Top Gun Tourney

Gunners with guest player, Blake

What a fun soccer tournament! It was great having Garrett and Blake (as a guest player) on the same team. Too bad they didn't make it out of pool play, so we didn't stay over Sunday night since they didn't have games on Monday. The hotel was great, and one of our player's grandparents had the entire team over for burgers and fixin's on Saturday night. They had a lovely home with a BIG back yard, so the everyone had a great time. Unfortunately, Mike (and the rest of us) are still recovering from a horrible ending to the weekend. After all our games were over, Mike had to ref a game, so we stayed and watched. We have never seen a more unsportsmanlike behavior by an assistant coach ever in our lives - all directed at Mike and his ref team. Left us all shaking...

Michaela's California Show

The fourth graders of Brookside Elementary recently put on a show highlighting the history of California. Michaela did a great job; her spoken lines included how the bear was chosen to be on the state flag ("because he always stands his ground"). Next up for Michaela: the Brookside all-school end-of-the-year show/extravaganza.

Remember the Alamo!

It's been an exciting few days in San Antonio...today we learned about the battle at the Alamo. Alex loved every bit of information he could get his hands on. Katy & Elijah really liked the models of what it looked like originally. Olivia, she liked the gift shop! Here's our little family shot done on a timer. Not bad!

Go Lakers!

Ok, so I'm in San Antonio dying to go to the Lakers game tonight. It's not really possible unless I ditch my family, and I'm just not going to do that.

So we're walking down the world famous river walk and I see this really tall dude walking my way. He looks kind of familiar but I don't recognize him--but I get real close and see his Laker shirt turned inside out (black, dry fit, with a Lakers logo on the center). So I yell out, "Go Lakers! Good luck tonight!"

He smiles knowingly and Trisha goes crazy. "Why didn't I stop and get a picture with him?" She can't believe it! But I didn't want to make a scene -- but it was great to see a Laker!! How often does that happen?!!

So we go into the Hard Rock for lunch and guess who walks in? It's the same guy!! Yes, I know his name, but do you? So I grab Alex and have him stand on a 4' chair (Alex is about 4' tall). It was a great moment today--and then the Lakers won!! Woo-hoo!!

Wall Family Mystery Trip

We made it safely to our destination. Here's a clue as to where we are:
1. This sign is literally right outside our bedroom window.

I feel a little bit like Kramer in the episode where a new "Kenny Rogers" Chicken has opened up across the street and he can't sleep due to the bright, red glow of the light. This sign is seriously bright--I may come back with one killer tan!!

Lord willing, our kids will sleep well tonight--that really would be miraculous. There's a lot of traffic outside our window so who knows what will happen!


Here the kids are looking outside the window at the view of the river below. They can't wait to take the boat tour and get to Sea World tomorrow. It should be a lot of fun. I can't wait to hear Elijah's thoughts after we meet Shamu!!

I'm hoping to somehow luck into some seats for Tuesday night's Lakers/Spurs game--but I imagine just being able to catch the game would be miraculous. We're all looking forward to tomorrow's adventure! Much love to you all! bw

Blake's end of year music concert

The French Horn section

As the school year comes to an end, we have lots of things going on! Blake's music class and ensemble performed on Wed. Yes, Blake is the only French horn!!

Katy's Graduation

Katy was very excited to graduate from Kindergarten at Midland Christian last Thursday night! I love this picture of Trisha & Katy after the ceremony--we're so proud of you Katy! I was asked to fill in for uncle Tod at the last minute--so I got to be on stage and cheer Katy's tassle being moved! Lot's of fun!


The 2nd picture is of Katy speaking her lines--she really seems to enjoy being in front of people!


I love this last picture with Katy. I am so proud of her. Did I mention that besides her amazing beauty, that she also had a perfect score on a portion of her achievement tests--which we found out at graduation:-).

League Champs!

Today's high: Alex's team won the league championship--7-3. Alex got two great hits, the first of which ended up being a 2-run "homer" as can only happen in 8-year old baseball. (It was a really solid hit, but anything that goes into the outfield tends to get thrown around all over creation.) The second was just as sweet--high over second base and dropped in beautifully. He scored then too. It was 102 degrees outside, and Alex played tough in his full catcher's gear, sun blaring into his face. I really love watching my son play baseball.

A second highlight--When I was putting Elijah to bed, I told him only 3 days left for Alex and Katy to be on summer vacation (a high in itself!), and he said in his most enthusiastic way, "WOW, Mom! That's where Bwyson and Cason and Miss Maurice and Mr. Wave are going!"

I love my kids! (I also love my friends Bryson, Cason, Cherise and Wade.-T)

Michaela's VBS Garden Project

In anticipation of this year's Son Harvest Country Fair Vacation Bible School, our children's ministry planted a children's garden on our church property last night. Michaela enjoyed getting to plant a large Japanese eggplant vine in her little section of the garden. The kids will get to visit the garden each week and track the growth and progress of their plants, flowers, and veggies. Mousaka anyone?

This plant is already half-grown!















Michaela prepares the soil


















Future Farmers of America?

Happy B-day Mike!

