Scott, Tonya, and the 4 greatest kids!

Good Grief--where does the time go?? You're not going to believe this one. In fact I'm still in shock. So, last Saturday Scott had a couple of appointments with people in our ward(church not psychiatric!) About 45 minutes after he left he calls me and says "you're not going to believe this." Oh yes, I believe almost all craziness these days. "I was here for 15 minutes and someone stole my car!" Yes, that prized possession that I just complained about 2 weeks ago on this very blog, that little punk car that I have never loved but sunk a chunk of hard earned money into. That car is bad luck, I tell you bad luck! Here's the kicker, about 2 months ago we changed insurance because we were paying way too much so we switched, took all but the minimal coverage off that11 year old jurassic park, blue beauty. So, you know what that means, no car, no rental car, no reimbursement (heck I would have taken a couple hundred over nothing!) Anyway, hopefully we'll get it back, but it could be in a million tiny pieces right now. Can you believe it? Surprisingly, I've been pretty mellow about the whole thing, I figure it could be a lot worse. Everybody's healthy, at least it wasn't a terrible accident that took that punk car out of commission. There are a lot worse things, but I still hope they find those hoodlems and put 'em in the slammer!

Life goes on! Halloween is just a short week away. I have had really bad luck finding a cute costume for S., so she may wear Tomas' elephant costume. It's really cute, but a little big. I thought about putting a McCain/Palin button on her, but I guess that may be going a little far, maybe just a flag in her trunk. Subtle!

Talk about time flying....I started this post like 5 days ago and I'm going to post it tonight so just ignore the date it's actually the 29th now. ANYWAY they found the car today! A very nice guy called me and said "are you missing a blue honda civic" oh yes let it be in one piece I thought. He proceeded to tell me that it had been parked in front of his house for like 4 days and he finally figured it was stolen. After he went out and took a good look, he knew! The police called about an hour later and I had to go id it. It wasn't okay 4 slashed tires, the little punks jumped on the roof and caved it in, tore the ignition to shreds and put a few dents in it. The worst part about it is that they'll get away with it. I have friends who are police officers and they feel bad that there is just so much crime and sooooo many stolen cars here that unless they catch them with the car, they get away with it. We have such nice neighbors who went with Scott to check it out and try to tow it. The verdict---donate to charity! Well there is a little bit of a bright side, Scott got his church bag back, they rifled through it looking for cash but left it in the car it had lots of stuff he really wanted back, they were nice enough (sarcasm) to put the car seat in the trunk, and they left the university parking pass in tact which is probably worth more than the car! Well, at least I'm not on pins and needles about it anymore. So, were off to find a new reliable economy car!!

I have more to write but no more time. Despite the car theft, there is loads of fun and happiness in our lives. We are so very very blessed. Here's a hint of things to come!

DARLING! No, no I did not make this cutie, but I will be taking that box and eating every last kernel of white chocolate popcorn. Probably right now!

Cutie, cuties! They had such a ball with this little house! More about that later.I can't help it--I have a lot to say! So thankful for these sweetie pies and the one not pictured who is dying to tear that house to bits! I just love 'em!

I know it's hard to believe that I have more to say after the last post just two days ago (I know it says Tuesday, but obviously I posted on Wednesday)! I do! Okay, don't worry none of my political opinions in this post. Let's look at the bright side of all this economic turmoil. Gas prices are finally going down--can you believe we're relieved to be paying $2 something for gas, but thank heavens we're not paying $5....yet! I bet there are going to be GREAT deals at Christmas. I may have to go out the day after Thanksgiving--the thought of voluntarily getting up THAT early and shopping with hoards of crazy Christmas shoppers sends chills up my spine, but the deals---oh the deals . Don't get me wrong I LOVE Christmas shopping just not quite like that....you know what I mean! I'm starting to psych myself up and it's only October!

We thought we might have to get a new car the other day...not good! Love new cars, hate car payments---cars are money pits. That crazy little Honda--which I have never loved, mostly I hate the color; I know that's so silly. Anyway, it overheated when Scott was driving to work. The major problem is that he works out of town and I mean out of town--no mechanic in that little town, consequently that bugger had to be towed 33miles back to town.. you can imagine, furthermore the closest dealership is the one that I always feel like they're ripping me off, there's just something a little shady about that particular group. ANYWAY, we decided we better just pour a few more big bucks into that money pit and try to get through one more year with that beauty. One thing that I did not mind at all about living out of the country was the great public transportation. It's so good everywhere, but here in our beloved country. Oh well, we can't be perfect! Okay, onto the next thing!

More happiness with these great kiddos!! L. and S. are so much alike it's crazy--they are a dangerous, destructive, fearless duo. So, here's how I caught S.
the good news was she had taken every last thing off of that filthy shelf and motivated me to clear off every last one of those hummers and give them a good scrubbing eww were they dirty. I also got rid of those dust loving somewhat pathetic fake plants, not that they aren't good quality fake plants, they're just....fake!

Is it just a genetic disposition for girls to be obsessed with shoes of all types??? She is JUST like her sister!

Those are O.'s shoes note that they are on the wrong feet. Same day different shoes, those two girls change their shoes every half hour!

My kiddos are so funny about Halloween. I know I already wrote a little about that. I took T. to party city to get his costume and I didn't even notice the HUGE creepy monsters all over the ceiling, but you can bet that he did. He was much calmer than in past years, but he would NOT walk underneath any of those creepy monsters. He just doesn't like creepy stuff which is fine with me cause I don't really like it either. I hate all those gross Halloween movies... I like Halloween to be fun! The girls are a riot when we go anywhere O. is a little hesitant like I said before, but I would call her a Halloween rubber-necker she doesn't really like it, but she just has to see it. S. on the other hand isn't old enough to be scared yet so she just growls at all the scary stuff--it's pretty darn funny!

