So I had another birthday this week and it kind of stunk because I had the flu, and sick as I was I still had to take care of two little girls who also had the flu. Yea birthdays! But as bad as my day was, there are others who had it worse. So to cheer my self up here is a list of other people who had a worse December 18th than I did :)

People Who Died on December 18th (various years)

• 2006 - Shaukat Siddiqui, Pakistani author, journalist and political activist
• 2006 - Mike Dickin, British radio broadcaster
• 2006 - Ruth Bernhard, American photographer (1905)
• 2006 - Joseph Barbera, American cartoonist
• 2005 - Alan Voorhees, American engineer and urban planner
• 2004 - Anthony Sampson, British journalist and biographer
• 2002 - Wayne Owens, former U.S. Congressman (D-UT)
• 2002 - Ray Hnatyshyn, Governor-General of Canada
• 2001 - Dimitris Dragatakis, Greek composer
• 2001 - Gilbert Bécaud, French singer
• 2000 - Kirsty MacColl, British singer and songwriter
• 1999 - Robert Bresson, French film director
• 1998 - Lev Demin, cosmonaut
• 1997 - Chris Farley, American actor and comedian
• 1996 - Yulii Borisovich Khariton, Russian physicist
• 1995 - Konrad Zuse, German engineer and computing pioneer
• 1994 - Roger Apéry, Greek-French mathematician
• 1993 - Charizma, hip-hop artist
• 1993 - Sam Wanamaker, American actor
• 1992 - Mark Goodson, American game show producer
• 1991 - George Abecassis, British Formula 1 driver
• 1990 - Anne Revere, American actress
• 1990 - Paul Tortelier, French cellist and composer
• 1987 - Konrad "Conny" Plank, German record producer and musician
• 1985 - Xuân Diệu, Vietnamese poet
• 1982 - Hans-Ulrich Rudel, German pilot
• 1980 - Alexei Kosygin, Premier of the USSR
• 1975 - Theodosius Dobzhansky, Ukrainian geneticist
• 1974 - Harry Hooper, American baseball player
• 1973 - Allama Rasheed Turabi, Pakistani scholar, orator and philosopher
• 1971 - Diana Lynn, American actress
• 1971 - Bobby Jones, American golfer
• 1966 - Tara Browne, British socialite
• 1936 - Andrija Mohorovičić, Austro-Hungarian-born Yugoslav seismologist
• 1880 - Michel Chasles, French mathematician
• 1869 - Louis Moreau Gottschalk, American composer and pianist
• 1848 - Bernard Bolzano, Bohemian mathematician and philosopher
• 1843 - Thomas Graham, Lord Lynedoch, British Viceroy of India
• 1803 - Johann Gottfried Herder, German writer
• 1799 - Jean-Étienne Montucla, French mathematician
• 1787 - Soame Jenyns, English writer
• 1787 - Francis William Drake, British Admiral and Governor of Newfoundland
• 1737 - Antonio Stradivari, Italian violin maker
• 1692 - Veit Ludwig von Seckendorff, German statesman
• 1495 - King Alphonso II of Naples
• 1442 - Pierre Cauchon, French Catholic bishop
• 1290 - King Magnus I of Sweden
• 1133 - Hildebert, French writer
• 821 - Theodulf, Bishop of Orléans

Funny Santa

Santa came to Nyah's preschool party last week and left us with yet another reason why he should lay off some of the Christmas cookies...



Ya ya Santa, I said I wanted a kitty, can we just leave it as that?

Santa was a talker, he explained to the preschool class everything from outsourcing (China and lead paint) to the unfortunate effects of underproduction (sorry kids, you don't all get Nintendo Wiis). Santa was really nice and the kids were all glad he came, though most had no clue what he was talking about :)

Sade's First Dance Class!

After watching Nyah's dance recital, Sade decided that she was anxious to join dance class as well. I wasn't sure how well Sade could pay attention so I was excited that Amber allowed her to try out one of the classes. Sade LOVED it and except for two very small instances payed very close attention to everything Amber said.

