All-Star Weekend

So we just finished the regular baseball season with Kenny in the All-Star games. We had three games over the weekend. The first game we had family and friends join us. We packed up the van and headed off to what would be a very HOT and fun weekend!


He was starting first baseman and 2nd in the line up. They won 15-5! We thought this was going to be the start of an easy weekend.


Kenny pitched the second game. Did pretty well if you ask me but he just didn't have his defense behind him. They lost.


Then came the third game. At first we hoped they would win and stay in. Near the end I was just ready to be done with the heat and traveling.
They played some really good games. There's plenty to be proud of!

Done With Middle School For Now!

I'm so happy to say that Mateo graduated 8th grade and will be a freshman (scary) up at the high school with Kenny next year. I can't believe I'll have two in high school! There were over "400" kids in his 8th grade class. I couldn't believe it. The area has grown tremendously! My high school graduating class was under 200, so many years ago.


Some of the family was able to come out and see the ceremony. It was a LONG ceremony. During the ceremony, I reminded everyone that in two years we will be back here. Kenny will be graduating high school.

I'm very proud of Mateo for working so hard (most of the time). I know that he is more than happy to be done.

He participated in the marching band/drumline this year. I'm sad to say I didn't get any photos of it. He decided that marching band isn't his thing. He did enjoy drumline though. Next year he decided to take piano. I can't believe they have a piano class, that's amazing! He's been self teaching himself. So I know he will enjoy the class.
Well on to new adventures next year!

June Happenings

Well before June is over I better get something in writing. :)
The boys finished off their baseball season. It sure was nice having them on the same team!
Here's Kenny up to bat and Mateo on base.


Kenny pitching.





Ken helped coach the team. The kids really learned a lot from him.

They had a rough season but in the end they were really playing like a team. You could also see a huge growth in the players. I'm so proud of my boys for not getting caught up in the winning and just enjoying the game! People always think it's weird that they're always smiling even after they struck out, but I don't. They're just happy to be playing!

Memorial Weekend Continued

Here's the rest of the weekend. Monday morning we got a few friends and family together to play some ball. It just might become a yearly tradition. Now you would probably think we get competitive but it's all for FUN!
Enjoy the pics!

Memorial Weekend '11

We started off the weekend celebrating our Anniversary, "16" years! We've been so busy with sports that we forgot to make plans. Well we really didn't have any weekends to make plans. Funny thing is, our plans for most the weekend got cancelled. So we were able to get rid of the kids and we went out on the town.
First we went to dinner, shopping and then some dessert! Yum, we found a new yogurt place. Yogurt has become one of our new favs!
Saturday night, strangely, it rained. So we just watched movies with the kids at home. Sunday we attended church and then had a bbq at home. Dad happened to come by so we invited him to stay. It was a nice meal outside.
We then set up the tent,


she's always gotta put on a show!


played some backyard games and made smores!


Monday hopefully I'll have some more fun pics of the rest of our weekend. Stay tuned!

Tina and her Fish

Back in March we got Christina some fish. We were having a hard time keeping her in her bed. So we made a deal. If she stayed in her bed for three days we would buy her some fish. She was so excited to have her own pet(s)! She did amazingling well!
Three days later, we were off to the pet store. We started w/ the tank, rocks and decor. If you've never had a tank, you have to set it up first and gradually add the fish. A few days later we added the fish, it's suppose to be at least a week later. You know she wasn't gonna wait that long. Well as long as you get hardy fish you should be okay.

Three months later and we have three of four fish left. Not bad!
She just loves watching them, talking to them, feeding them (most days). It's so funny to listen to her talk to them and laugh at what they're doing.
One day one of the fish was in a deep sleep! I was so worried how she was going to take it. We talked about it all day and finally that evening she said, "Mom, I think it's dead". We removed the fish. She really didn't like the idea of it going down the toilet, we told her not to watch. You really had to try hard not to laugh and be considerate of her feelings.
I'll tell you one thing, it sure is nice to have fish again. We use to have two tanks years ago. Somewhere I have pics.
How do you like our homemade background? One day Tina asked me to help her make a backdrop. I thought the stickers were a cute touch.

Some Of February

I can't believe I fell so behind. Here's a little of what happened in February.
February is the Japanese New Year. Every year we go spend a day celebrating, eating and enjoying time with friends and family.
Behind the building is a duck pond. Christina looks forward every year to feeding the ducks.

Then the performances start. I didn't take as many photos as I usually do.
I just love the costumes!


During February we also went bowling with Uncle John.

It really is a fun sport/activity to do with the family.

Can't Forget Easter

Yes, you know I'm still trying to catch up. So here is a little of Easter. Of course you'll only see pics of Tina. It's like pulling teeth to get the boys in a pic.
Tina waited weeks for Easter to come. Or should I say The Easter Bunny! With the boys I never had to pretend the bunny was real. By the time they were 5-6 we stopped doing egg hunts, but this little girl wouldn't give up about the bunny! We tried explaining that bunnies don't lay eggs. She didn't care, she still expected some eggs from the bunny Easter morning. So Easter morning she woke up and looked in the backyard, NOTHING! We told her she had to go to church first and then the bunny would come! So first thing when we got home, she ran to the backyard. Yes, there were eggs! She had a blast finding them.




The Dress: I bought the dress a month in advance. She was wearing a size 4 at the time. By the time Easter came she was in a 5. She only got to wear the dress once. Good thing we got pics!



Here's a cute liitle bird made out of paper that Tina and I made.

Moving On!

Kenny finally finished his high school season and has moved on to city league. This year was kinda rough with having to transfer schools and start new on a different team. He worked hard and tried to prove his worth, but sometimes you run into a coach who picks favorites.
Kenny became very frustrated at times but after many talks he made it through the season. He's now playing on the same team as Mateo. They just had they're first game and can you believe it, I forgot the camera! What else is new these days.
So here's a few pics from his last game.

It's Baseball/Softball Season!

I've been so busy with work and keeping track of three teams, I'm lucky to even have a few photos of the kids playing. This past year I've bearly touched my camera. Well here is what I have so far.
Tina couldn't wait to play ball. Here she is in the back yard practicing. Of couse she has to be cute while doing it!

Here's opening day for my girl's softball team.

Finally she gets to play! You have to see it to believe it but she's an amazing hitter. Not that that's hard to believe, it runs in the genes!


I'll post the boys pics later.

Tina Turns 5

Finally she's "5"! Tina was so excited to plan her party. We were debating to have a princess party or a hello kitty party. I'm so happy we chose hello kitty because two friends had a princess party a month later.
cake made by my friend Anita and it taste
soooo good!

December is such a cold and rainy month, we always have to plan an inside party. This year we decided to try a jump house. It was a hit with the kids!



That's the birthday party, now for the birthday tradition.
Last year we took Tina to Build A Bear. This year it became a tradition.
She was so excited to pick out a new animal. If you haven't been, you should! It's tons of fun for the kids and for whom ever attends.
They get to help stuff the animal.

Give 'em a bath. (pretend)

Don't forget to give 'em a big hug!

And take 'em home!

Whooo! Some birthday!