Welcome to the 11 year old Birthday Games!

I was just looking back through my posts and realized that I had downloaded these pictures but never posted them on my blog!  Oops!  Well, in August, Effie Trinket welcomed Marin's guests to the Hunger Games themed birthday party/sleepover she had. Amber (Effie) was also the coordinator of the various games we played.

The girls had to go on a scavenger hunt with Hunger Game-like clues. They had a diving for rings contest in the pool, made District t-shirts and participated in a target shooting contest with Nerf guns.

  

They ate tons of pizza and enjoyed our Games cake (themed from the Games in book two).  Opening presents was fun and those who could, stayed for a sleepover and watched the movie. There were LOTS of giggles.  What a fun night!!!

Friends who joined us were- Nousha, Valeria Ferrifino, Tatiana Lemon, Sofia Howard, Amanda Hall, Paige Mortensen, Karly Hopper and Rylee Terry.  So much fun!

I can't believe Marin is already 11!  How did my baby get so big?  She is such a kind, loving, sweet, fun girl.  I love being with her and doing stuff together.  She is the best sister anyone could ever have and is always so thoughtful.  She worries a lot about others feelings.  She works hard in school and is each teacher's favorite student.  Even her 14 year old brother who hardly does more than grunt likes to talk and be with her. She brings out the best in each of us.  I am remarkably blessed to be the mother of such an amazing young lady!!!!

Freshman Football

Just a few shots from the last Freshman game of the season.  We played, and beat, Woodbridge so it was extra good :). It has been fun to watch Justin lead his team this year.  He works so hard and it continually amazes me to see his determination and dedication.  One of his greatest frustrations this season has been those who are not as dedicated as he is about playing hard.  His focus is so sharp that I have a feeling he will be frustrated with others for many years.  I hope that he will continue to find those who are as passionate as he is and that they will succeed together. 

Justin has played offense and defense all season with the exception of the CDM game when he didn't play defense because he had hurt his throwing hand in the game the week before.  I know it is exhausting for him to play both sides, but I actually enjoy watching him play defense because it gives me a chance to see him hit someone else instead of being the one always getting hit.  There must be some messed up psychology there, but it is true.

We have had lots of fun watching the Freshman cheerleaders as well since I know so man of them from  Pacific Dance and from doing choreography at the middle schools.

Some of Justin's best football buddies- Scotty Searl, Ben Roznos, Joshua Gray and Curtis Jackson

Another very determined, talented young man and good friend- Vincent Sandoval

After the game with the family (Ben had to leave to go to his football practice that then got cancelled which is another whole story, so he is absent from the picture).  Notice the score in back as well :).  Nana and Granddad flew in just in time to come see Justin play. It was so fun to have them with us!  

Justin and his sisters- not natural football fans, but Justin Miller fans!

I am sad the season is over.  Justin is too.  After the Varsity game last night (which we lost) the coaches and players lined up on the field and the seniors went down the line hugging and talking to each person in the "receiving line".  Justin has been the scribe for the offensive coordinator for the year, so he has been on the field with the Varsity for every game, even after the game when he hurt his hand and could hardly write, he was there writing down every play.  I think his involvement has given him the opportunity to bond with the older players.  He was very emotional as he hugged each senior.  Ryan held it together until the last player walked through.  They hugged so tightly and cried.  I can't even think about how hard it will be in upcoming years as he spends more and more time with each player.  Luckily I got to work the snack bar at the last game so I didn't have to really see the loss that ended the season.  Overall, though, it has been a great season.  We have all learned a lot, met some wonderful families, and had lots of fun cheering for the Mighty Vaqueros!

Halloween 2012

We had a fun night going Trick or Treating with the Terry family.  I spent over a 1/2 hour looking for the cute witch hat that I bought for Grace weeks ago and could never find it.  After I stressed out and got all frustrated, we headed to the Terry's without it.  Amber spent the evening at Emily's house because her foot has still not completely healed after her surgery and she couldn't trick or treat.  Justin went to a party at Katherine McCombs house and joined with some other church friends in hanging out and eating. 

 I took Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games, Steve from Minecraft and my little Witchie-Poo to the Terry's.  Ryan and Eric met us after football practice and we walked around a VERY crowded neighborhood. It was fun to see so many people we knew and the kids had a good time.  They did figure out that we actually got less candy than in our neighborhood because it was so crowded.  Fewer people walk around our area, so it is not as fun in terms of seeing people you know, seeing fun costumes, etc, but you get more candy...I will be interested to see where they want to go next year.  What will win out candy or fun?  Maybe I will have found Grace's hat by then!!!

First Day of School 2012-13

A few pictures of the kids on the way to school, September 5, 2012.  My camera was being weird so the first few pictures were strange.  

