Fire Station-Open House

Yesterday, the Fire Stations in OC held an Open house for all the kids to come check out the fire stations. Mike, Jake and our friends, Mike, Debbie and their son Mikey went to the Ladera Ranch Fire Station. They got to play on the trucks, hold a fire hose, listen to the sirens, and dress up in the fire gear! Jake loved seeing all the trucks up close!

Pumpkin City!

After we went to the Kidsfaire, we headed to Pumpkin City. I have been going to Pumpkin City every year since I was Jake's age. It is beyond special for me to be able to go there with my husband and son.
We didn't really do any pumpkin exploration. Jake is REALLY into various types of transportation. He loves, cars, planes, trains...anything that moves. We could have probably just taken him to Wal-mart and stuck a quarter in those little rides in front of the store and he would have been equally thrilled. Nonetehless, Mike and I enjoed taking Jake to what I am sure is the first of many trips to Pumpkin City this year.

Giving the pumpkin a kiss...

Kidsfaire-Or really I should say Camel Petting Zoo

Last weekend we went to the Kidsfaire in Costa Mesa. It was VERY uneventful, boring to say the least. However, they did have an area for Camel rides. Among the giant camels were two babies. One was 6 weeks old and the other one eight weeks old. They were the snuggliest things I have ever seen in my life. They were like giant puppies. I was in love....Jake on the other hand was happy to pet them and get moving on! I would have stayed there all day long!

Jake and Elmo

This week, Jake fell in love with Elmo. He has always liked Elmo, but this week, he has taken his love for him to an all new level. Elmo is on TV at home, Elmo is on TV in the car, Elmo is always in his arms. Today Jake shared his lunch with the little red guy, he was actually feeding Elmo chicken , avocado, strawberries and watermelon...I thought it was the cutest thing ever!

So Sad....

Travis Barker and DJ AM (Adam Goldstein) were in a deadly plane crash last night and are both severely burned. Travis is a very good customer and friend of my sister, as was Chris, Travis's assistant who sadly passed away in the crash, leaving behind a new wife and baby. Both my sister and I went to high school with Adam. We are so sad today, and are wishing Travis and Adam a speedy and painless recovery.

Happy Birthday Jackson Lee Loya!

Happy Birthday to the cutest 5-year-old boy in the world! We love you!!

September Eleventh...

September eleventh is a very difficult day of the year for me. As you may or may not know, I had the extreme misfortune of being in New York City, Times Square to be exact, on September 11, 2001. Every year on this day I relive the most terrifying day of my life. The memories of that day are forever embedded in my mind. I flash back seven years, and remember the sounds of the blaring sirens, I still smell the smoke and ash that permeated the air, and I feel the weakness in my knees from the fear that radiated throughout my entire body, as my dad and I walked amongst the mobs of panicked people on the streets of New York City.

I looked at Jake this morning, and just couldn't believe how far I have come in those last seven years. The memories of 9/11/01 are forever in my mind and my heart.

When I woke up this morning, I decided to make the best of this ominous day. Jake and I, along with our friends Lea, and Cade, headed out for a day of fun at the Santa Ana Zoo. We had a great time! It was so wonderful to be able to forget the date today, even for just a few hours...

Jake on the jungle gym

Cade and Jake up to no good!
They have a new Carousel at the zoo...it is the most beautiful carousel I have ever seen! The colors and the array of animals are incredible! (Jake on a hummingbird)
Cade on the Rooster

Cade and Lea checking out the monkeys...
This way mama!
Too bad it wasn't real!
They loved playing in this old Jeep!!
Choooo choooooo!!