There's a great area that's just for kids under 5. Helps keep the little ones away from the crazy big kids.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
A Boys Dream
Antonio took this holiday week off and has been spending some great quality time with the boys while I work. They went to a local kids attraction that was a big hit with the kids. It's basically a large warehouse filled with lots of those huge bouncy houses. Gambit probably thought he'd died and gone to heaven! He was too busy having fun to stop and get a picture. It's such a perfect place for three active boys let off some steam. Now that the rainy season has started, we're already feeling a little cooped up in the house.
Posted with Blogsy
Monday, November 19, 2012
Baptism
Ninja was baptized this past Saturday, the 17th. It was a very sweet event with our friends and family. Uncle Buster was scheduled to give a little talk, but he came down with the flu and decided that morning he couldn't make it. Aunt Sally gave the talk and did a wonderful job. Uncle buster did end up coming just in time to witness the baptism. We are lucky to live near so many of our family members. It's great to be able to share all these special moments with them. Ninja got a journal and recorded his thoughts and feelings of the day. He let me read it, and I was amazed at his maturity and the strength of his testimony. He is an amazing boy.
Ninja with Uncle Buster, Aunt Sally, and Cousin Dee
Antonio, Mammie, Papa, and Ninja
A cute pic of Gambit and Cousin Zee
Ninja with Uncle Buster, Aunt Sally, and Cousin Dee
Antonio, Mammie, Papa, and Ninja
A cute pic of Gambit and Cousin ZeeEight is Great
Ninja turned eight years old last week. This was a much talked about and much anticipated birthday! He now gets to join cub scouts with his friends, and get baptized. Ninja has matured a lot in the past year. He didn't ask for many toys for his birthday gifts, but chose more practical things like a suit, journal, and clothes. He is such a fun kid to be with. He still loves basketball, math, school, and his friends. He likes to help others and is great at taking charge and getting his chores done. Instead of having a big birthday party, he chose to go to some Blazer games with
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Happy Halloween!
We managed to trick or treat this year with dry skies, despite the forecast calling for rain. The boys had fun, as always, and ate too much candy, as usual. Between a school Halloween party, a ward Halloween festival, and carving pumpkins, I was pretty much done with the holiday by the time Halloween actually rolled around.
Ninja as....what else, a Ninja!
Gambit chose to be "Dark" Vader
My little Zebra!
Ninja as....what else, a Ninja!
Gambit chose to be "Dark" Vader
My little Zebra!
Picture Time
There is a tradition in Antonio's family that all the boys get their picture taken in an old sailor outfit at about 2-3 years old. This outfit is 50+ years old and all the boys have had this done. It's very cool to see all the picture hanging up in Mammie's house.
A few weeks ago it was Rocket's turn to have his pictures taken. He's never sat in a picture studio before, but I wasn't really worried because he likes people and he doesn't have a problem smiling for me when taking pictures. Boy, did I underestimate that kid! Not only would he not smile for the camera, he wouldn't even walk onto the set. We bribed him with a bunch of skittles which worked (barely), but then the actual photographer was not able to be in the room or he would start screaming. She had to take a remote for the camera, leave the little room, we would get Rocket set up, and the poke our head out and tell her to push the remote button, then we all went to the monitor to see if the picture was somewhat useable. It was quite the production! In the end, we got a picture where he's not even smiling, but the look on his face is priceless and very much captured his personality. These are a few pics we caught before his appointment.
A few weeks ago it was Rocket's turn to have his pictures taken. He's never sat in a picture studio before, but I wasn't really worried because he likes people and he doesn't have a problem smiling for me when taking pictures. Boy, did I underestimate that kid! Not only would he not smile for the camera, he wouldn't even walk onto the set. We bribed him with a bunch of skittles which worked (barely), but then the actual photographer was not able to be in the room or he would start screaming. She had to take a remote for the camera, leave the little room, we would get Rocket set up, and the poke our head out and tell her to push the remote button, then we all went to the monitor to see if the picture was somewhat useable. It was quite the production! In the end, we got a picture where he's not even smiling, but the look on his face is priceless and very much captured his personality. These are a few pics we caught before his appointment.
