G&G HaLLoWeEn PaRTy

Every year my parents have a little Halloween party for the grandkids. This year it was the Monday night before Halloween since some of us would be in Disneyland for Halloween. Considering the fact that WE would be in Disneyland for Halloween I didn't want to put too much effort into the whole costume thing. Soooo ........

Lauren was a day spa client- which also could
have passed as a diva at bedtime


Jace was none other than.... TRASHMAN!!!
I know it's white trash but it was cheap....
and you gotta admit, quite funny!!!

The donut eating contest was quite entertaining.......

All the grandkids in their costumes

Jace was attacked by grandmas decor

I also helped in Jace's class with the Halloween party......

I even made homemade root beer A.K.A "witches brew"

Highlights

A BIG OL' catch up post that won't even really get me caught up.......

We'll start back in September. Jason had Youth Conference at Camp Stimpson. He was in charge of one of the activities. The youth arrived at "Fort Hills" and two teams made their sturdiest fort out of cardboard boxes, then threw balls at each others forts to see which was left standing.

I snapped this picture as we were leaving Camp Stimpson that night. the had a huge floodlight on so we could see while doing clean up.




Also in September I had my first school project due. I was given the word "DRY" and had to create some kind of sculpture/art piece that represented that word. You had to use three different materials and somehow relate back to a 12x12x12 box. After a few ideas I decided on one. I needed some rustic sticks so we took a drive up to Mt. Charleston to collect some.

Jace and Jason found a little cave

The leaves were just starting to change

Jace and his silly face!

The first model of the project

My scale model of my project

Project in process

The final outcome!!! The three materials I used were roofing shingles, wood and a poncho. The poncho is cut from 3 12x12 squares and the bottom represents the square footage of 3 12x12 squares. Panchos keep you dry, the wood was dry and the roofing tiles protect you home from rain. The sculpture itself also, with it's canopies keeps dry and with a boring brown color scheme -is pretty dry.

LAUREN GOT A PHONE!!!!! That is the biggest news of all, if you ask her! I wanted to hold out until Christmas but with her in Jr. High now it's so convenient for ME too. The real motivation was that our carrier ran a promotion for kids free until the end of 2011. She's loving it! Good thing we have unlimited texting- need I say more.....

On September 25th, Jason and I went to see the Pixies at the Joint. I was never a die hard fan but I did like them. The played the entire Doolittle album and a few others as well. They put on a good show and now I can add them to my list of bands I've seen. I'll post a little video from the concert at the bottom......

On September 29th Jason and I took our annual plane ride down to Tucson, AZ to see Dr. Goldberg. This man has been my Pediatric Cardiologist since I was FIVE-and he pretty much still looks the same.

While we were there we rented a car and drove around the town. This year we decided to see a few sights we hadn't gone to before. Our first stop was the Fox theatre. I wanted to check it out because the website said it was the only known example of Southwestern Art Deco. Of course it was closed but I got to see the outside. This is the inside- I got the picture off of their website.

Black/white photo is the original built in 1930-

color photo is after the restoration in after restoration it re-opened in January 2006

Jason in the outside lobby area

signage

Our next stop was the Mission San Xavier.
"Constructed of low-fire clay brick, stone and lime mortar, the entire structure is roofed with masonry vaults, making it unique among Spanish Colonial buildings within U. S. borders. Construction of the current church began in 1783 and was completed in 1797. The Baroque architecture style features playful dramatic elements such as theatrical curtain displays, faux doors, marbling, and overall sense of balance."- from the brochure.

a lot of great detail

Jason was annoyed that I was taking pictures inside the church- but who could pass up the vaulted domed ceiling????

The cutest little window

very ornate

only 3 steps to the window......


October 2nd was free museum day, so I figured why not bring some culture into our world. So we made a visit to Bellagio Gallery of Fine Arts. We saw he exhibition Figuratively Speaking: A Survey of The Human Form, which featured artists such as Renoir, Picasso and Lichtenstein. I was impressed that my kids recognized some of the paintings or the artist style and knew it before we heard about it on the headset. Their art teacher at school is great at introducing them to these artists and how to recognize their style. After the museum we stopped in the atrium to marvel over the beautiful fall decor.

Jace, Shelby and Lauren

Me, Jace and Grandma Stump

I love this copper tree that rains.... it was my favorite last year too

these girls making a mess in my kitchen! They made their own gum from a kit Lauren had. They said the flavor didn't last very long.

And lastly........

Jason got his Woodbadge Award (I guess it's an award) You scouting people should know what it is. The rest of you..... go ask a scouter because I'm not sure myself. What I do know is that it required two long weekends of camping and five tickets(projects) you have to complete. Way to go Jason!!!!!

Everyone should remember this one.........

SUMMER VACATION- PART II

We said farewell to the quaint town of Carlsbad as we cruised north on the PCH. The salty air filled the car as we sailed through each beach city until we finally arrived at our next destination- Disneyland!

Jace and Lauren ready to rack up the points on Toy Story

Jace and Lauren gave each other back massages while waiting in line for Toy Story...
The novelty hasn't worn off that ride yet- still a long line!

Splash Mountain!!

We got to see the new World of Color show at California Adventure

We even scored front row!!

if a double decker bus, crashes into us........

Nothin' better than Thunder Mountain!!

We actually rode the canoes! Who does that!!

Grandma, Lauren and Jace

and the winner is........ Lauren! for best funny face

Spent half a day at the beach- water not as warm as it was down in Carlsbad!

Lauren and her Boogie Board-

Catching some heat from the sun after being in that cold ocean...

Running from the cold waves! Doesn't the ocean know it's August!! It's supposed to be warm!

Splish-splash

Chicken dinner at the Plaza

Me & Lauren

Ready, aim....

On the way home we stopped at the home of the world famous pastrami sandwich- The Hat

After a week of fun it was time to head back home and back to reality!

ALIANTE STATION

On the Thursday before school started we got a room at the Aliante Hotel. The kids had been begging to stay there since it was built and as luck would have it I won a free nights stay.

Lounging in the room

Jace ready to hit the pool

Of course we had the pancake house for breakfast!

Jace, Lauren and Jason in the pool

TIM-BER!!!!!

Water taxi....

So even though our official summer break only lasted 3 weeks, we still managed to pack in a whole lotta fun!!!