... the fight against breast cancer...

race for the cure............... walk........ its a 5K in Newport Beach, Ca.......what ever you decide to do, it is a fund raiser with over 40 thousand walkers and runners for the year to help find a cure for breast cancer. helps us realize that this small contribution can go a long way to help others and women out there battling or who will be battling this horrible disease....

often we think of our loves ones, those that have passed on and those still fighting, and those that have been cured of this cancer.......... amazing memories to reflect on..... such an emotional morning..... something we have committed to do every year forever.......... we have only missed one year in 8 years and hope to continue to make it an important part of our year. the girls did it with us.... each year we have brought them, but this was the first they were "junior" walkers.... in their own t-shirts with their own race number........... we hope over the years they know what this event means......

my best friend kellis 29 3/4 suprise party!

flowers .... cathe and gavin..... the invite.... kelli with a present from her brother john...

my best friend and long time family friend kelli, is turning 30 in december. we all threw her a surspise party on the 15th of september-just to throw her off a bit... we had a blast! she was so shocked! it was amazing.......... her favorite dinner, with her favorite flowers, with all the people that love her soooo much.....

her sister with her husband and kids along with kel, jason and son gavin.... cole and troy kels nephews

my mom and kels mom lonna.... ellen introducing herself to my kids :)..... aunt jo with gavin

kelli, lonna and robin........... her favorite meal was served..... her niece and nephew buddy and jessica

... a treat for two ...

dont mind the messy face on riley. she wears her food all the time! i mean after all they took a bite and slid down the slide, took a bite and slid down... the whole meal. they were so happy we were all eating outside again where they could play and have our attention and laughter along with theirs....

rileys- "bumble-baby".... and caelans "fairy she named "caelan just like me..." she said..... wow how creative :)

my dads aunt shirley bellow always sends the girls money for their birthdays, it is soooo sweet of her. she is always thinking of everyone before herself!

so anyhow, the girls hadn't spent it yet, and we always try and make sure they get something special with the money.... sometimes we store it away in their savings account, and sometimes its just nice to get a treat... so.... caelan had seen these dolls a few times and it seemed she was still wanting one.... so we went to get one. then riley fell in love as well.......... they each picked the one they wanted. there were several ones to choose from, so it made it a tough call......... caelan picked the fairy one, she hasn't changed her mind but riley kept changing her mind over and over again........... hopefully these cute little snuggly life-like dolls will begin to replace their stuffed animals..... "bearcat" and "leo," the bunny.... they are looking a little ragged and worn, so its about time they stay home and rest when we go places :)

then after that we came home and eric cooked for us! and we ate outside and the girls played on their swing set while eric enjoyed chatting and the cool breeze. its beginning to be fall for sure...

... my ever so cute cousin Kai Luke...

isn't he cute!!!! here is a recent photo of my cousin Kai with some dogs....... looks to be that they were on a walk and he walked right up and started playing with them.............. i cant believe he is walking already. time flies. especially when we don't get to see him as often as we wish we could. his brother will be here before no time at all! then i will have 2 baby cousins!

... disney PINS...

what an experience... my dads friend has a son... and well, he submitted a drawing for a new pin for Disney. most of you might be aware collecting these sorts of pins has been a HUGE CRAZE for many many years! so anyhow, Caelan has been really into it. she has a necklace and she has actually been trading with people when we are at Disneyland. this is how it works..... you buy a pin and wear it on your necklace, then when you see someone with a necklace on with pins you can trade a pin for a pin.... this gives you the chance to find old rare ones and some limited numbered ones.... you can also trade with workers, they have to let you have any choice of pin. so Caelan has traded a few times....

so.................... anyhow, my dads friends-son's design WON...... so, my dad called. he had waited in line for 3 hours..... we got there and bought all three of the new pins from the 3 different designers! then eric came and waiting back in line again and bought 3 more.... by that time the line took forever! anyhow, it was well worth the wait! a fun experience as well. here are the pix from the morning! the designers

even signed the back of each pin.... so they'll be worth more- and there's only a limited number of them..... so it's a pretty sweet deal!

my dads friends son is the designer on the right-hand-side.....

... disney days...

the girls at California Adventure under the misters......... it cools you off for the hot day we sure had there....

after we went to the pin signing we all ate breakfast at "La Brea Cafe" with my sister, and my mom, along with my dad.....

then my mom thought it would be fun to go into the park. she has had an annual pass and hasnt used it too much and hasnt ever been over to California Adventure so we took her over there and we went on a few rides with her. It was a lot of fun! I'm glad we went. It was amazing. There wasnt anyone there. We walked on to every ride! we love not having to wait in long lines! guess it wasnt crowded since all the kiddos are back in school!

anyhow, here are some pix from the day!

"C" for cheryl and caelan... :)

watching "High School Musical II" the parade

in line for the ride...

on the ride.......

... just the two of us ...

oh my gosh..... let me give you a little background first....

Eric and i don't get out much, all of our days are spent with the kids. we don't ever go out just the two of us....in all honesty, in four years its only been twice.............. scary realization.

anyhow, Eric and i have been talking about going out more.... or just at all...........
its been a tough go around this summer. with my surgery, with not selling our house and not getting to move to Idaho, which we so wanted, and still do.....just the process in trying to sell and how draining it was.... we were pretty bummed to be ending the summer having spent it basically with me in bed and Eric working his you know what off, on our house........ we packed and packed, and for what............. nothing????????? we really thought we would sell until we realized the dive in the market. we werent willing to budge anymore on the price, so that was the decision we made, which meant we stick around a while longer.......

we took the sign down about 1 week after my surgery. the market is soooooooooooooo rough right now, the timing just didn't seem right............
so..................... to my surprise Eric presented me with a "Tiffany" bracelet early in the week and said i must wear it along with something dressy on Friday night. i was soooooooooooo excited, yet my wheels were spinning trying to figure out where we would be going..........

as i was getting ready he asked me what earings i would be wearing............. i never change my earings, i wear the same ones every day.......... he had the "tiffany" ones that matched the bracelet in his hand and said, wear these........... i was so touched. it was rather emotional. i will spare the details but basically he talked to me about life not being easy, he knows i have been sad about having a hysterectomy and he wanted to take me out and treat me special because he wanted me to be happy and to know i am loved and that he would do anything for me....................
tears in my eyes. we headed out the door and my mom watched the kids here for us...........
we went to Mimi's Cafe for soup and salad......... then to Corteo............. the brand new show put on by Cirque du Soleil................. we had seen Drallion a few years back with my parents and sister......... my parents have seen just about every one of the shows they put on........... we love it. the music and the thrill of the different acts. this show was amazing....


what a great night. a fun and exciting time. just the two of us. at last. time to be spent together again soon. i am blessed. beyond measure. i have the most incredibly loving husband. i am amazed God gave him to me. i am thankful every day, and these sort of things make me stand in awe.