Goodbye Play Structure

We are getting ready to redo our backyard soon (hopefully really soon) so on Memorial Day, we decided it was time to take apart the play structure.  It has been around for a long time and it has served its purpose.  Our niece and nephew are sad that we took it out though!

 The weather was so cool on Monday, and the kids had lots of homework to do so we started taking it apart piece by piece.  After about 30 minutes, and lots of rusted screws later, we decided to get the saws-all out and just cut it into pieces.  It went a lot faster after that. 

 Travis did the cutting, while the kids and I dumped it into a pile to go to the dump.

Unfortunately the pile is still sitting in our back yard since my dad had his truck we were going to use in Utah.  Hopefully we'll get our load to the dump this weekend!

Happy 11th Birthday Calissa!

Calissa turned 11 last Saturday and her request for cinnamon rolls and presents in bed was met.

 Yes, she might be a tad bit spoiled, but what can we say?  She's the only girl and the baby of the family!

 Blowing out her two candles!

 She received a Lego Friends from her brothers.

 Just Dance 4 (which we've all  been enjoying),  

 a gift card for a mani/pedi, 

 Werther's Originals as well as $20 to go towards a Lego Friends House.

We spent a quiet day at home and then went to Tahoe Joe's for dinner with Grandma.  We played on the Wii that night and stayed up late watching Clue as a family.  

On Sunday, we had her favorite dinner, Chicken Noodle Soup and her favorite chocolate cake for dessert.  (Yes, I promise she did get dressed both days!)

Happy Birthday Calissa!

Volleyball Team Party

 Last night was our team party for Parker's Volleyball Team.  We had the party at Fuddruckers.  After dinner and watching a DVD that I made of pictures from the season, the coaches presented the awards.  Once JV had gone, it was time for the Varsity Awards.  My brother, Andrew was the coach and Conner was the assistant coach.  Parker had another great season and was the most consistent player that they had.  He lead the team in serves, digs, and passing this season. 

Parker received the Varsity Certificate.

He also received the Scholar Athlete Award for having a 4.33 GPA during the season.

He received a certificate for making in to the NCS playoffs this season. (The first time CHS Boys Volleyball has made it in at least 8-9 years!)

He also received the NCS Scholar Athlete Award.

 He also had the honor of making the DVAL 2nd Team All- League for the 2nd year in a row.  My brother said that when he went to the meeting that another coach brought up Parker's name to be nominated.  We are really proud of his accomplishments this season!

 Here are some of the boys, Drew, and family.  We tried bribing Tina with a massage gift certificate so that hopefully she'll be game for him to do it again next year!

Here is the cool cake that one of the moms on our team made.

Our 2012-2013 Varsity Team

Record: 11-16

Conner, Nick, Clayton, Jake, Tyler

Julius, Trever, Parker

Hao

Great Season Boys!

CHS Awards Program

 Yesterday was Concord High's Award Program and Parker was invited again because he was receiving an award.  I was subbing again this year, but Travis and Grandma were able to go and cheer him on. 

 He received the 4.0 award for 3 semesters!  We are so proud of all of his hard work!

 He also received the Excellence in World History award.  (He does not like this class and is so glad that AP World History is almost over and he's already taken the AP test!)

His final award was Overall Outstanding Science Student in the 10th Grade.  He's taking Physics this year and LOVES it!!

Congratulations Parker on all of you hard work this year (and every year)!  We are very proud of you!

Mother/Daughter Day at the Zoo

Last Friday and Saturday the boys went on the Father and Sons Campout.  Calissa and I went out to dinner on Friday night and then went to the Oakland Zoo the next day.

 Here is Calissa posing with the Flamingos

 The beautiful Sun Bear

 A giant Turtle

 Calissa posing "on" a turtle ...

 and "as" a turtle!

 We went to the petting zoo where Calissa brushed a lot of goats.

 She was petting this goat when it decided to get away from her and scale this steep wall!

 Eventually three of them climbed up and went under the fence and off into the wild! They are very good climbers!

 We also stopped in the cat room and got our little pet fix.

 She climbed ...

 and sat,

 and posed some more.  

 We stayed for quite a while watching these crazy monkeys!  The dark colored one was showing off while the lighter one just sat and watched. They are amazing animals!

 After having lunch, we saw the elephants,

 the zebras, 

 and the giraffes.

 After we stopped by the gift shop, we went on a few rides.  Calissa rode in the cars. 

 Then, we both went on the train ride.

 It was a a beautiful day!

 On the train ride we saw some emus and some kangaroos.

 Calissa with her cute snow leopard she bought in the gift shop.

Then it was a ride on the carousel, a slurp-e and then on to home.  We had a great time together and a lot of fun at the zoo!

Father and Sons

For our annual Fathers and Sons campout this year, we were able to rent a campground in Lafayette and have the place all to ourselves.

It had lots of cool features -- check out the BBQ

the fire pit (nice place for our devotional)

and basketball court.

Here is part of our crew (we had a really nice turn out).

In the morning, we did some service for the campground, including stacking a bunch of wood

and clearing out the horseshoe pits.

It was a great time and I'm hoping we get to go back again this year.