Here are the noteworthy things we've been up to lately..

1. Sticking with our recent tradition, we put the pumpkins we got to good use and had a pumpkin carving party w my high school friends [I don't know why I call them that, since we've known each other much longer then that, but whatevs, it is what it is!]. I got the chance to make some fall soup and bread and pumpkin cheeseake brownies, and to enjoy the delicious things they brought to share. Then we delved right into it and carved away. I think Isla enjoyed cuddling with Becca more then the activity itself, but Addy spent a solid half hour at least just playing in the goop from the inside.  And I think Liz enjoyed brandishing the butcher knife most hahah. On the down side, I think we probably started too early this year, bc all our masterpieces have rotted already haha,  but on the up side, we got to hang out and enjoy catching up-and that in itself made it completely worthwhile, rotting gourds and all! We always have fun with this group.







2. We checked another thing off our bucket list and finally hit up the De Young Art Museum and Legion of Honor. I think we were all actually happily surprised and impressed with how much we loved it-we especially loved some of the impressionist pieces and marble sculptures. But even apart from that-whether with blown glasswork, ancient Mexican stelas, detailed sarcophagus's with their inhabitant's remains and wrappings, African warrior masks, modernist pieces and or intricate textiles-it was all fairly awe inspiring. Even the architecture of the buildings, along with the goregous SF setting, were like pieces of art themselves. I've never necassarily considered myself a huge art lover, but after this trip, I may be changing my tune. We even bought post card versions of some of our favorite pieces, which I plan on laminating and using as bookmarks [although they in no way could do justice to the originals of course..]. All in all, a great experience, and I'd even say one that I'd reccommend and do again some time.















3. We decided to revisit the Farmer's Market on the Embarcadero in SF. While not as impressive as their array of vendor's on Saturday, it was still and excellent way to get some fresh produce [including kinds we weren't familiar with], enjoy the city,  have a bit of family time, and experience some culture with different types of foods and activities.









4. From here on out, it has been a lot of fun Halloween themed things. Friday there was a party at our church, complete with a chili cook off, games, amazing decorations and a truck or treat at the end. It is a testament to how amazing it was that our sweet Isla, who tends to shy away from crowd filled activities, came out her shell and LOVED trick or treating.  Of course the candy helped, but even then, she [and Addy of course] still enjoyed talking to everyone and seeing their fun costumes and decorated trunks. It was a great activity!


5. I'm gonna skip around a bit here, and talk for just a second about the primary program. My sisters  and I vary in everything from our looks to personalities etc.  But since we were all age 3, we have participated in primary programs, in which the kids do a majority of the church service, from the various 'talks' and all the singing. I have often thought that despite our differences, including some of us being comfortable in limelight and some of us not, we are all at least somewhat comfortable with public speaking-and I kind of think this program has been a huge reason for that. So, this weekend may have been my FAVORITE Sunday of the year so far [which is saying something, bc generally speaking, I actually like church!] bc we got to see our oldest participate in her first one! While she wasn't as reverant as I would've hoped [she twirled and danced throughout a lot of the songs haha] she did go up to the microphone in front of the congregation and say her part-so I was happy with it for her first time. And it helped that she, along with all the other adorable kids, she looked so cute in their white dress and big smile. Afterwards we all got socialize over some delicious food, and it was such a great special time with our ward families. I'm so glad to be a part of this gospel, for both spiritual AND community reasons.



6. Now, lastly lets talk about our Addy's bday. She is whopping 4 years old, and while she eye rolls like a teenager, these last four years have been a true JOY upon joy watching her grow and thrive. So it has been bittersweet to celebrate this little milestone, but thats ok-I can do bittersweet, both in chocolate and life haha.

Her actual bday fell on a Saturday this year, which meant that Lester was at work. Still, I wanted to make it special, and living here we have the luxury and family and friends who love us and actually want to help us do that! So, we started the day off with happy face pumpkin chocolate chip pancakes in Millbrae with many of the Hanaike's. It was so fun to catch up, and they made her feel so special, and it meant the world to me. For me, the highlight was watching her blow out candles and looking awkwardly confused/happy while an entire restaurant sang to her. If you ask her, the high light was the presents hahaha..typical 4 year old honesty I guess! We have such an awesome family! After this we went to play on all the slides and jumpy houses the Tanforan  pumpkin patch had to offer. We did this till meeting up with Daddy, who was in the area between calls, got boba, then stopped at the Disney store.  In true Disney fashion, the treated her like a princess and sang happy bday to her over the P.A. system, put her name on the big screen and gave her a pin and temporary tattoos. She was in heaven. From here we went over to my in laws, who then treated her to her favorite food ever-pasta and shrimp at olive garden, and dessert at the mall's Godiva. Once again, I have to gush over how wonderful it is to be by both our families-my in laws are some of our favorite people, and I appreciate how much they do for us and our girls. So that was a lot of fun! We we ended the night at home, opening a few presents from Grandma and Grandpa, who we are so lucky to live with, and a few treats from us for her. She immediately wanted to play with the loot [they know her and what she likes so well!] and we let her wear herself out till bed. It ended up being a great day for her.







Then, on Monday night, we had some of our friends over for a Halloween/Bday party. To say it was fun would be an understatement. They are all such a good group, so willing to do things like costumes, and play silly games with us, and it was good to just catch up. I got to try my hand [with Addy as my sous chef] at candied apples, and pie crust cookies, along with some other fun snacks, and we ordered a GOREGOUS cake from Wendy, complete with witches on it. It was ALMOST too beautiful to eat,  but since it tasted as good as it looked, we made the sacrifice haha. After a few silly games [like a mummy wrap race, which was hilarious] we sang to Addy and she blew out the candles.  Then she opened presents from some oh to generous friends, and we just hung out for a while longer. When the night was over she actually ASKED to  go to bed, telling us it was the BEST day ever. WHY DO WE HAVE SUCH AMAZING KIDS?!?!?










Soooo, all in all it has been a VERY eventful last few weeks or so, and while we are loving and enjoying it, we are still looking forward to things slowing down a bit in November as well. Life is good!