So many, many things to talk about. Sit down, get a soda and a snack and stick with me!

First things first! HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my little--not so little anymore--T.!!! I cannot believe that he is 9 years old.

This is the state of his presents after his little sisters tried all day to open them!

Why no cake and ice cream pictures you ask. The cake and ice cream are to come.


It was a great weekend it was so awesome to watch General Conference. I definitely heard more this time than last time. T. sequestered himself in our room for several reasons. It started about 5 minutes into the first session on Saturday, he and his sister got into a battle. I sent him to my room to watch conference, and he decided that was a pretty good gig so... he stayed. At one point I said to Scott "should we have him come out and be together as a family." We both looked around, the girls were playing quietly, T. was happily snuggled in our bed actually LISTENING--- nah! I was really proud of him and the girls were as good as they are at church which is really quiet at home--not so much in the chapel! The conference was great and very uplifting especially after listening to all the craziness and stress in the world. It was good to focus on the things that are REALLY important and to remember that there is a plan and Heavenly Father is absolutely aware of all things both temporal and spiritual! For my non LDS friends who are wondering what in the heck I'm talking about click here.

In between sessions we went to the pumpkin patch--a REAL pumpkin patch. It was quite the adventure, as are all our family outings. The kids LOVED it!!! It's actually not just a pumpkin patch it's an orchard. You can pick apples and veggies, watermelon and pumpkins. Well, they close at noon so we were on a bit of a time frame but we figured we had almost an entire hour. We walked into the orchard, and the pumpkin patch is at the opposite end of the orchard, probably about 1/4 of a mile. We get to the pumpkins, S. was like a caged cat who couldn't wait to get out of the stroller so we let her loose, and just as we start looking for the pumpkins, O. starts doing the potty dance. Who forgot to take her potty before we left the house????? I loaded her back into the stroller and we walk all the way back to the entrance and have to use what can only be described as the most disgusting porta potty I've ever seen--mind you I have never actually used one, but what is one to do with a 3 year old who has to go--I held her up and let her go! Luckily we both stayed dry, but I really thought I might puke!! We raced back to the pumpkins--I had broken a sweat by that point--I am soooo out of shape! S. was filthy, sunburned and having the time of her life, it only took O. about 5 minutes to be equally as filthy and having a ball. T. loves all things agricultural so he was in hog heaven. We actually tried to grow pumpkins last year, we grew a long vine with lots of flowers but nary a pumpkin. We have since learned that you must have 2 plants to cross pollinate. We'll try again next year. We picked a slew of apples and some delicious, giant zucchini. All in all it was a blast.


What happened to her hair? She is in charge!!

How sweet are those little pumpkins of mine--not the orange ones!!

I know! I said there was a lot to talk about, and there's more. So, if you are not interested in my political views, stop reading. Wait! If you're going to stop reading just one thing VOTE and do not be deceived by the candidate who will not wear a flag pin or cover his heart during the pledge, hangs out with terrorists, who's wife thinks America is a "downright mean country," who thinks are wrongly accuses our military of "air raiding villages and killing civilians, who will destroy this nation!!! Okay if you don't want to know anymore about my political views, you can stop reading now.

I hope I make it through this election!!! For the first time in our lives Scott and I actually made a cash donation to a political candidate, we will be walking our neighborhood and phone calling California voters to encourage voters to vote YES on Prop. 8 I cannot tell you how I hate phone calling, but this issue is so very important. For those of you who think it's not a big deal please read this. It is absolutely vital for the protection of our religious freedoms, how are children are taught about family in school, adoption rights, etc... There are a bunch of studies and research (not religiously or politically based) that show how important it is to protect the definition of marriage. Please make sure you understand the issue in fact it is so very much more than it appears on the surface. If you are in California please vote YES on prop. 8.

The debate last night....what a joke! The media is so biased and protective of their candidate. Where were the real issues--the questions were silly. Oh how I wish Mitt Romney would have been our candidate, he could have cleaned up!! I am so sick of the lies on the other side and I'm so tired of our side trying to be "non-partisan." I don't want to compromise with those who would destroy our freedoms. Furthermore, this ridiculous bill that those crooks passed last week is absolutely unbelievable. I could hardly stomach watching those thieves on TV, those wolves who have already ravaged the hen house, in charge of protecting the hen house--I don't get it!! Where are the congressional hearings, why aren't those crooks in prison??? And WHY if this is the biggest crises since the great depression, was that bill loaded with PORK? Boy they're lookin' out for us aren't they? I cannot wait to campaign against that despicable Senator Reid!!

Now, if you haven't decided who to vote for or if you're going to vote at all. Let me just say you must VOTE! If you would like to live in a socialist bordering on communist country, if you don't give a flying fig newton about national security, if you think that paling around with terrorists says nothing about your character, if you don't give a darn about the constitution of the United States, if you think that infanticide is perfectly fine, and if you think that being the president of the US is a great place for on the job training, then I guess you had better vote for Barry! However, if you love this country, if you believe in the constitution and are proud of this nation, if you are proud of the incredible sacrifices and hard work of our military, if you hope to keep our country safe from terrorists (as it has been since 9/11), if you believe that all life is precious from the moment it begins at conception, if you believe in capitalism, if you believe the government needs to get out of the way and let people pursue the American dream without being taxed to death, if you believe in freedom of religion and freedom of speech and all the other freedoms that we now enjoy, then you better vote for JM(thank heavens he had the presence of mind to pick a fabulous running mate)!!!

If we lose this election and we have not done everything we can to influence our friends and neighbors then I guess we get what we deserve.

Now, get out there and do your part. Let's fight for this great nation and the freedoms we have been blessed with.