The Indian Princess

Here is a few more pictures of our Indian Princess with all her gear just before the trick-or-treating began. she did a great job posing for pictures. She's more like the chief than just a princess.

There were so many funny times during our trick-or-treating time. I'm sure you can picture Ryan in these moments. Here is how the night went
1. Ryan enjoyed waving the flashlight on the sidewalk at first instead of going to the houses. She was still too scared.
2. When her fear diminished a little and she ventured up to the doors of houses, she couldn't quite remember what to say or do. Mommy had to knock. Mommy had to hold the bag. Mommy had to say "trick-or-treat". Mommy had to say thank you. Mommy continued to hold the bag. But she didn't let go of that flashlight, not once, not ever.
3. Ryan then got brave enough to ring the doorbell. And then again. And again. And again. All at the same house of course.
4. And finally by the last few houses Ryan was screaming, "TRICK OR TREAT!" as soon as she heard footsteps coming to the door. One man said, "How cute, are you Pocahontas?" Ryan scowled, "NO, I'm an Indian Princess!!" No more fear of Halloween anymore.
5. Then we came home so that Ryan could pass out candy to all the trick-or-treaters that came to our house. She was patiently waiting for Snow White but she never came.

Charlie Angel

Here is Charlie in her first official costume... Our little Charlie Angel. Not quite "Charlie's Angels" but it's close enough. I figure I can outfit her in puns related to her name for about 5 years with a name like Charlie. Poor girl. I'm sure the pictures don't do her justice, but she truly looked "angelic". Lately when she is really excited, she does this "snorting pig" thing so it doesn't make for the best smiley face but all the same... she's our angel.

In this last picture she was determined to be a big girl like Ryan and help pass out the candy to the trick-or-treaters. Problem is... no trick-or-treaters at this moment. Cute though.

Disneyland at Halloween Time

Mommy felt a little guilt yesterday because I had promised Ryan I would take her to Disneyland to see the Halloween decorations there. Well, then Charlie got sick and didn't go to daycare at all last week so I never had a day to have special "Ryan and Mommy time" at Disneyland as I promised. So, yesterday after the preschool parade Mommy and Ryan headed off to the happiest place on earth (with no nap in the cards for the day). I thought there was going to be a meltdown for sure but I was wrong. We had a great afternoon. The only moment that I cringed nervously was when "It's a Small World" was closed. I thought she'd lose it for sure! But no, she moved on like a champ! Look here, she even volunteered to participate with "Miss Pumpkin" in her little stage performance on Main Street. Look at little Ryan with all those big kids!! Such a proud moment for mommy.

Teddy Bear School Halloween Parade

Monday morning Ryan had her first Halloween Parade ever. Her preschool has all the students parade around in a circle to show off their costumes and then sing all of their Fall songs to the parent audience. It was a wonderful moment when Ryan saw mommy and daddy standing by. She strutted her Indian Princess self even more than before she noticed us. Look at the proud preschooler...

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Our little Indian Princess...

Still looking for mom and dad...

Happily singing songs like "It's October. It's October. Hall-o-ween! Hall-o-ween! Trick or trick or treating, candy we'll be eating. Hall-o-ween! Hall-o-ween!"

Ryan with her best friend Addy after the parade...

The Pumpkin Patch

Happy Halloween everyone! Getting ready for the big holiday, we have been very busy. Lots of places to go, things to do, and people to see. Sorry for the delay in my posts but I plan to make up for lost time right here and now.

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On Thursday we visited the local pumpkin patch here in Seal Beach. It looks really impressive from the outside (and to your average 2 year old) until you get inside. Instead of "pumpkin", everything was spelled "pumkin" and I don't think that was intentional. And I want you to notice the seat belt on the car Ryan rode in for one of the rides. But Ryan and Charlie never noticed the "cheesiness". I will have to say that Charlie was a little apprehensive to be around all of these very large curious orange things (as you can see in the picture I tried to get of her and Ryan in the middle of the pumpkins). She finally loosened up if mommy or daddy was holding her.

Maybe an athlete after all

Ryan and daddy had some fun throwing around the football. Maybe our little tot has some "skillz" afterall. Ha-Ha! You can decide...

Look who thinks she's ready for a big girl bed now!

Charlie is starting to get more and more comfortable in "her" room. And... she thinks that now that she is an old lady at one years old, she should get to sleep in a big girl bed too. Sorry Charlie! You're gonna have to wait a bit on that one!

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The Approach...

The Climb...

The Head Bury (for leverage)...

Success...

Tuckered Out?...
No, someone is justing wanting to be just like her big sister.

Just in case...

Just in case you didn't get enough of the party in the last post, here are a few more pics for you all. Enjoy.

Thanks again for being part of Charlie's special day. She loved every minute of it.

USC and Little Charlie...

...Oh, what a pair!! It really did turn out to be a great pairing, both winners. USC won the game and Charlie won out on a great birthday party with friends and family. Thanks everyone for helping us celebrate Charlie's first birthday. I think yesterday her favorite part was the cake - hands down, no brainer! But today... it's the presents. She has been sitting in the living room going through all of her "loot". I even get the impression that she understands that it is all for her. You were all very, very generous. Thank you so much. Here's a few pics to capture the day...

Happy Birthday Charlie Girl!!

Oh boy, how you've grown "Charla" (Ryan's new name for Charlie)! Happy Birthday to our little Miss Charlotte Sandra Grace.
Here is small look at her first year as part of this wonderful world...

In the hospital... October 5, 2005

December 2005

February 2006

April 2006


June 2006

September 2006

The girls in their jerseys

Saturday was Aidan's jersey themed 1st birthday party. The girls wore matching pink Raider jerseys with the number "00" on them. I know, I know... that the same number of wins they have had this season. Ha-ha! Trying to stay loyal to my team. You can see in the pic that Carson is wearing a Chargers jersey and daddy is wearing a Derek Jeter "jersey". Hey, it's better than the Faconnable "jersey" he was going to wear. Big party, lots of people, and Gigi and Papa even watched Ryan for a few hours that evening so that we could stay and watch the USC game. Thanks Gigi and Papa!

Charlie's "Box Car"

These pictures kind of speak for themselves. Mommy carted Charlie all over the house in her very own "box car". She just giggled and giggled the whole time.

Ryan's first "Out-of-the-Circle" Party

Ryan got invited to her classmate, Rocco's, birthday party. It was the first party we have been invited to that wasn't one of our close friends or family. It was interesting to be at a "true" kids' birthday party where the only adults were the parents of the kids who were there. I met some of the moms in Ryan's class. (Another one of which named her newborn daughter Ryan!) They were very nice.

here is Ryan waiting patiently in line to get her hand painted. She looked a little nervous in the middle of all those big kids but she was brave and kept her place in line all by herself.

Ryan was not scared at all of the funny man with the yellow shirt. (I think I was a little afraid for her.)

Ryan watching the magic show. It was so cute watching her try to be like the bigger kids. She'd laugh when they laughed. She'd clap when they clapped. And she kept turning around to make sure she was doing the right thing. My little girl is getting all grown up.