Happy Day!

McKay has something to tell you!!! .......

(This blessed event actually happened a few weeks ago. My diaper bill has been cut in half. Yay!)

Maren's Growl

Maren is enjoying learning her animals and the sounds they make. Growling was the first animal sound she learned how to make. Now she can do pig, sheep, bird, chicken, cow, snake, and of course lion, tiger, and bear. She's growing up!

At this phase in her life, she growls all the time. She sounds like a little Gremlin.

"The Island" Waterpark

We bought season passes to "the Island" . We've made great memories there this summer. Taylor learned how to swim! McKay and Maren both love the water, but it took some time. With our California sun, it was so nice to cool off once in a while. Grandma B., Ally, Maren, Dad, Tay-Tay, me, McKay (Ally fell down the cement stairs at the water park and seriously bruised her legs and feet! Poor girl. She still had a good time.)

Our Summer Beach Trip

The San Louis Obispo terrain...We camped at El Charro Park.

Taylor on Avila Beach
McKay throwing something
They had this cute little playground area on Avila Beach
Digging at Pismo
Our attempt to get all the kids to look at the camera...this is the best shot we could get.

Too many distractions!

This is what Spencer did the majority of our stay

The wet suit makes boogie boarding ten times more comfy in the cold water!

I wouldn't get in the water. Too cold!

The trip home was quiet.

We all had a great experience. Family time is the best.

Some Info on Proposition 8

Here are the answers to a couple of questions about Proposition 8 - Protect Marriage. You can see that it does nothing to diminish the rights of Gays in any way, it only serves to protect the sacred institution of Marriage as remaining between a man and a woman as god ordained it to be. I encourage every good citizen to get out and VOTE, every vote counts! Make sure your friends also go...This is too important to stand idly by. If you can't vote then you can still voluteer to help at www.protectmarriage.com . I also know they can use more funding for signs and ads so if you can donate please do it. I know that our church has encouraged us to support this cause in every way possible.

There are people attacking the very foundations of Family and Marriage. We cannot let the minority determing the Morals of our nation. It is our duty to do as much as possible to stop them and Vote YES on Proposition 8!


MYTH: Proposition 8 enshrines discrimination in our Constitution.

FACT: Proposition 8 does not discriminate against gays; it simply restores the meaning of marriage and protects it as an essential institution that has benefited mankind since the beginning of time. Every culture in the world understands that marriage is between a man and a woman. Californians from all walks of life and ethnic backgrounds, whether religious or not, agree that marriage is between a man and a woman.

Proposition 8 does not take away any rights from gay and lesbian domestic partners. Gays and lesbians in California can already enjoy all the legal rights and benefits of marriage.

The California Family Code says, "domestic partners shall have all the rights, protections and benefits" of married spouses. There are NO exceptions to this. Proposition 8 will not change that.

MYTH: Allowing gay couples to legally marry does not affect anyone else.

FACT: The narrow decision of the State Supreme Court effectively renders all civil marriage meaningless and will result in tremendous confusion for children.

The state Education Code (§51890) requires that teachers instruct children as young as kindergartners about marriage. If the gay marriage ruling becomes permanent, teachers will have little choice but to teach young children there is no difference between gay marriage and traditional marriage.

We should not accept a court decision that results in public school teachers teaching our kids that gay marriage is acceptable. That is an issue for parents to discuss with their children according to their own values and beliefs. It should not be forced on us against our will.

Protect Marriage --Proposition 8

Get involved! It is so important for us to fight for the right!

Marriage is between a man and a woman!

Here's some info to help you get started:
http://protectmarriage.com/files/myths.pdf



Vote Yes on Proposition 8!


Here's how you can get involved:

1. Donate Funds on Protect Marriage.com
2. Volunteer--which would include anything from putting a "Protect Marriage" sticker on your car to going door to door encouraging families to vote YES on Propostion 8!
3. REGISTER TO VOTE!!!!
4. PRAY to enlighten the minds and encourage hearts of good citizens as they consider the sacred issue of traditional marriage and cast their votes in November.

I plan on helping in any way I can because this is so important to me.

It's a new day...

Just three very short days away! My first born baby is going to start school! I am so excited for her, but we (especially McKay) will miss her. She is so ready.

Although I am terrified to send my child out into the world, I know that children have to go out some time or another. Five years old seems rather young, but she's been taught well at home and church. She'll be a light for all those around her.

We are so happy her Kindergarten experience will only be half-day. I am a fan. We'll post more later...

McKay's Bike Gang

It was so fun to watch McKay with his little biker buddies. They can't get enough.

Blue Willow

Blue Willow by Doris Gates

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is one of the better children's chapter books I have read. First of all, it takes place in the San Joaquin Valley, which is where I grew up. A very tender fairy-tale-ending story that has reminded me to appreciate the simple things in life that matter the most.

Look what I found!

We will be here this month for sure!
It's that time. (and if any of you know a photo studio where you can beat that price, let me know!)

It's potty time!

We bought this really nifty basketball-toilet-seat for McKay for one of his birthday gifts.

(I don't do those mini-toilets. I don't want to deal with cleaning them out. I'd rather change a diaper. Yuck!)

We talked up going to the bathroom on the toilet and wearing "Cars" and "Thomas the Train" underwear.
He gets a piece of candy every time he goes to the bathroom in the toilet.

What more could a three year old boy want? Of course he's potty-trained now! Hallelujah!

So now we've moved on to phase 2: going #2 in the toilet. This is a whole new ballgame. I have bribed him with everything--gummy worms, tootsie pops, riding the go-carts, going to Chuck E. Cheese. Nothing is working.

(In his prayers, he says: "Help me poop in the toilet so I can ride the cars today"....and that's about all his prayers consist of. Something's not working for him)

That "drop" is scary, let me tell you. Taylor had the same problem.

Here's my new plan. I always miss McKay doing his business. He goes in another room to do it or he does it in the early morning or at nap time. So it is so hard to catch him in the act. I think that if I can catch him in the act, I could help him get to the toilet in time. This could work...

Any other ideas?