The Pendleton Foundation

The Pendleton Foundation is a Coachella Valley charity that helps cancer patients with different types of financial needs. It was started by a woman named Karen Pendleton who was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2005. They don't necessary help with direct medical bills but they'll give gas cards, show up with groceries or grocery cards, pay for hotel expenses for people going through treatment or even help with personal utility bills especially during the summer months. The list goes on and on. Each year the foundation hosts a Chef Auction. Chefs from around the valley come up with a package that can be auctioned off. The money they raise goes to the charity. Mark had been asked before to participate but his schedule always conflicted. This year he was able to do it and what an experience it was. His package was 2 rounds of golf, dinner for 8 and 4 VIP tickets to the Kraft Nabisco Tournament in April. He sold for 3,000.00. The evening was memorable as they not only auctioned off chefs but also had an emotional slide show of past recipients of the foundation. It was truly touching to know you're helping out.... in a very round about way.... and he can't wait to be auctioned off next year.

http://thependletonfoundation.org/stories.htm

Halloween

This was the first year in a long time Halloween wasn't at our house and it was great. We went to the Hershbergers Block Party. Ton's of kids, games, food and a costume contest all before trick or treating. The kids loved eating the donut from the string but I think they liked getting their purple ribbon's even better. Peyton for the funniest and Drew for the prettiest costume. After we left we stopped by our old neighborhood to say hi. Mark was able to meet us there after work before we headed to my moms house all before 8:00. Whew. Long day but super fun.

Office Halloween

For the first time in years our manager wanted everyone to dress up for Halloween. I hemmed and hawed. I couldn't think of anything so I took the easy road, got ears and went as a black cat. But, some people were very creative. We had Marge Simpson, Sara Palin, Dwight from the office and even a Double Dare contestant. Not to mention we covered the sports jersey department and also Tony Hawk. It turned out to be a fun day with an office lunch and adorable kids trick or treating there way through.

Pumpkin Carving

It's become a tradition each year to carve pumpkins with the Douherets. The kids were so excited but we didn't have the normal, safe pumpkin carving tools so we used regular knives. Naturally I stepped in to help because I didn't want them to cut themselves and within 30 seconds I sliced my finger. Still not sure how it happened but I stayed out of the way and let the guys take over from there. I'm not doing so hot in the kitchen lately. Luke chose a bat template, Olivier hand drew his version of Frankenstein, Drew had the little guy winking and Peyton the ghost in the graveyard.

Nike Swoosh

It's no secret that I dislike the kitchen but even more, I really, really, REALLY dislike cooking. Nothing makes me more frustrated and I've been extremely lucky that Mark cooks whenever he's home. But the other day he ran an errand and left me in charge and this is what I got in return. A beautiful burn in the shape of the Nike Swoosh. I wonder if I can get some sort of sponsorship. Just Do It!

Tim McGraw

Tim McGraw came to Fantasy Springs Casino and we couldn't have been more excited. We've missed Stagecoach every year so when we found out he was coming we were not going to miss it. Twelve of us got together and bought our tickets the morning they went on sale. We had dinner before hand then off to the show which was excellent. He was excellent. His voice was absolutely great, his band was great and he constantly was reaching out to the fans to shake hands. I hope he comes back because I would love to see him again.

Suns vs. Mavericks

Once a year the NBA has a game our here in Indian Wells. Unfortunately Mark had to work but I took the kids and met up with the Hershbergers and had a great time. We got there early and watched the players warm up. The seats were 10 rows back but there were so many empty seats the kids were able to move to the front row and see the action up close. The Suns won which made Peyton happy. Drew was just happy eating candy and watching the cheerleaders.

A Bengal and a Skittle

Soccer season has begun. Peyton is playing U10 this year which means they have a bigger field, actual goalies and positions that they are supposed to stay in. Needless to say the first game was a little confusing for most of the kids and they kept going off-sides. He did awesome though and said that now that he knows what to do he can't wait till next week. Drew has 5 girls on her team and they play 3 at a time. She played 2 quarters then told the coach she was tired and wanted to sit out. She really wanted to eat her half time snack and not be bothered with running after the ball. It was too hot. Hopefully as the season goes on she'll be more intersted in the game and not just the food.

Chuck E Cheese

Drew decided she wanted a pink pirate themed birthday at Chuck E Cheese. It would've been an easy theme if I ordered the party supplies online, but, I forgot and was left to be creative. She got to see Chuck, play hundreds of tokens with her friends and go in the ticket booth which she had been seeing on TV each day. I think the adults had just as much fun competing in skeeball and basketball games.

Drew Turns Five

She planned her party months ago. It had to be Chuck E Cheese. I questioned her choice through the months of her planning. Really? Chuck E Cheese? The place that makes you feel like you want a bath in anti-bacterial gel. Well, it was what she wanted so we planned it on the weekend of her birthday. The actual night of her birthday she wanted a cake. Not a cake for me to make but one that she could pick out. So, between the pretty orange one with actual Butterfinger candies on it or the pretty pink one that they'd write her name on, she spied the Hamburger and got very excited. Again, I questioned. Really? That's what you want for your birthday cake? She happily looked at me and explained "It's a burger and I'm a berger, we match mom". Thank you Stater Bros for making her so happy.