Station Fire

Here are a couple pics of the Station Fire that is in my hometown of La Crescenta. We now live 11 miles south so we are not in harms way but our thoughts go out to those that are. The smoke has been our only problem especially for the kids. They have to stay indoors at almost all times. That is getting pretty hard on the teachers at school. We can see the flames from our bedroom window and the plume of smoke is amazing. Hopefully they will get a hold on it soon although they are saying in may take another week or so. The first picture was taken from my old high school softball field and looks upon Prospect ave. the street I grew up on (one block away).

Our 11th anniversary

Last month was our 11th anniversary. It is also the same day as Asher's birthday. So two years ago we didn't celebrate because I was obviously giving birth, and last year was his first birthday party so we didn't get out then. This year we made up for it. A little late but better than not. We went to Squaw Valley while my parents watched the kids at their house in Reno. We stayed at the Resort at Squaw Creek. It was beautiful. The pool had this great water slide that I wish the kids could have gone down. It is sometimes so hard for me to enjoy myself without the kids when all I do is think "they would love this". Although don't get me wrong, we did enjoy the peace. Our room was really nice. They upgraded us to a suite because of construction going on in our first room. They also sent a big basket full of chocolate, cheese, crackers, candy, a bottle of pellegrino, etc. and a card wishing us a happy anniversary. In the morning we rode the gondola up to the top of the mountain and enjoyed the High Camp. They have a huge pool and jacuzzi s, along with a year round ice skating rink and hiking. We had a great day up there. Then it was time to come back to reality. The kids were happy to see us again and we promissed next time they can come along.

First Day Of School

Today was the first day of school. Riley is now in 2nd grade and Baylee is in 4th. We woke up to an extremely smokey sky due to a forest fire in our local mountains. The air was hard to breathe. They were not allowed outside for recess so they had indoor play time. It was actually really nice for them to stay in the air conditioning because temps were in the 100's. When I arrived after school to pick them up they were both in high spirits. They really like their new teachers and having most of their good friends in their classes. I think this year is going to be great!

Whhhhhaaattt was that!!!!!

On our road trip we drove by this remote barn with these two horses staring at us over the fence. We had to step on the brakes and back up to get a second look. Then we just parked there and laughed our heads off.

Walker River

Last week we took a trip to visit family up in Reno. Here are a couple pics of one of our favorite stops off of highway 395 the Walker River. It is such a beautiful area and the kids love playing around in the cold water. The Pic of me is when I was 16 weeks pregnant. When I was that far along with Baylee I wasn't even showing yet. Funny how it all just falls out by your fourth. Scary to think of what I might look like at 40 weeks.

Summer Fun

This summer seems to be going to fast. Here are a couple of pics. My nieces, Emily and Rebecca came for a visit from Nevada last week with Nana and Papa. We were all so happy to have them here with us. We had so much fun.

Asher's 2nd Birthday

Monday July 27th was Asher's 2nd birthday. He is turning into such a big boy. He has been talking so much it is really cute. Here to celebrate with us was Nana and Papa and the cousins Emily and Rebecca. We had fun just swimming in the pool and enjoying the day.

New Baby Pics

Here are the new baby pictures taken at 12 weeks. We had a nuchal scan done at that time which tests for all sorts of problems. Everything looked great. The baby was asleep for the few minutes she needed to measure the neck, then she woke up and started to jump, flip and kick around. All three kids and Jeff were there to see. They were all so excited. Asher has been giving my growing belly kisses and calling it baby. I am sure he has no idea what lies ahead but it is still really cute.

