Pics around the Christmas Tree

Just a few pics after church today. Our Christmas cards are already in the mail so you won't see these on there. Charlie wandered into one also, but it wasn't very flattering! Enjoy!

Dec is here!

Well, Thanksgiving is but a memory and Christmas fast approaching. The kids are enjoying the Christmas tree and decorations, and anxious for Christmas Day. They're enjoying playing in the leaves, going to park, and art/music classes during the week. Maddie has 2 more weeks of school until the break. Hunter gains more personality by the day and is very engaging. He loves trains, and will 'strenuously object' if you take him away! Maddie is a good big sister, and wants to hold his hand when walking down the street and give him random hugs. We're looking forward to the Christmas break, although we'll miss being with family this year. Enjoy!

We went to ride a tiny train that one of the local families owns and Santa was there!

Yes, we actually have leaves in the high desert! And our house is at the junction of 2 streets, so we gather all the leaves on the street when the wind blows!

Ready to go!

Sup?

Birthdays and Hunter the photographer

So the last 4 days have been exciting, with the Marine Corps' 235th Birthday, Bill's ??th birthday ;) and Hunter learning to use the digital camera! Bill finally got to wear his Evening Dress uniform, which has been hanging in the closet for 2 1/2 years, and Shannon got to wear a dress that she's been waiting to wear for 5 years! The Ball was quite fun, and a welcome reminder of why I do what I do. One of Hunter's favorite things to play w/is our digital camera, but just this week he found the button that actually takes the pictures! So you'll see some closeups of him below, self-portraits! Enjoy!

All dressed up and someplace to go!

Our newest photographer!

Bill's 20lb weighted running vest. Happy b'day!

Who does this kid look like??

Maddie wanted a picture where Mom & Dad were standing too.

Our little boy was exhausted after playing at the park, and we wondered why he was so quiet. Here's why....he was out cold!

Halloween

Just wanted to share a few Halloween pics. Maddie ran from house to house gathering candy w/her best buddy Tyler 'the cow'. Hunter wasn't far behind, although he really didn't care about the candy. He just wanted to shout 'trick treat' at each house. It was great fun, especially for mom who gets to pillage all her favorite candies! Happy Halloween!

Hanging Out

Just a few pictures of the kids hanging around the house. Greg paid us a brief visit recently, Grandma/Grandpa are here now, and Grammy/Pop Pop arrive tonight following their cruise! A busy few weeks at the Maples', but great fun all around. Enjoy.

Sharing a blankie on the couch...a theme here!

All dressed for church!

Our new UT football tackle dummy is a hit!

Same place, different positions.

Familiar yet??

Hunter had good times w/Uncle Greg!

Birthdays and Air Races!!

Ok, this post has a lot of pictures, but we've had a lot happen recently! First, we've had 2 birthdays in the Maples' household, as Maddie turned 3 and Shannon turned.....well, that doesn't matter. ;) Anyhow a friend of Shannon's baked a cake and cupcakes for Maddie's party and they were delicious! Thanks Angela! Shannon's birthday was spent in Colorado w/her friends Mendi & Barry, but she came home to a surprise! (see below) Happy birthday to the Maples' girls!!

I had the fortunate opportunity of attending the Reno Air Races a couple weeks ago in Reno, NV. It has been on my 'bucket list' for years, and as this is our last Fall in CA, I jumped at the chance! I took dozens more pictures than you see here, but more importantly I had a great time. The races were exciting, and I got a 'pit pass' so I could get up close & personal w/all the airplanes and their pit crews. It was awesome! I tent camped in the high Sierras on the way there and back, and the scenery was incredible! I hope to do much more camping before we leave this area.

That's all for the moment, enjoy the pics!

Posing w/the b'day cake.

Her 1st Barbie!

Three years old.....let's party!

Shannon's surprise b'day patio!

Bill's patio on Topaz Lake, NV.

Air races show center pylon. The planes often pass lower than the top of this pylon during the races, and at several hundred miles per hour!!

The Canadian Snowbirds demonstration team.

A number of pictures from our recent trip to Monterey and San Fran. We had a great time, as did Grammy back home w/Maddie & Hunter. We hit the aquarium and saw some beautiful homes/landscapes in Monterey, then continued to SF for a race and stay at the Marine Memorial Hotel near Union Square. We enjoyed some dinner and seal entertainment at Fisherman's Wharf as well. Enjoy!

Shannon loves her otters!

Having fun w/Grammy!

Bruce & Mary should recognize this....its where they exchanged vows!!

The fish in the Monterey aquarium were beautiful!

I always wanted to be an astronaut!

After the 5k/10k race in San Fran.

These guys were just feet away on base at the Presidio.