This is one of th videos I recorded of her in that first class (she is the short one in the pink!)

Just a side note, the TV noise you can hear in the background is a report on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints as it relates to the current Presidential race.
(I just thought it was funny)

December Recital

Last night was Nyah's December dance recital. Nyah danced to a song from the Nightmare Before Christmas movie and the dancers were instructed to wear their Halloween costumes. We decided to dress Nyah up as a doll at the last minuet, because her Sleeping Beauty costume is too big to dance in. I drew an exaggerated doll mouth with lipstick and eyelashes with liquid liner; she looked beautiful! As we were heading out the door I let her wear some perfume just for fun and got it in her eye. Nyah cried of course (poor girl) and her makeup ran all over her face. I felt so bad for her but we got her cleaned up and out the door.

I promised Jeremy I would tape the whole show because he was away taking a final. During the performance before Nyah's, my video tape ended (ahhh) I quickly stopped the tape, rewound it over some earlier footage and had to tape over it all to get Nyah's dance. It was kind of sad but I did get all of Nyah's performance so Jeremy doesn't have to miss out. Also thanks to Gordon, Cherryl, and Kyle for coming, Nyah had a nice audience supporting her, so everything turned out :)

Makenna, Nyah, Lacey, and Mia

Sade with Grandma (she was such a Grandma's girl)

Escaped Again!

So, most of you know that Jeremy goes to school full time at CSUN and works for Countrywide. Jeremy is up every morning at 4:30 am and dosen't come home till 10pm or later Monday through Thursday. Fridays he has a break from school only to get him ready for school on Saturday where he is away for another five hours. Saturday night he plays soccer (his stress outlet for the week) and Sunday he is almost always at meetings and subbing last minuet for teachers that don't show up (it is not his calling to sub, he just does it).
Now the semester is wrapping up and Jeremy has finals this week and next, so I guess it goes with out saying that things have been chaotic for my poor husband. In the midst of all of this Countrywide just experienced ANOTHER huge round of layoffs (the fourth in about six months) and once again Jeremy has escaped. Not only is this such a blessing but of all the people working above, below or anywhere around him, he is the ONLY one to stay in the same position through it all. We truly feel watched over and I just wanted to say how grateful I am to my sweet husband who never complains and if anything has only become more dedicated in ALL that he does over these last five years. I love you Jeremy!

Studying for Finals

Life has many sweet moments but this is one of my favorites, when the home is quiet and Nyah and Sade are happily playing together.

Today at Dance Class

We went to Nyah's dance class today and I had a lot of fun shooting the class as well as some of our friends! Our outdated (seriously first edition) digital camera has finally been replaced;
hurray for creative freedom!!!


The class in masks, practicing for the big dance recital.


Beautiful Leila !


Sade and Mia. I had to shoot this picture with out the flash to get this effect and I forgot to change the ISO, setting which is why it isn't quite as sharp as I would have liked.
Oh well, it is more of an editorial shot anyway.
BTW: the terrible twos have struck...watch out for Sade.


I LOVE this picture, it reminds me of an impressionist painting
(only better)

Dance Dance Dance

Nyah and Sade LOVE Hanna Montana. On the Disney channel they play Hanna Montana music videos and the girls get really into them, as you can see :) !!!

Talking with Nyah yesterday she tells me, "Mom when I grow up I want to be a singer and movie star", Sade (not to be overlooked) then proclaims, "when I grow up I am going to be a Puppy!"

Today Sade has apparently changed her mind because she said, "Mom I think I am going to be a movie star like Nyah"

When Nyah started talking at 10 months I knew I was in for it, but Sade does not want to be out done and at barley 2 years old her thoughts are not only clear but emotionally deep as well. Yesterday for example when meeting up with one of my old friends, Sade turns to Nyah and says (in a soothing tone), "Nyah you talk to Alicia, don't be shy Nyah, ok?!"

Nyah has always looked out for her little sister and now Sade is returning the sentiment, I love it!

I found this quiz called "You or Your Man" and thought it would be fun to fill out and post. Here goes...

