Chris's Pic's from the boat-News of homecoming

Here are some pics that Chirs has sent me from the boat, that I thought I would share with everyone. He is on his way home, and should be coming home right around Turkey Day.

All about trains...runs in the family

Ben and Jared holding Ben and Bill the trains, and showing off their love of trains together.

Here is a pic of Ben wearing his conductor costume at age 4. We took him to The Day out with Thomas for his birthday, where he actaully got to ride on thomas. Here is Greg, also wearing the same conductor costume, also at age 4.

I was looking through a box of clothes in the garage and found Ben's old train conductor costume from when he was 4. Greg was extremely excited, and knew just what he wanted to be for halloween. Just like Ben, Greg has really been into trains since he was one years old. So I took a picture of Greg in the conductor costume and then put it next to the picture of his brother at that same age. Greg was so excited to be just like his big brother. Then I remebered when Melyssa and her family came to California and came and stayed with us, and how much Jared also loved trains. So I also pulled up that picture for greg to see. I told him that his cousin Maddux also really loves trains, just like he does. I guess the love of trains, just runs in the family.

John turns 9- Birthday adventures with Grandpa

John turned 9 last week, and I posted some pics of his home party. We are going to take him bowling for his birthday the weekend of Halloween. That child loves to bowl. He got his DS this year, which was the present he really wanted. Grandma took him to universal studios, and Grandpa is going to take him to disneyland the next time he comes to visit. When Grandpa came he took John and I out to eat for our birthdays. I have lived in California, on and off, for most of my life, and I am ashamed to admit, that I have never tried sushi. That was the big thing I wanted to have for my birthday. John wanted steak, which is one of his favorites.

Turning 31- Birthday Slide Show

Halloween game- Try it, it's feastive.

Scary Prank Toys & MySpace Layouts at pYzam.com

Julie's- what I love about fall challenge

Ok, so it doesn't get that cold here in california. The leaves do change, but it is a slow process that takes forever, and hasn't even close to started yet. I love the look of the changing leaves, but since that is not what is available right now, here are some pics of what California does look like right now. I took these pics when my Mom and I were walking around downtown LA. We have the palm trees, oh course. I love these orange flower that look like birds. I also really love these trees with all the pretty flowers on them.

I think our most favorite thing about fall, besides the leaves changing, is making stuff with pumpkin. Pumpkin pasta, pumpkin pie, pumpkin pancakes. Oh, and pumpkin cheese cake. I think our favorite is chocolate chip pumpkin muffins.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

3 1/3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
2Tb pumpkin pie spice
2 tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder
4 eggs
1-1 lb can of plain pumpkin
2 sticks of butter, melted
12 oz bag of chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease mini muffin pans or use liners. In a large bowl mix flour, sugar, spices, soda, powder, and salt. In another bowl mix eggs, pumpkin and butter. Whisk until blended. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour mixture over the dry ingredients and blend until moistened. Spoon batter in muffin cups, The batter doesn’t rise a lot, so don’t worry about filling them almost full. Bake for 20-25 min or until they spring back when you touch them. Store in the refrigerator if they last that long!
Makes 96 mini muffins