Meet Our New Pet

Yep, this is him, or her! Well, let's just say he's our pet for now! Robbie found this cute and cuddly guy traveling, ever-so-slowly, across the street and a couple of houses down, the other day. He came running back towards the house shouting, "hey Mom, I found a turtle, I found a turtle!!" We all looked over and see him barely being able to lift up this HUGE Tortoise up to his chest! Whoa!
Well, we still have the tortoise! After putting up, "Lost Tortoise" signs around the neighborhood and having not heard from anyone as of yet, he's staying for now! Add him to the list of odd pets at our house! We currently have one of the two snakes we hauled back from Utah this summer, (one escaped and we believe it is currently having a vacation in the backyard), lizards, 2 dwarf frogs and a myriad of insects and creeping things that have short life spans, (thank goodness!). I am often puzzled that I have such creature-loving children. I was (and still am!) the exact opposite! Hmmmm... ?
Robbie feeding the little guy lunch. Delicious! He's a great pet so far, appears to be healthy and is very quiet! My kind of animal!

Please Enjoy Your Flight!

Robert and I decided to surprise the kids, very last minute, and have them go up in the jet with dad on Saturday. They had been inside the jet and have seen Robert take off and land in Provo this summer while we were visiting GrandB and Grandpa, but never had flown in it! The jet had been in Long Beach for the week for required and scheduled maintanance and was to be flown to Van Nuys, where it is hangared. Alex, our friend, who is the "Captain" (1st pilot), gave the go-ahead to let the 3 older kids along for the ride! Yes, I was a bit nervous at first, but they were so excited when we drove up to the airport, had them sit inside the jet, then tell them the news!Robbie "helped" Dad do all the pre-flight checks and arrangements. He was on cloud nine, need I say more?
The girls kicked back and prepared for the ride! Averie was so excited to be with the big kids! I was relieved when we said our good-byes. She didn't realize that she wasn't going to be able to go, or what she was missing for that matter! She and I were the caravan patrol, driving to VanNuys to pick up the crew and take us all home!

Robbie's dream come true... if only he could REALLY fly it!!
Needless to say, Robert and the kids beat us to VanNuys airport. They had such a great experience! Robert and Alex gave a "narrated tour" of the sites as they flew over them. Definitely a trip they won't forget for a long time! What a fantastic flight!!

Happy Halloween... Disneyland Style

Okay, So actually, I should have said, "California Adventure Style", because these pictures were actually taken at California Adventure, before we ventured over to Disneyland. Friday morning Robert asked "what are we doing tonight?" and out it came, "We're going to Disneyland!" Yes, rather off-the-cuff, I realize, but we actually had the late afternoon/evening free, so what a great opportunity to check out the Halloween festivities and decor at our favorite place! So that afternoon we took off for a family outing!
Posing with the family in front of the GIANT candy corn!
Natalie asked, "Mom, where do they store all these decorations when Halloween is over? Good question, I might add! They go all out for every holiday, especially Halloween and Christmas. She and the other kids had been griping and complaining earlier in the week that we just "don't have enough Halloween decorations". I had responded that I didn't want to store any more extra stuff than we already have for Halloween! They DO listen!
When I came a couple of weeks ago with the kids, sans camera, I thought of putting Nat and Robbie up in their initials for some fun pictures! We got some great ones! For those of you unfortunate souls yet to experience California Adventure Park, right outside the gates are the hugest letters spelling out "California". Demerie really wished they had the letter "D"!
We had a wonderful time and stayed out much too late, but it was well worth it!

Baptism Day!

Natalie was baptized today! It was especially neat to share the day with cousin Delanie! Natalie was excited to be baptized on the same day as her cousin and it made for a fun family affair! She is wearing the same dress I wore when I was baptized!
Daddy and Uncle Albert posed with the girls before the big event!






GrandB and Grandpa Barson came down from Utah and stayed for the week. Grandma & Grandpa Salerno were both there for the big day as well! We were so lucky to have them and Whitacres, Salernos and Grandma Annie! We had a delicious dinner after the baptism with our families and enjoyed each other's company!

Natalie, we are so proud of you and love you so much! What a wonderful decision you have made to chose to get baptized and follow Jesus Christ's example! We are so blessed to have you in our family!
We Love You Natalie!

Meet my "Mr. Fix-It" Guy

You know how every once in a while you are especially grateful for marrying the man you married? (This actually happens more than every once and a while...) Well, let me tell you just how appreciative I am for my honey who is a master at the "Honey-do" lists. It has been amazing to watch him fix the myriads of appliances and items around the house that have decided to call it quits these past couple of months. Something about living in our house for 11 and a half years and the word got out that it was time for the microwave, dryer AND washing machine, (within 4 weeks of each other... and we all know we can't live without these items for a second) garbage disposal, three front yard sprinklers, need I go on, to up and quit! You name it, he can fix it. I am SO happy I married such a Handy Man! Thank You, Honey! I love you!

Averie's Impromptu Birthday Party

Well, I must be honest, I somehow kind of forgot that little Averie was going to be turning 2 until the day before her birthday! True confessions here! I mean, I knew she was turning 2 on Sept. 14th, but she didn't keep reminding me or anyone for that matter because she can only jibber-jabber in her cute Averie language. So, consequently, it didn't make it on my to-do list! We called up the Salerno cousins and had them meet us at the park by our house to have cake and presents. Averie was very excited to open her presents and eat some yummy Texas Sheet cake!
Happy 2nd Birthday Averie!! We love you!