happy halloween!

A few weeks ago, before we left for California, we went to the pumpkin patch. I'm not a huge fan of Halloween but I do love going to the pumpkin patch every October. The boys had a great time looking for pumpkins,

posing for pictures, and taking a train ride.William picked out a great pumpkin for us. Unfortunately, between coming and going and all the other activities we had going on this week, we didn't have a chance to carve it! So sad. Maybe we'll do it tomorrow anyway. Who cares if it's November?! Besides... we have to at least gut it so we can roast the seeds! Yum!

Last night we went to BenSam's birthday costume party. This is my nephew, BenSam. Isn't he cute?!It was a blast! Thanks Bob and Daniela! William decided to go as Tigger. We tried to get James to be a giraffe.We had no such luck. He went as Batman.

And then today. Today was crazy. William and I spent the afternoon baking cookies and pies for the ward Harvest Party (and thus had no time to carve a pumpkin). But before the ward party we had to stop by the company trick-or-treat. This time both boys were superheroes. I wish I had gotten a better picture of Batman and Spiderman. William had a blast. The boys were both so loaded with candy that we had to empty out their buckets before going on to the next activity. Every department has a theme. This year Rich's department did "The Great Outdoors"... thus the tent.

The ward party got thrown onto the Young Women so I had one of the girls take it on as a value project. She did a great job!!! The Young Men hosted a chili cook off before hand. Good food = happy people = successful ward dinner. William's favorite game was the cake walk.He didn't care if he won or not, he just liked walking in the circle. When they started to give out the cupcakes to anyone William happily refused saying, "But I didn't win!" He's goofy. One thing I can say for my ward is that people always stay after to help with clean-up... even if they weren't remotely in charge of the activity. It usually goes pretty quickly that way. The boys decided to play a little game of basketball while they waited. It was fun to watch William get in there with the "big" boys.

When we arrived home I saw that some of the neighbors still had their lights on and doors open for trick-or-treaters. I asked William if he wanted to knock on a few doors. I was really shocked when he said, "No." I guess he was all trick-or-treated out. Besides, we didn't need anymore candy!

How was your Halloween?

I know you're jealous...

Rich took this picture today. Who ever thought we'd see gas under $2 again?

ps. Updates from our week in California coming soon!

friends and family

The best thing about going back to Corona is seeing friends and family. This trip I was able to see more than usual thanks to Jacob's baptism and a friend's wedding reception. My Grandma Fisher was able to fly down for the baptism. I haven't seen her in years and this is the first chance she's had to meet James (who is named after my Grandpa Fisher).

4 generations: Dad, Grandma Fisher, Jeanine, James and William

I also got the chance to see my cousins (and meet 2 of them--Aaron and Rainer--for the first time). I am the oldest grandchild on my mom's side and so most of the little cousins don't really know me.

Allred cousins: Elise, Rainer, Amanda, Aaron, Jacob, Mason, James, Jeanine, William, and Rachelle

The Monday before we left I met Melissa at the park for a play date. Melissa and I have known each other since 3rd grade. It was fun to meet her two kids who are absolutely adorable!

Melissa, Kirra, and Jeanine

And of course, I love seeing my own family!

Dad, Mom, William, Jeanine, James and Jacob

Elise, Rachelle, James and Jeanine (we missed you Amy!)

Rachelle and I had fun staying up way too late talking, studying, and shopping.

Elise and Austin were able to come down as well.

William couldn't wait for Austin to get there so they could play beanbag fight. (Side note: Beanbag fight is a favorite past time at the Fisher house... at least since Jacob was born. Jacob sits on the stairs with whoever is on his team and the opposition stands a ways back at the bottom. They then pelt each other with bean bags. It gets violent.) They also had fun playing basketball.

James had a great time with Elise climbing the rock wall,on the zip line, and playing basketball.

And James loves all things noisy. Every day when he woke up from his nap he would go straight to the closet that houses the vacuum and convince my mom to vacuum with him. He also knew where she kept anything noisy... the vitamix, the can opener, the mixer, etc.

My dad has a ram's horn and James loved to hear him blow into it. He'd go into the study during the day and just point up to it trying to get Grandpa to make some noise with it.

He also loved to tickle the ivories.

We loved coming to visit and see everyone. We can't wait to see you again!

little travelers

My boys are such great travelers. I was a little worried about traveling by myself with both of them but they were so good. Both there and back they slept on our longer flight (OKC to Phoenix) and watched shows from Phoenix to Ontario.James did have a little bit of a hard time on the way home but only because he was tired... and he fell asleep within 15 minutes of take-off. I was especially lucky that I saw a friend on our layover in Phoenix so I was able to leave our stuff with her while we went to the bathroom, etc. instead of lugging it all in there with us. Thanks Charly!

awesome uncle jacob

My brother Jacob is a great uncle. He's only 4 years older than William so that makes Uncle Jacob even more special. William just loves spending time with Jacob and the three boys had a great time while we were visiting. The first day we arrived we went to Lincoln Park to play. I was impressed that Jacob could do all the exercises around the track--especially the rope climbing! (I could never do that!)

Jacob also made up a game for the boys to play. They played outside forever playing it together! It was wonderful!

And what kid can resist the sandbox? Those boys literally played in there for hours on end... and would end up completely filthy. And instead of getting mad when James threw sand on him he just laughed and thought James was being silly! After getting so dirty they'd have fun playing in the bath!

William and Jacob both love to play games. So everyday they'd play at least one. Here they are playing with Rachelle for Family Home Evening.