1st Place!
Ninja entered an art project from school into a county fair and he won 1st place! His picture was called "Jungle Tiger". Great job, Ninja!
He turned 6!
I keep telling him he cannot grow up, but Gambit isn't listening and celebrated his 6th birthday in September. This kid is awesome. He's so happy and full of life that its contagious. He loves to make people laugh, he's very stubborn, and he has a very sensitive heart for the feelings of others. He has an amazingly big imagination and loves animals. I'm so lucky to be his mother.
Steven Y Dayley Memorial Ride
I've mentioned before that Antonio has taken up a new hobby of road biking. He really enjoys it and there are many friends he has around here to ride with. One man who had a big influence in getting Antonio on a bike is Steven Dayley. They spent time riding the hills around where we live and Antonio benefitted from this mans charisma and example. On May 19 on this year, Steven was struck and killed by a car while riding his bike in a large community event called "Reach the Beach." Antonio had originally planned to participate in this ride with Steven and other friends, but chose not to because it was also Rocket's birthday.
The loss of Steven has been deep and painful. He left behind a wife, 5 children, and many grandchildren. He was well loved and well respected as a local leader of our church. He was happy, strong, kind, and a blessing to those who knew him. Last year, Steven had been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Through the summer he endured grueling rounds of chemo and radiation therapy. In September of 2011, Steven and 30 of his friends (including Antonio) celebrated the end of his cancer treatment by going on a 54 mile bike ride around a mountain in our area.
This year, on September 9, Antonio and I participated in the same ride with 50 others as a memorial tribute to Steven. Antonio had gotten me a road bike earlier this summer and I had slowly been working on getting in shape and increasing my mileage. Before this mountain ride, the longest I had ridden was only 17 miles. I was determined to finish this ride (a ride that included 18 miles of constant uphill climb, sometimes very steep) in honor of Steven and his friendship and influence in the life of Antonio and me.
I did. While I was near the end of the pack (I wasn't last!), and while every part of my body hurt, I could say that I rode every mile of that route. I felt amazing at the end! Antonio and a few of Steven's sons where the coordinators of the event, and they plan to do this every year to honor the memory of a man who had a great impact on the lives of many.
Steven Dayley and his sweetheart. Just a few weeks before the accident.
Ready to ride!
Uncle Gee came and rode with us.
The loss of Steven has been deep and painful. He left behind a wife, 5 children, and many grandchildren. He was well loved and well respected as a local leader of our church. He was happy, strong, kind, and a blessing to those who knew him. Last year, Steven had been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Through the summer he endured grueling rounds of chemo and radiation therapy. In September of 2011, Steven and 30 of his friends (including Antonio) celebrated the end of his cancer treatment by going on a 54 mile bike ride around a mountain in our area.
This year, on September 9, Antonio and I participated in the same ride with 50 others as a memorial tribute to Steven. Antonio had gotten me a road bike earlier this summer and I had slowly been working on getting in shape and increasing my mileage. Before this mountain ride, the longest I had ridden was only 17 miles. I was determined to finish this ride (a ride that included 18 miles of constant uphill climb, sometimes very steep) in honor of Steven and his friendship and influence in the life of Antonio and me.
I did. While I was near the end of the pack (I wasn't last!), and while every part of my body hurt, I could say that I rode every mile of that route. I felt amazing at the end! Antonio and a few of Steven's sons where the coordinators of the event, and they plan to do this every year to honor the memory of a man who had a great impact on the lives of many.
Steven Dayley and his sweetheart. Just a few weeks before the accident.
Ready to ride!
Uncle Gee came and rode with us.
It was gorgeous!
I wanted to fall over right on the pavement, I was so tired.
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