly where I was at 5:04pm on October 17, 1989. That would be a hard day to forget.

***I still have my tickets from that game in a frame. I would have taken a picture of them, but I think they are still at my moms.

Soccer has begun!!!

Our Saturdays have now been split between part soccer and part BMX. Chris is on the Speed Demons for TYSL and is having a blast. This part Saturday they had their first game in the crazy weather we had last weekend. We were woken up by intense thunder and lightning, then it was sunny.....we headed out to leave for the game and were hit with giant raindrops. Luckily by the time we got to the field the rain had stop and we were back to the 100 degree temps!

The Speed Demons did a great job and all the kids had a blast playing on there on the field. We are looking forward to a great season of soccer!

Getting ready for the game to start!

Flying across the field at the game

Dani and her "dimple smile"

Now we get the normal look!

July Run: Jail Break Run

The July Run was a family affair, very fitting since this run was hosted by the Alameda County Sheriff's Office. Bryan and I both ran the 5K and then the kids were able to run the 1/2 mile race afterward. This was a very fun race for everyone since we had so many friends and co-workers of Bryan's there with us running. Plus nothing like running a race around one of the state largest county jails.

Chris and Dani had a great time running. The kids race was two laps around the track up at he Training Center. I was not sure if Dani would want to do tow laps, but I was wrong. Just like always she smiled and laughed her way through the whole race. Bryan and I were very proud of the kids for running and wanting to continue doing these races.

Chris and his buddy Aidan lining up for the race.

Dani takes these races very seriously.......she is my little racer!

Dani and Chris ready to go.

The cutest little legs out there

Chris coming into the finish.

With his medal

Chris was such a good big brother and joined Dani on the last half of her final lap since he had already finished.

Chris cheering Dani on to the finish line!

The whole family after the races and ready to get out of the heat

Camping in Clearlake

In mid July we packed up the Jeep to the brim and headed to Clearlake.....and I mean that thing was packed. I don't think we could have fit one more thing in that car. We spent 4 days up at the lake camping with our little family and some friends. Two of the deputies that Bryan works with Brian and Shannon joined us on the trip with their three doggies. I am still not sure who had it easier, us with our two kids or them with their three dogs.

The kids had a blast with the dogs; Sally, Cosmo and Kaiser and they all loved swimming and playing in the water. It was pretty hot while we were there but the kids did great and had so much fun just running around and playing in the dirt. The highlight every night was roasting marshmellows. Dani and Chris had more fun just doing the roasting rather then eating them. That was fine because between myself, Bryan, Brian and Shannon we made sure that none went to waste.

It was a great trip and we had a blast with Brian and Shannon and all the doggies.!

The view on the lake

Sally and Cosmo enjoying the lake

Dani never ceases to amaze me with the outfits she picks out!! Plus she is the only girl I know that wears beanies when it is over 100 degrees out.

Chris playing with the dogs!

Kaiser and Cosmo on the hunt for squirrels.

Starting up the campfire.

Dani roasting her "mellow"

So happy!

Chris enjoying his handy work.

Since we are 3 weeks into school....why not post about Kindergarden graduation!

Better late then never right......

On June 26th our little man graduated from Kindergarten!!! I still can't believe it (even though he is 3 weeks into 1st grade now). It was a great afternoon of celebrating all the little ones in the Kinder classes at his school. All the teachers worked really hard to teach the kids some great songs and little skits to show us all they learned in school that year.

I look back on Chris's kindergarten year and smile. He made so many great friends, learned to read, write, add, subtract and all the other fun things that go with Kindergarten. He was even given a special award for perfect attendance the whole year!!!! Even mommy made some great friends during this first year in school. Chris loved his teach Ms. Vasquez and she did a great job with a very active class of 32. I was very impressed considering it was her first year teaching.

Chris is already loving 1st grade this year but I know he will always remember kindergarten and the friends he made in his first year at George Kelly. I feel like from here on out it is going to go by way too fast.

Chris's class waiting on the steps to perform.

Telling us about what they learned this year.

Our little singer!

So cute!

Chris and Ms. Vasquez

Chris's new love.....BMX Racing!

