It's Fall Y'all

I love this time of year! It feels like suddenly there is so much to do on the Central Coast- even if it all has to do with pumpkins and apples. Jose joked that last weekend we went to "100 pumpkin patches." Even though he grossly overaggerated, we did do a lot of pumpkin things!


First I tried going with my friend Gabby to the Nipomo pumpkin patch. I did not know it was only open on the evenings! Not wanting to let our little friend Sam down, I remembered seeing pumpkins at the garden nursery/barn thing off the 101. The owner was so nice to us and encouraged us to walk around and take pictures. Aubriella and Sam enjoyed looking at the animals, and I'd say we got some pretty cute pictures!

The following day we went to See Canyon and Gopher Glen. Neither of us had been there before, and we were expecting to pick apples so we were slightly disapointed to find out you can't. We did learn that our favorite type of apple is the Heaven Sent variety, and discovered that Aubri loves to eat slices of apples regardless of the type.

At Gopher Glen there was a huge pile of pumpkins. We let Aubri sit in them for a picture and everyone who came out stopped to look at her and talk to her! Everyone kept saying how cute she was playing with the pumpkins. I could not get her to look at the camera for anyting, but every person who came out got a smile and wave!

At Gopher Glen, Grammy met us with Adriana, and the twins!

After apple sampling, we made it to the Nipomo Pumpkin Patch. This time it was open!

Avila Valley Barn- Take 2

We made a second trip to AVB this month. This time Adriana and Grammy (Jose's mom) joined us. It was during our heat wave, so the pumpkin ice cream was very much needed. I crack up every time I look at the pictures because Aubriella's hair was looking so different in the dry heat. Her hair seems to change day to day, and just when I think I 've learned to tame it she wakes up and it seems to be growing in a different direction!

Here is an overload of pictures from that day.

BTW, even though I still think she looks adorable, Aubri was not as smiley as she was during our first visit. I think there were so many new things to look at that she was too distracted!

I wanted to take a picture of Aubriella in the sunflowers but there were so many bees in the flowers!

Aubri was actually nervous of the pumpkins at first! It took her awhile to get used to them.

Her cheeks were rosy from the heat!

This is not the best picture of me, but I love it of Aubri becasue this was the weekend she really started taking steps. She did not want to be held and kept squirming until we let her stand up! She looks so big and independent in this picture!

Waiting for the hay ride!

Cutest pumpkin in the whole patch!

Aubriella is so lucky to get to spend so much time with cousin Adriana! Adri has been such a good sport joining us for fall outings.

I LOVE white pumpkins!

Aubri loves to make the wrinkly nose face. I kept waiting for her to smile "for real" all day, and finally Jose told me to just take the picture. If you can't beat them, join them!




We've promised Danica a trip to the pumpkin patch, so stay tuned for AVB take 3! It will be fun to compare her this year to the pictures we took last year.

Do we do Halloween?

A couple of weeks ago, one of my favorite bloggers Christine on Smiles and Trials asked the question about whether or not as Christian's we should celebrate Halloween. She said it perfectly HERE, so I almost don't even have a need to respond, but to say "I agree." But for the fun of it, here are my thoughts...

Growing up, I don't think I even knew what Halloween was until about age 10. Really. My parents took us to the movies or out to dinner I guess and we never even saw trick or treaters. They didn't take us to our church Fall Festival because they didn't see a need to give us an alternative for something we shouldn't care about missing. I would even miss the day at school when they have Halloween parties and costume parades. I appreciate my parents doing this. They had done their research (I can picture the book perfectly "Halloween and Satanism") and they felt that as Christian's they were taking a stand against the pagan, evil rituals.

About the time I was 10 or 11, I remember getting ready to go out to dinner when the doorbell rang and all of our neighborhood friends were dressed up and yelling trick or treat. My parents looked at each other, smiled and asked if we wanted to dress up. In 45 seconds (maybe less) I had donned my Bride dress up clothes and Jesse was in full camo gear (complete with machine gun amo around his chest).


I should probably ask my parents to fill me in on their thoughts during that time, or what changed so the following year we could attend the church Fall festival (me in my Miss America/princess/80's prom dress I had convinced my grandma to buy at a yard sale). Jasen was born the following year and he was always allowed to dress up- funny enough that silly kid choose for himself several years not to participate, much to Jesse's and my dismay. He was our only chance at candy!