1. Who said "I love you" first? I did, thankfully Jeremy said it back :)

2. Who's older? Jeremy

3. Who weighs more? Jeremy. I am not sure why but back when I was 16 I vowed that I would never date a guy who weighed less than me or who can fit into my jeans. So it really makes me laugh now when I see all these junior high and young high school boys with chicken legs wearing skinny jeans; it just dosen't seem right somehow.

4. Who sings better? Jeremy, he is a GREAT singer. I need other people or music to stay on key and even then I am probably still only on key in my own mind :) but I love to sing anyway.

5. Who talks more? I do, unfortunately Jeremy doesn't always hear me because he has fallen asleep. He says my voice is soothing, so much so that he has woken me up on many occasions when he couldn't sleep to have me talk to him. This of course always leaves me wide awake in my thoughts with Jeremy dreaming happily next to me.

6. Who's smarter? Who came up with these questions anyway? I think we are pretty equal. Jeremy knows all the good practical stuff and I tend to know a lot of miscellaneous information. We really are perfect compliments to each other.

7. Who's temper is worse? I can argue this one both ways so I am not sure. Initially I quickly answered “me” but I don’t get angry as much as I just feel overwhelmed. Jeremy doesn’t have much of a temper but he does get pretty frustrated watching sporting events and anytime his soccer team loses…so ya, tough call. :)

8. Who does the laundry? We both do

9. Who does the dishes? I do, but Jeremy does them too when he is home

10. Who is more organized? Both, in different ways. Jeremy is so organized with his time; he can juggle a million different appointments and be on time and prepared to each one. (I would be late to half and forget the other half) I am organized with tangible things: my car our apartment, etc. I love organizing (I know I am weird) and I have a place for everything.

11. Who has more cloths? Jeremy (ha! You all thought it would be me didn’t you?!) I would have more but having 2 kids in the last 5 years has put me in every size imaginable. So, counting only the cloths that are my current size, Jeremy has more.

12. Who has more pairs of shoes? I do…ya that was predictable.

13. Who's better with the computer? I am but Jeremy learns quickly.

14. Who mows the lawn? If we had a lawn I think we both would.

15. Who pays the bills? I do. I got my first bank account when I was 10, so keeping track of our budget and paying the bills was a kind of natural progression. (Plus this kind of relates to my organization issue)

16. Who cooks dinner? I do during the week, but Jeremy really enjoys cooking on the weekends. Jeremy keeps saying that cooking is one of the things he looks forward to doing more of once he is finished with school…I have no objections. Did I get lucky in marriage or what?!

17. Who pays when you go out to dinner? Jeremy does (after he asks me which account has enough money in it :) it’s all about teamwork)

18. Who's the most stubborn? I am

19. Who is the first one to admit when they're wrong? We both apologize quickly, but I speak out more and therefore have to apologize more often.

20. Who's parents do you see more? I go to my parents house a bit more with just myself and the kids but as a family visit Jeremy’s parents more often.

21. Who is more rebellious? Ha, wouldn't you like to know! What I don't say won't hurt me in a court of law...just kidding!!!

22. Who kissed who first? Jeremy kissed me first. It was a great day

23. Who asked who out? Jeremy asked me out to Winter Formal about 10 minuets after I said “yes” to someone else. It took a little clever maneuvering but I was able to go with Jeremy and a friend covered for me on my earlier invitation.

24. What did you do for your first date? We went out to dinner…I don’t remember much about the date, but I kept a journal so I guess I need to go back and read it.

25. Who's more sensitive? Hum, that is a good one. Neither of us gets our feelings hurt or offended very easily, I like that.

26. Who's taller? Jeremy, which is great because I love shoes!

27. Who is more athletic? Jeremy, I would not even try to compete on this one.

28. Who has more siblings? Jeremy (6 to 3, he wins)

29. Who wears the pants in the relationship? We share the pants…dang that totally undoes my answer to #3! :)

Trick-or-Treating 2007

The girls had so much fun Trick-or-Treating this year. Our first stop was to my parents house to show off their costumes and to knock on their first door.

