Sept

For my birthday, I asked for professional family pictures. Here are some of my favorite.

I also had James Halloween pic's taken

JD refused to wear the hood....

But I had a back up plan:

These photo's were taken by Amber Baker. She is one of the best professional photographer's in this area. She has the most amazing ability to really capture the moment. Here is her website:

http://www.amberkatrina.com/

Be informed on Proposition 8!

PreservingMarriage.org video page:http://www.preservingmarriage.org/videos.html YouTube links:0AProposition 8 Question and Answers:
Will same sex marriages hurt others? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-jc4ujp9Ok
Sick and tired of intolerance? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4nqtDrJI7A
Are others supporting Prop 8? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIvS7redS8M
Wil l courts overturn it again? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4tTRvmgZKM
Didn't we already vote on this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsHqrHoxTiM
Don't others deserve the same happiness? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZP2ERL6Xykk
Will existing rights disappear? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IGPxqHScjk

I would like to quote another couple's views on proposition 8. I do not know this couple personally, but I share the writers views and I believe he expresses it in a simple and straight forward manner.

"First, we feel so strongly about it because of our religious beliefs. We believe that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and central to His plan for the happiness of His children. We also believe that mothers and fathers each have a unique and special role in the home and that both are important to happy family life.()

Also, we don't want the public schools in California to teach children that homosexual relationships are good and normal. In Massachusetts same-sex marriage is legal, and public schools teach to kids as early as kindergarten about same-sex marriage using a book called "King and King" where two princes marry each other and become King and King. Also, in Boston, MA Catholic adoption services were sued by a homosexual couple who were not allowed to adopt a child through the service because Catholics believe that same-sex marriage is wrong and that children deserve to have a mother and a father. They chose to close their doors rather than sacrifice their beliefs. Other lawsuits have happened involving same-sex couples not being allowed to hold their wedding or reception at a Catholic parish center. Any institution in CA, religious or otherwise, that teaches that marriage is a union only between a man and a woman may become labeled as intolerant or discriminatory.

It is important to note that same-sex couples can have a legal union in CA in which they have the same rights as a heterosexual married couple. So, no rights will be taken away from same-sex couples by voting YES on Prop 8. However, voting NO or simply doing nothing will threaten our rights to free speech and our rights to practicing our religion. To me, that isn't more tolerant, it is less."

http://sterlingandcorianne.blogspot.com/2008/10/vote-yes-on-proposition-8.html

July was a very busy month for us. Here are the pictures. Because of the way I download them I am showing them to you from the end of July to the first.

At the end of the month I left James at my mother's for a week so i could go to Florida for the Close to My Heart consultant convention. Here is James with a big smile on face the day before I left. It's weird because I was really looking forward to the week in Florida - no baby, no husband, just me as an individual person for the first time in 5 1/2 years. Yet it was so hard to walk out of my mother's house. It was against every natural mother instinct inside of me to leave James that long. But I left and got over it and had a great week! James did great at my moms - he had Magoo (the dog), the cat, and Nicki's girls to entertain him. By the last day of the convention I was starting to really miss my boys.

How could you not miss this cutie pie?

During August we went to a Dodger game. It wasn't JD's first game - but it was the first one where he could cheer for the team He was just a little to small last year.

Every summer my sister and her girls come down for a week of museum visiting. Here is JD at the La Brea Tar Pits. I love this picture of him on the stairs. It looks like he is really into some deep thoughts.

We also went hiking in the Monrovia Canyon




We also went to the LA Zoo. Here is James hanging with his homie Kaylee.

We also went to the Science Center. James was asleep for the first part - then my camera went dead when he woke up. My sister still had her film camera - so I have pic's of JD, but not on the computer. Anyway - Here is Madison contemplating the size of a cow's brain to the human's brain.

Then of course at the beginning of the month was the 4th of July. As usual, we went to the Vaughan's house and had a great time.

We played rock band on the front lawn. When i left around 11pm they were still playing. As you can see James is an excellent drummer.

So that concludes July! Thanks for stopping by!

I will update soon - don't give up on me!!

June

James and i went to the water park at the Santa Fe Dam. We played in the dam water and took dam pictures. The dam kids played on the dam toys. James loved it!




Dave made a tesla coil for his physic's extra credit project. His group got double point that the teacher usually gives for extra credit. Dave passed the class with an A!



if you would like to know more about a Tesla Coil click on this picture:

Of course we celebrated Father's day. But I forgot to take my camera to Grandpa Bob's house.
Opps.

First steps!

James took his first steps resently. Maybe not technically his first step - but more like he actually wanted to walk and was really trying - kind of first steps. I really like this picture. It shows alot of JD's personality - Ready or not here he goes!!

The year so far

I broke down and started a blog so I could be cool like everyone else. Here is the year so far...

Jan: James had his first hair cut. As you can see he was thrilled. Dave started the winter session at PCC. During this short semester Dave took a logic class.

Feb: James turned 1! We were very excited about this. Espically me - no more bottles!! We celebrated his party at Scoops in Monrovia. If you visit monrovia you MUST stop by Scoops! Its the best little ice cream shop this side of the Mississippi!

March: Dave passed his logic class and now seems more logical. He then started his Spring semester - Physics B and Calculus B. James and I entered a stroller decorating contest for St. Patricks day. We won! I think it was JD's green hair that put us ahead on the votes.

That brings us to April. James is taking guitar lessons from my brother Dan. Dave is on Spring break - but all that means is that he does school work at home instead of school. We did go to San Diego and camp on the beach. James loved it! I don't have pictures yet... I kind of forgot to put the memory card in my camera. So I am waiting to get copies from my sister. Opps...

I guess I didn't really mention what I am up to. Being a mom it kind of feels like I am stuck in the movie "Ground Hogs Day". Its not a bad thing really - just that I feel like I have nothing to report. My Close to My Heart business is doing well. This week I helped another busy mom find out that scrap booking doesn't have to be that hard. I really love those "Ah Ha" moments when a client finds out how easy and fun it actually can be. Those who use CTMH know what i am talking about. I am going to start a scrapbooking blog - so when its up check it out if you are into it.

Thats it for the Vaughan family blog report. I am new at this - so it might be a while before I make this blog as cool as everyone else's. In the mean time - Have a great day!!