This pic got out of order but this is Brandon at the Carmel River Beach.
We visited the beach in Seaside right after the sun set. Kyla and Casey love their grandma and grandpa!
Casey and grandpa enjoying a walk on the beach.
Casey and my mom played a game to see who could get closest to the water without getting wet!
I will be putting the kids school pictures in Christmas cards next month, but here's a preview. Aren't they beautiful?
Sorry these pictures are so dark, but this is Kyla showing off her Honor Roll Certificate and Perfect Attendance Award. 
Kyla received her awards and bumper sticker from her Vice Principal.
Kyla read her award before enjoying a cookie and punch party to celebrate her achievements. We are so very proud of our daughter!
Here is the token kitty picture of our baby boys.
Brandon and I ran in the Big Sur Half Marathon this morning. We took our camera in the car, but the battery went dead, so here's a picture of us once we got home. It was so much fun and we can't wait to run our next one. I was so proud of myself that I didn't have to stop and use the bathroom halfway though....that was my greatest fear!! We didn't get our official chip time yet, but by Brandon's GPS watch, we did the 13.1 in 2:25. Brandon will be running the full marathon in April....I think I'll just cheer him on from the sideline!
I'm always proud of my kids, but I have to say that I have been extra impressed with Casey's quest for knowledge lately. For the past several weeks, he has been very interested in the election coverage and we always spend our morning ride to school in a political discussion....prompted by him. He always has so many questions and wanted to know every detail about what the candidates thought about issues that are important to him. With a dad who is always in danger of going to Iraq at any moment, it's especially important to him for that reason. Casey patiently sat and waited as the electoral votes were counted tonight and jumped for joy when it finally reached 270. More important than who won, he was just proud to be a part of the process. When the message was posted, "Obama Elected President" Casey's exact words were, "we're making history here". I couldn't agree more.
The alien and witch prepare for trick-or-treating.
Kyla had decided earlier in the week that she was too old to trick-or-treat, but changed her mind once she saw how excited "the alien" was.
Daddy decided to sport a glow-in-the-dark necklace and bracelet for the occasion.
What a haul!
This is Skippy Jon's fancy face. He is seriously rocking the bow tie in this picture. This is another one of his many costumes. 
Kyla tried on the fancy face too. We had a fun night...Happy Halloween everyone!
Our baby girl turned 14 this week....that's right, I said "baby girl". I'm having a little trouble cutting the apron strings!
We are so proud of our precious girl! Her main request this year was for a skateboard, so she has been enjoying trying out this new hobby.
Casey dressed up the cats in their fancy halloween costumes. A few scratches and bites later, we finally had the chin strap fastened. What a cute little punkin head (the cat doesn't look half bad either).
Ollie was having none of the costume action, so poor Skip had to model both costumes. What a good sport.
Kyla decided that instead of having a party this year, she would rather go to Great America with the family. She has to wait until her real birthday, on Tuesday, for cake and presents!
The park was all decked out for Halloween.
Casey loved playing in the bubbles....we almost lost him. I couldn't help but think how much my nephew, Grant, would have loved this....he's LOVES bubbles more than anyone I know!
We had a great day!
One holiday that our kids absolutely love is Halloween. They have been searching high and low at every store imaginable for just the right costumes. We haven't found them yet, but here are a few dress-up photos in the meantime. Casey and his friend decided to dress up in their best spy gear. Notice the yellow ear phones (made of Lego); that's my favorite!
Kyla the skeleton is just taking in a TV show, minding her own business....really, this IS typical behavior in my house during the month of October. I'm sure there will be more candid costume photos to come!
Our cats are really growing, but still act like kittens. They love the laser pointer. Ollie almost got it!
Two boys hangin out.
One thing that I really miss about the midwest in the fall are all of the beautiful colored leaves. We don't get much of that here, but we have our own beauty to enjoy here on the bay. 
We enjoyed a nice warm day on the beach this week with Bran's mom. Brandon and Casey have been working on Casey's arm for that college football scholarship. Brandon's winding up for a long bomb to the boy.
On one of our last days with Bran's mom, we took a trip out to the pumpkin farm. 
We had to borrow a wagon to wheel in our perfect pumpkins. Hopefully they are still perfect by the time Halloween rolls around!
We also took a drive out to Toro Park where Casey is showing one of the many trees that were "decorated" by the woodpeckers. You can't see it, but there are acorns stashed in each of those little holes! I think the squirrels and the woodpeckers are working together.