Then we went on over to visit Grandma Cherryl and Kyle (this year Poppy Gordon was out of town). We go trick-or-treating around their neighborhood every year. This year Grandma Cherryl walked the girls around the neighborhood so it was extra fun.

Nyah and Sade each did their own pumpkins this year.
Both colored the face and I cut it out,
this is Nyah's pumpkin
and this is Sade's pumpkin !!!

Halloween Decorations 2007

Pumpkin carving

"The Green Dragon"

Castaic Ward Trunk-or-Treating

Our ward Halloween Party was this last Friday. We thought this year we would be different and instead of Jeremy signing up to make chili I signed up for the trunk decorating . I didn't think out my volentering all the way through though because after decorating our apartment I was pretty burned out. I procrastinated till the night before the party to figure out what I was going to do. Thankfully it all worked out and our trunk was nicely decorated in time...next year though you can count on Jeremy making chili. :)

This is our finished trunk, it is a bit hard to tell but the large front window was lit up. We also had small flashing lights near the pumpkin wall and great sound effects running through our car speakers of wind, organ music and all that good scary stuff!

Kristy with the Pumpkin Princess and Sleeping Beauty

We had a great turn out. Our ward is huge so it was a lot of fun.

Ashly and Jet (mini Chuck Liddell) Ricks

Sade & Nyah had so much fun.

Sade hanging out with Leila & Shane Wallace

Nyah's Lombardi Ranch Field Trip

On October 11th, Nyah's pre-school class went on a field trip to Lombardi Ranch. Kristy wasn't feeling well and I had some vacation time available, so I took the day off to be with my girls. The girls were extremely excited, when they woke up to find that I was home. For Nyah's field trip, all the parents were asked to come and the parents were allowed to bring any siblings, so Sade joined Nyah and I on our trip to the pumpkin patch.

We had a great time! It was fun for me to see Nyah interacting with the kids in her class. I've always been a little concerned because Nyah can be a shy little girl, but she really enjoys playing with the other kids and making friends.

We learned all about the animals on the ranch and the different types of vegetables that they grow there. I thought it was kind of funny that the tour guide kept pointing out what parts of the animals you can eat, but Nyah and the other kids seemed to enjoy it.

They had (emphasis on the past tense, I'll explain later on) all different types of activities to do. There were different things for the kids to explore and crawl around on/in, different photo opportunities, a tractor train ride through the corn field, and even a petting zoo. We had only paid for Nyah to go into the petting zoo with her class, but when she got scared and began crying Sade and I were able to join her (Lucky for us). There are times when Nyah feeds off of her littles sister's bravery and this was definitely one of those moments. When Sade and I went into the petting zoo, Sade didn't even flinch. She ran straight to the goats and started petting away. From that point on Nyah had a good time petting the different types of animals. When we got back home and Nyah told her mom about the trip, Nyah insisted that the only reason she cried in the petting zoo was because there were so many animals that she couldn't decide which one to pet first.

I think both of the girls most enjoyed the tractor train ride through the corn fields. Nyah went for a ride with the other kids in her class, and I felt bad for Sade, so I bought tickets so she and I could go for a ride as well. Sade kept pointing out every scarecrow that we went past.

Unfortunately, Lombardi's ranch is located back in Bouquet Canyon and was affected by the recent fires. Though there were rumors that the ranch had burned completely to the ground, I saw a news report last week showing that the ranch was indeed largely affected by the fires (including one of the Lombardi family members losing a home) but the ranch is still open for business. They lost a number of the large props, included the old fire truck (my personal favorite from my childhood). However, as they said on the news report, they still have plenty of beautiful pumpkins and are still open for business. They reported on the news that the Lombardi family will be holding a meeting after Thanksgiving to decide whether to open the patch again next year or shut down for good. I know that the majority of our community is hoping to be able to go back again next year.

I don't mean to overload anyone with pictures, but I took so many that I just have to share. Here are some pictures from Nyah's field trip:

Nyah and I getting ready to leave.

