Disney Half

For the third year in a row, I ran the Disney Half Marathon.  Like last year, my running buddy Valeria ran with me.  This year we were joined (sort of) by my friend Jacob from Vistage and his buddies.  We met them for photos before the race and then saw them aftewards - but Jacob runs too fast for us, so we didn't see anything but dust for the race.

HOWEVER, it was a great race, Val and I both got PRs!  While this is supposed to be more of a fun race than anything esle, we ran pretty hard - my time was 2:17 - and Val's was 2:14!  We rock!

Yes - it is dark when you start running - I think we are all certifiably nuts to be up voluntarily at this hour!

We are ready in our running skirts and hats - I love Valeria's Minnie Mouse ears she pinned on her hat!

Even though we didn't take too many photos this year (last year we stopped everywhere!) you HAVE to take a photo as you run through the castle at near dawn.  It's really cool to be running (one of my favorite things to do) through the Happiest Place on Earth early in the morning.  It's quite an experience.

And since this is Anaheim, you also get to run through Angel Stadium.  Last year they had a game that day so we had to run around the stadium - this year we got to run on the warning track.  They have the jumbo tron going so you can see yourself up on the screen - that was awesome.  And there are a gazillion girl scouts cheering you on.  My friend Trisha and her girls managed to find me amongst all the thousands of runners - she said it was the red ribbons on my braids!  My braids are my trademark hair-do when I race.

Here I am with the Angel Girls - now they are fresh and pretty, and I'm all gross and sweaty, but it was fun regardless

Here we are after the race - Disney gives you some serious bling for the medal!

And the after race toast - the reason I run (LOL)

First Day of School

I can't believe summer is over and it's time to start a new school year already.  This year Katie joins her brothers at La Purisima.  We now have THREE kids going there - yikes!  Zachary is in 7th, Nicholas in 2nd and Katie in Pre-K.  It is going to be an exciting year - Zachary will be on Student Council and continue with band and sports, Nicholas is set to take his first communion this year, and there will be some changes in store for our baby girl as she adjusts to a more formal pre-school environment.

As has been the tradition, on the 1st day of school I like to take a photo of the kids in front of the house so we can see how they grow year after year

Here is Nicholas with his friend Jacob, and then with Miguel and Tommy

And with Sophia, Shannon and Maggie.  Nicholas is definitely popular with the girls!!

Nicholas and Fiona are neighbors for the 1st day of school

Zachary had a big role to play the first day of school, celebrating all the birthdays from the summer.  As the Commissioner of School Spirit it is his job to do all things fun - definitely in his element!  When they announced the student council, he got one of the loudest cheers from the student body.  It is going to be an exciting school year!

My little girls first official day of Pre-School.  I hope she is going to have a good time - it's hard to believe how quickly she has grown

But it looks like she is going to fit right in - playing on the swings with her friend Samantha

Tata Turns 98!

Johnny's grandfather celebrated his 98th birthday in August.  We are so blessed to have had and be having so many special years with him.  He is am amazing person with such a warm and kind spirit. We made sure to take photos with the family and Tata to commemorate his special day.  Then we dove into the wine cake!

Tiffany, Isaac and Alina (his great great granddaughter)

With his grandchildren, Johnny, Cynthis and Yancy

And his daughter - Tita and Nato

Beach Day with Tim Salmon

In addition to going to the Angel Game with Tim Salmon, we got to spend an afternoon at his place in Newport Beach with the kids playing catch.  What a fun time to get to throw the ball around with a major league baseball player!

He posed for photos with the family and the kids were thrilled that they got a chance to meet him too. It was a beautiful summer day at the beach.  Katie had a great time splashing in the ocean

The Sleep Over

So we decided to brave it again - this time Zachary got to invite his friends over for a sleep over.  Turns out a sleep over with 12 year old boys is a lot easier than with 8 year old boys!  They were pretty good - we told them they could stay up as late as they wanted, as long as they were quiet and in the playroom.  Parties like this are easy - make some hamburgers, bring their DS and PSPs, play the Wii, watch a movie, eat some cake and you're good to go!

Shooting some pool

Dad had his friend Dave Wiess come over to lend moral support - and help with the cooking

These boys can eat a lot - we couldn't believe it, but Robbie (far left) had 2 double double burgers and ate them all - yikes!

Mom made chocolate mousse filled cupcakes - yummy!

Love those cheeks!

Zach - Robbie and Vidal - the way 12 year old boys play these days!

The crazy gang!

And finally - the little sister hiding from the crazy boys. (And if you are wondering where the little brother is - well, we shipped him off to a friends house for his own sleep-over.  Given the choice, what would you do if your older brother was having a sleep over?  Get out of Dodge - for sure!)

Universal Studios

For Zachary's 12th birthday we went to Universal Studios.  Even though it was the middle of summer and pretty darn hot, we had a great time and got to go on a lot of rides.  They have a neat feature for most of the roller coaster rides where there is a "child-switch" room so while one of us waited in the line for the ride, the other waited with Katie in a room, usually with a TV and toys.  Then we could cut into the front of the line and ride without waiting again.  And since you could bring one person with you, Zachary got to ride most rides twice!  They also had a lot of misting stations in the park to help cool you off.  We parked close and brought a picnic lunch which was nice.

We ran into Dora the Explorer - which is Katies FAVORITE TV show in the world (I mean, there is a serious obsession here) - but I think the giant Dora whose head is larger than Katie herself freaked her out a little ... bummer

Here is Zachary waiting with Katie in the child swap room, and then Katie in the room while waiting for the boys to ride on Jurassic Park

You can't go to Univsersal Studios without going on the tram ride - Zach and Nicholas wait in line, while Daddy gives Katie a better view

While on the tram ride, I had to a take a picture from the set of Desperate Houswives - we love that show and got to see Wisteria Lane!

In honor of Grandpa and Aunt Irene who are big time Dodgers fans, the boys sat in the set that looks like they are at a game.  This is as close as this Angel family will get to being in Dodger Blue haha!

 

Zachary shows that he is 12

The last ride of the day - Jurassic Park - man, that ride gets you really wet!!

While the boys got drenched, Katie and I got some dippin' dots which she shared (a little) with her brothers

Baby Neveah arrives

Steven and Susan brought Neveah into the world on July 26th.  Her name is Heaven spelled backwords - neat isn't it?

The Proud Daddy -(and she makes Johnny a Great-Uncle!!).  I know Johnny remembers running to the hospital (because he didn't have a drivers license) when Steven was born - and to think now he has his own child.  Amazing

I love newborns - they are so precious.  I like to look at them and wonder what they think of this new place they have found themselves in

Tia Yancy sees her godson and first born nephew having his own baby - similar feelings to Johnny I am sure

Nicholas is a pro at holding new babies by now - Katie and Alina have taught him well