"Welcome to Poo-Miller's"

We have been going to "Bates Nut Farm's Pumpkin Patch" every year since we moved to San Diego 4 years ago. They have your tractor hay rides, straw maze, Pony rides, Petting zoo and I can't leave out, the best B-B-Q. It is very comparable to "Smith's Family Farm" in our old stomping grounds. This year our annual trip was ruined by the fires! Bates was right in the middle of the fire storms. So, we had to go to our local Fake Pumpkin Patch, "Stu Miller's". They are one of those Pumpkin Patches that set up shop on an empty lot. Here today gone tomorrow! In the past years we always joked when we drove by that it is "POO" Miller's not Stu Miller's". Well, this year the joke was on us and this is where we were "Supposed" to get our pumpkins. We got so ripped off! Notice the price of tickets and Pumpkins! Needless to say we had our fun at "Poo-Miller's", and opted to buy our pumpkins else where (Ralphs, $4.99 a pop!). At least they had a Petting Zoo! We miss Bate's Nut Farm!

Halloween 2007

Have a "SPOOKTACULAR" Halloween!

Love the Hazen Kids,

Madison "The Queen"

R.J. "The Survivor"

Payton "Sleeping Beauty"

"Football Is Not Just For Boys!"

Since the kids have been out of school for more than a week from the fires, they are going a little stir crazy! R.J. decided to teach Madison about football. He dressed her up in his old Pop-Warner football pads and helmet and taught her tackling techniques. She was turned into the human punching bag! She was very tough and took all that he dished out. I think I prefer her on the sidelines of the field in a cheer~leading uniform instead! You should have seen her tackle R.J., the girl can hit.

Our "Lemonade" Moments

When life gives you lemons...Just make Lemonade! Here are a few hi-lights for our family from the San Diego Fires, it wasn't all that bad!!!

Our first ever "Sleep-Over" at the Church

Going to Disneyland with Cousins

Opportunities to serve the Community

Volunteering at the Stake Center Evacuation Shelter

Riding the horses because Daddy was Noah of Noah's Ark!






Helping out with the placement of 100 Army Reserves.

Being able to "Hang-Out" with Armed Force Reserves

Meeting the newest Apostle, Gene R. Cooke.

Being able to be "Hands On" with a real HummerWe felt very blessed that our family and our ward were not directly affected by the fires. It was so good to be able to give service to the members and non-members who were struck by this tragedy.I don't think we will ever forget some of the special things that did happen due to the fires and I am glad our family could take part in the Relief efforts to make this situation better for someone who was less fortunate.

"This Big Fire is Not Going to Keep Us Down!"

The show must go on! We could not cancel our annual "Hazen Halloween~Costume Party". Rob and I dressed up as "Dunder Mifflin Warehouse Workers" from "The Office". Guess who picked out this years costume? This was the perfect time to party. After everyone being cooped up in their houses and No kids in school, we all needed an escape and outlet for all this built up energy. There was plenty of home-made Soups and Sweets to keep our bellies full, satisfied and happy. And plenty of friends in outrageous costumes to keep us laughing all night. We had a "Guitar Hero" contest for the inner "Rock Stars" and Karaoke for the "Closet Diva~ Lead Singers"! It was a perfect night to enjoy true family and friendships, and to realize this is what's really important! No fire, no matter how hard it tries, can take that away from us!

San Diego Fire Update!

