Pumpkin Patch ... again.

Living right next to a pumpkin farm means that we go OFTEN! The boys went once with their school, and then we went once simply to play on the hay... This weekend, we went one final time for the year with Grammy and Granddad.  Always fun, no matter how often we go.

Spook-e-ree

The scouts up here in Humboldt County have an activity called "Spook-e-ree" - where the kids stay up virtually all night (they go to bed around 3 am and are woken up again at 6 am) doing fun, spooky, activities.  This activity is for Boy Scout Troops and Webelos II dens.  Xavier is a Webelos II this year (which means that next year he will go on to Boy Scouts - in February to be exact!) Well, Xavier had a BLAST!! Justin went with him on this one, and here are just a few of the pictures that he took.

 

My happy Boy!!

 

Webelos II Den from Pack 180 (only missing one scout!)

 

The rays of sun in the morning!!

Halloween Carnival

Tonight was the school's Halloween Carnival... Fun was had by all. Here are the boys - Halloween is one of my favorite holidays!! I love the dressing up and the fun that is had by all children!!

Creepy Crawl

First Creepy Crawl ever for our family. This is a fundraiser for the Humboldt Swim Club. Xavier was too tired from doing the Spook-e-ree the night before, so Quinn represented the Sousa Family!! 32 laps - 800 yards! Way to go!!!

Playing on the hay....

Today we went out to Christie's Ranch - pumpkin patch and let the boys play on the hay. It started out OK - but then they began to complain so we had to leave earlier then I originally wanted. It's hard to be the meanie sometimes. As they get older, they fight more, and less at the same time. Today was a little of both. However, I got some really good pictures of them playing... and no matter how big they are they will always have fun in the hay!

Hi... 

 

Did I mention we got slushies?

Busy Family

Yes, for those of you who know, we are a BUSY family. I just noticed that I haven't blogged since the end of July. Well, School started - and with the start of school started a whole lot more! First of all, a routine - so happy about that. Though the boys are in a lot, having a routine helps EVERYTHING. 

The boys are now in swimming.  In early August, they both tried out for Swim Club - Xavier got in, Quinn did not. Quinn worked hard, and in September got in, and now they both go to swim club 2-3 days a week.  It's a big commitment... one we are still working out. 

They are also still doing Scouts - Xavier is a Webelos II scout now, and Quinn a Bear Scout. Next spring, Xavier will go up to Boy Scouts.  They LOVE scouts, and we try to do what we can to support them in it. 

Also, during the After School program, the boys do a variety of things.  Quinn is doing Hip Hop club and is part of the film club - they are making their own movie! Xavier loves Disc Golf and also was part of a Salsa Club. In the below picture, you'll see Xavier with his friend Marissa at the culminating event of the Salsa Club - a competition at the Arcata Farmer's Market - with about 7 other schools. Blue Lake took first in professionalism (presentation, both visual and verbal). So proud of him!

Let see, what else are the boys heavily involved in? Quinn is doing drum lessons - really loving it. They both go with Justin to football games, and sometimes play with the band! 

Seems like all Justin and I do is work right now, but work is good.  I'm enjoying a few new endeavors, working at Blue Lake School as the Computer Teacher as well as the Librarian. I'm once again teaching music at Laurel Tree Charter School and leading a bell choir at the Arcata UMC.  I also am lucky to have 8 students this year!

Justin still leads the All Seasons Orchestra and also playing in other groups. He hopes to get back on his bike real soon - finding the time to ride has been difficult. I hope to get out running again soon.

That's the update for now.  Our October is crazy busy, which I hope that means I'll have things to post.