Bates Pumpkin Farm--Picking "The One"

We've made it a recent family tradition to travel to Bates Nut Farm, that is, Bates Pumpkin Farm to select the most perfect pumpkins to carve and adorn our porch for Halloween.

Aleya had her own ideas about selecting the perfect pumpkins . . . which happened to be squash.

In the end, we picked some exceptional pumpkins, one for each kid, and one GREAT pumpkin for the whole family to enjoy. In case you experienced a pumpkin shortage, wherever you may live, we are sorry to hear it . . . there was no shortage here (see background).

My Turn to Golf!

Christian actually took an extra day off work so he could take me golfing on our neighborhood golf course. It is a beautiful golf course, and actually not very expensive if you schedule your tee time online. I did a fair job, considering I hadn't golfed in 12 years.

You can see our house behind Christian.

We had a fun morning together . . . a much needed date. It's too bad we haven't had a chance to golf here more often. It's in our backyard, for heaven sakes! (our house is in the background)

Snorkeling in San Diego 2009 Was Hit and Miss

Snorkeling this year has been pretty hit and miss. I had "mono" in the summer, which blew our chances to snorkel in June and July. In August we were out of town and school started. In September, I forgot the camera, or to charge the camera, so I don't have evidence of our "good" snorkeling days then. I even taught Amara how to snorkel! But, no pictures of that :0(. By October, the weather and water clarity was hit and miss (and parking was a BEAR!). It was often sunny out at our house, but by the time we reached the beach, the marine layer had creeped onto shore (gray and hazy).


On this day, the marine layer was still an hour off shore and the water was pretty clear, so we had some time for good snorkeling. The camera battery died, though :0(. I wanted to try out our new underwater camera and take pictures of the kids snorkeling underwater. Sadly, no such luck. It was even the first time we tried out our "snorkeling window" for Aleya to see the fish under the surface. It worked really well.

On another day, it took us about 45 minutes to find a park, and by then the marine layer had rolled in. To top off an already frustrating excursion, the water clarity was really poor, Joseph had a panic attack and lost his snorkel, and the kids were freezing.

Angry kids.

After a few minutes, their sad faces turned to smiles again and they began having fun in the sand. However, Aleya thought she should be the one with the mermaid tail, not Joseph!

That's better.

While the kids played on shore, I was able to go snorkeling and get a few pictures, even in the murky water, of some of the garibaldi damselfish which are large orange fish and are very plentiful in La Jolla Cove.

At least my underwater camera worked this time!

4th Grade Roar 'N Snore at the San Diego Wild Animal Park

At our kids' school, the 4th grade attends school off-campus in a part of the Wild Animal Park property. They interact with the Wild Animal Park twice a month. This month, the entire 4th grade participated in a camp at the WAP, called the Roar & Snore.

Christian got to accompany Orrin this year as a chaperone.

Orrin and his buddies, Cameron, Marcus, and Alex.

They ate a nice dinner.

They were visited by animal ambassadors like an owl.

. . . and a crocodile.

Hot cocoa, anyone?

It was a fun overnight adventure to spend with his schoolmates and his dad.

Aleya's Ballet Training

Aleya continues to take dance lessons, like Amara, but is showing more talent and enjoyment in ballet. She's still a little uncoordinated in tap, but we'll work on it more at home. Her new teacher, Miss Cameron, is teaching her good technique and dance skills to help her grow in dance.

A Rainbow Over Our Little Valley

We had an amazing full rainbow today over our little valley in east Escondido, just as the sun was setting.

Scouts-Joseph Earns His 1st Class Rank in Scouts

Joseph is in a community Scout Troop: Troop 668. He also moonlights in the ward 655 Troop.

He earned his 1st Class Rank, finally. We are so proud of him to have worked hard to complete it.


Notice his crutches? He biffed it on a ripstick . . . the hill won. We're lucky it is just a sprain. This didn't stop him from getting here to this awards night to recieve his new rank. We hope Joseph maintains his enthusiasm with Scouting and earns his Eagle.

Joseph's First Temple Trip with the Young Men/Young Women Organizations

Joseph met with the Bishop and received a Temple Recommend so he could attend the San Diego Temple and perform some baptisms for the dead (who did not have a chance to be baptized while they were alive on the earth).

Daniel Mevs, also in the deacons quorum (12 and 13 year-old boys), attended as well.

It's so nice that these boys have made good choices to keep themselves worthy to enter the temple.

Annual Escondido 1st Ward Pinewood Derby/Chili Cookoff

Usually our family goes crazy and makes 4 cars to race in our annual ward Pinewood Derby/Chili cookoff. We usually place in the top 6 and the past two years we won 1st and 2nd place (Amara's car, both times). I usually enter my chicken chili in the contest as well. This year, I just wasn't feelin' it. Nope. We just dusted off our old cars and called it good. I think I made chili, but I didn't even get honorable mention. At least I didn't bring canned chili. :0)

Joseph had much better luck this time around with last year's car.

He ended up getting 3rd place, or something like that. He devoured his winnings before we even reached home.

We had a fun time, anyway. Amara even brought her neighbor friend, Lea, along for the fun.

Aleya had the most fun of all . . . racing her own car for the very first time.

7th Grade Back-to-School Party

Joseph's good friend, Griffin, hosted a 7th Grade Back-to-School party at their newly completed home. Their previous home was burned down by the fires 2 years ago.

Griffin's dad manned the BBQ.

The kids enjoyed swimming, jumping off the diving board, and EATING!

These are Joseph's good friends, Kyle and Griffin.

The diving board was a hit!

Griffin was sure getting a lot of bonus points with this party! I think he'll move up in the popularity rankings.

Griffin's mom, Errin, was so totally awesome to do this for the whole grade. She's amazing, and my idol.

They enjoyed a gorgeous sunset as the party continued into the evening. Joseph spent the night at Griffins, even after the party ended. It was a FANTASTIC party and a terrific memory for Joseph.