Happy Pumpkin Patch Day!!!!!

We do this every year - Missed ya Drew!

Isaiah's first trip down pumpkin lane................................

Everybody found a pumpkin :}

Amber hard at work

Tah Dah................................

Yellow.....Orange.......Red......

I love fall. One of the reason I love fall is that I can put up my fall decorations in the beginning of September and keep them up until the end of November!! 2 whole months of dead leaves throughout my house!!!!!

However, these colors of yellow orange and red I do not like to see around my house:

This is the Mission Viejo Lake. It is about 2 miles from my house.

This is from Dana Point Harbor and is another fire. The fire is actually behind San Clemente and about 4 miles behind the office building I work at.

The smoke has been so bad that the kids school and all outdoor activities have been cancelled yesterday, today and all weekend. The Ashes are so bad that when we walked into the office, there was soot layered all over the office machines and it took forever to clean it up - then about 1 hour later it was covered again. The same has gone for dusting the house - a losing battle!! And my car has turned from a pretty pearl color to a dirt tan. My eyes are burning and my chest is tight. And I dare complain about these things. People I know have lost EVERYTHING in these fires and yet they are grateful to be ok and have their families safe beside them. I need to stop complaining and be thankful.

How the smokey air progressed:

Lovely mid-day sun:

Moon on fire.........

I'm praying for all the families affected (including my Mom's cousin in San Diego) whose homes have burnt to the ground. They are weighing heavy on my heart. And I'm thankful to have my home and my family.

Boys will be boys...........

Surprise!!!! Sean and Linds came down with the kids and I got to hold both my baby boys :} I was in heaven!!!! The size difference of just a few months is amazing. They are so sweet.

Isaiah was a little camera shy and Silas is not sure he likes someone new stealing all the attention!

I never realized how much my brother Sean and I look alike, put a wig and some make up on him and he could be me (cuz I'm not shaving my head - love you bean)

GOD GIVES..................

Isaiah John Toney

10/18/07

watching my little baby sister have a baby was more like one of my own children having a baby. she was such a trooper but i just wanted to jump right in there and do it for her.

But I don't think there is anything sweeter then the joy and surprise of a new daddy - not quite sure how to hold this new little life but very sure how to love him..................
I know that this precious baby was sent from above to bring us comfort, joy and peace. He is a gift and a blessing.

I love him.

I have actually had the honor of watching all my nieces and nephews come into this world (except Lily - couldn't make it up there in time but I still love that little firefly). And also my best friend Kelly's 2 kids. What a special bond you have with a child when you get to see him take his first breath. Thank you my sisters & brothers for letting me share in your joy. I love you all and especially love the babies...................................

"Sweet as Candy, Vote for Mandy"

Not President (that will probably be next) but for Historian/Publicity on student council. This was all her idea - man she is brave. I explained to her that she will be running against 5th and 6th graders and she said "So - it will be fun!" She got up in front of the whole school and gave a speech today.

I don't know if she will make it but I sure am proud of her for going for it - I hope she approaches life like this forever - No Fear!

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UPDATE: Well the 6th grader won but Mandy is ok with that. She called me this morning to tell me and was fine. She had fun :}

We will see what next year holds.....................

Homecoming..........................

Saturday night was the girls first official dance (with dates). They looked so pretty and grown up. My babies.........

How fun does this look? I went to this school and we never got anything like this!!! (and yes I was a bad mom - Trina and I stood at the top of the hill and took pictures - stalkers?)

Ashley went with her boyfriend Jordan. He is from church and is very sweet and sensitive with Ashley (just what she needs). Amber went as friends with Kelcey who is one of my closest friends (Trina's) son. So we were very good with that! They both had the time of their lives - Amber said, "I don't know how any other dance will ever be this fun!" (just wait until winter formal).

Here is the whole group. They have known most of these kids since 1st grade (all of the boys and a couple of the girls). So it was sooooo fun for them all to be together :} I know - some of the girls dresses are very interesting..................... Thank you to Aunt Lois for taking them shoe shopping and very prego Aunt Courtney for helping them get ready!

And 2nd Mom and Dad Hamen - it was so sweet of you to come see them off!!!
Karyn and Garret it meant alot to the girls for you to be there also. We definitely had the biggest group at the picture taking party!!! But that is ok because it helped make up for the one who wasn't there. He would have been very proud of them. I am.

All the baby birdies in the nest..........

We actually had dinner at the dinner table, all together tonight! Andrew came down to visit for the night. And as a bonus one of the mom's from school dropped by a dinner earlier so I didn't have to cook! (It's amazing how good enchiladas taste when someone else makes them - I have been so blessed by friends). And it was so good to reconnect with my kids. We get so busy during the week and play so hard during the weekend - I need all my birdies in my nest. (my Mom also stopped by at dinner time - imagine that - but it was good to see her also - love ya Mom - I guess she wanted to check on her little chicks too). It does make me sad when Andrew leaves though. I guess that is what is supposed to happen - they grow wings and fly the coop. I'm gonna tie down my other little chicks wings!!!!!!!!