Duck Pond

 

 

 

 

Today I took Timeri and Slater to the Duck Pond. This was something I had always done with Caden and Davin when they were younger. It was great just going with the Timeri and Slater becasue I wasn't being pulled in four different directions. Slater was laughing the whole time until this one black duck tried to take his finger along with the bread. Timeri was terrified... she was standing on the bench the whole time saying they were going to get her. It was funny !

ET Park

 

 

 

 

This weekend when we went to my dad's house, we went to the infamous park called ET Park. It is actually the park where they filmed some scenes from the movie ET. The kids just love this park. They love "the worm", hey call it. Today of all days, it was so incredibly clear. The park is located high up on the hills of Porter Ranch. When looking out from the park you can see about 145 degrees of the San Fernando Valley. Today it was so clear you could see downtown LA. It was beautiful. My dad and I took the kids for a little adveture up the hill. We admired the views. It was awesome. Ironically, the next day the Porter Ranch fires started. The kids and I watched the news. Wondering where Erin would be dispatched, if my dad would be evacuated and if ET park would survive the fire. Davin actually cried about "the worm". Praises to all the hard working firefighters, the fire was contained. When the kids and I went to visit my dad the follwing weekend we had to make a trip to ET park to see if it survived. "The worm" survived ! The upper portion and lower side of the park were destroyed. It is strange that we had just stood at the park a week before on such a beautiful day and on returning on another beautiful day, with charred mountain ranges surrounding.

Mom

 

Almost every time we go to see my dad we make a trip to Oakwood Cemetery to visit my mom's gravesite. This time I just sat right on it and was just thinking that her ashes were so close to me... just right under me. I miss my mom so incredibly much ! I wish she could just call me, or I could just cuddle up to her and hug her... I would hold on real tight. The one thing that sooths my aches is my moms unwavering faith in Jesus. She knew the truth, and I know she doesn't want me to mourn... she is having quite a celebration in heaven. When the kids ask about her or tell me they want to see her, I explain she is preparing a place in heaven for them right next to her and Jesus. The kids love her so much, she really left an impact on their little lives. I LOVE YOU MOM ! I am looking forward to hugging you again !!

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory !!

For Timeri's 4th and Slater's 3rd we had a Willy Wonka party. Slater dressed up as Willy Wonka, Timeri was Varuca and Caden and Davin were Umpa Lumpas. It was great... the kids had a great time. I think by the end of the party they were all sugared out. Thank goodness for the jumper.. they were able to burn off some of the energy. Happy Birthday Timeri and Slater !!!!

The "Dirt Jumps"

The boys love me taking them to an open property near us that has dirt jumps. They love taking their bikes their to do the jumps. The group shot of the boys is of Caden, Davin and Slater and their favorite buddies Matt and Blake. This one day we went Erin was actuually able to go with us. He is always the best participant. He always makes it fun for the boys, even Slater. Slater loves it when Daddy attempts to ride his bike. The older boys were able to wonder throught the trails and do the jumps, while Erin, Slater, Timeri and I went on our own adventure looking for bugs. We always seem to have a great time doing the most simple things.

Our swimming pool

 

 

Slater and Timeri at it again. I looked in the backyard to find them being creative at finding a way to make a swimming pool. Slater is so silly ! Timeri is a bundle of love as well ! Love them !!

Our bearded dragons

 

 

The boys fianlly got what they have always wanted... bearded dragons. Caden wanted it for his birthday and of course Davin lucked out getting one too for his half birthday.

Grant's park

On another get away to my dad's we traveled up to Ventura Harbor. My mom loved it there. First, we went to the beach with the kids, then we picked up linch and went to Grant's Park. It is a park hidden on top of the Ventura hills. When at the park you have a 180* view of the Ventura coast line. In the middle of the park stands a huge wooden cross. It has been standing there since the late 1800's, when the original Mexican missionaries had built missions in California. It is a little weathered, but it stands strong declaring its truth. It was beautiful ! The view made it even better.

