Looking back...

It's hard to imagine we have been trick or treating for 5 years with our kids. I went back on some photos and past Halloweens. I couldn't find Halloween '06 on the computer of Jackson when he was a brown baby bear at 4 months but the ones I did find seems like just yesterday. I can't believe how big they are all getting. Next Halloween we will have Presley in the mix. 

Here is Rylee at 13 months. She was a cute Tom Arma Bunny.. This is when I actually took my kids to the portrait studio and had their pictures taken every couple of months. We couldn't get her to smile for anything, finally we started singing itsy bitsy spider and she just started smiling and singing along.. as you can see her hands are doing the motions of the song. To this day it's one of my favorite pictures of her.

Halloween '05

Halloween '07 Jackson the Dalmation and Rylee the Kitty 
Rylee 3
Jackson - 16 months
Then came Halloween '08

Haidyn 9 months- Butterfly
All my bugs

Rylee 4, Bumble Bee, Haidyn 9 months, Butterfly and Jackson 2, Spider

Halloween 2009

We had such a good Halloween this year. The kids were so into it so it made it really fun. We started our day off with going to Uncle Seth's football game in Fontana. His team is doing really well this year and we are so proud of him. He reminds me of a little CJ with all this football. I can't wait to see him once he gets to high school. 

 After that we got the kids ready for our night of trick of treating. Rylee was a witch, Jackson was Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Caribbean) and Haidyn was a Leopard. I get these ideas like painting Haidyn's face as a leopard and really think it will be easy. Then I have the paint and brush out and I'm like what did I get myself into! I gave her a lollipop so she would hold still on the counter and that was a mistake because we all know 21 month olds drool when they eat lollipops and that was messing up all the face paint. So CJ ended up holding her and she kept trying to rub it all off her face. Oh, but she looked so cute so I guess it was all worth it. Haidyn was so into everything this year. She knew she was some kind of cat so she kept saying OW Ow for meow. We took them to about 20 houses and then came back and let them pass out candy. It was a lot of fun for them, but the trick or treaters got spoiled. R, J and H didn't know when to stop giving them candy. lol It was a great night, can't wait for next year.

Dear Blog

  I am sorry I have neglected you. My life has been in the fast lane for the past few weeks. We have had so much going on but to say the least we are having fun doing all of it. Rylee's school work is my main priority right now. Even though she is in Kindergarten we are trying to get her involved with everything as much as possible. Not just in school but out of school as well. My only day to get things done anymore seems to be Mondays, and here I am uploading pictures and writing on my blog. Our weeks right now consist of Gymnastics, Art Classes, modeling and Soccer. Not to mention the many doctors apts. I have had for our sweet Presley. May not seem like a lot but it has me running around. On top of that we are doing homework, lots of reading and projects for school. Speaking of Projects who knows how long ago Rylee took home her class bear Honeysuckle. We were very proud of her because in order to take this bear home you have to obey the teacher everyday and have all the kindergarten "rules" down pat. She is always telling me she listens to her teacher and raises her hand politely. She is always patient and does her work then talks when she is done.   For the weekend we took Honeysuckle everywhere we went. Rylee took very good care of this bear because she didn't want to be the one to loose her. (I don't blame her.)  As soon as Rylee got home from school she wanted to make Honeysuckle her own tutu. Then we took her to Gymnastics, Soccer, and over the weekend Rylee packed her up in a backpack with a book and blanket. We had pinkberry yogurt and took a ride on the carousel. She insisted on bringing Honeysuckle to Chruch on Sunday. I really thought Honeysuckle would be gone after that but Rylee kept a close eye on her. We then wrote a story and posted lots of pictures of our time with her. So glad that weekend is over!

We have been trying to get in the Halloween spirit. We went to Tanaka Farms in Irvine to pick Organic veggies, and to Bates Nut Farm in Valley Center to pick lots of pumpkins and see Becky her girls, Ama and GG. It has been a lot of fun!










