Happy Holidays

It's my favorite time of the year. Also the busiest, so forgive me that I haven't written in a while. We had a wonderful time in Ohio visiting Shannon and Chad. They live outside of Columbus in a beautiful house in a very nice neighborhood. The houses are so big and so inexpensive compared to Southern Ca. It was tempting us to relocate. It was fun to bundle up for a week. However, coming home really made me realize how much I like our weather. We went to the Columbus Zoo, Art Museum, Kid's Science Museum, The Bodies Exhibit, and did lots of shopping. The mall that Shan works at is really nice. We played games and hung out in Shan and Chad's theater (their basement that we called the "man cave". They have a projector and movie screen, bar, pool table, and computer). That is where Bill hung out the whole time. It was great to spend time with Shan but soooo hard to say goodbye. Alyssa was a bit of a challenge on the plane. It's hard to keep a 2 year old entertained for 5 hours. We bought Brianna a Leapster and she was a perfect angel. Now it's back to the real world. Brianna went back to school on Monday after being off for a month. It's been a little hard readjusting and she has gotten in trouble- No TV for a week. Great news with Alyssa- she is officially potty trained!! Almost 2 weeks ago she turned 2 1/2 so we decided it was time to put her in panties. She had 3 accidents the first day, then 1 accident the next couple of days and then no more. She's been doing so good. What a relief! I'm so glad to be done with that. It can be so frustrating. Tomorrow we are going for family portraits. Wish us luck. That can also be a frustrating thing. Now that Alyssa is getting a little older, it should be OK. Last year was a bit of a challenge. Bill and the girls spent Thanksgiving in San Diego with his parents. I had to work that night so I went to my cousin Susan's in Corona. My parents, Sheri, Grandma, Aunt and Uncle and cousins were there. Why does the food have to be so good? Bill and I are hoping to get some kind of exercise equipment for Christmas for each other...Treadmill, Eliptical or Bike. Any suggestions would be great. Well, Alyssa is climbing all over me so I better giver her some attention. Remember: Jesus is the Reason for the Season!!

In Loving Memory of Virginia Margaret McCage 1914-2007

My sweet Grandma McCage went home to be with the Lord on Tues. night Oct. 30th at the age of 93. She will be greatly missed. I was able to spend some time with her on Monday afternoon and again on Tuesday. It is never easy to see someone you love go, but it is comforting to know that she is in Heaven with our Lord and Savior. She was such a strong lady right up to the end. She was always so positive and sweet. I learned a lot from her. She was loved by all who knew her and will be greatly missed.

A Smoky Halloween

In case you all are wondering, we are surviving the fires. The air quality has been awful. It looks cloudy and overcast but it is all smoke. This morning our power went out for around 4 hours. You don't realize how much you depend on something until it is gone. Today was Brianna's last day of school. Now she is off for a month. I hope I can keep her busy enough. We will spend 1 week in Ohio which we all are looking very forward to. It will be nice to breathe in fresh air. I feel like Halloween is over. The girls have dressed up three times already- Disneyland, a party and dance class. I'll attempt to attach pictures again. Bill and I are going on a date tonight. Alyssa's preschool is having parent's night out to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation so we figured we should take advantage of the rare opportunity.

Halloween Fun

Last night we went Trick or Treating at Disneyland. It's a special event at California Adventure that we go to every year. They have tons of stands set up that you trick or treat to and get lots of candy (they had healthy snacks too which was really good since we are being healthy now). We use the candy that we get to give out to the kids who come to the house trick or treating. Is that bad? Bill and I dressed up as a king and queen and Bri and Alyssa were princesses (surprise, surprise). I met a worker from Grass Valley. All of their name tags have where they are from and when hers said Grass Valley I started talking to her. Go Miners! She was a cheerleader too. I sure made me feel old when she said she was the class of 2006. We had lots of fun but it was really crowded so we decided that next year we will go earlier in the month. Alyssa started a new dance class this week. We were over the mommy and me thing. She was way too clingy so we put her in a class by herself and she did way better. She is the only one in pull-ups. I think the other girls are 3 maybe 4. A couple of weeks ago I let Brianna try on my old cheerleading outfit and Alyssa got to wear my school uniform from South Africa. I attached a picture. It brings back lots of memories. We took Alyssa today for her very first haircut. She was a little scared so we had to bribe her with candy. I really don't like doing that but she was throwing a fit and wasn't going to sit down in the chair. It's amazing what a small piece of sugar will do to a 2 year olds attitude. She was suddenly happy as could be. Well, I have to go get us all dressed for Sally's annual Halloween party. (it looks like I'll have to attach the pictures later, they aren't working)