Before we headed to the pumpkin patch last weekend, Zoe surprised me by jumping in our brown chair, smiling up and me and saying, “Mommy – cheese!” She obviously figured I’d want to take a few photos of her and her sister in their Halloween-themed outfits – and she was right!

-M

When I dropped off Zoe at school this morning, she presented me with a story she had written (i.e. dictated to a teacher, who wrote it down) yesterday. After choking back a tear, I told Zoe this was going up in my office:

I love my mom and dad. I like to hug. I like my baby sister. I like to kiss my baby sister. I like to go to school with my mom. I love my mom.

The end.

-M

Kids usually love play-houses, and Zoe and Avery were particularly fond of one at the pumpkin patch we visited this weekend. Here are some pics.

-M

I’m big on traditions – especially holiday-related ones – and I’d been looking forward to our annual trip to the pumpkin patches in Half Moon Bay for weeks now. We headed there on Saturday, and we had a great time – running around, picking pumpkins, meeting witches – yet again. And of course I couldn’t help but reminisce about the girls’ first visits there (one and three years ago).

-M

Every Friday, we get a newsletter from Zoe’s school. Today’s talked about the theme of friendship, and it included quotes on the topic from the kids. Here’s what Zoe had to say when her teachers asked about friends:

“We play together. Lev is my friend. We play play dough. We get silly. I’ve been to his house. He has Buzz Lightyear and he let me play with it.”

-M

For those of you weren’t there (or had a bad view), here’s a little video of Zoe walking down the aisle last weekend. She was a bit hesitant and needed some encouragment, as you’ll see, but she did succeed at delivering some petals to the ground. And when she got to me and gave me a hug (off-camera), I was one proud mama!

-M

And, finally, there was the wedding – and here are some pics of before, during and after.

Congratulations, guys!

-M

A huge gang of family and friends got together on Saturday night, and the girls, in particular, had a blast. Here are some pics.

-M

Cuddling cousins:

“Smile!”

“Hat, hat, hat”

“Here – have some!”

Dancing machines:

Cousin Garth and the girls:

As mentioned below, there’s been non-stop activity since we picked up Zoe at school and headed to Los Gatos/Saratoga last Friday. The highlights of Friday afternoon and Saturday: rehearsing, snacking, playing around with cousins (Zoe and Avery finally got to meet and hang out with Raftin, Hudson and Savannah!) and visiting the Santa Cruz Boardwalk.

-M

Concentrating hard at rehearsal:

“I want to walk down the aisle, too!”

The wedding party:

Bedtime snack at the hotel:

A breakfast pose:

Bunny pancake!

Morning work-out:

Browdy/Cain clan:

Splashing around:

And more splashing:

At the boardwalk:

Quick plane ride:

Posin’ cousins:

It’s been a crazy-busy, family-filled past few days. We’ve got tons of pictures of Dan and Jenny’s wedding to share – for now, here’s one of the bride and groom, and one of our little flower girl.

-M

Dan and Jenny’s wedding is this weekend, so we’re heading south for the festivities. Zoe is quite excited about her flower-girl duties; we’ll post pictures and share stories soon!

-M