Kaylee and I went on a 'field trip' to the Santa Rosa Plateau right by our new home in La Cresta on Saturday.  Here's some pics.  We saw a gray fox, a young groundhog, an awesome tortoise, plus a few more animals.  Then we walked around the Visitor's Center where nice older docents taught her about scat and other interesting facts about animals.  (Yes, these are just plastic poop!)  She had more fun talking with the docents because they gave her soooo much attention.  It was a fun day for Kaylee.

Halloween 2008

Caden went to the stake dance as a king and at Kaylee's school party, she was Lady Guenivere. 

We will be doing something a little different this year for Halloween night tonight - instead of trick-or-treating, we are going to watch a few Halloween movies in our new house.  It is completely empty, except for the TV and some chairs for watching TV.  We'll bring up food and have lots of fun.  Probably turn out all the lights and play some spooky hide and seek in the dark.  I figure there is less chance of harm to people and to my furniture if the house is empty when we do this.  

And to all of you - Have a Happy and Safe Halloween!

Caden's Crazy Hair Day at School.  Cute, huh?  

Kaylee's Hip Hop Dance from a while back.  I promised I'd put it on and I'm finally able to do it.  Enjoy!

Caden put on his CEC shirt and played electrician.  (Actually, it was totally coincidental that Caden was wearing this shirt! - He didn't even know he'd be hanging a light that day!)  Sooo- if the light on the left side of the island stops working - it's Caden's fault!   ha ha

Not my best picture, but PROOF that I don't just tell people what to do all day - I actually aged all the painted cabinets in the house myself.  I'll update with the finished cabinets next week.  Yay me!

Some of you have asked for more pics of the house progress. Soooo - It's getting closer.  The Italian tile is AWESOME!  Couldn't be more pleased with the look.  The courtyard will be center stage in the house and I can't wait until it gets the brick laid next week.  The copper gutters will dull and bronze and not look so dang bright.  Nothing like trying to build a house that looks old and put bright copper all over it.  Unfortunately, it will take about 6 months, so I guess we have alot of landscaping, etc. to do in that time anyway before it will really look completed.  Move in date....Halloween?

School Pictures 2008

Caden and Kaylee started at Santa Rosa Academy Charter School this year.

Caden attends a full day of school once a week, which is new for Caden... he's never been to a full day of school considering he was homeschooled since Kindergarden.  We took his picture on his 1st day of school - literally - his 1st day of school!  LOL.

Caden is in 9th grade this year, a high schooler - can you believe it?  Kaylee is in 4th grade.  Both are doing well this year and thriving in the new program.  Kaylee is having to show more integrity in her work and seems to want good grades more than ever before - which is great!  Her math skills are improving and she is looking forward to the 5 day a week program.  Caden is getting A's and impressing the teachers.  This is a great program for him to start preparing for college work and one of his periods is a college prep course.  By 11th grade, he hopes to be in the 5 day a week program, if his gymnastics program isn't too demanding.

Kaylee's 9th Birthday Party

Pond party for the bday with a Camp Rock theme.  The kids did sing along performances.  They actually had alot more fun than it looks like they are having.  Obviously, there was way too much blue die in the cake frosting.  Yikes!

Newport Beach, Labor Day 2008

We take an annual trip to the Marriott in Newport for Labor Day.  Caden and Kaylee are messing around in the pool here and having a blast being in water without moss and fish!  There's something wonderful about chlorine clean pools after a summer of pond water!

Lucy & Bella are our Yorkie babies - okay, they are not babies any more, as they are about 1 1/2 years old, but they are so tiny, we think of them as babies.  Lucy is on the left and only weighs 4 pounds, while Bella, on the right, is more like 5 pounds and longer than little Lucy.  Aren't they just adorable?  

Recent Baptisms from the Morgan Missionaries!  It's good to know they are away from home for a good reason!  And according to the boys - it doesn't get better than Baptisms!!! 

Elder Kyle and the Fat Cat!  Whoa!

More pics of Elder Chris after the hurricane in Houston!

Elder Chris made it through a Hurricane!

The "Mormon Helping Hands" t-shirts were worn by all the missionaries and other members in the cleanup efforts.  Chris said that batteries are really important in a disaster where you lose power and remember that cell phones only work for a day or 2 without being charged.  

Angolo Di Toscana...   

Our "Piece of Tuscany"

Yes - we're building a home in the hills of Murrieta and it's getting closer to completion.  We're looking at an October move in.  

It's been fun building again and we've loved the building process.  They started shower tile and paint this week and cabinets go in next week, so it's moving along.  

For those who haven't seen it yet, this is our "Pond".  We finally finished the landscaping and are waiting for it to grow in, but are pleased with the overall look.  We have many great days here and it is our little Oasis.  

Caden is fishing on the bridge in this picture. The pond is stocked with bass, bluegill, and catfish (although I've never seen a catfish since they were first put in).  I've offered $20 to the first catfish caught and still no winners.  

We play often and just enjoyed a wonderful family/friend campout at the pond over 4th of July with many good memories made.  

We open the pond to friends, neighbors, church members every Tuesday at our Pond Day and love to share it with others and watch them enjoy themselves here.  

Dusk is probably our favorite time of day here.  Very peaceful, cooling off.  We turn off the waterfalls and just sit back and relax on a chair and feel lucky to be there.  

Elder Kyle Morgan - Colorado Springs, Colorado Mission

Elder Kyle has been out now for 17 months and is due to be released in January.  Yeah!  I've decided that 2 years is a heck of a long time.  He loved the cold winter and loves working with the people of Colorado and Kansas.  He has been in areas of Kansas for the last few months and seems to like working in the little towns much better than the big city.  

Elder Chris loved working in the "ghetto"! He was there for 3 transfers and loved sending home 'sketchy' photos to freak out his mother.  

He found some great investigators there and loved the people.

He has now been transferred to College Station which is like hitting the jackpot!  College Kids!!!!