Say yes to the dress...

We were at my parent's house recently and had my wedding dress out. Katelynn loved playing dress up in my gown and veil. What little girl doesn't love putting on a pretty dress?

Congratulations Greg and Erin!

The beautiful backdrop of the San Diego skyline at sunset.

And the family continues to grow...welcome to fam Auntie Erin :)

The happy couple, Mr. and Mrs. Cahoone.

Paul's brother, Greg, got married the first weekend in October. The ceremony and reception took place on a boat out on the bay at sunset. There was a bit of rain earlier in the day (I know, shocking for San Diego), but it all cleared up for a beautiful sunset during their vows. Erin is so sweet and so much fun, we are really fortunate to have her in our family.

More trouble...

I was in the kitchen and Carson yelled at me, "Sissy's climbing!" I figured she had made her way to the back of the couch or maybe the table again. To my surprise, she had climbed on a basket, on to the quilt rack, and stood up to grab stuff off the corner cabinet. She was tall enough to look me in the eye...crazy climbing girl.

Big enough for roller coasters...yeah!

Carson and Mommy went to Disneyland with Lucy and her family for her 5th birthday. It was the first time Carson was tall enough to go on all of the roller coasters. He loved it!!! He rode The Matterhorn, Autopia, and Big Thunder Mountain for the first time.

See how big?!? Tall enough for Big Thunder Mountain coaster.

Carson and Lucy on the teacups.
Big enough for Autopia too! Carson had fun driving the cars.

Silly kids.

The kids wanted to watch a movie in Carson's room. I went in a little while later and they were both crashed out...Carson on top bunk, and Katelynn on the bottom bunk.

Silly dog.

I was packing up the car to drive down to San Diego for a few days. I was very careful to make sure all the car doors were closed, because Reggie likes to hop in, to ensure he gets to go on the trip. I heard something in the garage, and found our silly dog, waiting in the trunk.

Surfing with Grandpa Tom.

Checking out the waves, before the paddle out.

Carson had a blast riding the surf with Grandpa Tom.
Nana and Grandpa Tom spent a week camping at San Elijo State Beach. Carson loved watching the trains throughout the day across the street and had fun playing in the sand. His favorite part of the week was spending time in the ocean, surfing with Grandpa.

Carson's first day of Preschool.

And the journey begins...

Katelynn wanted to go to school with Brother too.

Talking to Daddy (in Italy on business) before he goes in for his first day of school.

Playing at the top of the loft in his classroom.

Carson with his teacher, Miss Donna.

Carson started preschool the second week of September. Paul was in Italy, for work, but he made sure to call Carson just before he went in for his first day. Sheree went with us, to be "moral mommy support". Gran surprised Carson and came with Mommy to pick him up. Carson is a lucky kid and goes to preschool three days per week at the same school that Daddy, Uncle Ryan, Auntie Shannie, and Uncle Timmy went when they were little.

Getting ready for school.

My baby boy, catchin' a few more winks, before he wakes for school.
Who is this big boy and what did he do with my little Carson?!?
Ready for his first day of preschool.

Katelynn trying to get in on the school day photos.

Our week at the beach...in Maui!

Good or bad, our kids have no fear of the water...so they wore their floaties and life jacket while we were at the beach. They did a great job, though, and never complained about wearing them.
Kicking back at the beach.

Katelynn enjoying the sights of sea and sun in Maui.

There was amazing snorkeling at our beach and we each spent time checking out the the underwater sights. We felt like we were in a huge aquarium with all of the beautiful fish we saw.

Katelynn and Grandpa Mitch dug in the sand (and Katelynn only took a few bites of sand)

We had a great week in Maui. The weather was perfect! We spent our mornings at the beach, lunch in our "Hawaii house" (Carson named the condo), after Katelynn's nap we all went to the Pirate Pool for swimming and sliding until it got dark! So much fun!!!

Family photos...after a long day at the beach.

Who are those big kids?!?
Not exactly the "beach photo" I was hoping for...we're a little too beachy.

Playing with Auntie Shannie.

Katelynn, Grandma Mitch, and Auntie Shannie.

The Mitchell Men...Carson with Daddy and Grandpa Mitch.

The highlight of Hawaii...The Pirate Ship Pool.

The pool was perfect for our family, just shallow enough for Katelynn to walk around on her own, a fun slide for Carson to feel daring, and warm enough for the whole family to sit and watch. Yes, even the grownups made it down the slide a few times :)

Katelynn loved splashing in the water.

By the third day Carson thought he was Captain of the Pirate Ship.

By the fourth day, even Grandpa Mitch was joining in on the pirate fun.

Sugar Cane Train.

The trian rotated on a turntable at the station to send it off, back on it's journey.

Cheeeeese!...stickin' his head out the window.

Enjoying the wind, blowing through her hair.

We heard the "Sugar Cane Train" twice a day, blowing it's whistle across from our resort. One afternoon we hopped on board and it rode it into Lahaina. It was a fun, noisy ride on a beautiful steam engine.

No rules on vacation!!!

Catchin' some air!

Carson convinced Auntie Shannie to join in the fun!
Whoo-hoo! Vacations are fun because Mommy lets Carson jump on the bed!

Maui with the Mitchells.

Carson picked a ukelele as his "hawaii prize"

He played a concert for us when we got back to our room.

Nakey baby...

Most mornings, this is how we find Katelynn... Diaper on the floor, clothes tossed out of her bed, naked as a jaybird, saying "Nay-nee, nay-nee" ("Nakey"-an adjective in the Mitchell home, normally used after bathtime to describe kids without clothes. Sometimes becomes a verb as "Nakey baby" sprints around the house naked)

Katelynn's first braids.

Katelynn sat still long enough for me to make two little braids on each side...too cute!

San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park

We got passes to the Zoo and Wild Animal Park for Carson's birthday, so we enjoyed going to the WAP with Nana and Grandpa Tom. We also had a fun day when we took Sheree for her first trip to the SD Zoo.