Three Whole Years

Our little Buddy Caden turned 3 on Sunday November 7. He is such a fun spirited boy who loves his brother and sisters. He loves playing ball(especially baseball), running, riding bikes and scooters, playing with toys, loves eggs and milk in his special cups before bed. He is still working on getting potty trained. He loves watching the "Froggie movie"( leapfrog ABC videos) and likes to play on PBS kids. Usually finds his way into his parents bed in the middle of the night. He has such a cute little voice and loves to talk. He is a good helper and loves to help mom bake. He turns most things into a sword of some sort. He likes to get dressed all by himself and thinks he is in charge. He loves to wrestle and jump on his dad and he absolutely LOVES money! He is such a joy- We love our Caden. Happy Birthday Bud!
Celebrating with the family with his football cake

Fun gifts
working his new remote control motorcycle
Popping a wheelie!

Last weekend we drove a couple of hours to Palm Springs to meet up with my Dad and Brother who were at a orthodontic convention. We stayed over a few nights at this amazing hotel and got to play with Popsy and Blake in 95 degree weather! It was awesome (as Caden would say)
Hanging out at the pool

playing a little soccer with uncle Blake

James and Popsy

the kids throwing their pennies in the wishing fountain
Caden opening up a few b-day gifts from the Maxfields
Thanks dad for letting us tag along and play at your hotel.

Here is James at 7 months now!!!!!! what a cutie!

Football Fun

Last weekend Jeff and I and James E. got to go to the USC vs Oregon game. It was an awesome game in the coliseum. USC played pretty good and stayed with them the first 3 quarters but Oregon was just too good.


Half time at the Homecoming game
Trojan horse
Oregon duck

It was a fun and exciting game!

Halloween fun!

Introducing :

Jocelyn as a Cinderella Bride

People in LA sure do know how to celebrate Halloween- they go all out! I think it might be their favorite Holiday? Anyway we had lots of fun dressing up for school parades, ward trunk or treat and trick or treating in some celebrities neighborhood.

Ellie as the Witch with Bat wings?
Caden as Batman

James as the Skunk (Aka : little stinker)

the Jackson Group
Walking to school in costume for the School Parade

Jocelyn and some her friends from school (Lena & Olivia)
Ellie lining up for the parade
Nice thing about Cali is everything can be done outside. (parades, assemblies etc.) We did miss Minnesota (especially the people) but we got to wear Halloween costumes and not cover them up with coats!

Ellie's class Halloween party
pumpkin craft
Even Caden got in on some of the fun!

My kids really enjoy Halloween by decorating the house really spooky and by eating fun Halloween meals. Here are a few fun foods we did this year.
Chocolate covered Doughnut Eyeballs
The " Mummy's"
Skeleton sandwiches
Dinner in a Pumpkin

Here is James with his favorite YMCA Kid care helper: Dee
Jeff as the Mummy for our Ward Party. Our ward had some really amazing costumes and fun ideas. Here is one a 10 year old girl came up with, which was amazing. My kids were so scared of her they would not eat their food until she left our table.

I mean really!! Wow! That is some costume!
Jeff and Ellie visiting the Trunks
James and his mom
We went to Toluca Lake (aka Halloween Headquarters) to see some celebrity homes such as Steve Carell and Andy Garcia. We saw a lot if amazing homes decorated to the T. Sunken ships on front lawns, grave yards, Thriller projected on front of homes, Music , lights and big candy bars. It was unbelievable these creative movie people. They provide candy for about 2,000 kids in costume. It is unreal- quite the show!

this one is for my mother " Its a Gumby!"
Thriller home

Met up with a few fellow wardsters. We had a great Halloween Week.