Halloween Costumes

Hannah Montana, Superman and a Puppy

A Baby Announcement

On Saturday I read the book "I'm a Big Brother" to Christopher. Christopher is going to be a big brother in about a month.

We have been dusting off Emma's baby clothes and preparing to adopt a baby girl due some time between November 30 and December 5. This was not planned, but we are looking forward to loving this little girl and welcoming her into our family.

Adoption has changed our lives in more ways than just bringing children into our family. I have learned so much from adoption. I have learned to be a better person by opening my heart to so many people that I would never have known without this journey. I have learned to put my trust in God. I have learned that His plan is not always my plan. I have learned to be patient (well, maybe I'm still learning that one). Mostly I have learned that love has no boundaries.

SnOw CoMmEnTs

"Incredible"

"I've been waiting and waiting for the snow to come."

"Oh good. That means Christmas is almost here."

"Are you kidding me?" (That one was mine and it came along with a list flashing through my head of everything I still need to get done before December.)

Disneyland - A photo journal

Caught "A Bugs Life" show














Spent a day at the beach













Celebrated the birthday of a 7-YEAR OLD



























Met up with some neighborhood friends

























Enjoyed being together as a family

Enjoyed the rides
















Played until we dropped

A Lesson in Preparedness

At some point in my life I had to write a paper about the things I would take if my house were on fire. Didn't we all have to write an essay about something along those terrifying lines? I never fully expected to have to carry out the exercise. On Sunday night the mountain behind our neighborhood caught on fire. You may have heard about it, but if you haven't click here.

Many families were evacuated from their homes while the fire burned behind us. Since our home is very close to the early evacuation areas we packed some things. I decided that if I were to rewrite that essay from a long time ago, I would put the things I would take into 3 categories.

1. Family safety/survival. After making sure the kids were safe and sound at the neighbor's house watching a movie and eating popcorn, I grabbed the 72 hour kits and packed overnight bags with a change of clothes.

2. Important documents. This includes birth certificates, social security cards, life insurance information, wills, bank account information etc. Many of the important information items we need are on our computer, so we took our computer hard drive with us.

3. Irreplaceable items. I made sure I packed all pictures and the sentimental boxes I have put together for each of my kids.

We never did get evacuated and I unpacked the van yesterday. Three families in our city lost their homes and many others are cleaning up from fire related damage. I'm still in shock when I look at the black mountain.

I learned a few things about my own preparedness and would do things a little differently next time.I took this picture off the KSL website. This was the view from Draper. Our house is right below that mountain.

Not quite Disneyland...

But Prettttttty Close.

Christmas Wish List

I'm thinking ahead today, so I asked Nathan what he would like for Christmas. He thought hard before spouting off this list...

2 Glasses (blue)
Gumballs
My own swing
My own special wallet
My own computer
My own music box (No pink. I hate pink)
My own camera
My own toy house
My own GameCube

Santa is going to need to get B-U-S-Y

Nathan at his first dentist appointment earlier this week. He did great!