Family Fun Fest

Alex, Madison and I went to Orange County on Halloween to attend the annual Family Fun Fest at our church. I had never been before and Alex hadn't been in about 6 or 7 years. We were blown away by how big it was. It was like going to a special carnival just for kiddos. There were rides, games, food booths, ponies, balloons, live music, cotton candy, etc.... Here are some pictures to document the night.

This is what we saw as we walked on campus


This is Madison and her friend Ruthie admiring the water fountain


Madison playing her first game...she had to get the hoop around the cone


Madison collecting her prize


Game #2


Sharing Cotton Candy with Mommy


Eating Cotton Candy with Daddy


Family Shot


Oma and Madison just after getting a balloon animal


Sitting on a horse for the first time


Petting the horse


Walking with Daddy


Taking a break from walking


Walking back to the car

Our little teeny bopper

Welcome Home!!!

This morning we all met at Erica's house at 5:00am to help out Carolyn and Erica at their husbands' homecoming! Both of their husbands were in Afghanistan with 2/7 (an infantry unit), Echo Company. Carolyn had her sweet baby girl Cailyn while Brandon was deployed, so I was privileged enough, yet again, to witness a daddy's first moments with his little girl (thank you for allowing us to share in such a special day) and I got to hear the amazing little squeals from Ashley and Kaitlyn as they saw their daddy and finally were able to give him a hug after 7 long months. I am so happy for you girls!!! Have a blast with your hubbies!
This has been a long and difficult deployment for all of the Marines in 2/7 and this is just the first company to come home. There are still more companies awaiting their homecoming, so please keep them and their families in your prayers. Sadly, there have been a number of casualties in 2/7...please keep the families of those marines in your prayers, as seeing all of their comrades come home, it's tough, but healing at the same time. My heart goes out to them!

Pumpkin Patch

Well, out here in the middle of the desert we don't have too many choices, as far as pumpkin patches go. I don't even know if you can qualify what we went to as a pumpkin patch, but we had fun nonetheless! Today, we went for an outing just past Yucca Valley, with Diana, Levi, Dave, Christine, and Noah. We had a lot of fun and took a lot of pictures! This is both Levi (10 months) and Noah's (2 months) first Halloween! Madison loves her little friends and it was so much fun to see the kids' eyes light up at the sight of the pumpkins. Thanks for making fun memories with us!

Emma comes to visit!!!!

Yesterday, Emma came to visit for the day. We had so much fun! Madison especially loved seeing her "Auntie Emma" From the pictures below you can see the fun they had together! Emma I love you dearly and thank God every day for putting that dumpster in the location he did!!!! ;) You are truly one of the best friends I have and I am so blessed every time you visit! Hope you have a great week my friend!!!

Waiting for Auntie Emma to arrive:

Dressing up with Auntie Emma:

Loving on Auntie Emma (with a mouth full of crackers):

Yummy Chicken Quesadillas

Here are some silly pictures of Madison eating her yummy chicken quesadilla and dipping it into sour cream (which I think was her favorite part of dinner). Hope you enjoy our silly girl!

Happy 25th Birthday Margot!!!!

Last Friday, October 17th, my dear friend Margot celebrated her 25th birthday! We had a dinner for her over at Erica's house! It was so much fun. One of the memories that will stay with me from that night is the blessing of the food. This may sound odd, but let me explain why it was so special! Margot's husband is in Iraq right now and he was able to be on the phone and Margot put him on speaker and he prayed over Margot and blessed our meal. When he was done, pretty much every girl there had tears in their eyes. It was very special!!! I hope that you had a wonderful birthday Margot! Thank you for your friendship!!! Know that you are loved. May God bless this next year of your life!