A few reasons why I love him...

He gets just as excited as Daddy does about going to Home Depot. Now I don't have to go anymore. =)




Because of that smile


Because he still chooses to "live with his parents." As his t-shirt states.


He helps Daddy out around the house. Again... so I don't have to! =)


Because he likes to hide things in weird places, including himself.


Because he feeds himself now. So we can ALL enjoy our meals together.




Because of these 12 teeth.

Monkey business

This year was pretty much the first year that we celebrated Halloween with Ashton. We dressed him up last year and walked around Downtown Disney (basically so he could wear his costume in a public place) but we didn't do any pumpkin carving or trick-or-treating. This year we did it all, and had tons of fun.

Getting ready to carve his pumpkin that he picked out at Riley's Farm.

Sketching out his design.

The finished product.

Fraley pumpkins on display.

I think I like Ashton's the best! (right)

This year we decided he would dress up as our little Monkey. That's what Chuck and I like to call him, plus he LOVES bananas. His recent first word was "Na-nuh"

Getting ready to go trick-or-treating with our friends (and neighbors) the Deguzman family.

The kid still hates hats!

Showing mom his "loot."

Examining the goods.

I loved the tail.

mmmmm chocolate!

Ashton, Nathan and Dalisay enjoying some candy.

Fall Festivities

In the beginning of September we drove up to Oak Glen to go apple picking. But the orchard that we stopped at only sold apples, you couldn't pick them yourself. Weird, I know. So we decided to pick raspberries instead, because that is what they had available to pick. We had a great time, but we will never pick raspberries again!! It took WAY too long, in the hot sun, to try and fill three little baskets with raspberries. And when we got home, I had no clue what to do with them. I didn't want to just make a smoothie, I wanted to bake something like I planned on doing, had we been able to pick apples. They are still in my freezer to this day. We will stick to apples and pumpkins from now on. Here are some pictures from our raspberry adventures.

We're here!

At least we got to taste their apple pie.

Candid shot of Daddy and Ashton looking off into... space I guess.

More please!

Time to pick some berries.

Oooh, this one looks good.

Are we done yet?

If you ever go raspberry picking, don't put your kids in any clothes that you actually like. Raspberry stains don't come out very well. That stain is still on his butt.

In addition to raspberries, we have visited the pumpkin patch THREE times this season! We went to Riley's Farms in Oak Glen twice. Once with Chuck's parents and the second time with our friends the Deguzman family. Then we visited the local pumpkin patch that is situated out in the wineries here in Temecula with our friend Jaime and her two kids, Alexis and Elijah. I think the pumpkin patch outings are more for the parents. We all just want to take a ton of pictures with our kids surrounded by pumpkins and all of the other fall decorations, but Ashton loves being outside so he never protests. =)

Here we are at Riley's. We like going there because it is a true farm and everything you pick is right off of the vine.

The token "kid surrounded by pumpkins" picture.

He LOVES corn on the cob, as we discovered on this day.

"CHEESE!"

At the local pumpkin farm.

On the train with Lexi and Elijah

Right before sunset.

In the corn maze with Daddy.

Fraleys in the maze

We found our way out!! YAY! (took us about 15 minutes. the kids were starting to get worried. haha)

It's time for Sooooooul Traaaain

We can't turn on anything musical in our house without THIS happening. We love it!

Happy Birthday

Happy 40th Birthday to our brother, Jason.

We love you and we miss you big brother.

Everyday.

New friends, New playdates.

Summer may be coming to an end, but we still have TONS of partying to do with our new play groups in Murrieta/Temecula.


Ashton is starting to act "shy" when he is in a new place. I've had to drag him around, attached to my leg a few times.
Reeking havoc at Lily's house. We are in the same Mom's Playgroup. And coincidentally, she is also my neighbor across the street!
Getting soaked at the local spray park.
New moms luncheon. There are about 30 moms in this one group, but a turnout of 12 moms in one place is pretty good. Ashton and I are second from the left. You should have seen the MESS that was left on the floor. Poor Pat & Oscar employees. Having to clean up after a bunch of rowdy kids.
At the duck pond in from of Pat & Oscar's Restaurant
Go Ashton GO!