Thank you to all the phone calls, emails and comments of concern! They lifted the Mandatory Evacuation Notice. We were able to go home. Coming home has been surreal. Our neighborhood is a "Ghost Town", everyone has left up north to go hotels or to stay with friends or family. All of San Diego County School Districts closed down schools till next Wednesday. The kids are safe and sound at Grandma and Grandpa Melendez's house. My sister Michele and Chad took the kids with them to the O.C. for some fun and some clean breathable air. Knowing that they are okay and away from here gives us peace of mind. It was very hard for R.J. to leave. Through his tears he said he wanted to help and he did not think it was a good idea for our family to be separated in an emergency. It was hard to say goodbye but, the mention of Disneyland did the trick! Rob and I are able to help at the Shelter, which is now housing 150 National Guards. It was pretty cool to see all these Military Men carrying guns around and driving huge Hummers into the church parking lot. We have offered our home to families who may need a safe haven in this tragedy. The sky is still hazy and full of smoke. The fires near our house are only 5% contained but, We no longer see the flames or fire trucks behind the ridge of our house. The 5 freeway was closed in both directions because of the fire at Camp Pendleton! Over 500,000 people have been evacuated from their homes. We are still on alert to evacuate at a moments notice. I am just grateful to be home in our house and feel blessed to not have been effected by the fires. We feel since we have no children that need us at home, we can help others who have been less fortunate. Yesterday at the Stake Center Shelter, we unloaded an 18 wheeler from the "LDS Humanitarian Aid Center" filled with Food, Cots, Blankets and other various emergency supplies. The Relief Society room is now the Donation Room. So many local restaurants have been donating food as well. I'm so sick of pizza. The "Chick-fil-A" was a good change. Rob wants to make sure he is the one to pick up the "Chipotle" donation for the troops, I am sure he'll get a burrito out of it!

"Ring of Fire"

On Monday morning at 2:00 AM 75 mile per hour winds woke me! I then nudged Rob to go and make sure our patio furniture was not going to blow through our windows. That is when he saw the flames. He then got into his car to see how close the fire really was. Seeing the Firemen rushing to attach their hoses was a big clue to start packing. We quietly tried to get all our valuables and necessities together before waking the kids so they would not be frightened. Too bad that they were woken up by the blaring of Police Sirens and a blow horn telling us to leave our home immediately, that this was a mandatory evacuation. The kids were soooo scared. We left the house at 3:00 Am with 3 days worth of clothes and sweet Colby! We went to the church with all of our other ward members. We are okay, our house has not burned. The air quality is awful and our home is covered with ashes and soot. We sent the kids to stay with my parents in Orange County. They are now having fun at Disneyland while we are Volunteering at our Stake Center. Our Stake center is now an evacuation center/shelter for those who have been evacuated or lost their homes. We have been working non stop and have been sleeping a little. Rob's assignment was to be in charge of "The Animal Check-In Station". Just call him Noah! I got to be an assistant to the Disaster Preparedness Representative. I held a clipboard all day, took notes, and looked busy! It has been an experience! It is so awesome to see so many people banding together to help one another. The donations and people willing to volunteer has been overwhelming. We will keep you posted.

"He's a Fake!"

We got a call this week from a Man who "Found" our cat Zack. Rob and Madison rushed over to rescue him but, no such luck! He was a fake. He did not even look like Zack. He was older, White with Black dots, and the He was a She! But, to my surprise they brought the fake Zack home anyway. I don't know if Rob thought that this was a quick fix or he did not want to spend $250 on another cat. Fake Zack did not like Colby the dog and hid under the bed all afternoon. He did not like the kids either. The good news is The Real Owners of Fake Zack called and they were reunited. The bad news is- Still NO Zack! I think we are really out of another $250.00, Sorry Rob!!!

"Hey Sexy Lady!"

While we were moving, it was a great chance to clean out boxes and throw out some old stuff we have been packing around. I came across this picture that I would never throw out! The blogging potential was endless. I was fearful of losing the picture in the move so I put it aside in a safe place in the garage.
I ran down to my local Home Depot to find a worker to help with my move. During the move, Matias the Lamanite came across the picture and asked who the blonde was. Every time we returned to the garage, he would pick up the picture and ask more questions about "the pretty girl". He was invigorated with every glance.
BTW...Listen to the chorus of the song playing. I know Matias was singing it in his head.

"The A B C's of Us!"

Rachel's List

A- Attached or single: Attached

B- Best Friends: My sisters, Allison

C-Cake or Pie: Cake, the more chocolatey the better!

D- Day of choice: Friday

E- Essential Item: Heart Rate Monitor

F- Favorite Color: Red

G- Gummi Bears or Worms: Hate anything Gummi

H- Hometown: Fullerton, Ca.

I- Indulgence(s): People & Us Magazine, Pedicures, Massage By Rob!

J- January or July: Both, Jan- My B-day, July- Summer

K- Kids: 1 boy, 2 girls

L-Life is Incomplete Without: Laughter, Great Food, all my Family, Love of my life Rob!

