Yooooooooo Gabba Gabba!!!

At the end of November, the Gabba gang headed to Bakersfield, and, of course, we had to go see them!  Lily was really excited.  We were in the pit this time, so we weren't sure how she was going to respond seeing them so close.  She actually didn't mind her friends close, but the confetti cannon was a different story.  It was a really fun outing for the 3 of us, and it was fun to see Lily's reaction to her friends a year after seeing them.

Here are some pictures from the evening.

before the show

watching the intro

she was very good at "putting her hands up"

playing with the confetti during intermission

waiving good-bye at the end of the show

Hopefully we'll see them again soon!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Originally we were planning to spend the day with just the 3 of us, but thankfully some wonderful friends invited us to celebrate with them!  We all had such a nice day, and Lily enjoyed getting to play with her friend, Chase.  We had a great meal, and then just hung out and let the kids play for the remainder of the evening.  Here's some pictures of the kiddos.  I love that they wanted to pose together.

Lily relaxing and eating a cracker

love this one! (side note: chase is wearing his halloween costume)

they love each other, it's so cute

one more hug, with smiles!

On Friday, I made our thanksgiving feast.  This was the first time I made everything by myself.  Usually my mom, sister, and I make all the food, so this was definitely a first for me.  Thankfully it all turned out great, and I didn't stress myself out too much.  Here's a picture of our feast.  And, yes, I did cut back on the sizes of food, but we had lots and lots of yummy left overs. 

think that's enough for 2 adults and 1 toddler?!?!?!

I am so thankful for the amazing friends we have made.  They really have helped us feel at home, and been there for us when we have really needed it this past year.  It has been so nice to have some adults to hang out with every week.  They really have become our family in Bako!

Oil Baron's Ball

On Saturday night, we attended the Oil Baron's Ball with David's company.  It was so much fun to get dressed up and go out.  Since David's company hadn't had a Christmas party the last few years, this was the first time in a long while we were able to do something like this.

The evening was filled with a surprisingly good sit down dinner and dessert.  There was also a live band, who had most of the attendees dancing, which was quite interesting to watch. 

Here's some pictures, I stupidly forgot to have someone take a picture of David and I.  We had a professional one taken, so I'll try and add that one once we get it in the mail.

With our friends, Jenne and Jim

not so close up

the guys

Jenne and me

Trick-or-Treat!!

First, let me apologize for only having two pictures.  I had a stomach bug Sunday, and hardly got out of bed for 2 days, so it was amazing I actually had enough energy to walk around with Lily. 

We ended up going tick-or-treating with Lily's friend, Chase.  She had so much fun running up to the door, and she actually said, "trick or treat", which sometimes sounded like, "choo-choo treat", but it's all the same.  She was very polite and said "thank you" after receiving her candy.  I was amazed how quickly she got the whole trick-or-treating thing, and she loved it!  Now I'm kind of excited for Halloween next year.

Halloween Carnivals!

On Saturday night, Lily had a busy evening full of Halloween events!  First we headed to church, which was having a festival.  Lily had lots of fun playing the games, and she got to go Trunk or Treating.  She also got to get inside of a firetruck and meet a policeman and his doggie.  Here's some pictures of her at church.

she really liked bouncing, but it tired her out quickly.

She loved this game!  And, she actually did pretty well after she figured out what to do.

trunk or treating...she couldn't decide what to pick

Inside the fire truck...miss independent had to climb in all by herself

Next, we headed to Lily's dance studio for their Carnival.  I didn't get to take too many pictures, but Lily had a fun time.  They had games and yummy treats!

Lily's teacher, Miss Rachel, painting Mickey on her face.

showing off Mickey.  she was excited!

Lily had such a good time, and really liked her "costume party" as she called it.

Boo at the Zoo!!

This past weekend, we headed to the Bakersfield Zoo to enjoy the "Boo at the Zoo".  Our little butterfly fairy had a wonderful time playing games, enjoying the animals, and riding on a train!!

Decorating her treat bag

showing off her bag

showing how a bird flies

the bird that inspired the flying

playing the bean bag toss game

sad that she missed, but she still got a prize

bears go grrrr!!!

roar!!!

watching the bears

the bears were frisky

they were very entertaining

just got his pumpkin

getting after it!

Lily and the bears

Lily fishing

playing with her new straw...it whistled...so much fun!

picking out her prize

riding on the train

"choo-choo"

getting some candy on the train ride

putting the bat in the cauldron

bowling overhanded...love the lady's reaction next to her

actually rolling the pumpkin