A Time To Laugh

Full of Laughs...

Luke is the giggliest (if that's a word) baby we know. The kid is so ticklish, you can't help but torture him. You can even get a laugh out of him just by looking at him sometimes. Its really fun. Isaiah gets a kick out of trying to make him laugh and then getting a huge grin on his face as a result. When you got one smiling and one laughing it really melts your heart. This really helps on those days when you have poop on the floor (potty training in progess), spit up all over your shirt (my regular perfume), naked children running around the house (thus our PG&E bill), and a house that looks like a hurricane came through it (picture sticky apple juice and crusty playdo all over). Lucky you, we pick and choose our kodak blogable (another new word) moments carefully. Do you really want to see Isaiah running around naked and pooping on the floor? Don't answer that.

"a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,"

Ecclesiastes 3:4

Winter Birthday Boys

Its that time of the year for Tosland Birthdays. Isaiah turned 2 on December 21st. Josh turned 34 exactly a month later on January 21st.

Where else could you find him but in the gym practicing basketball on his birthday? The boys and I showed up at the end of practice with a cool basketball cake for Coach and his team.

Isaiah had a wild toddler style birthday party last month with some of his buds. They bounced, ate, and played, and partied all day long (actually just from 10am to noon, but same thing for a 2 year old).

Just wait until August... Luke and I will be partying it up!

Just Another Night With The Tosland Boys

Tonight, we had a little party in Isaiah's bounce house. We gave him a little blow up bounce house for his birthday (he turned two on 12/21 - pictures to be blogged soon). Luke and Isaiah love to goof around in the bounce house with Daddy. Its part of their relaxing bedtime routine. To our utter delight, Isaiah and Luke really like each other. Luke's eyes literally light up when he sees Isaiah. Like a good big brother, Isaiah loves to help Mom take care of Luke. It will be so much fun watching them grow together as buddies, and eventually trouble makers. Hope you enjoy this little peak into playtime at the Toslands.

Christmas 2007

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Luke and Mema

Luke is full of smiles, especially in the arms of his Mema. What a charmer!

Disneyland

Luke is 3 months old!

Birthday Party Circus Blast

Last weekend, we were invited to what turned out to be the birthday party of the century. Our little friend Ruby turned 1, and did it in style. The circus themed party included a petting zoo, amusement rides (including a ferris wheel), bounce house, pony rides, carnival booths, pirate ship, face painting, and more. That's not to mention the great eats, including mom's favorite cotton candy. Isaiah got his first taste, and let me tell you... like mother like son. Cavities here we come. Isaiah had a blast hanging out with his cousin Julia and her cousin Tyla. Luke was a party pooper (literally) and slept through the entire party while being held affectionately by his Auntie Tiffany. We stayed all day, had a blast, and came home and crashed. Nothing like a good sugar high.

Enjoy the pics...

Birthday Party Circus Blast

May the Force Be With You!

Once upon a time, in a galaxy far, far away...

The Rebel Force right before their trick or treating adventures...


Master Yoda and Little Luke Skywalker...


Cute, I am.


Luke even had his own Lightsaber.

Mom couldn't go trick or treating without sporting some kind of disguise. Bad hair day to the extreme...

Hope you had a great Halloween! We are still coming down off the sugar high.

The Fire

Thank you to those who have been praying for my parents in San Diego. Their house has been saved! What a blessing. Here are some pictures from their yard and the story from my mom.


My mom in the backyard at 3am right before they left the house.


The view from the side yard.

From Nancy Trout...

GOD is wonderful. Terry and I are overcome with gratitude and humbleness that the Lord saved our home. IT IS HIS!!!

Okay, here is the story for those that missed out.

At 11PM, we could see a far away glow in the direction of Ramona which is east of us. At 12:45 AM, when Terry went to bed, the fire must have gone into a valley as the glow had greatly diminished.

