My Favorite Things...

I posted an album on my Facebook where I decided I will keep pictures of my favorite things. I realised that just posting them made me happier. It brought me joy. Isn't it crazy that something so simple can bring you joy? If you are on Facebook, look me up. I will be adding to it as needed!

Taryn is 8 years old!

So my baby #2 is now 8 years old. I still remember the day I had her and tried to call my friends at work (GBCS at the time) to let them know. Nobody was there because it was Veteran's Day and there was no school! I named her after a young lady that I taught - Taryn Ramirez. She was one of those students that just stand out - in a good way! LOL Of course, I had other students that I adored, but their names weren't as unique.

We had a small party for her with family and some friends from church. About 25 people. Just something small...ha ha! I made pozole, chicken lentil and noodle soup, and hot dogs for those that didn't feel "soupy". It has started to get a little chilly at night and the stuff goes a long way. Everyone seemed to enjoy it.

She got 2 movies (Ratatouille and Meet the Robinsons), a Hello Kitty hoody (all sparkly of course), money (she's been saving and now has $125! She wants to buy her own ipod), and the gift she's been asking for for over a year - a new bike!

We had a great time. Taryn is one of those girls that looks and seems super confident, but she tends to crumble if you put her on the spot. She's tough on the outside, yet cries the moment she thinks she's disappointed you. She expects nothing and is grateful for everything. My baby is 8 now...

Here are more pics that I promised. This was our first Harvest Party/Trunk or Treat event and we had a blast. I organized most of the games (no biggie). I am already planning for next year even! Anywhoo... here are the pics of the kids that you all have been waiting for! I say you all, but I mean the two people that have requested. LOL! Hannah as Ugly Betty, with and without the poncho, Taryn as Ruth from the Old Testament, Naomi as a cheerleader, and little Marco went in his Pumpkin p.j's and beanie.

Great fun!

Wow! What a busy month!

The Morales family sure has been busy this month! I haven't posted in a while because there just wasn't time to sit down and do it all! Anyway, I thought I would catch you all up!

One of the events that we went to recently was the Insect Fair at Cal Poly Pomona. It is an annual thing that my girls really look forward to. This year, we took along some friends from our church. They loved it. They were surprised to see that the girls were very comfortable holding the insects. Well, they should've seen them the first year! LOL!

We also have a yearly tradition of going to the Pumpkin Patch in Yucaipa every year. We spend way too much money on tickets for the little petting zoo and the jumpers and what not, take lots of pictures and then go home. We don't buy pumpkins there because they are sooooo expensive. We get them at the supermarket for about $3 or $4. Crazy right?

My oldest daughter, Hannah just turned 12! I know, can you believe it? I am the mother of a pre-teen. *sigh* Well, we weren't going to do much for her birthday, but as usual - that didn't work out. First, she spent the day out with her dad. Then they came home and we went to Red Lobster. She has been dying to go there. I don't know why - it's over-rated if you ask me. She loved it. She got a new bed set for her room and we will be re-decorating soon. It's going to be sky blue and chocolate brown. Her "new" favorite colors. Then on Friday after our Youth Group night (which was a blast - we did a photo scavenger hunt) we surprised her with cake and ice cream for everyone. Lastly, I surprised her by taking her to the Scrapbook Expo at the Ontario Convention Center. We went for some shopping and did some make and takes at the booths. I had also bought tickets for the Crop Night from 5 pm to 11:30. We had a great time together and she even won a page layout contest! I was so proud of her.

Well, we did more - but I will post it in another post because I know some of you are already going nuts from reading such a long post. Enjoy the pics!

The Wedding

...so this is all my girls have been able to talk about for the last few weeks. Well, it finally happened. Our good friends, Robert and Lorany, tied the knot! It was the first wedding in our new building. The ceremony and reception went off without a hitch. Marco officiated the wedding, I sang, Hannah was a Jr. Brides Maid and carried in a Bible, Taryn carried the Bride's train along with the groom's nephew. Even Naomi tried to have her part in the ceremony! LOL! I stood up to take a picture as the bride entered the church and Naomi made a dash for the front platform. She wanted to be with her sisters and with her friend Leslie who was a flower girl. Luckily, I managed to get her out of there before anyone really noticed. They were all too busy looking at the bride. Phew! My Hannah looked so grown with her hair all done - I couldn't believe it. Lorany surprised Taryn with a tiara and of course that thrilled Taryn clear to her toes! Here are some pics for you to enjoy!

The Office

Okay, so I am a few seasons behind. Don't blame me! I rarely watch much t.v. at night. My sister brought season 3 of The Office when she came to Cali for a visit. She kept saying that we had to watch it. I must confess that I wasn't against it, but I wasn't dying to see it either. We finally got around to sitting down and watching it. I was hooked. We laughed out loud the whole time. Watched one episode after the other.

Marco and I have been talking about it ever since. We keep quoting different scenes. We love to laugh together and this show is it. I have even threatened to "shun" my children when they do something wrong. If you watch the show, you will know what that means.

Fact: We are going to be in front of the t.v. on Thursday nights watching The Office so don't bother calling around 9 pm

Question: What will YOU be watching?

Finally, it feels like fall is here!

I don't know if I have ever told you how much I LOVE fall. I love the colors, smells, sights, and even the tastes of things relating to fall - or should I say autumn? Oh, well. Either way, I love this time of year. The thing is that here in Southern California, it takes a while to get here. I have lived in areas like Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Germany where the colors would change and declare that each season had arrived. Here. Not so much.

No worries. I will create fall in my house! It's my favorite time to decorate. Yes. Even more than Christmas. I've got the leaves, pumpkins, cornucopia, and more. Yesterday, I just bought a couple of fall floral arrangements that were 50% off! We also have to go to the Pumpkin Patch every year.

When I first moved to California, I was so sad to find out that I would have to drive to the mountains if I wanted to see any resemblance of what I was used to for fall scenery. I must've mentioned it to my dear friend Rachel who lived in Indiana at the time, because next thing I know, I received a package in the mail. It was a large envelope filled with colorful leaves from her yard. She had taken the time to choose reds, yellows, oranges and a mix of the colors all together. I still have those leaves and that was 14 years ago!

Today I woke up and it was raining. What? It's not 90 degrees out? Woo-hoo!!! Fall is here! My girls got up for school (which is downstairs) and they actually had to put on socks and sweaters. Love it! Woo-hoo! There's a chill in the air and I am actually enjoying my hot coffee this morning. I think I can even smell someone using their fireplace somewhere...aaaaahhhh....*sigh*