Dear Santa

We saw Santa at Cruz's sing a long this year but Kai was concerned he hadn't been specific enough so Kai wrote a letter to Santa to clarify:
Front: Santa North Pole love Kai Ray Hales inside: Deer Santa I didn't tell you what I wanted exactly at the Cruz's sing a long. I want the lego minecraft village, ocean monument and nether fortress and lemon fizzers. Love Kai.

Thanksgiving weekend

We had a fun filled weekend. Started off with a mellow turkey day at home just the four of us. Then went to get our tree with Mark's sister and her family. The last few days we have been home all a bit sick with a cold but it's been a good start to the holidays over here. Lots of pjs and shows to get is back on track for the next week.

Happy Halloween!

We had a super fun Halloween. Kai dressed up as super ninja kid (from a video game called ninja run) and Cruz wanted to be a skeleton. Both boys had fun days at school with parades and special treats. Kai took a picture with his teacher (the good green earth) and his big buddy (a gumball machine). And Cruz took a picture with his teacher (a pirate). Then we had a great time trick or treating with friends. Cruz was a champ sticking it out with the big kids and doing his best to fill his candy bucket. Before we left to go out trick or treating Cruz held up his pumpkin bucket and said "I'm gonna fill it up" he was determined! Such a cutie. By the end of the nigh he was stumbling home but he was dedicated to his cause for sure! Such a little trooper! Kai carved his pumpkin this year 100% by himself. He did such a great job and worked really hard at it. We had a lot of fun for Halloween this year.

Update around here

I'm feeling really bad about not posting much here lately. Life has been a bit crazy these past few months. There has been lots of fun, but unfortunately also lots of sadness. My plan is to get back in the habit of posting here - I'm going to aim for once a week - but for now here is an update on some of the things that have been happening.

In August I started graduate school which has been awesome AND a big adjustment for the whole family. I have been home full-time since Kai was born, even though I have my graphic design business, I have always been available for all the ins and outs of the everyday operations around here. With me starting school we have all had to adjust to me being available less. Mark is stepping in spending even more time with the kids and both boys are spending more time with friends. Cruz started preschool and is doing great. He loves his teachers and his school. We are very thankful to have him in such a wonderful place where he is loved and nurtured on the days he is with them. Kai has been really flexible about getting picked up from school by other people or hitching a ride with friends on the morning when my classes start early. I am really proud of all my boys and how they have handled this transition into a new normal.

In September we had two very sad losses when my dear friend Karen died suddenly and then Kai's birth-grandma passed away after a two year battle with brain cancer. We were thankful to have the chance to visit with his grandma before her passing and then also to go to the lovely memorial her family planned in her honor. Needless to say September was a rough month.

In early October, we had an awesome trip to Disneyland and had a super fun time with the boys, enjoying the rides and spending time together. Kai was on fall break from school so he stayed down south with Mark's parents and enjoyed lots of time swimming in their pool, playing legos and having fun. While we were away in Disneyland, HUGE fires broke out in the area where we live and we returned to devastating loss for so many around us. We were fortunate that our home/town was not hit by the fires, although there were a few days when we were on high alert if the need arose to evacuate. Over 20,000 people evacuated to our town and it was inspiring to see everyone come together and offer such support to those who needed it. It was a scary week and the devastation is going to take a very long time to recover from.

So that's the latest in a nut shell. As I mentioned I am going to start posting more regularly, even if it's just a few photos and a quick blurb, just to keep up with the latest activity around here. We hope all of you (if you are still out there checking this blog) are doing well. As always we are sending out the love and hoping everyone is doing great.

Harry Potter, we read the book...

Now it's time to watch the movie!
I loved reading the Harry Potter books and always thought about how fun it would be to read them with my kid someday. Kai loved the first book and though we may be waiting a bit to read more (they get darker as they move along) we had so much fun diving in to the world of witchcraft and wizardry. Tonight we watched the movie. SO fun! It was an epic movie night. And a dream come true for this mama.

Cruz picked out his outfit for today

Striped shirt, train pj pants and curious George socks - looking good buddy, looking good.

Supporting our teachers

The teachers at Kai's school (and the entire district) went on strike last week for the first time since the 60's and so instead of going to school we went out to the picket line to support them. We are so lucky to have such amazing educators in our town and are hoping they receive the respect they deserve.

Visit with Cruz's birth family!

Earlier this year we had the opportunity to spend some time with Cruz's birth family. It was our first time seeing them since Cruz was born and we had a great visit!

The kids had fun with each other playing and goofing around and by the time we left Cruz was giving everyone kisses. He's such a sweet little guy and it was wonderful to spend some time with more people who love him.

We are looking forward to the next time we are all able to get together.

Cruz with his older sister Ellie

Ellie, Cruz, Cruz's birth mom Cheri and his brother Junior

Ellie, Ernesto, Cruz, Cheri, Kaden, Junior, Atzi and Kai

Cheri and Cruz

Cruz's sister, Atzi

Yosemite 2017

We took a fun trip to Yosemite during spring break. It was Cruz's first time there and as always it was beautiful. The waterfalls were rushing full of water and we even spotted a little snow!

Hiking up to Bridal Veil Falls, we could feel the mist from the falls!

Cruz was ready to jump into the water - so I kept a tight grip!

What?! Look at that reflection!

Mama and her boys with Half Dome in the background - someday we will hike it together! Not quite yet though :)

So amazing to find this beautiful reflection of Yosemite Falls.

Little boy, big trees

Run-run!

Daddy and Cruz

Chillin' on a BIG rock

Big little man

Look it's snow!

Yes!

What and awesome bench! 

The crew and the miraculous photo taken by a kind stranger - it really is a small miracle we are all looking at the camera with smiles!! what?!

Looking at the ipad at the hotel. 

WE set up a little curtain so Cruz could get some sleep while Kai and I played some games together

River! Or as Cruz likes to say "Reeber!" It was fun because we taught him on this trip that River is his middle name - so Kai got him saying "Cruz River Hales" It was really sweet. 

Our faithful companions in the back-back. Marley and Ruby are the best side kicks ever!