My good friend Maree was kind enough to have her birthday in November as well, so we rounded up the gang and went to lunch. It was perfect, crazy chaos with as many kids as adults, but it was so fun being with good friends, eating good food, and only having 1 kid to wrestle myself. Happy Birthday Maree! And sorry I didn't get these pictures to you any sooner!

My mom was able to spend some time with us in November. She timed her trip with Caden's party, so we had an extra set of hands to help and she got to help us celebrate his birthday. It was fun to have her!

Grannie with her favorite grandkids.

My dad was also here for a couple of days, but for some reason I CANNOT remember to take a picture when he is with my kids. I kept him busy with house projects - thanks Dad for being my Mr Fix It!

This is from his July visit. At least we have good tans!

Love you both!

Caden turned four in November. It's been a fast four years! He is such a sweet kid - so funny and kind. He is a great helper, which I love, and is becoming quite the sports fanatic, which Scott loves. Caden loves playing with his friends and being outside, so this year we did a Batman birthday party in the park. We played lots of games, ate pizza and cake, and hit the Batman pinata. It was a super hot day (because what else would you expect at the end of November?) but we stayed cool in the shade. Happy Birthday, Caden! I love you!!


Duck Duck Goose...but where did the Goose go?


The boys waiting their turn for the pinata.


You are going down, Batman!


Showing off some of his Batman spoils.

Soleil got her first haircut at the beginning of November. It was time to clean it up and make it less mullet-ish. She's watched Caden get his haircut for a year now, and has wanted her turn for a long time. She loved every minute of it. This girl is all girl!

The end result. She even got bedazzled!

Note to self: even though it sounds cute, do not get the glitter again. It just makes a mess and gets all over everything!

Let's Review

Now that it's practically Thanksgiving, let's review October. We went to Austin to visit my dad and clan and got to see my little sister dance with her high school drill team at the football game halftime. I was on my high school's drill team back in the day, and out of all of my 7 siblings, Melissa is the only one to follow in my footsteps. (7 siblings from 2 families. Let's not forget that vital fact!) My other sister and brother (plus girlfriend) who are currently edumacating themselves in Provo flew in for the festivities, so it turned into a big family reunion. Party!!

Soleil thinks she can swim by herself, which is scary, but at least she's got the posing down!

At the morning pep rally at school. From L-R: girlfriend Carrie, bro David,

sis Michelle, stepmom Jill, sis Melissa, dad John, Caden, Scott, me and Soleil.

All the Osborne kids together for the first time in over 3 years.

Making sushi, yum yum! Caden was off chasing the dogs, but the rest of us huddled around the food.

We swam and ate and swam and ate and had lots of fun in Texas. Thanks for a great time, Papa and Grandma!

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Pumpkin Patch and Halloween

It seemed wrong to be picking pumpkins at the end of October in almost 100 degree weather. We had fun, but didn't stay long. Phew!!

And the end result of the jack-o-lantern carving:

Soleil was sad because...I don't know. But I think it's a hilarious picture. Does that make me a mean mom?

It was so hot here that these pumpkins rotted in 5 days. So 30 minutes before we went trick-or-treating, we quickly carved out 2 more pumpkins.

Caden wanted to be a bat for Halloween. Since his preschool only allowed animal costumes, the bat idea was great! I figured we have years of princess costumes ahead of us, so this year Soleil got to be a bat too. Although I will give her this, she accessorized the bat costume all by herself! Those shoes kill me! And yes, Caden picked his shoes too...just didn't have the same effect.

Yeah for bats!!

Getting ready to get some candy!!

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Caden's Sports

Caden has been taking a sports class once a week. They rotate through the different sports, giving the kids a chance to figure out what they really like to play. Caden is a natural athlete, like his dad, and loved every sport, like his dad. And for once, he was the biggest kid in the class! Coach Steve was great with the kids. There is a 2 month break until the next session starts up, and I don't know what do to with Caden in the meantime....he's been asking for his sports class all week.

Budding Beckhams and Kobes.

Happy Birthday Soleil!!

My baby is 2. Wow, that happened really fast! We went to Chuck E. Cheese's and celebrated in style there. Both kids love going there, and since Scott and I can split up and each follow a kid, it's fun and easy for all of us. Then back home for cupcakes and presents.
We have now officially entered the princess phase. She is starting to love all things girly and pink, which is such a stark contrast to Caden and all things boy. She got so much pink stuff this birthday, it's almost the main color of the playroom! (thanks, grandparents!) Soleil still loves to play trains and throw balls, so I don't have to worry about her not being too well-rounded. Although to add to her girly-ness, she seems to have developed a love of makeup. She loves to watch me put it on and she loves to put it on herself (she doesn't know there isn't anything on Mommy's big blush brush). She loves to color - anything, this is why I have microfiber couches - and makeup is just another version of coloring, right?
Soleil LOVES animals. It seems like her favorite is an elephant. She knows most of the animals and their sounds, and will imitate them for you. She does a mean elephant, complete with hand gesture.
I love to watch my kids interact. They love to play with each other. I'm almost intrigued by their relationship, never having any close-in-age siblings myself. Soleil will walk around the house when Caden is at school yelling, "Caden, where are you?" Whenever Soleil gets in trouble, which is just starting to become more frequent, Caden will tell me to leave his sister alone. I dig the big brother vibe. I love that they watch out for each other and love each other so much.
Soleil is such a happy, easygoing kid. She has a smile and giggle for everyone. She also has a strong personality and is becoming more independent, which I am glad for and scared of all at the same time. I wonder what I'll think in 10 year's time?
I love my little girl!!

I know I'm biased, but how cute is she??

Lining up the shot...Caden is a natural air hockey player!

Mmm....pink frosting! Although she never did eat any of the chocolate part.

What's that about?

"I love cupcakes!"

I love this picture. It shows how "well-rounded" my baby is....trains and tutus. And princess shoes, cause every girl loves her shoes!

A big shout out and thanks to Aunt Judy for making that adorable tutu for Soleil. Since none of her 3 Grandmas do homemade crafty things like tutus, I bug my aunts to adorn my daughter in their creations. Thanks, Aunt Judy....she LOVES it!

Another thanks to Tom and Jen. I got some wonderful comments from my last post about applying for my couch warmer position (you are all hired, by the way!), but Tom and Jen actually brought over chocolate! Thanks, guys!!

Taking applications

Now that it's autumn and school has started, I thought our lives would slow down a little with the Bramwell Bed and Breakfast vacant. But if anything, things have gotten crazier! The last two weeks either Scott or I (or both, in some cases) have had something every nite. And with my swim class and Scott sign waving for Prop 8, every morning is filled now too. So I am taking applications for an evening stand-in couch warmer. (I get the Laz-E Boy chair to unwind at nite, and Scott gets the couch) Requirements: Sense of humor, a bag of chocolate, and no adverse body odor. Any takers?

Soleil's birthday is Thursday. I can not believe my baby is turning 2. Although the girl is all attitude already. She is going to give me a run for my money as a teenager. And my mother is laughing hysterically at that. Karma, right? 

Love you mom!!