We'd Rather Be...

Fishing with Grandpa Ken at Irvine Lake...

At Knotts Berry Farm with Snoopy...

Riding ATVs in Utah...

Hiking in Tenaja with friends or...

Feeding the Donkeys?

There are so many things that we would love to be doing outside right now but we're stuck inside because of all the smoke from the fires in Palomar and Fallbrook. Porter and Carter got to play with their friends Wyatt and Grace this morning and that is the most excitement they have had in a few days. Hopefully we can get away somewhere tomorrow for the day so we don't get too stir crazy.

Our thoughts and prayers do go out to all the people whose lives have really been affected by these fires throughout So Cal. Hopefully everything will be getting back to normal, er somewhat normal soon.

The Pumpkin Patch & A Pony Ride

Yes, just like everybody else we made a trip to the pumpkin patch. Well we've actually made two trips now because we had to take our first pumpkin back because it started rotting after two days. I think Sam was a little disappointed because he couldn't find one as big as the first which weighed about 30 pounds. Porter and Carter got to ride the ponies which made them even more excited to be cowboys for Halloween. Porter also got to pick out his pumpkin to decorate at preschool, that turned out very cute but since then has been totally destroyed by Carter. What is it about those younger siblings???

Could this be why...

...both Porter and Carter have been getting in bed with us in the middle of the night these past few nights? Sam is getting very excited for Halloween this year and has decided he's going to make the older trick-or-treaters work for their candy by scaring them. He started out with a "Jason" type mask (which both Porter and Carter take turns wearing now and Carter ate his mac n' cheese thru it at lunch today) but has now moved on to this one. He came home from work one day this week wearing it. Porter hid under the table and was sobbing while Carter was crawling up my leg screaming. The boys weren't really bothered by the first mask, so Sam was really surprised that they were so terrified of this one...he feels pretty bad about it. I think he gets it from his dad though, cause when Sam and his sisters were little Ken would chase them around the house wearing a Frankenstein mask. All I know is that Porter isn't talking so much about Halloween and trick-or-treating anymore but has now found solace in the thought of Jolly old Saint Nick.

How It All Started

Where did you meet your husband? In our home ward, but never spoke to eachother till he got home from his mission and we first spoke at a party at our friend Tina's house

What was the first thing you said to your husband? Yeah. We're engaged. (In answer to his question about the boyfriend I had before Sam left on his mission.)

Where was your first date? Sam took me out to dinner at the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica.

Where was your first kiss? At Aaron Corsi's house, before our first date...he tricked me into kissing him.

Did you have a long or short courtship/engagement? Is 6 months from first kiss to wedding day long or short? Actually, I think it was more like 5 months.

Where did you get engaged? No big story, Sam started talking about it like after one week of dating, proved he was serious two months later when he asked for my dad's permission and called the temple to reserve the date. I tease him about it though, 'cause when he gave me my ring he started with "I already know you're going to say yes...will you marry me?"

Where were you married? The Los AngelesTemple.

How did your reception go? We loved our reception!!!! Family, friends, beautiful decorations (thanks Deana),great food, dancing...what more could we've asked for? We still talk about how much fun we had.

How was your honeymoon? So much fun!!! We took the four day cruise to Catalina and Ensenada. The only thing that would've made it better was if it lasted longer.

Happy Birthday Grandpa Gene!!!

Carter Eugene loves to go to his great-grandpa Gene's house!
(And why shouldn't he when he gets all-you-can-eat ribs and
can play slot machines to his little heart's content.)



Grandma Sherri with her boys, oh and Branden too!
(He says he's not a boy anymore--he's a man)


Porter and Carter with their older cousins
Branden and Justin.


Grandpa Gene with all the guys.

Every October around this time we make a trip out to Palm Springs to spend a day with Sam's grandpa and celebrate his birthday. The boys are so always so excited to be there and have a ton of fun playing out on the golf course that his yard backs up to. Grandma Carol gets out a bunch of toys for them to play with as well. She tries to make sure they have plenty to do. We had a great time today with the family and were so happy to see that Grandpa Gene is doing so well.

Creating Memories & Re-living Old Ones

One of the things I regret most with my kids is being so bad about writing down all the cute things they say. There have been so many I've already forgotton but that's what our little family blog is for-- to keep a record of these everyday things. Which brings me to my latest funny. The other day Porter was singing a Primary song called "When I am Baptized" and sang "I know when I am baptized, my arms are washed away (instead of my wrongs are washed away)". Sam and I heard it at the same time and started laughing and Porter said "Don't laugh at me, I like that song". These little guys are so cute and I just can't get enough of them. Yesterday I put them down for their naps and Carter yelled through his door "Po-Po, help, I'm stuck." Porter yelled back "I know I'm stuck too, just take a nap Carter."

We also had a visit the other night from one of Sam's favorite mission companions and his wife and baby. It was so much fun to listen to them talk about the mission and all the memories they shared. Sam had a blast reliving his "glory days". Carter needs me to turn on Yo Gabba Gabba, so I'd better go.