Beach Camping and an update

So much, yet so little has been going on this summer. It seems like I have been doing nothing but yet I never have a minute to spare. I also realized that I never officially announced my pregnancy on our blog. So here it is "I am pregnant". It was a really big surprise. We are all really excited and can't wait to meet our little "girl". Yes, it is a girl (so far). The tec seemed pretty sure although I am only 12 weeks. She told me at 13 that Asher was a boy. Baylee can't wait to finally have her little sis. I have been feeling horrible. Staying home with 3 kids and having all day and night sickness is really hard. It is usually over for me by week 14 so I can't wait. This summer started out slow for us. Asher and I both got the flu and then about a week later Baylee came down with it pretty hard. She had a 104 fever for two days straight and was sick a little over a week and a half. She only got better about a day before we left for our camping trip. During the trip she was so exhausted the whole time. I felt so bad for her. When we got home there was a message from the school board that said 4 kids from our school tested positive for swin flu. So maybe that is what it was.So far this summer we have gone beach camping in Carpenteria, museums, beach day trips, San Diego, lots of swimming in our pool, and are planning a trip to Reno and Tahoe to visit family. Next week I am going on a trip with some other moms to Palm Springs without the kids. That will be a long awaited trip for me. The kids are really excited. They are really looking forward to my neices visiting us next week. They are counting down the days.

Asher's new ride

I got this really great new bike seat for Asher (ibert). He loves to ride in it and it is super easy and stable for me. It is nice to have him up front with me so we can talk about all the things we see together. Most of the time we just point out all the doggies. Asher can spot a dog a mile away.

"Mama"

Here is Asher's first released single. He is going to call it "Mama". I think it is a tribute to me. Hope you all enjoy.

Career Day

This week at school the kids had career day. Riley said he will be anything that "starts with a rock and ends with a star". Baylee was a veterinarian. They had so much fun at school that day to say the least.

Art Show

This week Baylee's art was chosen to be in the district art show at a local bank. She was so excited to see her art on display. It is the one of the planets. Since the state no longer pays for art teachers we in the PTA raise funds each year to pay our wonderful art teacher. This next week we are collecting funds for our "walk for art". June 3rd will be our walk a thon at school. If you would like to contribute to the walk a thon we would love your donation. It is tax deductable as we have a tax ID# for you. You can make a pledge for laps or give a flat donation. You can mail them to our home address or paypal it to my email. The kids are really excited because they love the art classes and the PTA is giving out really great prizes to the kids who raise the most money. Thanks for considering.

Puppy Craft

Here is a cute little craft I came across at the book store the other day.You use pipe cleaners to make the dog, then take eyelash yarn to make the fur. Then you give your dog a little cut and put on some eyes and a nose. Add a collar or leash if you like. Wallah you have a dog that is well behaved, imagine that.

Morning At The Park

Asher just loves a good park. Actually he likes anywhere that has a drinking fountain. Not to drink the water, but to push that amazing big button that makes the water splash out and cause a screeching squeal of delight. What fun it must be to be almost two. He has been up to so much lately. He loves to run and play with his big brother, he loves to hear stories at night from his big sis, and he never goes to sleep without saying night night to everyone, and he always says after you give him a kiss "and a hug" it sort of sounds like "annahough". So so cute. He has been talking so much lately, or at least trying to. He loves our dog Abby like crazy. He gives her kisses and hugs all day. I am trying to teach him we don't kiss the dog on the lips. He gets so happy when he sees his Dada. They are so close it is a wonderful thing to see. I am sure it won't be long till he gets his special trip to the Dodger game with dad. Of course there are always those special times that only Mama will do. He could sit and cuddle with me forever, I love it. I can hardly believe that in only a couple more months he will be two. The days can seem long, but the years seem so short.

Huntington Library

Last week Jeff and I took the kids over to he Huntington Library. We always enjoy going there and so do the kids. We saw this really cute mama duck and her ducklings in the Chinese gardens. Soon the kids got hungry and that led to fighting and crabbiness so we left and had lunch at our favorite place Islands.

Easter

Finally I get the Easter pictures up. The kids had a great time. We went to church just right up the street here, (daddy had to work), then we came home and did lots of egg hunts and had a ham dinner. The kids loved all the candy, especially Asher. I would not ordinarily give him any candy but every time I saw him he had something in his mouth. I don't know where he was even finding it all. Even now weeks later Jeff and I have both caught him with a little chocolate egg in his mouth. You know it's in there when his lips are pursed and he runs when he sees you look at him.