Ash Street

We live on Ash Street. Literally. Due to the Brea/Yorba Linda fires last week, our street was able to live up to its name. Everything is still covered in a layer of ash. I saw on the news that the fire was jumping houses by way of hot embers in the air, so I made Ryan hose down the perimeter of our house because our yard is pretty much dry brush right now. One of the reasons he's such a wonderful husband is that he humors me and my paranoid requests. 

*the view on our drive between Brea & Yorba Linda

This was the view from our car on our way to Barrett Windes' 2nd birthday party in Yorba Linda on Saturday. It was devastating to think of all the homes that were destroyed and all the people who were affected. There were crowds of people everywhere just watching in shock. There was a constant stream of police & fire-truck sirens going off in the distance all day long. It kind of felt like the end of the world, like something out of a movie. It was so surreal. 

* our smokey street Sunday morning.

Saturday night was miserable in our house. It's an old house and there's about an inch between the bottom of our front door and the ground. We rolled up a towel to block the smoke from seeping in but we still woke up Sunday morning to a stuffy, smokey house. We put a humidifier in Wendy's room, which seemed to help. But I couldn't really complain about everything I own smelling like it had been to a bon fire, when there are people who have lost everything they own. My heart really goes out to them. 

Jenn + Will = True Love

*us, circa 1998

Jenn & I go waaay back. I think we were 11 years old when we met (fortunately for me, but unfortunately for you, we didn't take a lot of pictures of ourselves at that age). Growing up, we did everything together: school, church, seminary, shows, dances, secret clubs, trick-or-treating, prank calling, cheesy soft-focus mall photo's, knott's scary farm, toilet papering, road trips, you name it. Just last summer we took a girls trip to Hawaii. I'm so glad we've stayed such good friends over the years. She's more than my B.F.F., more like C.O.F.T.O.F. (you might not know what that means, but she does).

On October 10th, 2008, Jennifer Bartlett became Mrs. Jennifer King. The day was perfect. She's always beautiful, but on her wedding day she was radiant. I mean it, she was really glowing. I could tell they were so happy and I was thankful for getting to be a part of their special day.

The pre-wedding festivities included fun bridal showers and a karaoke/pizookie bachelorette party.

*Heather, Jenn & Ashlyn outside B.J.'s - YES, even Ashlyn made a special guest appearance!

*can't forget "Whatta Man" by En Vogue

Shawni, Kelly, Jenessa & I had a great time together as bridesmaids. We partied all day, danced all night, then had a rock-band after party at my house. So fun.

*amazing photos by Amelia Lyon

Yo Gabba @ Amoeba!

*I was not about to wait in the LOOOONG line that weaved through the entire store to fix this blur of a picture

Last Saturday, D.J. Lance Rock performed at Amoeba! So we took a family trip out to Hollywood to enjoy the show. It was crazy to see ALL the people who showed up with their kids (a lot of them decked out in Gabba gear or wearing their home-made Yo Gabba costumes from Halloween the night before). 

Towards the end of the show, D.J. Lance said, "Maybe we should bring some of our special friends up to dance!" I'm pretty sure by "Special Friends"  he meant the kids, but these CRAZY moms shoved their way to the front and jumped on stage with their kids. They were INTO IT! I could just picture these ladies watching Yo Gabba at home and dancing around the living room alone while their toddlers nap.  It was pretty awesome. 

      

*yes. blurry again. i know. She still looks ridiculously cute in the "Wendy" shirt aunt Ruthy made her.

 

HALLOWEEEEN!

This year I had big plans for Wendy's 1st halloween. Wendy, Ryan, and I were going to be a family of ballerina's (yes, Ryan too). It all fell apart when I lost my tutu and Ryan ended up having to work all night. Wendy was pretty darn cute though. I was really proud of myself for making her costume, and made myself a tutu at the last minute.

The festivities included:

1. Trunk-or-treat at the church. Wendy's little buddy Kate was the cutest strawberry I've ever seen! 

             

2. Surprise trick-or-treat to both Grandparent's houses. As you can see they are in love with her and it made my night to make their night just by stopping by. 

*trick-or-treating 

*Ryan finally showed up, YAY!

             

3. Then we finished out the night partying at the Georgianna's. We went trick-or-treating around the Georgianna's neighborhood and I had no shame using my toothless 6 month old baby to score some candy. (Does that put me on the same level as the 14 year old boys with no costume and deep voices that come to the door expecting candy?- I don't even care.) To be honest, when we got to the house that was handing out regular sized candy bars I couldn't help myself.