Halloween the Roach Family Way

Today for Halloween we actually had a potty party in the morning.  Hooray, we are still working on some fun potty training at our house.  The convenient thing was that we were going to use the potty treats later on for the Trick or Treaters...however, tonight after handing out some candy, we lost Garrett for a second until we realized that he was camoflauged outside with a group of Trick or Treaters.  So, that was the end of handing out candy.  Don't tell anyone, since we turned out the lights and locked the door...but yes, we are home.  We did decide to brave and take the kids trick or Treating...we only went down the block and back...but that is enough right?  Here are their before pictures...

(This is Michelle's friend Ali who helped her take her car to the repair shop today.)

And here are their After pictures when they've had plenty of candy and are tired out from their adventure with all the weird looking people walking the streets.

Caiti's Birthday!

Caiti turned 4 on the 29th.  We didn't do much that day, but the next day (payday) we had her party.  We had a great party with Dora/Backyardigans theme.  Some good friends and Uncle Steve were able to come and share our celebration.  We had yummy pizza and ice cream cake.  Caiti loved it.  She could totally tell the evening was all about her.  She was in heaven eating the food and playing with all of her great presents.  She loved to spend time with her friends.  My favorite part was how excited she got when we all sang "Happy Birthday."  It was pretty neat to see that she understood what was going on.  I love my pretty Caiti.  She's such a sweetie, and we are so glad she was born into our family!

A Girl's Night

Michelle was feeling very stir crazy on Saturday, so she, Caiti and I decided to get out of the house for a girl's outing.  Of course, we went to the beach because we live 20 minutes away and rarely take advantage of that.  We got kind of lost on our drive, and subsequently we found a beautiful, more private section of beach that a lot of the people who have sailboats use.  Unfortunately, we forgot Caiti's swimsuit, but fortunately, this time we remembered sunscreen.  People always think Caiti is a boy anyway, so we stripped her down to her diapers, and Michelle and I overcame our self consciousness and stripped down to our swimsuits and just followed Caiti as she walked in the waves.  She had some secret destination in mind because she was headed for the opposite beach and when we turned her around to head back to the car, she had a major fit.  Of course, her fit was short-lived because we decided to go to Fiji Yogurt for a yummy treat.  I was excited because they even had pineapple sorbet. Mmmmmm...All in all, it was a very nice day.

Garrett's Neurology Visit

Today we finally had our follow up with Neurology after Garrett's seizure episode this past August.  I was happy to find out that they have decided on a diagnosis.  They said that his seizure was a complex febrile seizure.  The reason that it was complex, rather than just a regular febrile seizure was because it was one-sided and it lasted 30 minutes.  Normally febrile seizures last up to 15 minutes.  They also decided to go ahead and wean him off of his seizure medication because they said it is not normal practice to put a child on medication after their first seizure.  They normally wait until the child has a second seizure, especially if the first seizure is febrile.  They released us from their care, so we don't have to follow with Neurology anymore unless Garrett has another seizure.  It is kind of scary not to have Garrett on his meds anymore, but we do have Diastat just in case.  That is a medication that you give to stop a seizure, so if Garrett does have a seizure, we at least have the means to stop it.  She said if he has a seizure to be sure to call her, and she will resume following Garrett, but hopefully that was just a one-time thing, due to his illness at the time.

Fun at the Zoo with Uncle Bryan and Aunt Marie

We were able to meet Bryan and Marie at the zoo on Thursday evening.  We had just enough time to see Caiti's favorite exhibits: The elephants and the flamingos.  It was so nice to see them.  Garrett got Uncle Bryan all to himself which made him happy.  We had to say goodbye until next time they are out here.  My little boy is so sad.  He kept crying yesterday and asking for his Uncle Bryan.  :(

Caiti's First Dance Lesson with Aunt Marie.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

A Visit from Bryan and Marie

Our family was very excited to get the news that Kevin's brother Bryan and his wife Marie would be in town for their 20-year anniversary.  Kevin was able to go with them to the Charger's game on Monday night.  He had a great time except for the crowded trolley they took to get there.  Last night Bryan and Marie came over bringing pizza and canolies.  So yummy.  We had a great visit, and the kids warmed right up to them.   I've really missed them and it was nice to see them and get caught up on the goings on in the Roach family.  Here are some pictures of our evening.

Here is a good example of what my kids like to do when company is around.

Garrett thought Uncle Bryan made a great jungle gym.  Good thing Uncle Bryan was cooperative.                                                                             

Jason found a new friend in Aunt Marie.  :)

So did Caiti.  Aunt Marie would spin her lots, and she thought that was fun.                                                                                                         

Here are some more examples of Garrett on the jungle gym...aka Uncle Bryan.                                                                                                       

Kevin sure was happy to have some family in town. 

I had to put this picture on because Bryan is smiling.  :)

Caiti was done posing...

And here is the proof that I was there too...          

The Adventures of Alex & Marty...as told by Caiti

Jason's a Good Helper

Michelle and I found Jason helping clean the toilets.  Bahahahahahahaha!

Mommy/Caiti Date

Make a Smilebox slideshow

First Tooth!

Kevin's Specialty

Kevin had a craving today for his favorite Southern treat: Cornbread and buttermilk!  I had to take a picture because how often do we actually see Kevin baking in the kitchen. :)  Of course he got his love for cornbread from his Southern roots. Both of his parents are from Knoxville, Tennessee, and his mom mad it for him growing up.

The true way to eat it, according to Kevin, is to break it up and pour buttermilk over it and eat it that way. I thought that sounded interesting, and tried it once...which was enough for me.
                        

Kevin liked it except he thought it was too sweet, and I accidentally got him low-fat buttermilk.  Kind of ruined the whole "Southern" element of the cooking to make it low fat.  :)

Caiti sure enjoyed it though. Garrett kept tasting it...I think he thought it was going to taste like yellow cake or something because he'd get this hopeful look, grab a big chunk of it, and then spit it out. Ha ha.  Caiti decided we hadn't given her enough, slid her chair on over to the stove and helped herself to the rest.  She's one smart cookie...smart and very full.  Jason woke up from his nap.  Luckily, Caiti left him a few crumbs which he definitely gobbled up.  Such a treat!  Thanks Kevin!  What a good daddy!