M- Marriage Date: July 14, 1995

N- Number of Siblings: 3 brothers, 3 sisters

O- Oranges or Apples: Green Crunchy Apples, Big, sweet oranges from Mom & Dad's house!

P- Phobias or Fears: Drowning in the Ocean, Sharks, Kids getting lost!

Q- Quotes: "Family First!"

R- Reason To Smile: Sweet Children, Rob, My Parents!

S- Season: Summer

T- Tag Three +: Michele, Allison, LoLo

U- Unknown Fact About Me: I am part Cherokee Indian.

V- Vegetarian or Meat Eater: Meat Eater!

W- Worst Habit: Biting my nails, finishing Rob's stories.

X- X-Rays or Ultrasounds: Ultrasounds.

Y- Your Favorite Food: Morton's chopped salad and Filet Oskar.

Z- Zodiac: Capricorn

Rob's List

A- Attached or single: Attached

B- Best Friends: Dave Blake, Jed Iverson

C-Cake or Pie: CheeseCAKE

D- Day of choice: Sat.

E- Essential Item: Hat

F- Favorite Color: That's lame...

G- Gummi Bears or Worms: Worms. It reminds my little friends that lived in me during my mission.

H- Hometown: Fossster Cittty Caaalifornia 94404. Not really but it was a cool song we sang in elementary school

I- Indulgence(s): Rachel

J- January or July: July=Aniversary Aniversary=GOOD TIMES

K- Kids: 3

L-Life is Incomplete Without: Baseball, kids, wife

M- Marriage Date: July 14, 2005 Bastille Day

N- Number of Siblings: 3 sisters

O- Oranges or Apples: Oranges

P- Phobias or Fears: That the Brethren will actually say something about not drinking Coke and all of those that think it is a part of the W.O.W. will be finally be right.
Q- Quotes: http://www.officequotes.net/ Pick 'em

R- Reason To Smile: The picture on this post.

S- Season: Spring

T- Tag Three +: Bill Gates (because he promissed me a million dollars if I forwarded the last e-mail to 10 people, The person that Boo'd us last night, Tykes

U- Unknown Fact About Me: I have a 3rd nipple

V- Vegetarian or Meat Eater: Carnie

W- Worst Habit: Procrastination

X- X-Rays or Ultrasounds: Ultrasound. I have always wanted some of that goo to be put on my belly.

Y- Your Favorite Food: Mexican

Z- Zodiac: Gemmy

"Happy Birthday Miss Chatterbox!"

You were the sweetest surprise of our lives! You rushed two weeks early to come into this world and have not slowed down since! You were the only one who broke my water, I was in the car and daddy made me sit on a newspaper! We were on our way to see the Musical "Miss Saigon" in San Francisco, but you decided to make your debut instead! (We gave away our tickets!)

Here are some Headlines and Events that happened When You were born!

-Prosecutor Kenneth Starr pursues President Bill Clinton for alleged lying about affairs.
-United States and Britain bomb Iraq (Operation Desert Fox).

-France wins soccer World Cup. -Apple introduces the iMac.

-Microsoft introduces Windows 98

-Google is first established.

Entertainment News:

-Jennifer Lopez & Sean Puffy Combs Together

-Martha Stewart has Tax Problems
Box Office Draws:

-Practical Magic

-Oprah Winfrey's much-hyped, Beloved

-Bride of Chucky

-Antz

-Rush Hour

New York Best Seller (book)

-Bag of Bones by Stephen King

album released:

-98 Degrees, 98 Degrees and Rising

bands that broke up:

Faith No More
The Jesus and Mary Chain
Toad The Wet Sprocket

Britney Spears' recording career begins her first debut teen pop hit ...Hit Me Baby One More Time went straight at #1 on the Hot 100 chart.

Sweet Madison your smile is as bright as the sun! You make our family love you even more with each passing day. I appreciate that you are a lover of Nature, Animals, Cooking, Dancing, Reading, Writing Short Stories, Soccer, Being a Leader (Class Senator), Studying and Receiving Excellent Grades, Helping those in need, Being a Girl-Scout, An Activity Day Achiever. We are especially lucky to have you as our Daughter, Sister, Grand-daughter, Niece and Cousin and Friend. You mean the world to your family! We love you Baby, Have a Happy Birthday!