ADORABLE GIRLS!!!!!!!!!

I am so blessed to have these two sweet girls. They make my heart happy and my soul sing. Nothing in the world can make me happier then hearing them giggle together. Gods most precious gifts.

ABOVE: Carey in Washington DC with Kevin Downes and David White (two of the stars in his film). To the left he is also with the writers from "Hidden Secrets." They live close to DC and came to support the guys while they were filming the conclusion of Careys movie "To The Wall." Poor Carey who is afraid to fly- flew across the country Tuesday and back Wed.

My Life of Tickets

Oh how happy I am to know my life of tickets is coming to a close for the year. I've begun to process things in quantities of tickets... you want a drink - that's 2 tickets... want to play outside - that's 1 ticket... Maybe's its one to many pumpkin patch.

We went to Bates Nut Farm with our wonderful neighbors & friends, the Dohenwrends, and had a fabulous time. Julia calls Gunner, who used to be "our next-door brother," her "boyfriend" now. Hmm. I think Donica and I are on the same page in that that's great - when you're 20! She so needs to
S L O W D O W N .

But, Bates is a great tradition we've started!

We had an awesome time at the pumpkin patch! The girls and I went Saturday (brave to weekend it). Lillians been having some major melt-downs this week, but considering, things went well.

Lil started dance class! She is the oldest in the class cause mommy couldn't make the commitment for 10 months that is required to be in the older class. 10 MONTHS!! That is about 1/3 of her life so far. I think thats a little much don't you?!! So anyway- shes in the fall session (I can commit to a season evidently). She loved her first class with her friend Jetta. It was so fun to see them in their little ballet outfits. Too bad cause we were nicely told not to stay for the class b/c we're a distraction. HA!

Ice Skating at UTC

OK - so here is ice skating...

Funny. Lillian never let go of the teacher.

Julia spent much of the class on her behind. About 30 minutes into it she decided she was really going to try. She did it!! When she was done she said she wants to do it again. Success!! She wants to go back and the teacher didn't say no!

Not thinking Lil will be back soon though.

KARATE

Julia has been trying some new activities. She has been doing a two week trial at the local Martial Arts place. Its awesome and I would recommend it to anyone...except, I was told "Julia was testing her boundaries" the last time we were there. That was the nice way of saying - your daughter isn't paying any attention and she is disrupting class. So, next we try ice skating.

PATRIOTISM

Well, since the fourth is tomorrow I decided to reflect more on patriotism.

Commonly patriotism is defined as love and devotion to country. Where I find this true, it really requires further definition and will always be up to individual interpretation. Our country was founded on great ideals. I believe embracing the ideals of our predecessors is key, but we also must realize that there is much unfinished work ahead of us (as Lincoln said) to build an even stronger country today. In The True Patriot, the authors say we need to "appreciate not only what is great about our country, but also what it takes to create and sustain greatness." My belief is that we have all the tools to make our country the greatest, we just can't get lazy now.

This has nothing to do with political parties because it is key to every citizen regardless of party affiliation (or non-affiliation!) A gratitude for how lucky we are, an appreciation we should have for the opportunities we have all been given, is a huge part of patriotism. If you find faults with our nation, then change it. You couldn't say that in a lot of places, but here you can make a difference. McCain said "Patriotism is another way of saying service to a cause greater then self-interest." Where I believe some politicians have lost this, I know not all have, and the most important part - you could be a politician, all you need to do is look at our historic Presidential race.

I just hope that we all will not take our freedom for granted. Kennedy warned us, "if we pause for the passing moment, if we rest on our achievements, if we resist the pace of progress...those who look only to the past or the present are certain to miss the future." I believe that our future can be one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all... if we stand up and own it. Take pride in your nation. Hang a flag, read about politics, get involved in your community, state or country.. Just remember we can honor the past and still surpass it, making our nation great for all citizens. As Obama said, "the true genius of America - a faith in simple dreams, an insistence on small miracles."

OK, that's it!

We got a coolio bubble machine at Walmart a few days ago. SOOOOO much fun! Our entire backyard was filled with bubbles (and some of the neighbors as well!)

Its funny cause I have a picture of me when I was this age with the bubble-wand. Even bubble blowing is quite different nowadays.

My sweet little angel... Believe it or not - Julia is finishing preschool next week! HOLY COW!! Now, I don't know how this is possible. She's my little 5lb 8oz c-section baby! AND... I know I haven't gotten any older so its wierd that she's starting elementary school. I honestly cannot articulate this moment well other then to say "my baby's growing up" (too fast I might add!)

Torrey Hills Fire

The fire started around noon on Sunday the 27th. It was burning on the other side of this hill - oh so close to us!!! My neighbors were all super relaxed while I took out my pictures & packed an overnight bag!! It ended up burning about 100 acres. They brought in helicopters that dropped water and the fixed wing huge planes that dropped red fire retardant stuff. Since no one was hurt and no houses burnt down, I can say... it was very cool to have a free air-show in the backyard. It was truly amazing how talented these pilots are. I am so thankful for how fast everyone responded to this!

Flower Fields

We had a fun day at the Carlsbad Flower Fields. It was surprisingly kid friendly & absolutely beautiful!

Reggie & Family in town

Oh how we love Uncle Reg, Auntie Em, Ethan & Kyle. And oh how we wish they didn't have to go home!!! EVER! We had a glorious time hanging with the fam this last week. We went to the Wild Animal Park, dinner at Pappachinos, lunch at CPK (of course!), had a fantastic-wonderful-fabulous-scrumdalicious dinner at "Mama's" house, played football and soccer at the park, and so on and so forth. We love you guys so very much and can't wait to see you super soon.