Some things I am thankful for ...

1. Paul - Because he is the love of my life and I get to be with him for eternity.
2. My Kiddies (that's children, not kittens) - Because if anyone can give Paul a run for his money on having my heart, it's the three little stinks that I raise - Jason, Bella, and Jonah.
3. God - Because He gave me 1 and 2.
4. My Savior - Because He got me through the tough times so I could enjoy 1 & 2.
5. Family - Because when everything else goes to crap, my family still has my back.
6. Food - Because life is too short to not enjoy really amazing, Zagat rating of 30, melt in your mouth, to die for kind of food.
7. Shoes - Because no matter how ugly I feel elsewhere on my body, my size 5.5 feet will always look sassy in a pair of killer heels.
8. Friends - Because with true friends, time and distance know no bounds.
9. 5-Star Hotels - Because they exist.
10. My Home - Because it always feels good here.

What can you get for $250?

These gorgeous shoes ...

A night out for sushi ...

A fancy hairdo ...

About 3 tanks of gas ...
And this ... my new piano!!!  Yay for Craig's List.  I found this baby on there last week and now it is living in my home!!!  Thanks to all our strong workers who helped move this for me.  You're the best.  :)

WE'RE HOME ....

... and our house is still standing.  YAY!

More news ...

The fire is now 40% contained.  Over 200 homes have been destroyed or damaged.  Thankfully, our home has survived and we just received word that the evacuation order for our neighborhood has been lifted.  Assuming nothing changes, we will return to SB tomorrow afternoon.  

Tea Fire Update

So many of you have probably heard by now that Santa Barbara is in a state of emergency due to the Tea Fire which broke out last night right before 6 pm.  We first saw the fire at 6:30 last night as we were leaving dinner in Montecito.  We could tell it was close to our home so we rushed home, packed our stuff, and headed to Paul's parents' home in O.C.  We left just in time because our home lost power and then went under mandatory evacuation sometime during the middle of the night.  We are now just waiting and watching and praying our house will be safe.  The fire has grown to over 2500 acres and has burned over 100 homes.  We have several ward members/friends who live right where it started, and I hope they didn't lose their homes last night.  I will keep posting here as I have more info. 

I'm having a love affair ...

... with the seasonal pumpkin bread and muffin mix from Trader Joes.  Throw a cup of your favorite chocolate chips in there (I prefer Ghiradelli's dark chocolate chips) and you have an Autumnal treat to die for.  I made some last night and I've already eaten half the loaf ... BY MYSELF!

Goodnight, Moonie

This afternoon, Bella saw the moon in the sunny blue sky and said to the moon, "Why are you awake moonie?  You need to go back to bed."

She makes my day.

Halloween

Here are some shots of our Utah Halloween.

I was a little old lady ...

... and Paul was my yard gnome.

Rachel and Matt raided my parents dress ups and came out looking

 like this ... SCARY!

Bella was a cheerleader ... 

... and Jonah was a BYU football player. 

 Unfortunately, I don't have any pics of J in his "Blade Slayer" costume because he was running around with the neighborhood kids all day and all night long.  Needless to say, he came back with enough candy to last the rest of the year.

Cornbelly's Corn Maze Contributes to a Cacophony of Cousin Chaos and Fun

We went to Utah last week to visit my parents for Halloween.  One of the things we did while we were there was visit the Cornbelly's Corn Maze at Thanksgiving Point.  Here are some pic of the more memorable moments ...

 ... kicking back on the giant rocking chair ...

... all the grandkids in their truest forms ...

...Bella in her preferred transportation - a princess carriage ...

... Uncle Jon Paul working the fields ...

... Jonah just being cute ...

... Jason riding the cow train ...

... father and son bonding ....

... Matt and Rachel and the cow bonding ...

... Papa Jon, Bella, Mom, and Jonah sliding together ...

... Papa Jon and Bella doing a little climbing ...

... Jonah taking a ride on Uncle Jon Paul (because that's what uncles are for) ...

... and Jonah all bundled up for his first cold Halloween experience.