getting better

Things here are getting better with the fires. The smoke was pretty much gone today - clear skies over where i live, but you could still see smoke. We are out of danger and although it looked like it was super close, we weren't in any real danger, so that is a big sigh of relief!!

Please pray for the fire fighters, especially the two families that lost theirs, and the families who have lost their homes. If you would like to help, the red cross and Salvation army always accept donations.

may have spoken too soon

Well, we woke up to nice clear skies but by 10 am or so the fire kicked up and the winds shifted. The next town south of us has had some evacuations, but for now we are looking good. It has a large mountain ridge to climb before getting to us. And today the smoke and ash seemed to mostly stay east of my housing development. Still really creepy and scary. We are taking it day by day and just keeping and eye out. here is a satellite picture of the fires and the arrow is where we live....

Clear Skies are here again!!

Hi everyone! we are in the clear again, blue skies and a yellow sun :)

Fires did get pretty close, but we were in no real danger, but it definitely looked ominous out there!

Going to head to the park to day to run off the cooped up energy :) thanks for thinking of us!!

crazy fires

We are all safe here, but there is some serious smoke in the air here. I think the closest fire is about an hour away, but this is what the back yard was like earlier today:







This wasn't even the worst part of the day... but I'll keep you all posted...

Funny Fiona Quote...

so I am laying Fiona down tonight she says something that sounds like duck, and I ask...

"you want a duck?"

Fiona replies," ahhh, ok, we get duck, mama..."

Some recent pics

First I need to say that our hearts and prayers go out to Meghan and Anthony, my dear cousin and her husband, during their time of need. Let us know if there is anything you need!!

been crazy busy here finishing up our summer. Last Thursday Night on the Square, dance lessons have started back up at a new studio (and we love it!!), Birthday parties, play dates, scrapbooking with friends, and even a girls night out to see Julie and Julia - now I want to cook the cook book too!!!

For now I will just leave a few pics of the last couple of days... More details later :)

Thursday Night on the Square

So if you are from Palmdale, you know what I am talking about, but I thought I would talk a little about our Fun Thursday Night ritual and explain for the rest of my loyal readers :) Thursday Night on the Square (TNOTS), is the really, really cool thing our town puts on every summer and for two months, every Thursday on the Town Square, there is live music, story time, puppet shows, a variety of crafts and games for the kids to do. and the best part - its all free!!! Well, maybe the best part is how much we really love to go and how much fun Fiona has. Fiona and I make a picnic dinner each Thursday, bring our picnic blanket and go and meetup with our friends. we pick our spot on the lawn and head over to do the crafts. After a few tantrums and chases while we wait in line (Fiona is still mastering this skill), we head back to our blanket and eat dinner, dance to the music and play with our friends. I love this activity, I picture people doing this 100 years ago - the band in the gazebo, families dotting the lawns on their picnic blankets, just enjoying a nice summer evening. These are the simple pleasures in life that I think often get overlooked. I am so glad Fiona and I really got into going this summer, we have only missed one night! So below I got some cute videos of Fiona and her BFF S dancing and playing. also Wendy (S's Mom) and S's brother L make a guest appearance as well. I am so lucky to have such great friends to pass a summer evening, let alone any day of the week with.

Bowling

Just a quick video - its bad, but Fiona loved her first time bowling so I had to share with you...I think she gets her talent from her Daddy - she knocked down 5 pins on one of her turns!! not bad for someone who could barely lift the ball, LOL!!