Our friends son Logan turned 2. We had such a good time celebrating his special day in the desert. 


After the party we went camping in Joshua tree. (right outside of Palm Springs) We went with CJ's parents and Ty. Our kids love Ty.. There is just some people they really attach themselves to and she is one of them. It was a great night away. It was so peaceful out in the desert. We went Rock climbing, lizard catching, and made lots of good memories.

Isn't this a really cool picture of the moon. I took my zoom lens and got as close as I could and then once it was on the computer I zoomed a little more. You can see the craters and all. One thing I really love about the desert, there is no smog or pollution and you can lay on your back and watch all the stars at night. It's so peaceful and quite.

Last but not least, we are so thankful that our baby's (Presley) Kidney is reducing in size. It really is a miracle to us. Months ago we were worried we would have to fight the difficult challenges of raising a down syndrome child. Or maybe not even be able to meet our Trisomy 18 little girl. That is all in the past we and we are really looking forward to the day we meet this princess. Her siblings are very anxious as well. She will complete our family, and we know she is already a blessing to us. I am now 32 weeks and time is going quickly. At Logan's party the photographer snapped a picture of my tummy. I have a funny feeling Presley will be just like her brother and sisters. ONE LARGE baby. Regardless, we are counting down the days to meet her.

Apple picking in Oak Glen

One of the best things about Fall. Apple picking! You can't go wrong with a fresh organic apples. Last year was our first year to go to Oak Glen and we have now made it a tradition. The kids have such a good time and then we get to make fun things with the apples when we get home. We planned to meet friends there but when we got there of course there was no reception. Both of us were there at the same time but we couldn't get ahold of each other. The kids were bummed they couldn't see their friend Mercy. 

 We had the best apple wood smoke BBQ chicken and baked beans. Not to mention fresh carmel apples. I can't wait to go back. On the way home we stopped at Uncle Seth's football game. We didn't quite get there when we wanted to. There was only a few minutes left, but the good thing is they won. Then we stopped at a pumpkin patch and the kids had a little fun. Every ride was about $5 a piece. RIP OFF! So we went down the street to a pizza stop and played some arcade. It was a great day and we can't wait to do it again :) 

Rylee's up on the website

Rylee is now up on the Jet Set Kids website. Check her out!

We are still hoping she gets the Land's End shoot. Haven't heard the final word but if she does get it, it will be next month. I think it will be funny when they see her all her teeth will be gone. hahaha She is still cute no matter what!

I guess I will have to have a talk with them. I was just looking at her DOB and it's wrong! How could they forget 9/11??

Weekend in the desert

We always have a good time while in the desert. Brings back lots of memories for CJ and I since that is where we grew up. We are so lucky to be out of there though. I do NOT miss that 108 degree weather in September. We got back to Orange County later on Sunday and it was 70 degrees. 

 It is always fun to visit with friends and the kids love to visit with their Gramma and Papa and of course Uncle Seth. We celebrated Belle's 4th birthday, had dinner at Gramma and Papa's with Des, Drew and Logan. Rylee got a cute apron from them for her birthday. (she will get lots of use out of that)  We watched the Chargers on Sunday and then went home. It was nice and relaxing but now we are back to school and our busy week. 

 Rylee has learned so much in school already. Her teacher is really nice but she is really into teaching them well so somewhat of school Rylee says is "boring" Like when she has to sit and "listen with no talking" Oh, let the good times roll! 

Here are some cute pictures from over the weekend. Rylee is quite the big sister. She treats logan like he is her second brother. They are adorable together. 

Haidyn's first piggies

FINALLY! I love little girls and pigtails. They are the cutest things ever. I was finally able to get ALL of her hair up into 2 little pigtails. There isn't much there but they are so cute. Rylee had so much more hair than her and it seems like I was able to get her hair up into pigtails a lot sooner but I was looking back at pictures and it was only a couple of months before Haidyn. I can't wait to see what her hair will be like when it gets a little longer.