Dinner for two

Between all the other activities we were running around to, we celebrated Mike's birthday this week. He chose cheesecake for his b-day cake, so we've all been enjoying that too! Our date night was a special dinner at Kincaids on the Redondo pier. Yum!

Still improving...

PV Gunners - last game with Coach Angelo

The PV Gunners (Garrett's team) took 2nd place in their age division at the Armed Forces soccer tournament in Torrance. This is their best finish yet in a tournament this year! What a HOT weekend to play soccer! I believe that our boys were heat exhausted by the final game, especially since they had to win the semi-final in overtime! Whew! Blake's team had a weird thing happen - a team in their pool forfeited so they didn't get as many points as they might have if they played a game so they didn't advance. Blake gets to be a guest player on Garrett's team next weekend in San Diego : )

please welcome chloe clarissa carlita church

Breakout Ends

Blake and the praise team!

Last night was the final meeting of our Breakout groups. Breakout (started by Saddleback Church) is the name of the program that we switched to from Awana. So, there is scripture memory and application every week, games, praise, prayer time and snacks weekly. Blake was on the praise team, so he stood in front of the sanctuary with a group of mostly girls and leds us all in the hand motions. He is now officially leaving elementary school and going into the Youth Group!!!

Blake's Moon Journal

Blake's following the moon...

The 5th graders at Dapplegray are observing the moon for one month and writing down what they see. Since the moon is in the first quarter tonight, we got out the telescope for an amazing view!

Blake

Storm Baseball

It's been a fantastic baseball season.




Alex has been playing catcher and really been making big strides in catching the ball, throwing and hitting like a monster. We entered the league tournament in 2nd place (6-1-1) and won tonight--which puts in the league championship next week (woo-hoo!).

Tonight was great, but I've got to tell you about the game last week. We were playing a make-up game to determine if we would enter the tournament as the 1st place team. In a see-saw game that saw us get way behind & then catch up again, we entered the last inning down by two runs. W scored a run but they also got 2 of our batters out. When Alex stepped up to the plate, we had a runner on 3rd base. With two outs and two strikes, Alex swung and made contact with the 41 mph fastball. He hit a pop fly between short & 3rd base--and they missed the ball. The runner scored and we ended up tying the game on Alex's clutch hit! It was a great night!

Staying busy

New living room curtains!

I thought I would have SO much free time since I'm unemployed, but I sure am staying busy! Besides painting the windows, floorboards and crown molding (which will go on and on) I made curtains for this living room this week. They turned out great, and now I'm making pillows for the couches that coordinate. My volunteer work has increased, my workouts have increased and I'm also trying to look for and apply for jobs whenever I can! So far, no part-time work has been available...

Spring Select Soccer Ends

Garrett and Angelo

The PV Gunners ended the Select season in 2nd place. They only lost to one team, their rivals from San Pedro. Garrett's coach is Greek, therefore, passionate about soccer. This is Garrett's last season with him as most of the boys on his team are going "Club" where they will have a paid coach.
Blake's team, the PV United, started last Sunday in 2nd place for the season, but lost in the quarter finals of the playoffs (just Blake's division had playoffs - I think it was the # of teams) and again in the playoff for 3rd place. So, the ended their season in 4th place, just one place away from getting some hardware.
The next few weekend both boys have tournaments - one local and one in San Diego. Thank goodness we like soccer!!!

We graduated tonight!

We GRADUATED !!! We are officially certified in the State of Florida to adopt any child in the 50 states!!!

Jenna's Marian Huhn Award

A while ago, (February 25 to be exact), we posted the news that Jenna was selected as a nominee from Media Creek Middle School for the Marian Huhn award. In late March, Jenna attended a leadership conference sponsored by California Junior Scholastic Achievement where she, along with six other students, was awarded a $250 check in honor of being a finalist in this award. Her school mate Vivian is pictured with her.

Troy Labnow, one of Jenna's teachers who is part of Conejo Church informed us that this award is a very big deal and very rare to receive. We're very proud of how hard Jenna works and the various ways in which she graciously leads and joyfully serves others. You go girl!

Belated, but worth it

Here are some belated pictures from Michaela's Little Mermaid play, in which she starred as Ariel the mermaid. She was a beautiful mermaid did a wonderful job singing a solo on "Part of Your World."

The Little Mermaid and her fan club
















Michaela & Ashley and Emily Stephens





















Isn't she lovely?





















Ariel and Prince Erik

Who is that Frito Bandito?

As part of the Made in the Streets auction, I put my goatee up for bid. The highest bidder got to decide whether it stayed or went. He decided to have me wear a mustache for a week, then shave it all. As you can see, my girls were not amused!


Just don't ask me to be seen
in public with you, Dad!





















We do not know that man!

Special Friends

On Sunday night, our church had an African tea/fundraiser for the Made in the Streets Ministry for street kids in Nairobi, Kenya. We were delighted for our girls to meet Francis Mbuvi (right) and Anthony Owino, former street kids who now work for the ministry (Francis is the director/administrator of the whole program). We were able to raise over $12,600 for the ministry!

Golf Ball Size hail!

I've never seen anything like it. I've heard people talk about hail the size of golf balls--but these things really are huge--and they are not good for your car!! Alex & Katy were in rare form modeling for the camera!