A Few Pictures

Wind damage to tree and pulled down trellis' in the front of our house.




The pool filled with dirt and other debris.



Clare at the playground one day last week.



I am amazed at how quickly people are getting back to the routine of things. Today the trash man came by and there were trucks out cleaning the streets as well. Many folks are out cleaning up their yards and sweeping garages (I'm waiting 'til the air clears to do that). The stores in town are back open and people are out shopping for food and other items. School doesn't start again 'til Monday. This is life for people who have a home to return to. I wonder what the people without homes are doing today. Many are being let back in to see the neighborhoods that were heavily hit. Some are probably on the phone with insurance companies (and will be for 100's of hours I imagine). People are looking for someplace to live and crying over all the loss. Tonight there is a meeting at our stake center with the stake president and bishops and RS presidents to asses the needs of the stake members and also the ability of members to assist those in need. I will be anxious to learn what we can do to help those who have no home. I can't even think of what to do for them or what I would need if I were in their situation (aside from a place to stay of course). What would you want others to do for you?

We're home!

We are so glad to be home...it has been a long few days. All is well at the house. There is some mess to clean up -- in the yard some trash blew around and leaves and dirt. The pool is black. Quite a bit of ash and dirt blew in through doors and windows even though they were closed so I need to sweep and mop everywhere. The kids and dave are all sleeping in their beds! Dad and Kari are still evacuated but I imagine they'll be allowed home either tonight or tomorrow unless something crazy happens.

update

We are safe and fine and so far our house (and dad's house) are both fine. There are still fires burning near both our homes but so far it seems our houses are okay. We called our house and the answering machine picked up so we know the power is on and the house is fine! Actually one of our neighbors called this morning and said our street is fine and the homes are okay. The fire is about a mile or two down the hill on Espola Rd. (a main road through town). And, the air is black up there.

We have been staying in San Marcos with Kari's parents. It is so nice of them to put us up...and bob and kari and all the kids. There are 8 adults, 3 cats, 4 dogs, 6 kids here! It took us 2 hours to get here because the roads were so busy.

I doubt we'll be allowed home today, but we'll just see what happens as the day goes on. Dave is one of the emergency preparedness people in the ward so he'll be trying to head back to poway to do an assessment this afternoon. Dave is not working today -- it is his day off. So far, we heard that 2 homes in the ward burned down and there are several that still don't know as the fires are still very active in a couple of neighborhoods. They said 50 homes in poway burned and also at least that many in RB (where dad lives). Schwarzenegger gave a newscast from RB this morning.

The weather is supposed to continue to be really dry and windy today (it was 85 when we woke up this morning) but tomorrow is supposed to be much better.

I'm so nervous about the fires that I need to write....so i'm writing ....It is 6am. Looking out my windows I see every house in the neighborhood has lights on as people are up packing and watching the news.

Here is a fire update. There are now 8 fires in SD county. There are 2 fires somewhat close to us buring towards each other and they are concerned that they'll merge. They have evacuated all of a neighboring city (ramona) and a pretty significant section of our town (poway), which probably includes 20 families or more in our ward. I have loaded up the car with food and clothes and a few items like pictures and documents. just in case we have to evacuate. Right now the evacuation line is a couple of miles from us. You never know what will happen -- the fire can keep moving this way or the winds can carry it off another direction.

Meanwhile, dave is at the hospital downtown. He called last night to tell me his keys had been stolen and so he will need a ride home. I honestly don't even know if I can make it to him with the road closures, plus the freeway going south (towards dave) is packed. I guess he might have to spend another night at the hospital. Their hospital is filled to capacity with burn victims and other fire-related injuries so who knows if he'll ever get off anyway. Most of these are not neurosurgical, but they may have a need for all availible hands to keep working.

What is the worst about all these fires is that the fire crews are basically helpless becuae of the fierce winds. The gusts range between 40-80 miles/hour (hurricane force winds) and the winds combined with the darkness make it so they can't use the airplanes or helicopters to fight the fires. Everyone is basically at the mercy of the wind. I keep thinking of that hymn - master, the tempest is raging where it says "the wind and the waves shall obey thy will . . .oh, hasten and take control"

It is supposed to be in the mid 90's today and tomorrow so the weather isn't helping much either.

The people say that there isn't really hope of containment today, they're just waiting to see what happens. The winds are supposed to continue to be strong today and will hopefully abate during the night tonight or tomorrow.

One of the fires is right next to the wild animal park...I wonder what it is like to try to evacuate all the animals (or if they even can).

This has all happened in less than 24 hours. When we went in to church yesterday at 11am it was a beautiful day and there were no fires burning.

Real Quick

GO BUCKEYES!!!

Yesterday we got the game on the TV (which we haven't so far this season) and had a good time seeing some of the game. Hopefully they'll do well in the big games they have coming up.

Oh, and I sure miss Columbus. It made me tear up to see the arial views of the stadium and surrounding areas.

More Great Grandparents!

This week Dave's grandparents stopped by to see us. We enjoyed a nice visit with them and were so happy they were able to come down from Reno.

Air Show

Last weekend was the Miramar Air Show. It is a big event at the marine base every year. Most years the blue angels come and fly for the main event. This year, for the first time, it was the USAF Thunderbirds celebrating the 60th anniversary of the air force. It was fun to see them fly. It is really loud and the kids both covered their ears! It is neat that they come and show us some of the power of the jets. It is inspiring and always makes me proud to be an american!








Dan came with us and is always a big help with the kids.





This is a cute one of Calvin one day when we went to feed the ducks. He doesn't usually like his picture taken and this one is really good.

Halloween Preview

The kids like to wear their halloween costumes around the house and out to play and get dressed up as monkeys several times a week.

Clare's New Shirt

Clare thinks her new "big sister" shirt is great because it has butterflies on it. We like it because of the news it shares.


Clare looks so grown up.




I love how Clare is looking at Calvin -- so happy to have him close!



What mischief are they planning here?




Cute of the two of them.





Not too sure, are you Clare?



Speaking of babies, we got a new cousin this week. Andrew Gonda was born Oct. 2. His birthday is the same as his "big sister" Emiley (3 years apart).

Great Grandparents!

This week my grandparents came to visit. We loved having them here! The kids really enjoyed talking to them and having the added attention (especially becuase their dad was at the hospital all the time).




Clare was grandpas girl. Whenever she woke up, got home from somewhere or saw grandma, she'd say "where's grandpa". She gave him hugs and kisses and lots of sweet smiles. Everynight when I'd take her to bed, she'd say "I want grandpa" becuase he wasn't the one trying to take her to bed.


Calvin really liked grandma. He gave her lots of hugs and liked to help with her sewing.

Museums

Calvin has been begging to go to a museum for weeks. I think it's because Curious George gets to go to museums. This week we went to the natural history museum and the space museum. The pictures are from the NH museum. I don't have any good pics of Calvin because he was so busy looking at things and didn't want to stop to get his picture taken.









Isn't this just so cute of them?



Clare was super scared of this shark and put her head down for about 10 minutes after we passed by it.




Dave loved this giant tree.