Happy 4th Birthday to our Niblet

Riley turned 4 years old on November 14th and we had plans to go to Chuck E Cheese with some of our friends. So we let him open his presents on November 13th. We went to CEC on the 14th and on the 16th we had a small party here at the house with our playgroup. He had a really great birthday, at least I think so. He got some really nice toys and my dad sent him a picture that my mom had painted years ago of a red train. His favorite train is James from the Thomas train set, and James is red. So when he opened up his picture that nanny had painted he loved it. He didn't get to open it until late, so the very next morning he made me hang it in his room. It is now prominently displayed in his room, on the wall over his bed. Thanks to my sister Judy, sister-in-law Debbie and my dad for sending such a great gift to Riley. And mostly thanks to my mom for painting it...

Riley and Daddy in the city

On Saturday the 10th of November I spent the day scrapbooking at a friend's house, so Matt took Riley into San Francisco and hung out for the day. It was chilly and wet, matter of fact it rained most of the day, but they still had a good time. Riley loves riding the BART into the city and once they get there they always have to ride the trolley too. Sometimes the trolley is packed, but it doesn't bother Riley at all. Not sure where Matt found the beautiful Christmas tree at, but it sure was pretty. Riley had to pose for a picture with the umbrella. As always they spent some time checking out the sea lions on Pier 39. The Coast Guard was still cleaning up the oil spill so they watched them work on that for awhile. The guy with the drums is usually there and Riley likes listening to him play the drums on whatever he has handy.

Go Bananas

This is a fun place in Lathrop, CA that our playgroup went to and everyone had a great time. Riley really enjoyed playing there with friends that we have made in California. We were there with Kylie and Dominic Antonacci and Kaitlynn and Bronsun DeSimone. Tim came with us as he is just a big kid too.

Halloween in East Bay

Last night we took Riley around the neighborhood to trick or treat. We went up and down 2 long streets and his pumpkin was full after that. So we came home and called it a night. Riley looked so cute dressed as the muscular red Power Ranger. I think he enjoyed himself. When we got back home he finished handing out candy to the trick or treaters that came to the house. Hope everyone had a great Halloween like we had.

Our First Earthquake

Tonight as we were watching the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown Matt and I noticed that our family room seemed to be moving. Just as we started to say something to each other, we could hear Timothy hollering from upstairs. "Mom is that an earthquake?" Like I would know what an earthquake felt like. It lasted about 10 seconds and we settled down to finish the Great Pumpkin. It felt like someone was moving the chair I was sitting in. Nothing fell off the walls or anything like that. About 10 minutes later the news reporter broke in that we had had a 5.6 earthquake in the San Jose area. Now San Jose is about 60 miles from us, so it wasn't as though we felt it like they did there. None the less it made for an exciting evening around our house. And not one that I have any desire to have again in the near future...

Love to all...

Riding the quad

Friday of last week, Riley and his new playgroup met to ride their bikes and scooters. One of the girls brought her quad out and Riley went nuts over the thing. Needless to say Matt and I now know what we will be buying our little one for his 4th birthday...a quad. Riley and all the kids had so much fun, he didn't want to leave.

Oakland Zoo

A few weeks ago I took Riley to the Oakland Zoo with some of our new friends. He had a great time and the weather was absolutely gorgeous. If you haven't been to the Oakland zoo then if you come this way you should go check it out. It isn't quite as big as San Diego zoo, but it is pretty good size. It also has an awesome kids area, where they can play and eat lunch...There is also an area where the kids can brush the goats and boy do they all love doing that.