Nancy awoke at 3 AM to the phone ringing and a wrong number! Hmmm, the Lord works in mysterious ways! She noticed how light it was outside. Thinking Terry might have left a light on in the family room she went down the hall and was shocked to find that the fire was on the ridge line directly across the valley. Those were the earlier pictures. It took only about 1/2 an hour before it was coming down the mountain towards us. At about 3:45 AM it was in the valley that our backyard looks over. You'll see the pictures. We could hear the sickening sounds of the consuming fire and feel it's heat as it came nearer. It was time to GET OUT.

Yes, we took the 'old' Nintendo, the game cube we could replace! Lots of clothes, pictures, files and the computer tower. Funny how 'stuff' really becomes just stuff when you start thinking what is important and what is not. The surf boards, guitar and Mom's china was left. STUFF!

We sat at McDonald's from about 4:30 am until 7:00 am. Than we got gas for the cars and went to see if we could get up to the house. NO.
The air by then was unbelievable, and the winds were really howling. It was very hard to breathe. It was thick and orange from the rising sun. Pictures of what daylight looked like are included.

About noon, we decided to try and find a hotel. We drove clear to Oceanside looking for rooms, everyone was evacuated and already booked. Finally, Terry's secretary found us a room at Welk resort in north Escondido, just off the 15. The air there was clear. Even though there were fires on both sides they were far enough away to feel safe. Yeah sure! Awoke early, and at 8 AM pounding on the door gave us another evacuation order. Okay Lord, you gave us both a really good night sleep and we'll go!

Heading with both cars towards San Diego to Terry's office, he changed his mind and headed to 2811 Sunset Hills. San Pasqual was still blocked but Ryan was open and we turned up it to head home. Houses were ok, we both thought.... maybe...

Rounding Sunset Hills we began to see the scorched earth, the burned trees, however still not home damage. We can't even begin to explain the overwhelming feelings that came when we pulled up to our home. It's a mess and pictures show it. We checked our neighbors and they were both gone. The fire had swept through all the ridges and gullies between homes. The firefights kept the fire off structures, what wonderful people firefighters are! Our neighbor to the west still had some hot spots smoldering and we went over and hosed down those and used the shovel. We checked out other places in the neighborhood also. Across the street you can really see the fire damage, yet again so close to houses but no damage to them.

The yard is a mess, the house is full of ash. Who cares! Not me!!!!!

The CDF has helicopters still flying over to make sure that there are no flare ups from hot spots. We are spending the night tonight and feel safe.

Thank you to everyone for praying for us. We are grateful for your love and concern. Enjoy the pictures... IT WAS AN ADVENTURE OF THE GRANDEST SCALE!

Please continue to pray for the winds to abate, the fires to be put out and that lives and houses will be spared, like ours!

Our fun and exciting weekend

Friday night... Football with Daddy at Fresno Christian's Homecoming. Isaiah enjoyed hanging out with Dad and watching the homecoming floats. Theme this year was TV shows. Isaiah seemed to like the "COPS" float the best because of the lights and cool music (hopefully this won't reflect his future television taste).




Saturday morning, we took Luke and Isaiah to the pumpkin patch. I guess Isaiah thought we were going to the playground because he climbed all over the pumpkins like gym equipment. Unfortunately, he face planted into the stem of one of the large pumpkins (those suckers are hard).
Result...


Nice lip! The pumpkin may have won this match, but watch out Christmas tree!

Calling all Cuties

Did you say cute? Oh yeah. Luke just celebrated his 2 month birthday. He is doing great as you can see. Weighing in at a huge 10 lbs 12 ounces as of last week. He has a pretty bad case of reflux that we have been battling through. He is hurting and fussy quite often, and spitting up enough to keep our washer going 24/7. Fortunately he is still gaining weight. Oh, the fun first few months of life.

Luke and Isaiah are already becoming playmates. Isaiah likes to show Luke how to play with all of his old toys including his activity pad that Isaiah used to (and we found out still does) love to play with. Time is flying by already. Before we know it, these two are going to be getting into all kinds of little boy mischief.

