Boo!

The kids are getting older, but they still enjoy dressing up for Halloween!

We went to the school Trunk or Treat, the church Trunk or Treat, to Grandma Martinez's house, and they went to the houses in our neighborhood.

Cool carved pumpkins, huh?

Gabe: Mario, Carly: Cleopatra, Sam: Skeleton Archer

Blast from the past: Jennie, Matt and Carrie Vogt at Halloween - some time in the 70's! I think Carrie still has this Raggedy Ann costume. She loves costumes and has quite a collection.

Soccer Season

Carly and Gabe really enjoyed soccer this year! Carly learned a lot on her team. She's a real hustler. She and one of her best friends, Erica, played on the same team -- The University Place Soccer Club JAGUARS.

Gabe's been on the same team for the last few years: The University Place Soccer Club ARSENAL. He continues to grow in his skills and really excells at being a defender. He always seems to be dancing on the field, and says it helps him focus on the game!

Mother/Daughter Weekend in San Diego

Once a year, my Mom and sisters and I meet for a special weekend. Just the girls. No kids. No husbands. No TV. No work. We look for airline specials, hotel deals, and rental car coupons, and PLAN. Four family's calendars are researched, and we make a decision. The location has to be somewhere on the west coast (we don't want to waste this precious time just traveling!), and we try to stretch it to 3 nights.

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This year, Mom picked San Diego. It was so sunny when we all arrived at the airport. Ahhhhhhh. Sunglasses were a must, and flip-flops appropriate.

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I love flip-flops. They are the summer. They are tanned feet and legs. They are pedicured feet...

We spent our first full day at Del Mar beach. It was nice to just "be", with the sound of waves in the background. Carrie and Rebecca fit right in as Southern California babes...

For lunch we moved on to Mission Beach at Belmont Park, had lovely mexican food, and investigated the beach shops.

We met up with the rest of the family, ate dinner at The Mexican Cafe in Old Towne, then went on to a performance of The Lion King. The Civic Theatre was beautiful, and the musical memorable. (Thanks, Mom!)

The next day we went to the Swap Meet (wouldn't recommend it -- mostly garage sale-type stuff), and (surprise!) out to eat. I love going out to eat. Here we are in front of the restaurant.

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Front row: Aunt Janice, Mom, Elizabeth & Brooklyn, Rebecca, Jaylynn;

Back row: Me, Carrie, and Elisha

It was fun to spend time together, catching up, cracking jokes, playing games, eating, and talking, talking, talking. As usual, I lost a little sleep on this trip.

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Worth it. Way worth it.