First day of school for Timeri and Slater

Here is the first day of school for my two youngest loves. They were so excited to start school. They are attending Miss Peggy's Preschool in Murrieta. Slater couldn't wait. He wanted to bring his new backpack with him. It was praticaly the same size of him. After dropping them off, I was so excited to actually be kidless for a few hours. But, after a little bit... I started to miss them, and got sad that all my babies were in school. I have so much to be thankful for... I am so fortuante and blessed that I have four children and that they are healthy... and that they all like school.

Our beautiful baby boy is all grown up.

Our beautiful princess !

Caden's 8th birthday

 

 

Here is Caden on his 8th birthday. Can't believe my little baby is already 8. Where did the time go? It seems like yesterday we just had him. I remember driving to the hospital with Erin at 5 am. And then the first time holding him in my arms, just crying. Caden is a good boy and a great help to me. I love him so much !

Pirate Day

Its Pirate Day the gym. Slater just loved dressing up as a pirate !!

Here is Timeri and Slater with their favorite pirate Tracy, that they love so much.

Timrei the beautiful pirate princess.

Caden and Davin's first day

 

 

Today was Caden and Davin's first day of school. Caden is in second grade and Davin is in first. In the picture it is Davin and one of his favorite buddies Fernando. Caden is with his Dylan. I walked them in and Davin ran up to his new teacher and hugged her. Caden was strutting like he was the big man on campus. Davin thought that he wouldn't have as much fun in first compared to Kindergarten, because the Kindergarteners have an awesome play yard. Before I knew it Davin was walking in his class by himself. Caden still wanted me to stand next to him and actually held my hand while walking into the class. When I picked them up from school, Davin said "I love school", "I love my teacher can I have her forever?" His teachers name is Mrs. Shannon Hughes. She is great ! Ironically she was Caden's teacher when he was in first. Caden's teacher is Mrs. Jennifer Perales.

Our last fishing trip for summer '08

Our last little get away was with Papa Doug. We went fishing for three nights. We went to San Clemente Island for two and then Catalina Island for one. The water was calm and absolutley beautiful. We scurried around looking for the right kelp patty that all the fish hid in. We caught White Sea Bass, Yellowtail, Bluefin Albacore, Durado, Halibut and Squid. We saw seals, whales, a sea turtle, a marlin, a sun fish, flying fish and a shark... Yikes. The best part of the trip was me catching a HUGE Black Sea Bass. My arms were burning form all the reeling in. Once we caught it we had to let it go because it is a protected fish. This was Slaters first trip... he did great ! Caden and Davin had a blast ! It became a little crazy on the boat once we started getting a lot of bites... Rods were in every direction with hooks going everywhere, while all the little ones saying "its my fish !" Kids will be kids. Overall it was a great time. I loved seeing the excitement on the kids face when the were reeling in a fish. I am so happy that the kids enjoy one of Erin and my passions.

Pictures from our last fishing trip for summer 08

Kids Space Museum

The next day my dad and I took the kids to Kids Space Museum in Pasadena. They were able to interact with bugs and crawl through an ant maze. Caden enjoyed looking at fossil and animal fur with my dad. Timeri and Slater ended up jumping into the water...of course. We had a great time and the kids loved exploring the entire museum

Descanso Garden's

The kids and I went up to my dad's for the weekend. One night we were there we went to Descanso Garden in La Canada. We met Giselle and Rebecca and Marissa there. We rode the train around the gardens. It was neat the kids liked it.






Davin at a wishing well.


Rebecca, Giselle, Timeri and Marissa.

Tahoe

After leaving our little slice of heaven... we were on our way to Tahoe for the final leg of our vacation. We stayed in the Tahoe Keyes for our annual family vacation. The boys had a great time with their cousins Tony Matt and Nick. Erin and I had a memorable time while playing black jack ! Before we knew it our 3 week vacation was coming to an end with the final days in Tahoe.