Ben off to 4th grade, Justin a freshman, Marin to 6th grade and Amber a junior! Where has the time gone and who are these huge grown up kids? 

Grace was beyond excited to go to Transitional Kindergarten.  She had met Ms. Herman a few days before and couldn't wait to go to school with her new princess lunch box.

Grace and Ally on the first day in the classroom.

Silly girls after school by the flag pole. Grace, Alaya, Ally and Lauren.

Grace with Ms. Herman.

The three amigos after their first day!

Marin and Nousha after their first day of 6th grade!

Sassy ladies- Ms. Hager and Marin

Cool dudes- Ben and Mr. McNatt

The monkeys after school while I was visiting with some of teachers.

Are they normal?  I don't think so!

School has begun once again!  I don't feel like we got to do any of the things I planned this summer.  I guess there is always next year!

Last Day of Summer!

I just had to take this picture of Sean holding Ben and Ian in the pool.  The Halls came over for one last swim before school started the next day.  

It's That Time of Year!

Football season is again upon us!  Of course, for Justin and Ryan it has been going on most of the summer.   Marin, Grace and I cheered on Ben at the annual Charger Pep Rally.  My unhappy cheerleader wanted to paint her face and get all dressed up, but by the time we go to the rally she was already tired and ready to head home :).

Marin and Ben in the spirit of things! Marin is wearing one of Justin's old jerseys.

Clinic Blue Team

Ben was all decked out and looked awesome.  He was sad not to win the most spirited award, but someone's cute little sister was in a blue and yellow tutu, ribbons and all so she won. 

Here is Ben one day at practice as well. He loves playing QB, but is really a tight end and safety this year on his team.

I even got into the Charger spirit!  Heather Swanson found these awesome shoes and left them on my front porch with a note saying, "Happy football season!".  I love my shoes and wear them to every game!

That hot guy  in the white shirt and hat with his arms folded is my honey coaching the Irvine High Varsity team one day at practice.  He is loving his "new job".  I think he would love it even more if he didn't have to work at his real job too.  He is one tired puppy!

Ben found out one night at practice that he had the highest GPA on his team.  He was awarded the Scholar Athlete patch for his uniform, the sticker for his helmet and he will get a special plaque at the end of the season.  Good job Ben!

 Beach Yesterday...Nothing today

 We had another fun day at the beach yesterday.  

Rest of country goes back to school + we don't = close parking, great beach spots and no crowds.  LOVE IT!  Halls and Lemons joined us for a day of waves, sun and fun.  I do love the beach.

What should we do today? You can tell by the picture we are in desperate need of cleaning the house, but who really wants to do that?  Not Ben! Not me really either.  Amber and I have spent much of the week at Irvine Singers boot camp.  Justin has had two a days for football.  Tomorrow is super busy with Charger certification, the pep rally and IHS football kick-off dinner.  So today?  We should clean, but maybe we will lay around and do nothing for a bit first...

Natalie Visits

Marin and Natalie have been planning Natalie's visit since Marin stayed at her house last summer.  We had lots of fun.  They went to a movie all on their own, played at the beach, saw "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat", swam in the pool for hours day and night, played miniature golf and had cupcake wars.  We are so glad she got to come play!!!

 Natalie, Karly and Marin the boogie board models!

 Cupcake Wars!  They tasted soooooo good.  I don't think the picture really does them justice because they were so pretty.  Both were vanilla cupcakes.  One had cream cheese lime frosting with coconut and limes on top.  The other had a strawberry cream cheese frosting with chocolate and strawberries.  They both really worked on both cupcakes, so it wasn't really a war, but we enjoyed the eating!!!

Cute cousins and best friends!

IHS Performing Arts Reunion 

Super fun night seeing a bunch of friends from my high school days.  We had a great time catching up, telling old stories and laughing a lot!  I got to see Judy Vande Steeg Allen after having not seen her in 15 years!  So fun. Rich Messenger, Blake Gould, Stan Steele and his wife all joined us which made it even better. We talked from 6:30 to almost midnight and I left smiling, but with a hoarse voice!

Megan Pincus Kajitani and Stephanie Johnson Ainsworth

Me with Vicki Hawton Osborn and Chris Medvitz

Diane Gonzales, Debbie Harrington, Rich Messenger and me

With Maggie Odell and Megan Pincus

Trying to re-create our old courtesan picture from "Forum"- we were missing Lene though and our crazy costumes

Kirk Mills, Judy, Chris Merritt, and Aaron Hendry

Judy and me with LeAnne Payne Taylor

Kathy Simmons, Debbie Harrington, Cindy Sobel Neal,  and Sonia Desai