The Family Truck-ster

I have been driving my Chrysler Town & Country Minivan since September of 2002. We bought it brand new and when I drove it I thought I was in Minivan Heaven! This car has served us well over the last six years. We have tossed around the idea of trading it in for something else but we really like the "no car payment" thing. It took a lot to talk Jim into getting a minivan in the first place! I love having room for carpool, pets and space for when we travel to St George or Vegas to visit family. (The boys can sit so nobody is touching)

Well, I have been watching the odometer very closely lately. Yeaterday, I got done with my errands and carpooling for the day and I was at 99,995 miles. So after dinner, Jim and I decided we needed to run a couple of more errands so we could witness the big 100,000. I had a long day so we went to Jamba Juice because I needed some desert and then to Lowe's to get some trim moulding for the basement (we have a project going on down there we will blog about later). Then it happened! Driving south on 2000 W in Clinton toward home the odometer changed to 100,000. We pulled over and took a picture with Jim's new G1 phone (It has a pretty good camera) and we talked about all the fun places we have been in our family car.

Some Like it HOT!

Most of our weekends lately have been accompanied by a storm. In fact, on the 12Th we got our first snow. It looked a little like this:

Well, we finally got a really nice weekend last week. It was in the lower 70's and the colors were beautiful! It was doubly great because the boys had a four day weekend. As much as I appreciate the moisture in our dry, desert climate, I very much prefer the weather we have been having the last week.

We decided to take advantage of the time off school and the great weather and go to "Frightmares" at Lagoon. We had season passes this year and several other years but we had never been to "Frightmares". We just went for the evening and the boys went on a couple of their favorite rides while I followed them around. I took some knitting and only went on Wicked, my favorite ride there.

Here are a few of the fun photo ops at the park:

Austin riding Paratrooper

Kyle just hangin' around

Josh floating in space

"Leave Your Print"

I am from CA and my sister still lives there. I think this issue along with all issues we will vote on this November are extremely important. Please register and get out and VOTE!

Things I Forgot to Blog - or - The Longest Blog Post Ever!

It feels pretty official. I really feels like Jim has completely handed over the blogging responsibilities to me. That tends to happen a lot with us. Ladies, you may know what I am talking about. You show the slightest interest in doing something and, POOF, it is now your responsibility. Maybe it's just you ladies that are married to Barber Boys, I don't know. That is a discussion for a completely different blog!

There are some things that have happened in the last month or two that have deserved to be blogged and either I was waiting to see if Jim would do it or I just got busy doing all the other things Jim thinks I can do with all that "free time" I have while he is at work. (Can you tell it's a sore subject?)

1. Braces - The two older boys got braces while I was in Louisiana. Jim took pictures with his cell phone and sent them to me

Austin got red and green bands. Christmas is his favorite holiday and his favorite colors.

Kyle got blue bands to go with everything else he has that is blue!

2. The Cabin - A couple of weekends ago, we were able to go to Jim's Uncle's cabin. We took some friends with us this time. It was a very relaxing and fun weekend. The colors were just starting to change so it was beautiful. Also, it was our friend's birthday. All Brent wanted for his birthday to do was play Rock Band, ride 4-wheelers, eat cheesecake and not work on his house that he has been remodeling for the last six months. He got his wish!

We ate at this cool new 50's diner the first night we were there. It is right at the mouth of the canyon you go up to get to the cabin. It was FABULOUS!

Brent looks like he doesnt' want to share his cheesecake but he did. He was just making faces at his kids in the birthday candlelight.

We take a family picture in this same spot every time we go up there. Rain, snow or sunshine!

Fun, Fun, Fun!!!

3. Jim in South Carolina - Jim had a business trip last week. All I have to say about this is I wish I could have been there with him. He was in beautiful Hilton Head Island and has BORED! He forgot the camera so all I have is pictures he sent to me via picture message on my cell. I am not really sure where these pictures were taken exactly but they made me want to be there in person!

4. I also wish I was at Disneyland - Most of you know that if I could snap my fingers and be anywhere I wanted I would be at Disneyland. I havent' been in about four years and that's a long time for me. I am having serious withdrawls! Well, A dear friend of mine went last week and I pleaded with her to bring me home my favorite treat, (at least my favorite treat that could travel) The Jaw-Breaker-on-a-Stick! She teased me by sending me a picture on my cell.

Well, I think that's it. You are all caught up. I don't think I will have anything to blog about for a few days. I am fully into "Christmas Knitting" mode. Between that and finishing up the last book in the "Twilight Series" (not a huge fan but had to see how it ended), I have not had a desire to sit down in front of the computer lately. I may start a knitting blog, though. I haven't decided yet if that's something I want to do. I am sure I will let you know if I do!

My Favorite Time of the Year

Happy October everyone! I love fall! I can't decide which reason is my favorite but here are my top reasons I love fall:

1. The weather cools off - Those of you that know me well know that I don't function well in hot weather. I would much rather be slightly cold than slightly hot. I say slightly because I am a tiny bit of a wimp if it is too cold, also. (Mostly because I have Raynaud's Syndrome which causes me to loose blood in my extremities when I get too cold or stressed) Jim makes fun of me because I only have about a 15 degree temperature range where I am comfortable. I guess that's what happens when you grow up in San Diego.


2. My favorite holidays are in the next three months - I love Halloween because I love to dress up in a costume. On Halloween I can be anyone I want to be and give out treats to all my little friends in the neighborhood. I love Thanksgiving. That is usually the only time that most of the Perez side of the family can get together. I love seeing all of them and feeding them a yummy dinner. And who doesn't love Christmas? Celebrating the birth of the Savior is wonderful. I love getting together with family and friends (of course more treats and yummy dinners are involved). Now if only spring could begin on January 1st!


3. My favorite colors are in the fall - We were able to visit the cabin a couple of weekends ago. when we got up there the trees were just starting to change and by the time we left the mountains were splattered with every color you could imagine! It was breathtaking!


4. I can start knitting and crocheting again - Not that I ever stop but I don't knit as much in the summer and if I do it is little things like socks and dishcloths. Now that the weather is cooler I can start with the afghans and sweaters! You can also wear knitted things in the fall and winter. I love to see people use the gifts I have crafted for them!


5. I can start cooking again - I love to cook almost as much as I love to eat or knit. I like to grill but there is only so much you can do on the grill. I cant wait to start roasting and baking in the oven. I love soups and stews. I love filling my home with all the yummy smells of fall!

I think those are my top five in no particular order. Leave a comment about your favorite season. If you love fall, tell me why. I am sure that is something else I also love about this time of year.