"Halloween Past & Present"

For the past twelve years, since R.J. was born I have been sending out Halloween Cards of the kids. It all started when I lived in the Bay Area, I was so sad that my family who lived in SoCal and other various states would not be able to see R.J. dressed up in his "Bee" costume for his first ever Halloween! Therefore, the tradition of the "Halloween Cards" began. Some of the costumes were made with the help of my mom but, most were bought. Every card from every year is displayed proudly on my Buffet and every picture taken is framed and put out once a year in October on a console so the kids can laugh at themselves. I can't believe it's been 12 short years, I don't know how much longer R.J. will dress up and "LET" me send out these cards. At least I still have 2 willing girls to dress up!

"Bee" October 1997

"PO & Flower" October 1998

"Dalmatians" October 1999

"Winnie the Pooh & Tigger"

October 2000

"Captain Hook & Tink" October 2001

"Fire Chief & Mouse" October 2002

"G.I. Joe & Cats" October 2003 "Harry Potter, Frog & PO" (R.J.'s old costume)

October 2004

"Zorro, Leopard & Minnie Mouse"

October 2005

"Darth Vader, Witch & Princess Ariel"

October 2006

"Survivor Contestant, Queen & Sleeping Beauty"

October 2007

"Vampire, Chef & Ladybug"

October 2008

Happy Halloween!!!

We hope you all have a "Spooktacular" night.

"Pumpkins & Jack-O-Lanterns"

We were so happy this year to be able to go to Bates Nut Farm to pick out our pumpkins. Last year due to the fires, we were stuck going to one of those "Here today, Gone tomorrow" temporary pumpkin patches. What a difference, Bates Nut Farm is definitely worth the drive. One of the kid's favorite parts of the trip is the stop in their country store. It has the best home-made taffy! Bates' pumpkins are all reasonably priced too, so each kid gets to pick out their own pumpkin. And I try to keep my mouth shut and try not to influence their decision, I am all about the pumpkin being perfectly round, no blemishes, with a nice stem! This year I went for the white one that was calling my name. For two whole weeks I get to enjoy the beautiful perfect, untouched pumpkins on my porch before they are turned into Jack-O-Lantern Masterpieces! I always think each of the kid's jack-o-lanterns seem to take on their personalities, some how they look like them. They all did a great job with their creations. Payton had a little trouble cleaning all the goop from her pumpkin. When I asked her what was wrong after seeing the expression on her face she said, "I don't like pumpkin pie, and now I know why!" Rob's favorite part of the carving is the end product. He loves the home-made pumpkin seeds! I just hope he gets some before the kids eat them all up!

"A Little Bit of Halloween Early"

We just had our Annual Hazen Halloween Party. I love Halloween and the opportunity it gives us adults to dress up, have fun and act like kids again. I don't think we really grew up all the way anyways. We filled the night with eating lots of good soup and treats, talking and enjoying the company and the best of all laughing and admiring everyone's great costumes. Some brave souls even sang Karaoke! This year Rob and I dressed as Sarah and Todd Palin. I pulled off a mean updo and worked those glasses but, my Alaskan accent needed work. Rob looked good as an Todd the "Alaskan Outsdoors-man". He portrayed him perfectly by dutifully taking care of the Palin Baby. We are just glad that this year there were no fires in our back yards and we could really have some fun!

"Celebrating at the D-Land"

It has become a tradition in our family that when a child turns double digits they get to go away to celebrate their decade of life. Rob took R.J. to Arizona for the Giants Spring Training so, it was my turn to whisk Madison away for her celebration. I kidnapped her from school and surprised her by taking her to the Happiest Place on Earth! We stayed at the Hilton and had some great Mother-Daughter time. We went to Down Town Disney and went to the Libby Lu Club where they turn you into a Princess. She got her hair and nails done, she looked adorable. She had so much fun being pampered. Then we hit Disneyland. She was presented a button there because it was her birthday and every Disneyland employee we saw wished her a happy birthday! We had a blast being just the two of us, and went on all the scary rides first because they are HER favorite. We then ended up eating dinner at her favorite Cheesecake Factory where she got a birthday Chocolate Chip Cookie dough Cheesecake. By that time we could not take another step and went back to the hotel to get a good nights rest for the next day at Disneyland. I made sure to wake her up at 3:23 AM (the exact time she was born) to give her a hug and tell her how much I love her! Then in the morning we sat in bed and looked at her baby photo album. That morning we picked up Rob, R.J., and Payton at the train station so they could join us at Disney. We were glad to meet Clifford cousins there too so Madison and Kate could celebrate their birthdays together! Finally, at the day's end Madison was exhausted and tucked into her bed and I sat there with her and fulfilled one last birthday tradition, I told her the story of her birth. I always describe to the kids the time line of when they were born, they love every detail! We had such a memorable time together, she is such a sweet girl and she deserved every minute of this celebration!

(Pampering at the Libby Lu Club)

(Good times at Disneyland)

(Madison's B-B-Q Rib Birthday Dinner)

"Madison Is a Decade Old!"

Ten years ago today Rob and I were on our way to San Francisco to see the play "Ms. Saigon". Our bags were packed to spend the night, we dropped R.J. off at grandma and grandpa's, we were headed for our last hooray before the baby came! Well, on the way to the bank to get cash for our getaway our plans quickly changed. All of a sudden I felt a gush. I said to Rob, "I think my water just broke!" We were in the car and Rob panicked for a second and made me sit on a newspaper. San Francisco and Ms. Saigon did not happen but, Madison Alena was born the next morning at 3:23 AM, two weeks early! She shocked the nurses by weighing 8 lbs. 15 oz. The doctor thought she was going to be a small baby and actually asked me to gain weight (every pregnant women's dream). She was a beauty from day one! For the past 10 years Madison has brought nothing but joy and happiness to our family. She loves everything about animals. She loves to cook and create in the kitchen. She takes risks. She is becoming a great seamstress just like her grandma. She can kick a soccer ball like nobody's business. She is the best helper. She never gives up. She will read all day if you let her. Her smile lights up any room. She dances like a prima- ballerina. She is a loyal and great friend. She can memorize anything you put in front of her. She always tries her best at what ever she does. She takes such good care of Misty her cat. She is so brave, she'll hold or touch any animal or creature, and go on any roller coaster (the bigger the better). She has an infectious laugh. She writes short stories. She can tie 5 different kinds of knots . She is so smart. She is very artistic and can draw animals. She can groom, bridle, harness and ride horses. She has a sweet testimony of the Gospel. And best of all she is the best sister and daughter to us! We are so thankful for her, our family would not be complete with out our "Little Ms. Chatterbox"! Happy 10th birthday Madison, we love you!!!

"Giddy Up!"

We were tired of the same old "Dinner and a Movie Date Night", so we tried something new! We dusted off our cowboys hats, boots and wranglers and went to the Poway Rodeo. Believe me it was something different. Being a cowboy or cowgirl is a life style! They really now how to have fun. I have never been to a rodeo, I was mainly going for the food. We were pleasantly surprised at how action packed the rodeo was. Pretty soon we were shouting "Ye-Haw" with the rest of them. They even had races for little kids to see who could stay on and ride sheep the longest called Mutton Busting. There was also the Team Roping event which two men on horses try and rope the running steer. I was rooting for the steer! They saved the best event for last, the Bull Riding! I think Cowboys are a little crazy, it did not look like fun at all. But it was fun to watch! We all had a blast and can't wait till next year, but I think I'll need to get a bigger belt buckle.