One of the days Grandma even helped them make dirt cups. William didn't like eating them but he sure had fun making them!

And when we were trying to catch James climbing in and out of the crib I captured this:

I just had to include it because I thought it was so funny when he said, "Are you going to put this on your blog?" Yes, Jacob, I am.

Thanks Jacob for being such a great uncle and brother! I love you!

pumpkin factory

My mom and I took the Jacob, William and James to the Pumpkin Factory. We went during the day so not all of the rides were operating. (Oklahoma has really spoiled me because I thought everything was ridiculously overpriced!) My mom was so nice to treat them all to one thing each. William really wanted to ride this car...

Jacob had a great time on the giant slide...

And James had a good time petting the animals at the petting zoo...

We also took the opportunity to get some pictures of the boys--but none of them wanted to cooperate!

We had a great time despite what you would think from looking at that last picture! Thanks mom for the fun morning!

jacob's baptism

At my baptism, 19 years ago, Katie and I sang "When I Am Baptized." I love hearing that song... and so it was a special treat to sing it at my little brother's baptism.

The whole reason that we took a trip to California was for Jacob's baptism. I always knew I wanted to be there for my little brother's important events but didn't know if it would be possible--I am 19 years older than him. I was in my second year of college when he was born, got married when he was 2 1/2, and had my first kid by the time he was 4. This was another reason I wanted to be there for his baptism... William adores Jacob and wants to do everything that his uncle does. So I thought it would be good for William to see his uncle setting such a good example.

Jacob and William in their matching ties.

I am so glad that I could be there with my boys for Jacob's special day. We are so proud of you, Jacob!

oak glen

One of my favorite Fall traditions growing up was going to Oak Glen. We would pick apples, visit the little zoo, and (my favorite) getting apple cider donuts. I thought it would be fun to take my boys up there too! We invited my Aunt Nancy with her adorable little Aaron and my Aunt Heidi with her youngest, Rainer.

As we walked into the zoo my mom realized that this was the first outing she had ever been on with so many little boys (and no girls)! The boys had a fun time looking at all the animals (and we saw a few that we had never seen before.)

Jacob, William, James, Aaron, Rainer at Oak Glen Zoo

Then we had a picnic lunch. Jacob was such a good helper and followed James all around so that I could eat my lunch!

William, James, Jeanine, Heidi, Rainer, Nancy, Jacob

After lunch we went into the shop and taste tested all of their apples. And then for the best part... fresh, warm apple cider donuts.

Mmmm. Delicious!

guest blogger

My parents live in California and have been campaigning for Prop 8. Recently they wrote an editorial which was published in their local paper.

An Education in Tolerance

by Sharon Kaye Fisher

I am trying to figure out what tolerance means with regard to Proposition 8.

My good friend has a cousin who is lesbian. Her cousin is invited to all the family activities and continues to be an active part of the family. Another friend’s father is gay. This friend visited with his father growing up and his father often “hangs out” at his own family's house now. My husband hires and employs gay and lesbian individuals who also serve in some of the highest management positions in the company. These actions exemplify tolerance to me. All of these friends are supporters of Proposition 8.But all I read about in the newspaper and hear about on TV interviews from those opposed to Prop 8 is that its supporters are “intolerant”, “hateful”, and “discriminatory”.

Yet those same three words describe recent experiences from the opposition: (1) A friend’s car was spray painted because she had a “YES on Prop 8” bumper sticker; (2) “YES on Prop 8” signs were stolen from yards; (3) There was verbal abuse, name calling, and swearing to those making Prop 8 phone call surveys; (4) Because of the opposition in their work place, some of my friends are fearful of discussing Prop 8 or putting “Yes on 8” bumper stickers on their cars.

Why is the opposition intolerant of an open discussion? Why is the opposition intolerant of visible support by an overwhelming number of Californians in favor of Prop 8? Why would the opposition create an environment of intolerance, fear, and intimidation?

I can’t help but think that Mayor Gavin Newsom gave us the answer to all of these questions when he said, “It’s gonna happen, whether you like it or not,” regarding same-gender marriage. There doesn’t appear to be any tolerance by the opposition for the discussion of Prop 8. Even though 61% of Californians voted to support traditional marriage in 2000, there seems to be an intolerant attitude for an open democratic discussion as well as a democratic vote. Instead, there is much effort to suppress both. To me that doesn’t sound like the tolerance for debate necessary in a democracy.

Tolerance is a two way street. Four Justices were intolerant of California voters and threw out a law similar to that found constitutional by four other State Supreme Courts. Let’s stop the intolerance to those trying to inform voters of Prop 8. Let's not jump to unfair conclusions about how Prop 8 supporters treat those who chose a same-gender lifestyle. Prop 8 is not anti-gay. Prop 8 is protective of children and supportive of traditional marriage and family--which is the fundamental unit of every society. Let’s be tolerant to at least discussing the perspective of Prop 8 supporters.

(Editorial written by Brent and Sharon Kaye Fisher sent to Press-Enterprise Newspaper, Oct 12, 2008)

last weekend

Saturday afternoon Rich took the boys outside to play. They love playing outside with Dad. When I went out to check on them I found:

William throwing tumbleweeds,

Seriously these things come out of no where and invade our yard in the fall and winter! Even if you pick them all up the wind will blow eventually and you'll have a backyard full of them again!

James walking along the garden edge,

This is where we have sectioned off for next year's small garden. Right now it's full of tumbleweeds.

And William playing baseball.

I was really impressed! He hit every ball pitched to him (when I was watching) and could throw pretty well too!