10 years already!!... my parents MUST be getting older.

This is for you T!

The reason that my parents must be getting older is because I am the last of the 5 children to have their 10 year high school reunion.

This past October Chuck and I attended my reunion. We had a great time hanging out with some of my old classmates and I'm ultimately glad that I decided to go. I even won a prize for having been married the longest, 7 years. Even though it was a mistake because another classmate had been married for 8 years, but it was their mistake so I still took the prize. haha. She won another prize for having the most kids, so I don't feel so bad for taking the glory. I was just happy to walk away with something after spending $85 on Tilapia and a slide show. But again, I'm glad I went. =) I will definitely attend my 20th as well.

I was feeling nostalgic while going through my reunion pictures so I decided to post some other pictures of my academic (sorta) milestones throughout the years. So what's your opinion? Do you think I have changed much?

This obviously isn't a "school" milestone, I just thought I looked a bit like Ashton in this picture so I wanted to post it. =)

First day of school. 1st Grade.

Jr. High Graduation. Thank goodness for Facebook, I'm still in contact with all these girls.

High School Graduation. 1998

Graduation trip to Hawaii with friends. I was glad to get a picture with the three of us at the reunion.

Cosmetology School Graduation. Isn't little Jacob cute!

My beautiful friend Karishma and I at graduation.

Myself, Alina & Melanie at our 10 year Reunion. My Hawaii friends in the above picture.

Vanessa, Melanie, Me, Alina

Me, Vanessa, Melanie

This picture is blury, but it's Tony, Me, Ethel, Rizza & Maricel.

Chuckie and I before we left. =)

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.