Los Cabo

We had a chance to go to Cabo in October for John's birthday. It was much needed time away. The weather is just fantastic! Perfect 80 degrees the entire time we were there. John did find surf and loved it. The warm water, good fun waves and no crowds make perfect surf condition. I got to lay around all day by the pool and read, loved every minute of it. John did go fishing and caught an 80 lbs tuna. We had it for dinner that night. He was so excited because it was his first time going fishing. I did not think I would like Cabo very much but I had a great time and the duration of the flight from LA is only about 2 hours. The weather and water is just a perfect temperature. And of course the food is just the best, but then again, Mexican food is my favorite.

John caught our dinner for the night, an 80 lbs tuna!!

That's what I am talking about!!

Leaving port.

Cabo landmark

One of my favorite places to stay.

Ahh...so serene

Forget the huts and hammack on the beach... I am styling on this surf trip.

From our hotel balcony. My hot boyfriend, on our way to find some surf.

The sunset was so beautiful.

Halloween 2009

My four darlings.

Daddy and Piper at school

Holloween is not my holiday but I had a blast this year celebrating it. I think that one of the reasons why is because all my kids loved their costumes. No one cried because their costumes was too itchy, too scratchy, too big, too tight, etc... And of course I absolutely thought they were darling. Chad is just so adorable in his lion costume. He loved it! While at the trunk or treat, he was walking around growling at everyone and was just having a great time. Piper made an adorable Dorothy. Chloe's costume was cool, it lights up and changes colors she really enjoyed it. And Buffy of course had a great time.

Buffy decorating Halloween cookies

Piper is so adorable as Dorothy

Dorothy and the adorable and courageous lion

Buffy and friends decorationg cookies

Chloe and friends decorating Halloween cookies

Chad Staying warm in his lion costume

Chloe as a fairy with her favorite lion

Oct 2009

I am trying to be diligent on updating my blog but I feel like my life is so uneventful. As busy as we are as a family, we try to spend a lot of time with each other. It's been so weird to have 3 of our children in school . Mornings are so hectic for me. I can't imagine doing everything that is required of me without Lulu. I am so grateful ot have her. Buffy is enjoying 2nd grade and still loves school and thrives on new knowledge. I was so surprised when she came home and asked me if I have ever heard of a Dutch artist named Vincent Van Gogh. She then proceeded to tell me all about him and his great works. She told me that her favorite paintings of his are of the Sunflowers and The Starry Night. We even have had discussions on Leonardo Da Vinci. She asked me about the Mona Lisa at the L'Ouvre and if I noticed her smile. As an art lover and a greater love for history, I am just thrilled that my daughter is showing much enthusiasm towards the arts and history. Saturday, we went to the museum down in San Diego and there was a exhibit on Leonardo Da Vinci. I took Buffy through it showing her all the models from his drawings and some of his painting, including the Mona Lisa. It was a great experience for her to actually see some of the sample works of Da Vinci. I do hope that her thirst for these two subjects continues as she advances through school.

Fall 2009

Fall is finally here but you would not knowing with the warm weather that have refused to leave San Diego. You won't hear our family complaining about this. We have been trying to hang on to summer for as long as we can. We have been going to the beach everyday after dinner. The water has been warm enough that I have been trying to surf. Not having much luck with it but I am having so much fun trying. The water is not cold so of course that makes a big difference. My sweet husband is just beyond thrilled that I am out there trying to surf. We even made it out to the river the second weekend of September and LOVED IT! The air temperature was about 100-108 all day and the water was just perfect to sit be in all day, and that's what my children did. I love watching and listening to all my children giggling and playing with one another, just having a great time without any quarrels. It's truly my happy place, the warm weather, water, my children having a great time, no cell reception, and my husband next to me. I just feel so relaxed and happy every time we are there. I am having the time of my life creating memories for my children!! I am soooo lucky to be their mother.

Things Chad has accomplished the past month:
No longer takes the bottle.
Says "thank you"
Got his hair buzzed by daddy (I know this is not an accomplishment...more like an update)
Calls out Chloe and Piper's names.

Piper started preschool
Chloe started kindergarten
Buffy stared 2nd grade.

Chloe Turned 5 years old

Chloe at dance recital in June














Looking so sweet at the river
















Chloe: "Mommy, I wish that chocolate, candies and cakes are healthy like vegetables and fruit."

Me: "Why Chloe?"

Chloe: "So I can eat candies all day long and I will be the sweetest girl ever."

Me: "Oh Chloe, I love you!" (I squeezed her and kissed her)

We love this, everyday Chloe would put her flip flops on Daddy's. So sweet.

Oh What Do You Do in the Summertime...when all the world is green??

My sweeties

They were in the water all day and loved it.
Chad loves being with his sister.

I love this picture of him. so stinking cute

So tired from being in the water all day....