I know I have not posted for ever......my apologizes. I figured I need to do something up to date first since if I try and back track I may never catch up. So just pretend you have heard all about Chris's Kindergarten graduation, his end of the year party, first BMX race, the family BMX race, summer swim fun and VBS. If you are luck you may get a few random posts in there if I have time.

This past weekend was a first for us. Chris and I loaded u p the car and the BMX stuff and made our way down to Orange Cove for his first State Series race. This was his first really big race against kids from all over the state and I think the even more exciting part for him.....he got to stay in a hotel with mommy.

We are still learning all that is the world of BMX but so far we love it. Chris could ride for hours while Dani is completely content just sitting in the dirt playing. She even has a few little friends at the track to play with. All the families are so great and it has been a fantastic summer of races each weekend. We had been racing pretty regularly at the track in Livermore. Some of the racers and families convinced us to have Chris try and get his 6 qualifying races in so he could race in the state cup in October. So we went to Orange Cove this weekend and had three great races and are half way to State Cup.

I think the pictures speak for themselves. Bryan and I are so proud of what he is doing out there on the track and can not wait to see him continue to improve.

Oh and I know what you are all thinking, "Just another reason to land in the ER!" Hopefully not but for the mean time we are investing in pads :)

I am way behind.....

Let's just say that I have a lot to catch up on. But for now word will have to do. Ever since return from camping our internet has been down and I don't have the patience to spend hours on the phone with tech support.....so i am waiting for Bryan's work week to be over so he can :) Aren't I a nice wife. So here is what I need to catch you up on

Chris's first EVER BMX race
Chris graduating from kindergarten
Dani starting gymnastics
Fourth of July
Our camping Trip to Clearlake
and today Chris's 2nd BMX race

Plus the whole family tomorrow morning is running int he Jail Break Run at the Santa Rita Jail.

So soon our internet will be working and I can give all these topics justice. Just wanted to make sure you all knew I was still here, just being swallowed up in the summer run around.

June Race- Trix Run in Lodi

I stumbled upon a great race for me and the kids for the June race- Trix Run in Lodi. It was a great 5K around Lodi lake with a kids run after, because after all "Trix are for kids". I was on my own for this race again with the kids which meant pushing the extra 100lbs in the stroller during my race. The kids were preoccupied with the goodies that came in the race bags and were able to entertain themselves during the race. It was a beautiful course with all sorts of terrain, even with the pushing the kids in the stroller I got 3rd place in my age group. The kids were very excited that they "helped" mommy get a medal.

Chris and Dani had been looking forward to another race ever since the last one, so my little racers were ready. Dani was so excited that she got her own "race shirt". Chris had his new running shoes on and was ready to rock. I ran with Dani again and we let Chris take off like a speed racer. Since the course was a switchback Dani and I were able to cheer on Chris as he raced by, and I managed to get some pictures. I was very proud of both my babies for finishing the race and finishing strong. Enjoy the pictures and stay tuned for the July race....this will be a family event once again.

Dani modeling her "race shirt"

Dani befriended the Trix Rabbit

Chris was even willing to pose with him for me.

My little racer man

Chris, Dani and Mommy post race

Dani lined up at the starting line ready to go.

So excited to start the race

Our little speed racer headed for the finish line.

Chris and Dani with their finisher ribbons.

It was a BMX birthday

The birthdays have come and gone. We have restored order in our house after the Crazy Kid's Carnival for their birthdays. Now all that remains are all the fun presents.

This year Chris was fully outfitted with his BMX stuff. He got a great new bike from Mor Mor, a cool new racing helmet from Aunt Mami and some cool gloves from his friend Braedon.

With all this new gear it was no surprise we spent most of the afternoon Sunday and Monday at the BMX track. Chris was a little hesitant to go at first, but after one lap there was no getting him off the track. I think we may try one of the races later on this summer once baseball is done. Meanwhile Chris is enjoying his new found hobby.

Something tells me this sport may add to the ER count. YIKES!

Chris heading down the course

He was so focused riding, but had so much fun

Already confident enough to take the jumps a little faster.

I love my little man. Bryan and I were so proud of him watching him tear up the track.