Aaron's first SXSW

We went to the SXSW Gaming Expo and hit up Game of Thrones exhibit too.
He was able to tag along with the boys to a couple "adult" activities too...

aaron and his "precious" hippo...

Ravin!!!

long weekend...

Halloween!

Four months later... our Halloween post.  Zoe trick or treated this year... sort of.  Mostly, she was too afraid to approach anyone directly.  However, Aaron did not have that problem, and happily skipped from one house to the next to add to his loot.  Zoe's first Halloween costume was the topic of much debate.  Was she a lady bug?  a strawberry?  a watermelon?  Some of Aaron's classmates commented that she couldn't be a watermelon because she did not have a stem.  But her costume is pink with black seeds...? Nevertheless, we had a great time trick or treating with friends this year.  Hope to make it a Halloween tradition. :) 

Happy Birthday A-ma!

Celebrating A-ma's birthday with her. 

 Aaron discovers frogs legs... and eats a ton of them! 

Aaron getting into position... 

Happy birthday A-ma!  We are so lucky to have you nearby! :) 

The Box

Who needs toys? :) 

Birthday girl

To celebrate Zoe's birthday on the actual day, we had a mini celebration at home with just the four of us.  Zoe had her choice of a carrot cupcake and a chocolate cupcake.

 Patient and clean!

Blowing out her candle with Daddy. 

 Tasty. 

 I'm running out of cake!

Zoe - smash! 

 Rawr! 

How did I get so dirty?? 

That weekend, Yeye and Nainai hosted a birthday party for Zoe at their house.  

 Birthday girl with Ama. 

 Do I have to wear this ridiculous hat? 

What will Zoe pick? 

Yarn = long life

Stethoscope = career in medicine

Rice = health

Cash = wealth

Book = wisdom

Everyone standing around watching her was making her nervous.  

 So she enlisted some help... 

 After careful consideration... 

she selected the stethescope... but then as everyone exploded in applause, she dropped it. 

After a little hesitation... 

she chose the book... then then everyone cheering freaked her out again and she dropped it. 

Finally... after we all stopped laughing... 

she chose the yarn. :) 

Happy birthday zo-zo!  We love you! 

Monterey Bay - Aquarium and Park

Hopefully next time we go, we can spend a whole day out here.  There was certainly plenty to do and the kids had a great time at both the aquarium and at the playground!

Touch and feel stations.  Sea cucumbers, starfish and decorator crabs. 

 Water wall. 

 Movable magnifying glass. 

 Octopus!!!

 Zoe could not get enough of this egg. 

 Watching "penguins" interact. 

 Jellyfish.

 Can you spot Aaron? 

At Dennis the Menace Playground