I know several years later my mom read another book about Redeeming Halloween, and for the first time we carved pumpkins. This time instead of fearing the old pagan ritual of scaring evil spirits away, we talked about Christ coming into our hearts, cleaning out the junk, and shining through. Brilliant!


Even though my parents attitude changed toward Halloween and we minimally participated, I still hate the holiday and decorations. But I love candy and dress up. So in the end I really don't see a problem with doing either.


If we avoid the holiday at all costs for fear of the evil origins, we might as well skip Christmas- not the focus of Jesus' birth, but the gifts, Santa and Christmas tree (which I know has pagan orgins too, but I can't remember accurately right now, and don't have time to look up because I hear Aubri waking from her nap!). As a side note, Jose and I are in agreement about letting Aubri dress up for Halloween, but we are leaning towards not teaching about Santa.


When I spent a semester at Focus on the Family Institute, I got the opportunity to go on the air with Susie Shellenberger. It was the day before Halloween. I was prepared to share my anti-Halloween attitude, and then was shocked when she opened up the Life on the Edge show with Dobson's position of redeeming the holiday. Instead I spoke about the wonderful opportunity church's have to host outreaches and Fall Festivals!


As a Children's pastor, I've been dreading Halloween, especially since it falls on Sunday! I know there are families who feel strongly against it- and I understand, I've been there- and there are other families asking if their kid can wear their costume to church! Now I'm so looking forward to the day and the Sr. Pastor's wife and I picked out the greatest goodies and lessons. We are going to teach the kids how to Light the Night for Jesus (made easier with their glow stick cross necklaces), we are dressing up in crazy clothes to copy our favorite Hillsong worship leaders, and there might be a certain pumpkin carving lesson. I'm spending the week contemplating what slimy junk and seeds need to be removed from my heart so that Jesus' light can shine through me.


One final thought. How horribly unfortunate would it be if I wasn't okay with dressing up for Halloween? We would miss out on seeing this BEE-utiful Snow White!

San Diego Trip

This past month Jose was assigned the San Diego rotation for work (each month he has to travel to see kids in group homes out of our county). Not a bad place to be sent to! He set it up so that he would travel on days Aubri and I could go with him, and to coincide with St. Joes' Chula Vista football game.

I'm not ashamed to admit, we always pack a lot in to our business trips! After making several stops along the way so Jose could visit the kids, we made it to Matt and Amanda's and had fun catching up and seeing their new home.

The following day we went to Belmont Park. Aubriella was so excited and happy to see the Merry Go Round so Jose took her on the ride. She was SOOO excited! Silvia and I were laughing that she would be asking to ride the roller coaster next.

Getting buckled in

Starting to move...still excited

First time around...not to sure about this anymore.

Second time around....can't breathe....too scared...but she still waved to me (she couldn't even see me) when Jose told her to say hi!

Daddy took her off and the rode the rest of the time on the chair! Haha, it was a little sad to see her get so scared, but so funny to see the progression of fear sink in!

After the ride, we went to the wave restaurant (I don't remember what it is called). Grammy noticed Aubri's tooth popped out!

Just in case her tooth bothered her, Grammy bought her a frozen banana!

Everyone kept commenting on her Charger jersey, and all day she kept wanting to do "touchdown" so I was trying to hold her hands together for a family picture.

She loved playing with the sand, and surprisingly didn't try to eat it!

Later that night, we watched St. Joes beat Mater Dei in Chula Vista (by beat, I mean creamed them, and maybe one little actual punch ;-).

The following day, Matt and Amanda gave us their free guest passes to the San Diego Zoo! I didn't know how much Aubri would be able to appreciate the animals, but she loved them and it was the perfect day! We had a good time hanging out with Matt and Amanda again, and all the animals (except for the panda and polar bears) showed off for us.

I wish you could see the hippo clearly. He was swimming right against the glass. Aubri didn't really notice him, but loved the fish!

The gorillas kept hanging out and fighting right in front of us.

Whoa, who let these crazy animals out?

She had no problem napping in her stroller.

The only thing that could have made this San Diego weekend better was if the Chargers had a home game!