have i mentioned...?

my son's adorable webbed toes??


and not mention his adorable face, of course

a tribute.

9 years ago today, my father passed away. it is so hard to believe how fast time has gone. and how much has happened since he lived. i got married...lived in TX for a while...moved across the country to CA...had 2 kids...and have had countless ups and downs during those years. and very often, it breaks my heart to know that he never knew me as a married woman...a working woman...a mom. he never saw me mature into the person i am today. i like to believe that someday, i will be able to tell him all about it.

many of you knew my dad. but, for those who didn't, you need to know that he was a man filled to the brim with love. love for the Lord, love for his work as a doctor, love for his friends and community, love for his church, love for sports (even when those cleveland teams would break his heart), love for physical activity. but, most importantly, love for his wife and his kids. we always came first.

He was... the dad who became coach of our softball teams and would cheer til his voice cracked. the dad who drove late at night to pick me up at my first sleepover, because i was homesick. the dad who drove me and my girlfriends to go teepee-ing in the middle of the night. the dad who built us the best treehouse in the neighborhood. the dad who got baptized with me in the dominican republic. the dad who taught me how to drive a stickshift. the dad who took us to countless cleveland indians game and stayed til the very last out. the dad who built the most beautiful barbie dreamhouse with his own two hands. the dad who handed me my highschool diploma. the dad who taught me how to love Christ.

i was so blessed to be given 22 years with my dad. i have to admit, though... i do get angry that it wasn't more. and if i could, i would go back in time and tell myself at 13 years old...15...16 - don't be a brat! talk to your dad, love him, spend more time with him. but, i truly hope he knew how much i did love him. i miss you, dad. i'm blessed that your legacy and your memory, including your hugs, your laugh, your presence will live on.

trick or treat, smell my feet...

Her daddy taught her that little diddy... (okay, every once in a while, i will sing along too). anyway, Avery was Ariel for halloween. Josh was prince Eric. (for all of you out there NOT familiar with the little mermaid. prince eric is ariels "prince"). Caleb was going to be a giraffe. Unfortunately, he was mr. sickypants and didn't get to dress up or have any kind of fun. other than staying at home with mom and/or dad. the weekend was fun, though. lots of parties and festivals, and of course, candy.

party #1 with daddy


trick or treat party with mommy
loved trick or treating as a kid...so, this brought back so many fun memories.

and posing, like the true princess she is, in between parties

grab the carving kit...or the paintbrush

time to take care of our halloween/autumn duty and carve those pumpkins.


although, avery preferred to paint.


and we took a field trip to mr. bones pumpkin patch in beverly hills. we didn't stay too long, however, since it ended up being nearly 90 degrees...whew!

up the big slide....

and down... (this cracks me up)

princess tea...and other fun stuff

avery got to go to one of her bff's princess tea party...and oh my goodness, she had a blast.


caleb even got in the mix, on the pony



mommy time

later that night...


Lamby!

Daddy not liking the lollipop so much

cuties