Happy Birthday Mom!

We headed to Newport Beach today to celebrate my mom's birthday. It wasn't the celebration we originally had planned though. Unfortunately, she took a fall a couple of weeks ago, broke her knee, and developed a very large blood clot in her leg. We had a few very scary days, and she has had a very difficult few weeks.
I was so happy to be able to see her today and celebrate with her! I made her a photo collage with pictures of her throughout her life...

I also made her a memory book. I asked our family members for some of their favorite, funny, sweet, or memorable moments of mom. I was hoping it would make her feel special...she does so much for everyone, and I wanted her to know how much she is loved!

 She is having a tough time being limited to a chair and having to use a walker to move in a very limited way. We are praying for a quick recovery, but it could be a long road ahead. My dad has been a rock star taking care of her and stepping up to do the cleaning and shopping!
It's just nice to see a smile on her face!

 My birthday is next week, so we were able to celebrate together too. She spoiled me, as usual!
I love my new purse, a beautiful new necklace...

 my "40" gifts (yikes, really??)

 and my dad went out and got me a cake too.

 I am so blessed to have the most amazing mom. She does so much, and is always there for everyone and everything. Love you mom!! Happy Birthday!

Not quite done!

Cooper had a check-up with the orthopedist this morning. He was anxiously awaiting the cast to come off!

 Yikes...check out that skin!

 More xrays...

 After visiting with the doctor, we got good news and bad news. The cast will stay off...yay! Unfortunately, he wants him to be in a brace for 3 more weeks...ugh!
 He really wants to have the bones strong and healed completely before he is back to playing sports or having any accidents. So the brace can come off at home, in a controlled setting, doing mellow activities. At least showers will be easier!

 I feel bad for this guy, he is so ready to get back to the sports he loves, and time at the beach! My go-to when I'm feeling down?...sweets! So we made a quick stop at Peterson's for some yummy donuts on our way back to school.

The Lord is always there to put things into perspective for me. Later that afternoon, we received an email from our lacrosse coach that one of the players from Coop's team was just diagnosed with leukemia. He will be living in a hospital in L.A. for at least a month and undergoing serious chemotherapy treatment. I was crushed and heartbroken for him and his family, and we will do what we can for them.
Be thankful for the blessings we have, and I will hug my kids a little tighter tonight.

Is it Fall yet??

Tomorrow is the official beginning of Fall, but you'd never know it from the heat waves we've been having! I'm so ready for cool weather, jeans and sweatshirts! Anyway, we headed up to Oak Glen for our annual apple/raspberry picking today. It was a beautiful day!
We started with raspberries. I'm so glad we got up here before they're done for the season.

 We loaded up our pints (and tasted a few along the way!)

 Then moved on to apples. Zoe picked a couple Red Delicious...

 then we picked some Goldens and Spartans...

 Took a few photos walking around the area...

 We'd worked up an appetite, so we found a perfect bench in the shade and enjoyed our picnic lunch.

We picked up some cider and headed home. Thankful for a fun family day.

Keeping busy...

It has been a long 5+ weeks for Cooper. It has been hard to not be able to spend his free days at the beach, or jump in the pool on these 106° days, or play basketball or lacrosse. Thankfully, he has some good friends that continue to find ways to include him while they're playing, and he's found ways to keep himself entertained on his own.
We found some great exercise equipment while shopping (a great way to burn off energy!)...

 and I just cringed watching him ride his rip-stik down the cul-de-sac with his cast. He doesn't go very fast, as opposed to the skateboard. It's just too hard to keep him down!

 It was funny watching him and Miles run down the street in the rain, with a grocery bag around his arm to keep his cast dry...

 and he finally figured out how to play his Xbox with just his index and middle fingers.

We can't wait to get this cast off. Normal showers, getting to write with his right hand again, and slowly getting back into sports!

Homecoming Dance!

I'm sure this is the first of many dances Zoe will be attending through high school. I got tears in my eyes watching her get ready. She is growing up so quickly, and I can't believe I'm lucky enough to get to raise her each and every day. She loved getting to wear her first pair of heels, even though they weren't the 5 inch ones she was hoping for!
She was happy to be going with a large group of girlfriends. They met up at her friend Madeline's house for some pre-dinner pictures.

Love my girl (who is just about my height, and definitely taller than me in heels!)...

 This was the first part of the group!

 Showing off their fancy footwear...

 and their "Wolfpack" sign....

 The cross-country runners, and the dancer, all had their athletic spandex shorts on underneath...

(Lauryn and Zoe)

(Gabby and Zoe)

(Maddy, Zoe, and Hannah: the non runners!)

(Savannah and Zoe)

 The rest of the girls showed up for a final picture. This is such a great group of girls, and they all looked beautiful!

Then it was off to dinner before the dance!

The girls all traded their heels for converse for the dance. They said it was hot, and very crowded, but a ton of fun! They ended the night at Savannah's house for a dessert party. Overall, I would say the night was a huge success.

Spirit/Homecoming Week!

With this being Homecoming week at the high school, it meant more spirit days! Since Zoe is W.S.B. they always wear their shirts on Mondays...

 Tuesday was class distinction day, with Freshmen wearing white...

Wednesday was Superhero day...

Thursday (being 9/11) was Patriotic Day, with everyone in Red, White & Blue. Somehow she didn't get a picture of that. Friday was once again, Red Wave day...

They also had their Superhero themed Homecoming Pep Rally in the gym...

We went to the Homecoming game Friday night. I have a great time sitting in the bleachers with friends, Cooper runs around with his friends from school, and Zoe joins the Red Wave section, which gets crazier every week!

The marching band and color guard did their intro.

 At halftime, the ROTC did a tribute to all first responders and military...

 The Homecoming court came out in convertibles...

 and were presented by family members...

 They brought in some Superheroes and did a police chase on the field. It ended with a helicopter coming in to deliver the banner with the Homecoming queen's name on it.

Of course, they ended it all with a firework show!

 Although we lost the game, it was a great night!