alleymon 
Branden and Bailey had a combined family birthday party where they raked in tons of presents from Kevin’s Klan, Mamu (Shirley), Stefanie and Michelle, and Grandma (Allen). We all had a very nice time and Branden and Bailey thank everyone for the nice gifts. For Branden’s actual birthday we we went to Disneyland and went on all the favorite rides. The redone Pirates of the Carribean was the highlite for Branden. We also enjoyed the Haunted Mansion which is redone with the Nightmare Before Christmas every year around Halloween.
This year we visited Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch in Irvine. The kids had a good time there, but I wouldn’t recommend going there to buy your pumpkins for Jack’o’lanterns as they are about 3 times more expensive than your local Target store. Also, the petting zoo, kids tractor rides, mini golf and tractor ride (tractor pulled carts) to the pumpkin fields were all over priced. I know it’s Irvine and everyone there is filthy rich 😉 but sheesh. I saw one Dad pushing a wheelbarrow with at least 15 $20+ pumpkins to his car, too rich for my wallet. At least the kids had fun.
Cousin Michelle had a birthday too! 14 years old this year. As all young teenagers do, she had a few friends over trying to overcome the awkwardness of being a teenager around parents. Restrained sillyness and giggles over inside jokes were abundant signs of this.