My Daddy

My Daddy took me to the park

We played 'til it got dark

Hanging out is what we do

The magic number is two

He is so very cool

He works hard at school

He comes home ready to play

I shout out loud "hooray"

He makes me laugh and smile

I'm happy for a long while

My Daddy is who I love

Thank you God above

Happy Birthday Auntie

Isaiah and Luke wished their favorite Auntie Happy Birthday this week.

Isaiah helped make some special cream filled chocolate cupcakes.

A Trip to Rotary Park

Isaiah and Luke got to spend some time with some fun-loving ladies at Rotary Park Playland and Storyland the other day. What a blast we had with Mema and Auntie Jodi. This is the same exact park (and the same exact rides) that Josh and Jodi went to when they were kids. The trees are just a tad bit bigger and the rides just a bit older.

Whoever says grandmas can't play as hard as kids has not met "Mema." Isaiah goes down the slide with his bud. Storyland is the cutest part of the park where kids can walk through enchanted looking gardens where kid toys and buildings are laid out to visually tell them their favorite stories. This slide is a shoe. Can you guess the story?


Auntie Jodi was in town and got to join us on our little adventure. Her and Isaiah had a blast going on all of the rides together (including Isaiah's first roller coaster). Isaiah's favorite ride was the train in the picture that took you all around Storyland and Playland.


Even Luke got in on the fun and had his first ride on the merry-go-round. He slept in the sling the whole time, but definitely got some practice in for his trip next month to Disneyland.

Here's Isaiah cruising in the same cars that his dad cruised in when he was his age. Next car will be a '66 Chevelle.

Bath Time

Occasionally in the hustle and bustle of double diaper duty life, we find time to bathe. What a concept. Fortunately, Isaiah is quite the little helper when it comes to bathing Luke. Even better, Luke loves baths. I am not sure if it is the warmth of the water, the calmness of the lavender wash, or the gentleness of Isaiah splashing water all over him and laughing hysterically. It is truly a family affair.

Toz Boyz

Luke's latest and greatest...
Our big guy is already up to 8 lbs 8 ozs! Go Luke! He is quite lucky to have a big brother to show him the ropes and give him hand me down clothes with gingerbread men on them (Isaiah was a Christmas baby). Its never too early to celebrate Christmas, right? Jingle all the way!


Isaiah and Luke look less than enthusiastic for their glam shots. They are pretty darn cute together. Isaiah is completely fascinated by Luke and loves to just stare at him or lay down next to him. He gives him lots of kisses and pets him like a cat (it could be worse). Luke is getting much more attentive in his old age of 5 weeks and totally checks out Isaiah now. Who is this crazy guy? Future best buds...

Family Time

Oh, the blessings of family. How very lucky we are to be related to such wonderful people that care so genuinely for Luke and Isaiah.

What a blast the boys have hanging out with their cousins Mason, Julia and Ethan. Auntie Tiffany is always generously handing out hugs and homemade cookies. And who can forget Uncle Doug (aka the Toddler Whisperer) who is so good at teaching important things like how to give knuckles.


Mema (Christi) is such a joy to have around. She is always willing and available to help out with whatever is needed. Mema is probably Isaiah's favorite playmate. She is always full of energy and such fun to be around. These boys won't be running circles around her.


Ahhh.. the perfect parents. Ok, maybe I am a little biased. Nana/Ma (Nancy) is such a natural with kids. I wonder why. While she was up taking care of Isaiah while Mom and Dad were in the hospital with Luke, he was pretty much attached to her side. Each time he spends time with her he gets smarter and learns something new. She'll probably have him making his own blog in no time at all. There is something about Papa (Terry) that the boys and their cousins just can't get enough of - the enthusiastic smile or the loving embraces, its all great.

Heavyweight

Check out these chins! At his weekly doctor's appointment last Thursday, Luke weighed in at a massive 6 lbs 13 ounces. He almost gained a whole pound last week. What a champ. We also got back the results from his upper GI test, and his digestive system checks out good. Thank you so much to everyone for your continued prayer for our little guy. We are really happy to see him healthy. We are truly blessed.

Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. -Luke 6:21
Go Luke!