Nyah & Sade (Sade insisted on bring her purse with her. She's such a girl!)

Nyah on the train ride

Sade on the train ride. Going into the corn and sunflower fields.

We stayed and played after the field trip ended.


Even in the middle of a field trip Nyah can't resist posing for a picture.

This is one of my favorite pictures of Sade, even though she does still have a milk mustache left over from her breakfast. :)

At the end of the field trip all the kids got to pick a pumpkin.

Our Halloween Party

I know that this is a little late coming but here they are, some of the pictures from our annual Halloween party. This year we didn't go with an obvious "theme" like we have before. I just made a little forest with trees and a few other Halloweenish accents. The girls helped me out a lot by coloring many of the decorations, I loved the result. (I will post more detailed pic's of the decorations a little later). For now here are some fun pictures from the party...

This is the view walking in the front door.
This year we expanded! Amber & Keenan were kind enough to open up their apartment to the party as well. We are true next door neighbors so we had a two apartment party with a gated off hallway in between (to keep kids from falling down the stairs). This is the pumpkin painting craft that Amber did for the kids at her place.

It is tradition; this is the fourth year of our Halloween party and the party rules clearly state that a pinata must be present!
It is always a big hit (ha ha ha, Dad joke... my dad would be so proud!)

Waiting for a turn.

Sade stepping up to swing (doesn't she make the cutest pumpkin?!)

The kids :)

More fire info...

Throughout the day Kristy and I have been closely monitoring the Canyon Country and Castaic fires. Our little apartment sits right between both of them. Today we've seen the Castaic fire burn through Hasley Canyon and creep over the hills in our direction (even though the smoke plumes have been blowing the opposite way).

We got tired of sitting in our apartment and tried to go into town to run a few errands, but before we even got out of Castaic the air quality went from good to horrible, so we turned around and came back.

Here are some of the images that we've captured throughout the days:

This is the Castaic Fire burning in Hasley Canyon

Helicopter filling up a bucket at the Castaic Lagoon

Helicopter filling up at lake Castaic (taken from Lake Hughes Rd.)

Sunset over lake Castaic (Taken from Lake Hughes Rd.)

A hot spot from the Canyon Country fire moving toward Castaic (Taken from Lake Hughes Rd.). By my estimate this is about 15 -20 miles NE of our apartment. Kristy, Nyah, Sade and I watched a number of hot spots light up in this area in just 15 minutes. Considering that the Canyon Country fire moved from Agua Dulce to Canyon Country (20 miles) in one hour, this is the fire that I'm keeping a close eye on. If it burns over these hills and through these canyons then the strip of apartment complexes that we live in will be on the front line.


Two "Super Scoopers" filling up at lake Castaic for a drop on the Stevenson Ranch fire.

Stevenson Ranch fire from Lake Hughes Rd., above lake Castaic (about 6:00pm)


Panoramic picture of Canyon Country, Stevenson Ranch and Castaic fires at sunset (Double click on the image for a larger picture)

Southern California is burning!!!

We're surrounded by two major fires at the moment. I took Kristy and the girls up the old Ridge Route highway and did a little off-roading to get this panoramic. There is about a 180 degree rotation between the first and last picture. The plume of smoke to the left is the Agua Dulce fire. It's currently split into to fires; one headed toward Canyon Country and the other headed toward the Bouquet/Texas Canyon area. The plume of smoke to the right is the Castaic/Piru fire, which is currently burning away from us toward the small town of Piru. There are currently other fires going on in San Diego (2), and Malibu. As of this moment, they've all burned a large amount of acreage (Malibu/2000, Castaic/1500, Agua Dulce/500, Witch Creek/3000, Portrero/2500). The Malibu fire is currently receiving the most attention because it's the biggest threat to homes. Though this is definitely a moment to be concerned and praying for those who have been affected, and those who are threatened by the fires; I can't help but laugh at the fire reports that Nyah is giving us. She is continually going to her bedroom window and reporting to us on which way the wind is blowing the smoke.