IT'S RAINING, IT'S POURING

This has been the craziest week of weather in San Diego County.  Monday was hot, hot, hot.....triple digits in Coastal communities.  Carlsbad even hit 100 degrees!  Tuesday and Wednesday the humidity arrived.....which brings us to today. 

It has been raining all day with the added bonus of  Lightening/Thunderstorms.  We are being hit by a tropical storm coming up from Mexico.

Jessica & I ran to our back warehouse for a photo of the storm....just in case nobody believed us!  I should have never put my summer whites away in preparation for fall.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAYLA

Today is a very special day, 12 years ago today in Oceanside, California a beautiful baby girl was born to Erik & Angie.  She changed all of our lifes forever! 

Let the festivities begin.........

Can't believe our girl Kayla is 12!!!

 She told her mother she wanted a surfboard for her birthday, so we had to oblige.  Violet, Todd and Finn headed to Costco with Kayla in hand.  She was able to pick the color/style she wanted and straight to the beach they headed. 

Surfer Girl

Looks like another Gidget to me.....

Away she goes

 Wave Rider

Surfing & Sunsets

Hands down the best way

to spend a Tuesday evening.

Surfin U.S.A.

Kayla was a natural!

Let's not forget the most important part of any birthday.....

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday dear Kayla,Happy Birthday to you!

Now let's eat cake!

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS OF A DIFFERENT SORT

We decided to mix it up a little last Friday night....instead of Friday Night Lights at a football game we drove to San Clemente to view Lights of the Sky (stars) from the vantage point of my parents home overlooking the golf course with an excellent view of the moon.   Extra bonus:  hanging out with family!

Dueling Telescopes

Todd brought one and believe it or not,

Pato & Devon had their own! 

Remember how I wanted to join Jr. Astronomers?

Wonder where I sign up? 

Do you think my age will be a factor?

My Dad checking out the celestial skies!

Sisters hugging it out while we wait for our men to stop fiddling with their telescopes.....seriously at one point Todd & my father ran up to Starbucks for Latte's, when they returned Todd & Pato sat outside for hours sipping latte's and gazing at the night sky with their telescopes (wonder what else they were looking at?)  I guess we should be happy that we aren't dragging our men home from the bars!!  

While we were out looking at Friday Night Lights, Tiago & Finn had their own fun watching Toy Story and eating popsicles (thanks Grandma Cher).  During the slow parts they would run out for a quick peak at the moon through the telescope.   

It was another fabulous evening star gazing and hanging out with the family!  Don't forget....Star Gazing is free if you use the naked eye, just look up.

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS

September 25th means two things....Violet & Marks Birthday! 

Happy Birthday you two!

When asked what she wanted to do for her birthday, Violet said...I want to eat sandwiches at the beach and have a bonfire.  Really we ask....you don't want to go to dinner or Glen Ivy spa?  No she says...she just wants to be with her family & grandchildren at the beach...

so to the beach we went!



Violet opening her gifts!

Kayla relaxing & sipping her IZZE

Dinner is Served

Aunt Mickey & Uncle Charlie

Finn with Cupcake Face

Kirra & Finn playing Sunset Ball

Sunset



Beach Lover Kirra



Campfire Chat
Aunt Mickey - Kayla - Angie

Todd's Fire Ring

The sunset was beyond believeable, I can't even being to describe the colors.  Next time we will have to bring Mark for a double celebration!  Happy Birthday.

MISS SAIGON

Last night was the final performance for our 2010 Season Passes to the Moonlight Ampitheatre.  On the venue was Miss Saigon.......

Have you seen it?  For Mary and I, this was a first and I must say when they mention "Adult Subject Matter" in the playbill I now know what they mean.

Did they really just say *itch &*hit at a musical?  Are those really scantily clothed girls in gogo cages gyrating on the stage?  I'm not a prud just totally unprepared for an "R" rated performance.

The opening scene was filled with American Gi's dancing about with bare chests.....and boy had they been working out!  Mary and I were riveted.

Best part: an actual helicopter descended from the ceiling onto center stage!

and a Pink Cadillac Convertible!

Overall another amazing evening under the stars at Moonlight Ampitheatre, perfect way to spend the first night of Fall.  Until next year, Au Revoir...

FIRST DAY OF AUTUMN

Let's get to know Tiffiney better........

my favorite season? 

AUTUMN!!

Why?

Back to School, Fall Folliage, Crisp Mornings, Pumpkins, Julian Apple Cider, Oktoberfest, Halloween, Thanksgiving, My Birthday.....I could go on and on.  I was talking to my sister in law (Allie) last week and she mentioned that even the sun seems brighter in the fall!  Another reason to love Autumn. 

Finn this morning....first day of Autumn!

Finn and I dressed in our Fall colors,

Oranges & Browns!

HOMEWORK FOR 3

 Todd & Finn picked Kirra and Kayla up today after school......they went straight to Finn's soccer practice and then back to our house for dinner.  Before dinner Kirra & Kayla decided to get their homework out of the way.....and of course Finn had to jump in and finish his "homework" too!

This is what I looked in on in the middle of preparing dinner.....

Are the Gustafson children awesome or what? 

So proud of them all.

SUNDAY MORNINGS

What did you do this morning?  Did you go to church?  Nurse a hangover? Sleep In?  Go to breakfast?  Am I close?

We arose early and headed to the countryside or more specifically....we went to Valley Center to see Kirra play soccer.  I was hoping to see a little fall color on the drive out but didn't even see a hint of orange or yellow.....

The game was held at Valley Center Middle School, we arrived early and had enough time to stop for coffee & cinnamin twists at the Corner Roundup.

Kayla and Grandma enjoying their 
coffee & hot cocoa.

Todd looks a little too happy....
wonder what was in his coffee?

Our Girl - 18
Love the cleats, JUST DO IT - NIKE

Is my son really licking the tree or

sticking his tongue out at the opposing team? 

I better increase his daily vitamin intake.

How do you know you are at a Soccer Game in Valley Center?
Horses ride by throughout the game....
YEE HAW!

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

This is what we did tonight.......

Carlsbad High School

Lancers Football Game

Go Lancers!!!

Fans

Winning

27 to 17

What did you do tonight?  Enjoy your weekend!

DADDY'S LITTLE HELPER

Never fails....it can be mixing cement, washing the dog or  raking leaves.....Finn always wants to help!

Mixing Cement & Digging Post Hole

We are enjoying his helpfulness knowing this will change when he hits his teenage years....I can see it now, the trash will need to be taken out and mysteriously Finn will be missing.

AHOY....

Are those pirates I see.....

Grandma Cher's house is full of suprises

Judging by the whites of Tiago's eyes.....

I think he found the treasure!

SOCCER PHOTOS

Sunday AYSO Photo Day!

Where in the World

Birthday Package on the way......

wonder where it is...

when will it arrive?

Happy 4th Birthday Brie!

I know your birthday is Sunday but your Aunt was a little late getting it shipped, it will arrive Tuesday from UPS.  Sorry it will be late!  We love you so much...Finn had so much fun picking out a "girl" gift. 

CLIMB

Vista Storm

Saturday we atteneded Kirra's Soccer Tournament at Miramar College.  We've noticed at some of the larger tournaments they have food & game booth's set up for family members that accompany the soccer players to the game.  This gives them something to do in between games.....long days for the parents & players when the first game is at 8am and the next game is at 3:30pm! 

Finn decided he wanted to try the Rock Wall. 

How I wish I could climb as high as Finn, he did pretty well to a certain point and then his poor arms & legs couldn't get him any higher,  that is until......

his dad arrives to lend a helping hand.......where would be in life without a little support from our parents?