They're off!

After 18 months, Friday was the big day...

 They came off and he was so happy!  Can't you tell???

Fire Storm 2014

On Tuesday, a fire broke out in the Rancho Santa Fe area due to the heat and high winds.  No big deal really, the fire crews were on it pretty quickly and were able to save all the houses.  So then Wednesday rolled around....

First, a fire broke out on Camp Pendleton.  The next thing you know, there's a very dangerous fire breaking out in Carlsbad.  This one threatening homes and schools.  While all the resources were being spread all over the county, another fire broke out in Bonsall and near the I-15 and 76.  And if that weren't crazy enough, this is what I saw in San Marcos, as I was picking up Gav from school around 3:30 PM-

This one became the most dangerous one, because of the speed and the homes and the University it was threatening.  When I got home, there were 2 more in Oceanside that broke out and another on the base.  We were literally surrounded!  It was really scary.  We stayed glued to the TV all day.  We were having record breaking heat and winds that day.  And it all seemed really suspicious that all of these fires could just possibly be a coincidence.  We were very on edge, just waiting and watching to see if Vista would be next.  But, thankfully, it never was.  But due to the situation and bad air quality, Schools were closed for the rest of the week.

Thursday was just as bad.  A couple more fires flared up around the county, but nothing compared to the San Marcos and Pendleton fires.  They were still burning out of control.  We needed a break from the house and the news, so we headed out to Fallbrook to do some swimming.  This is what we pulled up to-

 It looked pretty close, but Papa insisted that it was a few miles away...

 So, we jumped in and swam.  Then the smoke became higher and bigger.  Ash began blowing everywhere.  The smell of smoke was getting stronger and our eyes were beginning to burn.  I decided it was time to leave.  I asked Papa if we wanted to leave with us, but he said no.  So, we left.

As we were driving out of his street, we noticed a bunch of emergency vehicles flying up the other side if the road.  The Sheriff had the street blocked to oncoming traffic.  Papa's neighborhood was being evacuated!!!  I panicked and wanted to turn around to get him, but I couldn't.  I tried to go around the back way and they had that blocked too.  I called him and he said he would just get out with the neighbors.  Except that he neighbors didn't want to leave.  Nana had their only car and tried to get to him, but she couldn't.  Thankfully, the High Priest Group Leader was able to get in and get him out.  And then the evacuation order was lifted.  It was pretty chaotic and stressful and exciting.  I'm just glad everyone is safe.  

San Marcos and Pendleton are still burning today.  They are both around 85% contained.  Everyone has been allowed to return to their homes.  Unfortunately, some people in Carlsbad and San Marcos, have no homes to return to.  The good thing is, no one died.  Well, except for one person they found in a migrant camp in a canyon.  That's pretty amazing.  We are being told this is just the beginning of a long fire season.  This is a great reminder to us to be prepared.  I hope they are wrong about a long fire season.  I hope we can all be safe.  And I hope they catch whoever did this, so they can't do this again.

Mommy / Daughter Concert Night

For Mothers Day and as a Birthday gift to Sarah, I got all of us tickets to see Lindsey Stirling at Humphrey's.  So, Tuesday night, we all met at my house and took the party van down to Point Loma.  We started the night with dinner at Panera-

 

 Then we headed to the concert!  The weather was so nice and it was so fun to have such a special Girls Night Out with these lovelies-

We met up with the Wooleys too!

 The show was amazing.  She is so talented and such a great performer.

 I got really excited when she did her video games themes montage/medley-

 This girl was so happy!  She even got herself a t-shirt.  Chloe and Emma did too and the three of them wore them to school the next day.  Such a fun night with some of my favorite ladies.  Hope we can do it again soon!

Mothers Day

This is seriously my favorite day of the year!  My lovely family made me this wonderful spread for breakfast.  They all came singing to me at about 7:15 AM and we all sat on the bed and shared the delicious meal.  They each made me homemade cards and filled their vases with tulips.  We kind of had to rush, because of 9:00 AM church, but my morning meeting got cancelled so it was nice to be able to all go to church together.

Church was wonderful and when I came home, Jer & the kids did everything so that all I had to do was NOTHING!  I even got a nice nap.  Jeremy made me an awesome steak dinner and we watched LOTR.  I even got wonderful texts from friends and family and the Bauer kids.  It was such a wonderful day....I did not want it to end.  I am so thankful that I get to be a mom.  I am so thankful that Heavenly Father sent me these blessings.  I love them so much and feel so loved by them.  It was a very Happy Mothers Day to me!

Her Universe Fan Girl of the Day

No way!  No way!  No way!

I finally got around to nominating Cali.  And she was featured on the website and the FB page on May 10th.  She was so excited!

Cali's Spring Concert

Wednesday May 7th, Cali's band class put on their end of the year Spring Concert.  They did such an amazing job.  She loves playing the french horn and we love being her audience.  Way to go Cali!

Cinco de Mayo

I got to take Nana and Papa to the airport on Cinco de Mayo.  They flew to Colorado to surprise Mikey for his birthday.  Brody and Gavin had the day off of school, so Brody came with me.  We stopped in Old Town before heading home and had ourselves a little Cinco de Mayo celebration at our favorite place, Barra Barra.

 We had so much fun and stopped and got some root beers for everyone before we left.  That night, we headed over to the Compound for more celebrating with the Bronsons.  Look at these 2 cute senoritas-

May the Fourth Be with You!

May 4th fell on a Sunday this year.  So, I, of course, had to find a way to wear a Star Wars shirt to church.  And so, here's what I came up with-

 AND I finally put together my charm bracelet for the special day-

 After church, we all got on our favorite Star Wars t-shirts and headed over to the Ranch for dinner and some Star Wars fun!

 We didn't get to devote the whole day to Star Wars, but we were able to shop some deals on line and Cali and I got these awesome mystery t's from Her Universe.

We Love Our Star Wars!  May the Fourth be With You!

FCBD 2014

Even though we had a shower and a Baptism and a football game,  we still fit in a trip to Toy Wars for Free Comic Book Day!  Jer took the boys after Brody's game and they all got some cool comics.  They even brought some home for their sister.  We love this tradition!

Brody's Baptism

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Saturday was a crazy, busy day!  But at 4:00 PM, the best thing took place!  We made it to the church and got everything all set up...

 Brody was so excited.  He has been looking forward to this for a long time.  We talked a lot prior to this day about the importance of baptism.  He really wanted to take this step.  He told me that he wanted all the bad things he'd ever done washed away.  He told me he wanted to be like Jesus and Choose the Right.  He truly understands what this day means.  And I am so proud of him.  Look how happy he is-

 The whole program was perfect!  His grandmothers gave the prayers, his Papas were the witnesses, Gavin and Carter gave the talks, Cali and Chloe sang a song and his Daddy performed the Baptism and the Confirmation.  So many of our friends and family were able to be there too.  Here he is with his Granny-

 We headed back home for a little celebration party!  As we drove back home, I asked him how he felt...he said "AWESOME!".  Then he told me that he felt so good and happy.  (sniff, sniff...)

We had a great time playing with the friends and family back at the house.  And he even got some pretty special gifts...

 His favorite gifts, were his very own scriptures.  He even took them to school today for show n tell.  I love this little man.  I can't believe my baby is 8!  He is one smart, silly, sweet little dude.  I know that he will be blessed by his decision to be baptized.  It is such an amazing feeling to know that all of my children have made this choice.  It gives me hope that they will continue to follow their Savior and continue to make the right choices throughout their lives.

Congratulations Brody Bear!  We Love You!