Halloween Get-Together

So Cesar and I decided to throw a kid-friendly Halloween party...

Complete with a jumper,

a popcorn machine,

hand-carved pumpkins,

a fire to roast hotdogs and smores,

and of course family.

Where does the time go?

I can't believe my son is almost 7 months old! Here are some adorable pics that my sister-in-law Raquel took of Mateo at 6 months. Every grandchild in the Chavez family has taken their 6 month picture in this exact onesie. The jean jacket was my husband Cesar's when he was that old. Mateo's smile just melts my heart. I think we can all agree that children are so precious and bring us so much joy!

Can I get a 411?

Hello friends past and present...I just wanted to update my information on all of you crazy ladies! Can you please write me a comment with your address, phone number and birthday. Thanks so much :) Just thought I would add a picture of the NKOTB because they're making a comeback and I used to be in LOVE with them. Also...no one in California has heard of hypercolor shirts...c'mon ladies they were the COOLEST! (I will delete them after I put it in my address book!)

It's only hair....right?

Ok so I finally decided that it was definitely time to do something new with my hair. I mean I've only had long straight boring blonde hair since I was a Tumwater T-bird! So I stroll into my hairdresser's salon and say quite proudly.. "Shanon I need more than just my highlights today, I think I need about 2-3 inches cut off and some layers!" So Shanon looks at me crazily and says she can't wait. I tell her as long as it's not above my shoulders...she says "so just as long as it's whisping your shoulders?" I agree because I think we are on the same page. Well after she's done putting my California blonde highlights back in she starts cutting away. As I look down at the ground there are 5-6 inch pieces just chillin on the floor looking up at me as if to say "Finally girlfriend!" But I must say that I was in a bit of a shock. I'm getting more used to it now and hopefully it's easier to do because trying to get ready with a baby is virtually impossible. So here is the final product.

It doesn't get any better than this...

I had a really rough day today and I'm especially tired for some reason, but I walked in the door to find my husband and son asleep on the floor....PRECIOUS.

Rub-a-Dub-Dub

Rub-a-dub-dub, one baby in a SINK...lol

Mateo just loves his bath time. I think we instilled a love for water because when he was less than a month old his daddy would carry him around in the baby bjorn while he watered all the plants. As you can tell by the video, he loves to splash around in the sink. The sink is far better than the tub and this little sink in our island is perfect. He sits up now but couldn't fall over anyway in this sink. He gets upset when bath time is over...now changing his diaper and wiping his nose are another thing! (Push play even if you can't see the picture)

Libby

I came across my poetry book from Mrs. Barnoski's senior poetry class and found a poem I had written about Libby and wanted to share it with you...It really hit home for me because I wrote it under the assumption I would always have my mom and now I don't so it takes on such a different meaning. I guess both of our moms had the best seat in the house through our most important times (marriage and babies) Lib never stop remembering!

LIBBY

by Alicia Bunce

I sit on my bedroom floor

next to her

I see her eyes fill with tears

What strong eyes

What beautiful eyes

They have seen such desolated pictures

Yet still shine

I want to cry too

It was her own mother

who breathed her last breath

I want to say I know

what you're going through

But I can't

I don't

She holds so much inside

People forget

She does not forget

She can't

She won't

Who do you blame?

God?

They say everyone on earth has a purpose

But how can your purpose be

to fight cancer?

I know she has many questions

Not for dad

brother

me

But for mom

Questions only a mom would know

It is hard to imagine my mother

not seeing me graduate

get married

have my first child

But her mom really will

and with the best seat in the house

Above looking down

surrounding all that lives with love

and with her special touch

Love ya Lib