Pumpkins, pumpkins, and we're off to get pumpkins!

I always look forward to October because the kids can go pick out pumpkins at the pumpkin patch. We typically head out to Bates Nut Farm out in Valley Center, CA. Each year we tend to forget and end up at the patch close to Halloween. By then pumpkins are rotting, flies are taking over, and just not as fun. This year we decided to head out opening weekend hoping for nice variety and some Halloween displays.

It took couple shots to get them both to look at the camera. Nonetheless close enough.

They had so much fun wandering the giant pumpkin field and picking out different types and sizes as well.

Ava's cute Hello Kitty Halloween tutu I found at Target!

Joseph is excited beyond belief to pick and choose his pumpkin.

Look Mommy! This is the one!

Opening weekend is so great, there were food booths, live music, booths to teach kids about agriculture and farming, pony rides, tractor displays, and petting zoo! On top of all that, we got to have Mariposa Ice Cream!

Ava hauling around her baby pumpkin.

 I remember Ava at this time last year, she wasn't even able to walk yet! Time has flown by so quick! Here is a picture of her at Bates Nut Farm same time last year.

Pumpkin Loot!

Walking between the corn stalks.

It was a hot but fun day at the patch. Can't wait to go back next October! Pin It Now!

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Return of the Gnomes!

The Gnomes have returned! And they have re-landscaped their yard! Or that is what my son believes in. Little did he know, mommy and daddy spent the weekend going to the nursery and buying landscaping and decors to make the gnome yard come alive.

I knew I wanted some kind of "hobbit-esque" front yard which involved putting in Irish moss and moss ground cover. I was able to find a miniature tree that bear berry/fruit similar to a pomegranate. The gnome kit I ordered off Amazon gave the gnomes a nice fence, trellis that will eventually lead to a farm area (hopefully!) , birdhouse, shovel, and wagon.

My husband was nice to chisel out a square hollow in the tree trunk for me to build a window for nighttime magic. My plan is to throw in miniature glowsticks at night so my kids would believe the gnomes are home.

This is the earliest stage of the landscape work. Notice just wood pieces bordering the trunk of the tree.

 When I first put in the Irish moss, there were gap of space here and there that wasn't able to fit the moss, so I used cut branches and rocks to fill the space. Once I did that I started to have more ideas of how I wanted to expand on that. So I went out and got some ground cover moss as filler for those pockets of space and the mini tree.

The wood used as fillers became steps leading up to the house and small borders.

The tree adds a nice touch of height to the front door.

The doorknocker fell off and have been replaced by a screw, which will keep the door from falling as well.

As if I was not satisfied enough with the work in progress. I had to order accessories to make it more lively. Yesterday I had the kids help me add these offerings as a welcome back gift to the gnomes.

With a view of the window.

The final result for now.........

Trellis arch

Birdhouse and shovel

Eventually my next plan is to install a chimney and work on a farm area. But since winter is coming, that might not be ideal and may not sustain. Chimney idea is still a go though. That will be saved for another weekend so this will do for now!!




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A little from August

This year went by fast, I remember just recently Ava had her first birthday party. Now it is already almost time to plan her second. What theme? What kind of food? What will be her milestone at that time? Here are some recent pictures of Ava and Joseph.

She loves playing by the window in the dining room.

Her love of playing outside

She loves reading the books in Joseph's room

Always curious to see what big brother is up to.

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Food Snapshots from the iPhone

I just can't stop eating!

Bouchon Bistro - Las Vegas, NV

Georgetown Cupcake - Los Angeles, CA

Snooze AM Eatery - San Diego, CA

Davanti Enoteca - Del Mar, CA

Lappert's Ice Cream - San Diego, CA

Brockton Villa - La Jolla, CA

"Naughty Burrito" Brockton Villa- La Jolla, CA

Monello - "Little Italy
 San Diego, CA

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Joseph's 7th Birthday. Belated Birthday Post

My little boy who is growing up to a be a big boy is now 7! So much has changed since he was a little baby 7 years ago. Now he has grown to be responsible for himself as well as being the perfect protective brother to little Ava.

For his birthday this year, I knew he wanted a Minecraft birthday, so I had a great idea of how I wanted his cake to look like. At first I decided I wanted a cake decorator to make his cake. But as the time got closer and closer, I decided I want to make the cake myself.

Damage after Zombie and Creeper blowing it up

He LOVED the cake, each TNT was a sparkler candle so when lit, it was like the TNT going off! See video below!

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We left our hearts in San Francisco.

Earlier this year we planned a family trip for San Francisco, but then Ava started daycare and got really sick. So we ended up cancelling the trip since winter time+daycare=sick girl. That was back in January. Come July, I was finally able to schedule and get everyone to make this trip up to San Francisco without cancellation!

I knew visiting a city there's always got to be food places to hit up while I am in town. But since this is Ava, Joseph, and Hubby's first trip to San Francisco, I wanted to also include some sightseeing places as well.

We took the BART all the way to Powell Station since we stayed at PARC 55 in Union Square area. It was not only convenient from the BART, but the cable car was right there as well! Everything was a walking distance and we were close to all sightseeing areas as well. Hotel was clean, very friendly, and upgraded us to a room with a view, comped a fridge, AND offered a playpen for Ava.

After dropping off the luggage we decided to head out to Brenda's Soul Food Kitchen to try some crawfish beignets and other southern style breakfast.

Crawfish Beignets. Amazingly delicious and what they are known for.

Chocolate beignet with molten Ghiradelli chocolate, Plain powdered beignet, and Granny Smith apple beignet in the back.

We decided to wait in line to ride the cable car. After more than an hour wait we were on! We got off Lombard Street stop to view what is known as "The most Crooked Street".

We decided to just walk down towards Fisherman's Wharf and hang out. Of course the place is just packed with tourist and lots of seafood!

Gorgeous view before heading to Fisherman's Wharf with Coit Tower in the top right.

Look at all those crabs!

Old streetcars from different eras. Very sleek!

The Rock

Went to the Ferry Building (Pier 1) for some Porchetta Sandwiches

Brother Sister Love!!

 We also did all the other tourisy things like going to Chinatown and of course seeing the Golden Gate Bridge, but we didn't have the time to walk on it since the weather didn't seem to be clearing up.

Joseph being upset at the crazy wind and having to manage Ava hahahaha

On our last day we got to visit the Balmy Street Murals in the Mission District. Lots of culture and beautiful hand painted artwork on walls, garage doors, and fences.

This one was my favorite and I believe was Joseph's favorite too.

Overall it was a great trip with the family. The weather was perfect and not a drop of rain. Hopefully we will get to visit again!

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