Sara went to Cali

I planned a trip to go out and see my BFF (best friend forever), Rebekah. Having a 9 month old baby made this plan a little scary for me....should I take him?-- should I leave him home?-- Jim convinced me that I would have SO much more fun, and be able to relax if I just left him home for a few days. He got him to take a bottle again, after he boycotted the bottle about 2 months ago--Jim got him eating baby food and taking formula...all in the effort to convince me to let him stay so I could have an actual "relaxing" break with my best friend. As I lay sleeping the night before I was to leave, I nearly got out of bed and packed a suitcase for Kyle. I didn't though. Upon arriving in California (without Kyle) I decided...well, I'm going to be here for 5 days--without Kyle--and I can either enjoy myself and relax, or I can be miserable and worry the whole time about my family back in Colorado. While I thought of them a lot, I decided to relax and enjoy my time. It was a good decision. I had a blast....seriously had so much fun. It was so nice to be with my best friend and her family. We have kids all about 3 months of each other and it was nice to see them at this point in their life--and it was great to see that all the craziness of being a mother and all that that entails--well--she's going through it too.

On the way to her home from the airport, we of coarse stopped by In-N-Out...that was the first item of business. Yes...it was so good and all that I thought it would be. I'd have to say that the highlight of my trip was DISNEYLAND. We had a blast. It was just the two of us--NO KIDS. Unbelievable. We got there and the crowds were not bad...we hardly had any wait in lines for the rides--we played like we were teenagers again! It was fabulous. Silly old friends. The day was "awesome dude!"

We went to Yucaipa to a place up in the mountains called Oak Glen and went to the apple orchards there...listened to some live music and had barbecue, shopped around and had fun. Then we headed to a really HUGE pumpkin patch/small fall carnival. You actually pick the pumpkins off the vine. There were a lot of really neat pumpkins/gourds--that had a lot of character. I LOVE the blue pumpkins...so cool!

I'm refreshed and I was so happy to come home to my kids (who were completely fine and good the whole time). They were happy to see me as I was happy to see them. It was so good to have a little getaway with my best friend--I love her!, but it was really great to be home to my honey and my kids.

Dancin' Kids

Jim took this video of the kids dancing. One of our funnest family "traditions" is turning on the music and just rockin' out. My kids, I proudly say, have really good rhythm and can really boogie. Enjoy the fun!

Six Habits/Facts

While I' m by no means as eloquent as Kathryn on NY, I appreciate her "tagging" me as I can think about my interesting habits or facts about myself...while normally, I don't analyze myself too much. For heaven's sake--I'm too busy analyzing others! hee hee.

1. I was speaking with Jim last night about if I had to start college over and decide what I want to "be," I still don't know. I thought about a professional chef (culinary arts I do so enjoy). I also thought about being a doctor--probably a pediatrician. I then thought, I'm really good at organizing and have a good "business" sense, so maybe a business lady of some sort. I have so many interests, still...I really don't think I could fully commit to one thing. "Mother" is suiting me just fine though right now.

2. I'm a good friend. I can keep confidences (especially when told--"this is a secret"). I listen pretty well, and give good advice (unless I have no advice to give--and then I'm quiet). But I do think I'm a good friend to my friends and I'm lucky I have friends to be good to.

3. I shudder when I hear the news, or people think they must share with me, horrors that happen to children. It's best not to tell me as I'm mentally not able to take it, emotionally unable to cope, and physically ill. I really can't sleep at night as I obsess about the horrible crime(s). It's too much for me to take--as to me, children are the most precious things ever...and crimes against them are unfathomable, as are the monsters who commit them. So, please, don't share the bad news.

4. I love chocolate (in almost any form). I think this is something I probably have in common with many of my friends. It's even let me to the theory of "I'd rather eat a little of really good chocolate, than a bunch of really healthy food." My mother doesn't like this mantra--she knows I need healthier food in my diet...I'm in agreement, but can't bring myself to do it too often.

5. When I get a good book, I can read like a speed demon. Now, when I get a book that is "ok" it will take me months to finish it. Case in point: I read the whole Twilight Series (3 books, 500-600 pages each) in under a week. It took me about 3 1/2 weeks to read Cannery Row by Steinbeck (maybe 200 pages long)...not that it was bad but it wasn't too exciting either.

6. I feel all sorts of guilt for spending $75 on clothes for the kids, but I don't think twice to agree to Jim buying a $3k ATV. Hmmmm.

Okay, I tag: Heather, Marcie, Rebekah & Summer

Kyle at 9 Months

Time has flown...and we're having fun. Kyle is 9 months now and it has really gone by quickly...although it doesn't always feel so quick, especially in the middle of the night...feeding him 3 or 4 times...but still...he's our cuddle bug and brightens up our days with his smile and love. We really are glad to have him in our family...he really completes us.

Pickin' our Pumpkin

I love this time of year...we get to pick out our pumpkins! The kids were so excited to go and get the pumpkins. It's Kyle's 1st Halloween this year...hard to believe. He thought it was all very interesting, but he wasn't going to smile no matter how much we tried to get him to. The other kids had a great time though. They had a corn maze and a haunted alley. They each choose a pumpkin for themselves, and helped choose a couple of family pumpkins. Pumpkins are amazing to me--just beautiful colors and shapes and so festive! My cuties had fun.