This summer has just flew by, but not without lots of quality and fun times with our family. This is the first year since John and I got married that I am not either pregnant or nursing a new born. So, we have had the opportunity to enjoy many family times at the river, beach, camping and swimming. I feel like I can truly enjoy myself. We made several trips to the Colorado River with the kids and it is by far my most favorite thing to do during the summer. The river gets about 100-115 degrees during the months on July and August. While this is scorging hot, the water is just perfect for us to soak in all day, and that is what my children does. By far, this is my most favorite thing to do with my family. Makes me so happy to see all my children just having the best time frolicking in the water and no television, DS, Wii, or computer, just enjoying each other's company. I love the warm weather, the scenery, and water, makes it most relaxing for me. I just wish summer would last a bit longer.

Buffy's 7th Birthday

Buffy just turned 7 years old and I keep asking myself how is it possible? It really does seem like yesterday when I woke up in the middle of the night with major labor pains and got ready to go to the hospital. I remember being overwhelmingly happy and excited to meet my first born. I remember giving birth to her was so easy, painless, and quick that I was thinking, "this is it?". She couldn't wait a second longer to be born. Flashforward seven years later, she's is so grown up and has brought so much joy and love into our lives. Very smart, outgoing and just loves life. So excited about everything. She loves to learn and is very creative. She loves her sibblings and is the best big sister to her baby brother Chad. Some mornings, she would get up, get Chad out of the crib and feeds him breakfast before I get up!!! She can play the piano for Family Home Evening. I am so proud of her, I am most proud of her having such a kind and loving heart towards others. Cannot ask for a better first born. I love so much Buffy Girl.

Meet Lucy Princess Howe -The Tarantula

I have been putting off updating my blog for months and now I truly have a reason to update it. So Chloe just turned 5 years old and she told us that she really really wanted a tarantula. Everyday, she would ask me to buy one for her. I tried with all my might to persuade her to pick another pet, like a lops ear bunny. She would have no such thing. She wanted a tarantula, no matter how terrified she knows I am of them. Her birthday came and went and I was hoping that she would forget all about it. Nope, she kept asking us about it. So Sunday after church, John took her hunting for one up the hills. I was thinking that there is no way they would find one. Well, they found one and caught it!!! Chloe named her "Lucy Princess Howe". She loves her new pet and had her cage next to her bed at night. Of course, I am just petrified of this furry creature with large fangs. She placed a school picture of herself in the cage so "Lucy" can recognize her. And, by the way, she has picked up this giant spider and played with it.

Piper Turns 3 years old!!!!

My sweet baby girl is 3!!! We love you so much Piper!

This is what she chose to wear, a oversized nightgown, for her birhday. It was either this or she was going to be naked.

Visiting Mickey.

Happy Birthday Piper! We LOVE you sweet girl!!!

Piper brings so much fun and energy into our life.

Our sweet and mischevious little girl turned 3. She is just full of life and lots of energy. She loves to learn is constantly keeping mom busy. Things she loves to do include: mixing all of mom's makeup, lotion and toothpaste and leaving the mixture for mom on the carpet, bathroom floor, and counters. Saying no to mom all day long. Eating ice cream and Oreo cookies instead of any real food. Trying to feed baby brother Chad Oreo cookies when mom is not looking. Changing her clothes 10 times in an hour. Hiding Buffy and Chloe's toys. Clogging toilets with the entire roll of paper. Painting and drawing and learning to use the computer by removing ALL the keys off the key board. Snuggling with mommy and daddy every morning. Melting daddy's heart daily.

Chad is 7 months

Such a happy and such cute little guy.

Daddy and Chad.

Baby Chad is almost 7 months and he is just the cutest, happiest and chubbiest baby ever! He's got 2 bottom teeth and he uses them too! He is now rolling over, sitting up by himself and occassionally sleeps through the night. Things Chad likes: a bottle, baby food, being held by anyone, kissed by mommy, hanging out with daddy playing Legos, laugh with his sisters and just being loved by everyone.

BUFFY'S NEW LOOK

Hanging out in the snow.
Buffy loves baby brother Chad

Practice away Buffy! We can't wait for you to play Christmas songs for us.

New hair cut for the new year.

Buffy is in first grade and is keeping a very busy schedule. She has started taking piano lessons and is really liking it. We are hoping that this will continue. She is doing great in school and is the best helper for mom. Every morning, she goes and gets Chad out of his room and plays with him. One morning I walked downstairs and she had Chad in his baby seat, buckled in and was feeding him breakfast. She is just so loving to him and runs over the second she hears him crying. Always willing to help. She is very independent and very determined. She has been wanting to cut her hair short for the longest time and finally got it done. She's lost 4 baby teeth and the tooth fairy was very kind to visit her each time with $10. We are very lucky to have Buffy in our family. We love her so much.